You Are All Idiots
Posted by EdFriedman2, Today, 02:02 PM
Or at least gun magazines, Shooting Illustrated included, think you are. Most gun rags report accuracy results and include an average group size. This is wrong on a couple of levels.
First, the average group was probably not actually shot. Say a gun shoots the following groups:
1 inch
2 inches
1.51 inches
1.63 inches
1.25 inches
That gives an average group of 1.48 inches (rounded). Did the gun actually shoot a 1.48-inch group? No. A more accurate term would be “group average,” which at least honestly describes the number reported.
Second, and more importantly, averages are distorted by the largest and smallest number incorporated. Take the following groups:
1.1 inches
2.06 inches
1 inch
.88 inch
1.19 inches
The average of those groups is 1.25 inches (rounded), which is larger than all but the largest group. A 2.06-inch group likely doesn’t include a flier, so it is a legit group, but it throws off the average, making the gun appear less accurate if you only look at the group average.
What gun magazines should report is the median group size, which was both shot by the gun and more precisely reflects the gun’s accuracy potential. In the case above, the median group is 1.1 inches, which is .15-inch smaller than the average. The reverse could also be true, where the smallest group is grossly smaller than the other four groups, making the gun seem more accurate than it really is if you report an average.
We debated literally for hours about this issue, and reached a very divided consensus that most of our readers are so accustomed to seeing “average group size,” they would not understand/appreciate reporting a median group size. So we think you’re dumb, or something.
I don’t, but I want to know if you all would prefer to see the correct reporting of a median group or the tried and true, but false, reporting of average group size. Keep in mind that magazines have limited space, so while we could show standard deviations for each group, etc., accuracy results need to fit in a defined space and not take up four pages just to provide every ounce of information. So, are you idiots?
How to Spot a Terrorist
Posted by EdFriedman2, Aug 31 2010, 01:28 PM
Courtesy of TSA
Spent brass in your pocket: Terrorist
Cell phone duct-taped to a bottle of Pepto Bismol, watches taped to other bottles, $7,000 in cash and a ticket to Yemen: You’re free to board.
The country is in the best of hands.
National Matches
Posted by EdFriedman2, Aug 19 2010, 01:31 PM
Covered in that other Illustrated magazine.
Hat Tip: SayUncle
Since No One Else is Talking About It...
Posted by EdFriedman2, Aug 2 2010, 05:45 PMToday marks the 20th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, which makes me feel old.
I’ll Give Up My Gun
Posted by EdFriedman2, Jul 23 2010, 02:45 PMOr not. That’s the title of Steve Lee’s latest single. Check out the video here:
Palm Pistol Prototype
Posted by EdFriedman2, Jul 20 2010, 01:42 PM
Matt Carmel emailed last night with some pics of the first functional prototype of the Palm Pistol, which just arrived at Constitution Arms for testing. He’s going to put 10,000 rounds through it and then drop test the single-shot .38 Spl. This won’t be like putting 10,000 rounds through an AR (334 reloads) or a 1911 (1,429 reloads). No, Carmel will have to reload the Palm Pistol 10,000 times, so not only will the barrel, frame and hinge be tested, so will Carmel’s sanity. He told me he already put 300 rounds and three proof loads through the gun last night without issue.
Here are two looks at the Palm Pistol—a profile shot and a look at the gun with the action open.
Every step in the Palm Pistol saga makes me more interested in the gun. Carmel says there will be a host of options, including a Picatinny rail, a crenellated strike bezel, color options and more. I can’t wait to see the final product!
Hmmm…
Posted by EdFriedman2, Jul 19 2010, 01:32 PM
Something doesn’t seem quite right with this photo Ashton Kutcher shot with his Nikon camera.
Hat Tip: The Firearm Blog
Extremely Shocking
Posted by EdFriedman2, Jul 16 2010, 06:28 PM
Extreme Shock Ammunition has introduced a new cartridge in its Air Freedom Round series of lightweight, frangible bullets designed for use in confined spaces. The 30-grain .223 Rem. AFR round has a tungsten core, a copper jacket and a round nose. It is capable of 3,100 fps out of an M4 barrel, and is designed to fragment after passing through 1.5 inches of sheetrock.
According to the company’s press release:
“This round embodies the reliability and safety of the handgun Air Freedom Rounds. They are specifically designed for tactical entry teams in an urban environment, where it is crucial to contain the rounds within a limited space. The frangible characteristics of the new AFR make it a necessity when the situation requires a round with no ricochet, reduced over-penetration, and will drop all the kinetic energy inside the target thereby reducing liabilities.”
At $1.39 per round, it’s certainly on the pricey side, even in today’s market, but if it stops the bad guys without putting innocents at risk, it’ll be money well spent.
See Extreme Shock Ammunition’s website for more info.
Monkey Knife Fight Is Lame
Posted by EdFriedman2, Jul 13 2010, 01:29 PM
Because monkeys have machine guns now! You can trust that this story is 100-percent accurate because it comes via the official news agency of the Chinese Communist Party. Of course, the monkeys are likely to be more accurate shots than the Taliban.
Hat Tip: The Firearm Blog
Molon Labe
Posted by EdFriedman2, Jul 9 2010, 02:10 PM
Says McDonald’s to some fascist group that wants to force the Golden Arches to stop selling Happy Meals. Bully for Mickey D’s. Might go out and get me a Big Mac today.
Hat Tip: Hot Air
on How to Spot a Terrorist