Sharing a Passion

What is the common denominator between us and our customers that makes the time spent speaking with them on the phone such a pleasure. The answer is that we all share in our passions - our belief in our Constitution, our love of the battles rifles inherent to the history of our country, and our unwavering support for all of our military personnel who fight and sometimes die in the name of freedom everywhere. So, if you call us with a questions or to place an order, you may find yourself in a rather lengthy discussion not only about firearms, but also about history and the events of the day and what each of us, as individuals, can do to keep alive the principles on which our country was founded.

Visit us at www.sadlak.com to learn more about our company and our products.

Friday, May 22, 2009

In Remembrance

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

In response, Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Memorial Day, Decoration Day, Remembrance Day - whatever we choose to call this day, let us all set aside some time to reflect on it's meaning and to honor the memory of the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country and in the name of freedom around the world. The sacrifices made on our behalf require that not one of our citizens ever forget that we walk in freedom because there have been those who were willing to lay down their lives that it would be so; that our flag flies freely because there have been those who were willing to lay down their lives that it would be so; and that our Constitution continues to be our guidepost because there have been those who were willing to lay down their lives that it would be so.

We will never forget and we will teach our children who will teach their children. We will never forget.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

John Garand Joins Springfield Armory

It was 1919 when John Garand, an employee of the Bureau of Standards, submitted plans for a light weight machine gun to the Ordnance Department. The Department did not need a light machine gun but believed Garand's principle might be applied to a Semi-Automatic rifle. The Ordnance Department hired him at a salary of $3,600 a year. It should be noted that the average household income in 1919 was a mere $1,518 so Mr. Garand was certainly believed to be a valuable addition to Ordnance. That was the beginning of his career at Springfield Armory which lasted until his retirement in 1953. Mr. Garand's contributions to modern armaments are truly amazing.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Blogging - a new adventure

This is a new adventure for us - blogging. It will take a little time to become accustomed to this format of communication but Mike and I are looking forward to the challenge (as if we didn't have enough challenges.) This will give us a chance to add information as well as some pretty strong opinions about what is going on in the world today. Stay tuned.....

Our Trip to the Historic Springfield Armory Museum

Mike Sadlak (Sadlak Industries LLC) arranged for a special guided tour of the second floor of the Main Arsenal of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Our small band of M14 enthusiasts spent a couple hours on this rainy Saturday, 04/23/05, immersed in the history and development of armaments. The arrangements took several months to accomplish and involved obtaining a special permit for a group limited to 10 people. We were accompanied by two(2) guides, one leading the group and the other bringing up the rear. This was not a place we were allowed to roam about individually and there was absolutely no hands on by anyone but our very knowledgeable guide, John McCabe, Chief Curator. As his white gloved hands took individual guns off the crowded shelves, he was able to give us the history of each weapon, manufacturing, and issues related to their use as he helped clarify the evolution of our modern select-fire rifles.

The lower level of the Museum is open to the public and has samples of every weapon you can imagine on display, from the Revolutionary War through the present. The second floor is closed to the public except with a special permit but when you enter the area, you are rewarded beyond your expectations. Our arrangement was to bypass the early firearms and center the tour and discussion with the chief Curator exclusively on the M14 and other select-fire rifles including many test and prototype rifles. Photographs are allowed but they simply can't do justice to the sheer volume and diversity of weaponry stored there.

The information provided by the National Park Services says the following:
" Springfield Armory technology profoundly affected the lives of soldiers and civilians. Armory arms decided battle tactics. They were essential in all major conflicts in U.S. History. Armory inventions revolutionized the manufacture of consumer products like keys, shoes, baseball bats and furniture. Housed in the original Main Arsenal, the museum maintains one of the most extensive and unique firearms collections in the world."

"Springfield Armory National Historic Site encompasses approximately 55 acres and several buildings of the original armory complex. The central attraction is the Arsenal building, # 13, constructed in the 1840's. The weapons collection housed in the Main arsenal was started about 1870 by Col. J.G. Benton as a technical "library" for armory personnel. It is now regarded as the Nation's largest collection of small arms."


Historic Springfield Armory

Historic Springfield Armory
Springfield Armory Historic Museum

Springfield Armory Museum

Springfield Armory Museum
John McCable, Chief Curator explaining the history of some of the inventory

Springfield Armory Museum

Springfield Armory Museum
Another select fire weapon from the Museum's Inventory

Springfield Armory Museum

Springfield Armory Museum
One of the particularly attractive stocks on a select fire weapon

Springfield Armory Museum

Springfield Armory Museum
Looking down one of the many aisles of select fire weapons on the Museum's second floor - An indescribable sight

Springfield Armory Museum

Springfield Armory Museum
Mike Sadlak deep in thought as he studies every detail of the Vietnam War error weapons