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Boy I feel old with what you guys had for first cars. My first car was a 1949 Crosley Station Wagon that I bought for $100 when I was 13. I spent the next 3 years rebuilding it mechanically. Had it tore down to just a frame on a pair of saw horses then cleaned and painted and assembled. Never got beyond a rattle can paint job for the body when it went on the road to drive the last of my high school years. Here is the hook, I still have it. Rebuild mechanical a second time in the 70s and it is on jack stands in my shop waiting for me to get to a third rebuild.

1977 FJ40. Man, I loved that old truck.

1963 Mercury Comet 4 door sedan with the screamin' 170 CID straight six cylinder engine and automatic transmission. It had belonged to an Aunt of mine who had had a minor wreck in it. The car sat out in the open at my Grandparents farm for over two years. I gave her $30 for it. A new battery and it fired right up. I scoured the junk yards and came up with a hood and right fender. The bumper wasn't too bad and I managed to bang it back out. My neighbor worked at the Ford warehouse and found me a brand new grill for it. A $29.95 Earl Schibe paint job in midnight blue and I was ready to go! It wasn't fast or fancy. But man we had some good times in that buggy when I was a teenager. I do believe that this car was what put me on the road to becoming a mechanic.

I have a Costco bighorn and recently switched out the electronic lock to a mechanical. I was apprehensive knowing zero about the subject, but it was very easy and bolted right up. I had to drill one hole (non-critical) and cut the dial spindle to length. Lock was working okay but just didn’t have confidence it would last. I used a S&G 6730 from Amazon everything was included. dont hesitate doing it if you have been contemplating it. Not sure how it is on other safes, but the Costco bighorn was butter...

Hi all, Mine was a '67 VW that I later chopped to a Baja bug. Growing up in Tucson, having a desert crawler was a good thing. Ed

Mine was 1957 Chevy 2 door post with a 283 v-8

I wanted to take a few minutes to thank all of you that have made donations to my GoFundMe account so far as every donation will help. Some of you know that Ronnie has a small shop at his home cause he has worked on some of yall's cars and trucks. Some of his local customers near his home have stopped in to let him know if they can help that soon as he has some tools they will be bringing their cars and trucks to him for all their work so that did pump Ronnie up a little. He borrowed a few tools from a neighbor to do a clutch job he has on his rack and he is working on it today. I just wanted to say Thank you and give folks an update on what is going on. Ronnie is not a quitter and I will be at his side through this as long as it takes.

Here is the thing. Remakes are usually always disappointing. And most NEVER live up to the quality and performance of the original. I don't care what type of gun, or who the manufacturer is. The reasons are really quite simple. You have to look at WHY the original was discontinued in the first place. In most all cases it was due to the cost of manufacturing them. The original Colt Python was so desirable, because it's lockwork was hand fit by people who were all but of gunsmith level talent. Colt could no longer charge what was required at the time, in order to turn a profit by keeping it on the market. So, like many original firearms, it was discontinued. Then, like clockwork, once discontinued the value of the originals began to skyrocket. Colt saw this and immediately wanted to capitalize on it. So the first thing they looked to accomplish is how to make them, and still turn a profit on them. They then redesigned the lockwork to be simpler, faster, easier, and above all, cheaper, to produce. And in the process eliminate all the hand fitting that made the gun so desirable in the first place. This is NOT a Colt Python. It is a redesigned facsimile to look like a Colt Python. And there are obviously problems with it. Reports are coming in left and right about the gun locking up, cylinders not turning, or else going out of time. And in general not operating correctly. Hickok .45 has confirmed this. As have others. Colt would have done their customers a much better service by doing what they did with the Single Action Army, and what Marlin did with the Original Marlin Golden 39-A. Make it a special order gun, and price it to match the same quality level it had before they discontinued it. But instead they chose to cheapen the gun up enough for mass production. By changing it's design in order to make it profitable enough to warrant mass production in the first place. Much like Browning did with the "new" Auto V. It is nothing like the original. It has an Aluminum receiver, and operates totally differently than the original did. No parts interchange between the 2..... Only the name. And it still costs a ton. This "new" Python is no different. I'm not saying it was wrong for Colt to do this. It makes complete sense from a marketing standpoint. Just as it does for Browning to reintroduce the Auto V. But it's not the same gun, and it never will be the same gun. But it will satisfy a market for these guns that has developed. And at the same time, most likely increase the value of the originals...... Assuming they ever get the thing to work correctly.

Or if you are looking to save a couple $ and the circle dot reticle doesn't matter you can pick up the 407c for $50-70 less.

The way that I understand it is that comprehensive coverage follows the vehicle whereas liability coverage follows the driver. That's why if there is a lien on the car the lien-holder isn't out the money if you loan your financed vehicle out to someone and they wreck it. The liability coverage covers the damage to another person's property.

You can buy a Service Grade Garand from CMP for $750 right now. Many don’t want to jump through the hoops, so they pay $1000 to $1300 in the private market, with some routinely being priced at $2500. You can also, right now, get a “Special” grade from $650 to $1050 that is refurbished with modern parts, (It doesn’t seem to me many want that) The above comments that you pretty much have a complete receiver is what I was thinking. You can buy a complete new production stock from CMP for $157. 45. A new barrel is $200. The best money you can spend on a Garand right now, if you want the “real deal” that can be a shooter is, the Field Grade for $650 or the Service Grade for $750 from CMP. Either of those easily bring over a grand when sold in the private market.

Ruger's Minis are totally different animals that really only share a cartridge with ARs. If you want a longer LOP than you've found on ARs so far, try to find one with a fixed rifle stock. If your fiance is quite a bit shorter, and you're planning to share, the adjustability of the carbine stocks can be nice. And as @peejman mentioned, spacers can be helpful.

The replacement stock is only a minor hit. A couple of hundred at most. But that cut barrel is a real killer. For a Garand to have the barrel cut and still function, more than just the barrel was modified. My guess would be maybe $400-500. But frankly, I wouldn't touch it. By the time you replaced the barrel, stock and whatever else is needed, you could have bought a nice original Garand.

The 38 Super is a semi-rimmed cartridge. The early guns did indeed headspace on that tiny rim. As a result, accuracy suffered. I believe it was Bar-Sto who finally figured out that headspacing on the case mouth like other semi-auto cartridges solved the accuracy problem. Just about everybody had fixed the headspacing problem by the late 80s. Except Colt. They were hard headed and didn't finally admit their mistake and fix the problem until the very late 90s. I think its safe to say that any 38 Super built in the last 30 years headspaces on the case mouth.

I am betting there have been some really great cars that ran thru our hands. 1965 Buick Wildcat. Nailhead 401 Bought for $400 from a little old lady my mom knew. Fun, but dangerous in the hands of a teenager. Use to tick my brother off to no end it was faster than his 73 Roadrunner. Had a real problem with right rear wheel tire wear though.

I added yet another M&P to the collection and went shooting today. Having a Shield and a Compact, it was time for a full size so i bought an M&P full size 45 ACP (4.5” barrel). It’s my first 45 and I’ve done enough reading to know I wanted a larger gun, plus I’m trying to get one of each series of the M&P line. I shot it today and though it was louder than my 9mm, it didn’t flip as hard as the 9 does. It shot like a Cadillac. Solid, heavy punch.... but not any harder to hold on to than the 9. So the question is was it because of the full size frame (vs the 9mm Shield) or was it because of the low velocity ammo? I shot standard rounds (230 grain vs 115 grain). I was very intimidated by the huge gun and bullet before I shot it, but it was an absolute joy to shoot and ended up finishing the first mag as quickly as i typically shoot my 9 (2 shots per second).

Hi all. Recently started becoming interested in the reflex red dots and bought the Walther Q5 Match and mounted a Vortex Venom on it. I took it out to the range on two occasions now along with a few other 9mm of mine. First, about the pistol: - Great striker fired pistol. I own dozens of guns and only two are polymer, this and my Springfield XDS 3.3. I have shot many, however. Best striker trigger out of the box that I have fired. Granted it’s not my Kimber Aegis Elite but that’s not expected. - Nice balance in my hand. Comfortable grip. - Holy muzzle flip. Not an issue for slow shooting but follow up shots take some work. - Flawless operation out of the box. Can’t say that about a lot of new guns I’ve purchased in the last year sadly. (Looking at you Ruger and S&W) The sight mounted easily with the number one plate included with the Walther. It came with three different mounting plates. I had been practicing dry fire and presentation with the sight and find the dot very easy to find. No issues with “searching”. While this is my first sight of this nature, I do have a rail mounted Browning Red Dot on two Buckmarks. I used the sight in “auto” mode and found the brightness very good for the range I visit. It was easy to zero in. Shooting with the dot: I shot this gun today along with my Beretta M9A3. At close range I found my Beretta much easier to group nicely and tighter. Close range is 5-7 yards. Beyond that, out to 25 yards, is where I saw the huge benefits on the dot. It improved my accuracy tremendously compared to the open sights of the Beretta (a gun I have tens of thousands of rounds experience with). My goal is to continue practicing speed and accuracy with the optic mounted pistol at the closer ranges. My confidence at longer ranges has gone through the roof with it!

A Garand’s full barrel is 24” long, so really the only way through pictures would be to ask the seller for a better photo of the full barrel to include gas cylinder and operating rod (op rod,) preferably with a yardstick or ruler for scale. I’d also ask for some good pictures of the receiver. Unless you can put your hands on it, it’s really kind of a crapshoot. Can you do face to face sales in MN? That’s where the seller is and if you’re not to far away, it might be worth a drive to look. Could be a good deal if everything else is in good shape and you’re not set on an M1 in its as issued configuration. Even then, if someone hasn’t bubba’d the metal, you can get a military stock relatively cheap. Ed

They wrote a song about those, Chevy Van, in 1973, by Sammy Jones! Man, I love those things!!! You won’t find one for $1500 now! I bought my first car 1979. It was a 4 door 1970 Plymouth Satellite, gold with an imitation alligator skin vinyl top, a 318 V8, factory am/fm, air and mag wheels. Got it from the Used Car manager in Maryville. It was his wife car. Picked up for $1000. Wish I still had it! Loved that car.

Probably the same one wearing the pants in most outfits. We really gotta form a union or something...

Dang, @RedlegEd, way to twist the knife as it goes in! http://www.armslist.com/posts/11024990/minnesota-rifles-for-sale--sporterized-m1-g It's a lefty, and definitely not a purist's gun, but kinda interesting as an example of what people have done with those $100 Garands.

My Dad literally had 12 Beetles between the time I was born and was maybe 7 years old. Going to Jimmy Payne’s VW dealership in Memphis was how I grew up, lol.

Head over to Royal Range, they have a good selection of ARs and it is an indoor range. https://www.royalrangeusa.com/

Who’s wearing the pants in this outfit?

My Dad had a 69 Super Beetle when I was a kid. I think first car I remember. Mom had a 74 Beetle

1956 Buick Special 4-door hard top. “Titty-pink & white”. That sucker would fly (once you got her wound up!!)

Research indicates a few months ago at least. Good to know. Never paid them any mind due to not shipping TO THEIR OWN STATE but now it looks like they're another option when shopping.

Very first of many cars and trucks was a spotless 1964 Chevy Impala 4dr, 283 V8, auto, P/S, factory below dash A/C. It only had 28K miles on it and still had the clear plastic seat wrap on it when I bought from a little grandma for $300 in 1975. First day I drove it to school all the rich kids were razzin' me about while standing next to their Trans Ams, 280Zs etc. I just said "Yeah, but Daddy didn't buy mine." I never heard another word about it. Other memorable cars that I wish I still had included: 1976 L82 Corvette 1967 Catalina 2+2 Tri-Power, 4spd., 428 CI, NASCAR production. 1975.5 455 Super Duty Trans Am, 4 speed. Mid year production, very limited numbers. 1970 Cougar XR7, 351 Cleveland convertible. 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback, 4-speed, 289 1955 (Late) GMC stepside. 2006 Mustang GT 2007 Mustang GT 1970 Mustang Mach 1, 351 V8, auto. Making this list brought back a lot of memories and surprising, I never wrecked any of them. I have had many other vehicles but these were my most enjoyable.

Hi Tom! You have any pics? Would be nice to see, even though it breaks the heart of an M1 purist (I own five of them.) BTW, here's something to just to mess with you guys who miss the "good old days" when you didn't have any money or were too young and didn't know any better. Ed

I found it for sale down in Florida under a tree - my dad loaned me the $1500 I needed to buy it, and I worked all summer long to pay him off and get that thing back in good running order. I still miss that truck. Things I don't miss - having to yell at your date to have a conversation and continually smelling like exhaust. I'd straight out buy another truck with kick vents though.

One of the reasons (some) folks pay more for a CMP rifle is the certificate they issue, as it seems to imply it not, or is less of a hackmaster. Older CMP rifles being of more value than newer in most cases. Part of the value is having any documentation that helps establish origin. Folks seem to covered its more parts value, so ease of selling would be helped by having any of its history before it was put to the saw.

1958 Buick that I paid 95 bucks for when i was 15, lol. It was a tank! Rode like a boat too. My mom was gracious enough to let me drive her 68 Mustang on most dates though. Big difference in those cars, lol. Despite showing off and driving way too fast in her mustang (it had a 289 high performance engine with a 4 speed tranny)I never wrecked it. The buick was another story. It was huge and hard to maneuver in tight spots. Cleaned out a bunch of ditches with that beast. Only thing I ever did to it was put in gas. Oh and eventually had to wire the doors shut because of damage, lol. Used to have to slide in like the dukes of hazard! Then traded in in on a pimp mobile, a 69 Cutlass Supreme convertible with a three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic 350 tranny. Wasnt really a muscle car, but it was hot and it could run!

First vehicle I drove was our 76 Chevy van, two-tone green. Great for a teenage boy's self esteem. And all that stuff you're thinking about a mattress or hot tub in the back.... yeah, no. The first car I bought myself was a 98 Saturn SL2. Great little car, fun with the 5-speed. Wish I hadn't sold it.

I seriously doubt the Royal Blue finish will be back. Its a lot of work as the intensive polishing is the real cause of that beautiful blue finish. If they did bring back the Royal Blue, I'd imagine the price would jump considerably. The polished stainless currently sold is pretty. But I've never been much for shiny guns. Besides I'm looking more at the 2020 Python as a shooter and working gun. Honestly, I'd be happy with a plain black finish as long as it looked decent.

If you like the feel/LOP of a more traditional rifle like the mini 14 but like the AR platform you could try something from flightlite. Not certain on the retail $ of these nor do I have any experience with them just throwing out an option. Otherwise I agree with Tom, fixed rifle stock is going to get you the longest LOP possible. https://fightlite.com/rifles

No, by doing your job, building relationships. Contracts are about relationships. We all know that probably does happen in some cases, but not as much as many would like to think. Relationships are built over dinners, etc. but that is part of business. Even dinner is hard to do anymore. Losers like to think is was purely a money issue, but it never is. It's more about who decision makers have a better relationship with. More business is lost by not knowing who the real decisions makers are. It's not always the person on top.

Does it look to anyone else like he might be missing his legs? Something looks off, and I can't quite sort it out...

If they would make a model with the Royal Blue, then I'd buy one or two.

For what you described, the value is in the receiver, bolt, and trigger group. The rest is scrap. If the receiver is a low number or otherwise special, the package might be worth $500. Otherwise, I'd say $400 is about right.

New York Reload

Considering all the limitations on it, I’m not convinced it’s even “good” here.

Nah, just a hipster chick trying to one up all her hipster friends with a super authentic outfit.

Think of it as a 9mm on steroids. 130gr .356 dia. FMJ bullet @ 1200-1300 fps. I'm a fan of the 38 Super and currently own 4 of them. Colt invented it in 1929 as a better option against steel auto bodies and early bulletproof vests. It became extremely popular in Latin American countries where owning guns in military calibers was forbidden. I believe it was in the 1960s that IPSC competitors discovered that in the 1911 the 38 Super could be pumped up to meet Major Power factor with less, recoil and faster follow up shots over the .45acp. Plus you can get a couple more of them in the gun. It became a serious cartridge in competitive shooting sports and still is. The .38 Super is an outstanding defensive cartridge. However its also always been kind of a niche cartridge. So most ammo makers only offer a few choices in this caliber. But excellent defensive ammo does exist. BTW: Major Power Factor ammo (1400-1500 fps) is readily available. Cost is a bit high, but if you reload, its no big deal. Can't absolutely swear to it, but I believe a 38 Super can easily be converted to a 9mm with a simple barrel swap. But I wouldn't do it. The .38 Super is the superior round.

I have a Venom on one of my G34s. It is a great optic, I went with it over the Viper as per the above comments regarding 3moa dot and accessible battery. I previously had a Burris FastFire 3, and I prefer the Venom over it with one small exception: The Burris dot seemed brighter. The Burris was too bright when shooting indoors though while the Venom seems just right. Outdoors in the bright sun it can very occasionally wash out and be difficult to locate.

I picked one up today. Feels good in the hand and hopefully I'll get to shoot it this weekend.

I also have a Venom on my Canik like the one above. As far as zero, it's been good. I did go through a couple batteries in about a month at first. Not sure if it was turning off like it was supposed to, but I'm on the 3rd battery and it's been OK so far. As a pistol optic I'm not a huge fan of it. The window is rather squashed down and I like to have a little more field of view than it offers. Now that they have things like the shake-awake solar Holosun, I wouldn't buy another Venom unless it was dirt cheap, and then use it only on a competition pistol, or a rifle. If you intend to use it for self-defense on a pistol, you definitely want something always-on like the RMR or at least shake-awake like other models offer.

Simple physics. Big slow bullet out of a bigger, heavier gun has less recoil than a small fast bullet out of a much smaller, lighter gun. I've shot some pocket size .380s that down right hurt.

I've been after a 4" for years until I came across a 6" I couldn't pass up. It was made in 1970 and looks new. The old blue finish is simply amazing. If the trigger on these compares, I'll add a 4" to the collection.

will save you time and money Not realy, just get to shoot more.

On the budget side, a good ole Bushnell TRS25 is hard to beat. Never had an issue with them have but them on a number of calibers. For a nicer option, when I am in a more discriminating crowd, I like my Holosun 503G. Nice sharp 2 moa dot and solid. That one sits on my 516 pistol currently.