979: Chapter 964: Ram’s Horn 979: Chapter 964: Ram’s Horn Gao Yang’s requests were somewhat odd because each specification he mentioned ran contrary to the typical demands of a combat handgun.
A revolver with a natural material handle looks more upscale, and indeed it is more beautiful and distinctive, but the most comfortable grip is still rubber.
Rubber grips don’t slip, and they have finger grooves, especially those custom-made by Jack according to Gao Yang’s hand shape, which are sure to fit better.
Moreover, a shiny, gleaming stainless steel handgun is definitely not suitable for use at night.
Handles made of precious natural materials, crafted to be shiny, such a gun is good for display at home or for a fun shooting toy, but taking it into battle is quite odd.
Jack looked at Gao Yang, puzzled, and said, “Are you alright?
You’re not a show-off fool, so why would you think of taking a gun that’s not suitable for battle into battle?”
Gao Yang shrugged and replied, “There’s a reason.
First of all, while a rubber grip with finger grooves is very comfortable, have you noticed that when I draw my gun, I need to hold it in the correct position so that it fits my hand completely?
In the extremely urgent situation when I would need to use it, if my fingers don’t grip the correct grooves but instead the protruding parts, it would affect my aim and the timing and feel of my shooting.
A traditional style grip is more forgiving when I’m drawing my gun, and this situation wouldn’t arise.”
After trying out two handguns back and forth a few times, Jack nodded and said, “Alright, you’re right, the traditional-style grip is indeed a bit more convenient, but really just a little bit.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “Even a little bit is not okay.
Also, I want a shiny gun because it’s easily visible when I pull it out, more threatening.
When I need to use a handgun I don’t need to hide, so it doesn’t matter if the gun is very bright or not.”
After finishing, Gao Yang put his arm around Yelena and laughed, “Another very important reason is that a revolver can last a very long time.
If I stop using it, I can pass the gun to my son, and a rubber grip custom-made for my hand might not be suitable for my son.
A single traditional grip wouldn’t have that problem, right?”
Jack couldn’t help laughing and said, “Buddy, you’re thinking too far ahead.
If you have a son, can I give him a gun?”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “No, no, that’s not the same.
What I want is the feeling of a family heirloom.
I use it then pass it to my son, my son uses it then passes it to my grandson.
An automatic handgun won’t last that long, but a revolver can.
So, I need a stainless steel brushed barrel that won’t reflect and affect aiming but looks nice, not like blued steel barrels that wear and lose color.
Understand?”
In fact, Gao Yang had another reason but it wasn’t something he would say to Jack; it was for Yelena to hear.
Jack snapped his fingers and laughed, “Got it.
I’ve got black walnut wood, walnut wood, desert ironwood burls, snakewood, pearl oyster, ivory as well as fossilized mammoth ivory, sambar horn, and elk horn.
Camel bone, too.
These are the natural materials I have on hand.
Wood can be used for a full wrap-around grip or grip panels.
Any of these materials, if properly preserved, could last for hundreds of years without damage.
Now it’s up to you to decide which one you want.”
Gao Yang laughed heartily and said, “I don’t like animal products.
Hmm, I want wood, I want desert ironwood burls.”
Afterward, Gao Yang pointed at Jack and smiled, “Make sure to pick me a beautiful pattern for the desert ironwood burl.
It has to be especially nice.”
Jack waved his hand and said, “Pick it out later by yourself.
It’s now illegal to harvest desert ironwood, but my dad has a lot of desert ironwood burl stocks.
You can choose whatever wood grain you think looks good.”
Desert ironwood that Gao Yang was talking about grows only in the southwestern United States to the northwestern deserts of Mexico.
It thrives in extremely harsh environments and grows very slowly, making its wood extremely dense and hard, excellent for making gun and knife handles.
Because desert ironwood is very rare, the United States has very strict protective legislation, only allowing the collection of naturally dead and dry tree wood.
Desert ironwood burls, which can produce beautifully patterned wood known as shadow wood, are even rarer.
Trees only produce burls when wounded or infected, which are large nodules on the trees.
When these nodules are cut open, they reveal the patterned shadow wood.
And the usable wood from a desert ironwood tree is already rare, let alone a burl that can yield a complete piece of usable shadow wood.
Gao Yang chose desert ironwood burl as his grip material, then smiled at Jack and said, “Do you have a lot of stock?
That’s good, I really need to pick a piece of wood with a nice pattern.”
Jack nodded and asked, “Any other requirements?”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “That’s all.”
Jack snapped his fingers and said, “Gao, I made you three custom guns, a Blade of Satan, a shotgun, and a handgun.
I was thinking of including Ram’s Horn as a backup name for your rifle.
Now, since you’re going into battle with two handguns, what do you think about the name ‘Ram’s Horn’?”
Jack stretched out both hands, mimicking the posture of firing two guns, and laughed, “One on the left, one on the right – your dual handguns – your Ram’s Horn!
Use your Ram’s Horn to topple everyone who offends you!”
Gao Yang pondered for a moment, then slapped his hand and exclaimed loudly, “That’s a great idea!
Ram’s Horn, I like the name and its significance.”
Jack slapped his hand and said, “Wait for me in my lounge, I’ll go get the wood now.
I’ll start today and have your gun ready by tomorrow!”
Jack quickly brought a large bag of wood into his lounge.
There was hardly any large pieces of Desert Ironwood Burls, and as they took out pieces of wood, both large and small, Gao Yang, Jack, and Yelena began to wipe the dust off the wood and select the ones with attractive patterns.
The color of the Desert Ironwood Burls varied greatly, from golden yellow to purplish-black—all of them beautiful, so Gao Yang soon found himself dazzled, for every piece seemed appealing.
Jack said with some pride, “This was my father’s favorite material.
He collected it for many years to have what we’ve got now.
Plus, all of these are from the Sonoran Desert, the top source of Desert Ironwood.”
Just then, Yelena picked up a square piece of wood and wiped it with her hand but then bit her lip.
After a low exclamation of surprise, she handed it over to Gao Yang.
Gao Yang looked at the piece of wood and, in astonishment, opened his mouth wide, saying, “F**k, could this be the legendary act of Providence?”
Jack asked curiously, “What is it?
Let me see.”
After getting a hold of it, Jack was silent for a long time before he finally said solemnly, “A masterpiece of nature, an astonishing coincidence, God’s design.”
The piece of wood was golden in color, with many golden threads.
Even though the color was somewhat monotone, in the center of the block, there was an irregularly shaped dark brown triangle, or perhaps more appropriately a trapezoid, wider at the top and tapering downwards, with two very symmetrical and increasingly narrower curves branching from the widest top.
On the golden block of wood, the deep brown, almost black shape, looked remarkably like a ram’s head, complete with massive Ram’s Horns.
Most strikingly, if one looked closely, on that deep brown shape of a ram’s head, there were really two small golden spots, quite symmetrical, just like a pair of eyes.
After studying the wood for a long time, Jack finally said solemnly, “Two grip plates can be cut from this, whether to use on your 1911 or on the M686, either would showcase the ram’s head perfectly.
I don’t know what to say, it’s a masterpiece of nature, but tied to your name, the coincidence is too astonishing.
I think it’s a miracle.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Ram’s Horn, interesting, very good, very good indeed!
It seems my 1911 will also need a grip replacement.
It’s a pity I didn’t bring it with me, but I’ll have Little Donnie send it over right away.”
Jack shook the piece of wood in his hand and then exhaled deeply, “I have to treat this piece of wood with care, it’s too magical.”
At that moment, Gao Yang shook the wood in his hand and said with a smile, “Actually, I was planning on using this piece.
Take a look.”
The wood Gao Yang held was light brown with two closely-set, fairly regular dark brown hearts.
He handed it to Yelena and smiled, “I was planning to use this piece, but now it seems we could make a pair of ‘couple’s guns.’ What do you think?”
With a gentle smile, Yelena said, “Sure, one for each of us.”
Gao Yang handed the wood to Jack and chuckled, “See what gun it fits best.
Considering the curves, I think it might be more suitable for a revolver, but it must have a low recoil, my girlfriend’s hands are for playing the violin.”
Jack nodded and said, “You two pick it out later; I’ll handle it.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Okay, it seems my choice for a backup pistol can have a miraculous conclusion.
Now let’s continue with other matters.
Did you find the ammunition I asked you to look for?”
Jack nodded and replied, “If you’re referring to the FRAG-12 series ammunition, I found it.
Try it later.
Um, I have something to discuss with you.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Then just say it.”
Jack sighed, glanced at Yelena, hesitated for a moment before saying softly, “Can we talk alone?”
Gao Yang gave an inquiring look and after another moment of hesitation, Jack whispered, “It’s about Bruce.”
Gao Yang nodded, took Yelena’s hand, and said softly, “It’s okay, she knows everything.
Go ahead.”
After musing for a while, Jack said softly, “Well, I might have accidentally let it slip and told one of Bruce’s comrades about his death, and now there’s a bit of an issue, so I need to ask what you think.”