VolkStudio Blog

Jilly, Marisa and Martini

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Posted in beast, interesting people, pet, rifle | Tagged 303 British, cat, girl, Martini, white | 1 Comment

Ambidextrous rifle from Rainier Arms

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Nice rifle, pity it isn’t mine. The Samson forend is quite small in circumference and very light thanks to careful skeletonizing. Magpul UBR stock, grip, sights and rail sling attachment. AXTS receiver has all controls duplicated left and right.

Rainier Arms

Posted in light/laser, rifle | Tagged 223, AXTS.AR15, infrared, laser, primary arms, Rainier Arms | 7 Comments

More Dragoncon characters

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Writer Kevin Evans

Atlanta street zombie…not to be confused with a typical Chicago voter.

Posted in interesting people | Tagged Atlanta, Dragoncon, writer, zombie | 4 Comments

The Lawdog got it (9-11)

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Reflections on the ten-year mark.

Posted in civil rights | Tagged 9-11, government, terrorism, TSA | Comments Off

Cell phone repair

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Two months ago, I switched to an HTC phone. Its microphone seems either poorly made or just broken, as many people complained that it’s become hard to hear my side of the conversation. The phone also spontaneously dials random numbers from the recently dialed list.

I called both HTC and AT&T and they said it would take 7-10 days to repair the phone. I wasn’t able to figure out if they would provide a loaner phone, but that seems unlikely. Looking for suggestions on how to get my number forwarded to another phone (and where to get the spare phone in general) to tide me over the repair period.

In general, how common are these problems with HTC Inspire phones?

Posted in advice requested | Tagged cell phone, HTC | 17 Comments

Plastic birdshot

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Recently, I received several boxes of less lethal munitions from Rio. Beanbags, rubber buckshot and roundball, blanks and plastic birdshot. Since riot control isn’t my thing, and I don’t hunt plastic decoys with rubber buck, I was trying to find a use for the munitions.

They make great training rounds for kids and other recoil-sensitive shooters. Since certain guns are not available in calibers smaller than 12, these make excellent for reduced recoil training. Effective range — the distance at which the pellets penetrate target paper — seems to be about 20m. The shot cup is the most dangerous projectile. Overall recoil is below .410 and the report is roughly comparable.

For indoor or close range shooting, this round also reduces ricochet danger. I do not advise using this instead of regular birdshot in the long run, but it is great for the initial familiarization.

Posted in ammunition, shotgun, training | Tagged 12ga, birshot, keltec, KSG, less lethal, plastic, riot | 5 Comments

Dennis from Dragon Leather was just here

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Oleg Volk

He showed me the prize holster for the current Wounded Warrior fundraiser.

Dragon Leather, now in Tennessee.

Posted in holster, pistol | Tagged Dragon Leather, fund-raising, leather, M1911 | 3 Comments

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Posted in food, humor, interesting people | Tagged Atlanta, Dragoncon, fantasy | 4 Comments

Who left an ACOG at my place?

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Going through the side pockets of a soft case, I found a bore snake, rubber ear plugs, playing cards and an ACOG. I can’t recall who left the two cases for me to use, but I am pretty sure that the ACOG was left behind by accident. Please let me know if you are missing one (you would know the magnification, the type and the color of the reticle).

Posted in advice requested | Tagged ACOG, optic, scope | 6 Comments

Visitors!

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Posted in interesting people | Tagged couple, cute | 3 Comments

I like the Steampunk style

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Posted in interesting people | Tagged Atlanta, Dragoncon, Steampunk | 9 Comments

Back from Dragoncon

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Had a good time with Madmike, Wing, Montieth and other friends. I mostly just relaxed and kicked back. Most of the panel discussions didn’t interest me much, but small group and one on one conversations after hours were fun. Met many old friends and quite a few new people. Photos will be posted as I have them edited.

Tirzah is a makeup artist.

Brian drifted into Steampunk from SCA.

Posted in interesting people | Tagged Atlanta, costume, Dragoncon, make-up, Steampunk, zombie | 4 Comments

How to get in touch with PR department at Sony

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Canon Professional Services have, on occasion, provided me with loaner equipment for evaluation. I am now curious about Sony A77 and would like to try it out for a few days. Any suggestions who to contact at Sony with the request?

Posted in advice requested, camera and lens | Tagged Sony | 1 Comment

At Dragoncon this weekend

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Oleg Volk

Feel free to say “hello” if you see me.

Posted in author | Tagged Atlanta, convention, Dragoncon | 6 Comments

Need to find a TGS-104 video cable

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Oleg Volk

I need to find either a TGS-104 or a functional equivalent. So far, I have not located any current sources. I also have not found the specs on it, which makes figuring out equivalent cables difficult. Does anyone have a lead for me?