Oh Shoot

  No, you have to get a different lower. A .308 AR is referred to as AR-10. And the parts between the AR-10 makers are not nearly as universal as the AR-15 world.   - OS

Unfortunately, Bushnell has discontinued its fine 3-9 .22 series that used to go in the $40 or less range, only offer higher end ones now. (they came in silver too). The BSA Sweet .22 is often touted in the sub $75 range: http://www.amazon.com/BSA-Sweet-22-Scope-Matte/dp/B000NJUPAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380425078&sr=8-1&keywords=sweet+.22 Doesn't come with rings though. I've almost bought one a couple of times. :) Course, I've used some $20 Barskas that have done quite nicely, came with the tip off rings, and have even held up on higher powered rifles too, YMMV. One thing about the Marlin 60, is that some 3/8" dovetail rings just don't grab it well, and scope will creep toward the back, even come off no matter how tight you get it. My current set does on my Model 60 now, and I had a different set that did same on a 10/22.. But unlike 10/22 the Marlin is not drilled for Weaver/Picatinny type base, so that's not an option. If that happens many folks actually recommend a one piece pellet gun type mount like this: Besides having a continuous contact area with the rails on both sides, they have a set screw that goes down from the top to further anchor it. I picked up sort of a no name off eBay I'm gonna try when I get a Round Tuit. - OS

I think this may relate, from IRS site. The change seems to be that all out of pocket medical expenses were deductible in the past, if you wanted to use them as part of getting more than the standard deduction, now seems only those over 10% of adjusted gross income are.   Not sure if this is exact same as topic as Tanker is mentioning, but probably is, in which case Levine seems at least partially correct.   "2013 changes to itemized deduction for medical expenses The rules are changing if you plan to itemize medical deductions on your 2013 federal tax return that you will file in 2014. It does not affect income tax returns for the 2012 taxable year filed in 2013. Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, you can claim deductions for medical expenses not covered by your health insurance that exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. This change affects your 2013 tax return that you will file in 2014. There is a temporary exemption from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2016 for individuals age 65 and older and their spouses. If you or your spouses are 65 years or older or turned 65 during the tax year you are allowed to deduct unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. The threshold remains at 7.5% of AGI for those taxpayers until Dec. 31, 2016. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, all taxpayers may deduct only the amount of the total un reimbursed allowable medical care expenses for the year that exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income."   http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/2013-changes-to-itemized-deduction-for-medical-expenses   - OS

  You get 'em with ARs and Mini14s once in a great while if you shoot steel cased and switch to brass before cleaning.   Theory seems to be that the steel deposits more crud in chamber since it doesn't fire form as closely as brass since it doesn't expand as readily,  essentially making chamber tighter,  then the brass round expands and seals in normal precise way and can stick. Or you finally get enough crud buildup and the steel itself can stick.   On Mini you can do the "Garand stomp" and the "mortar" on the AR. You generally don't have to hit it very hard, generally more taps than whacks, and usually just on ground does okay, firm enough work without being hard enough to fracture AR stock, though it's important to not do it with the weaker condition of the stock being extended. AR adjustable stocks really aren't good war clubs. :)   - OS

  'Course, that first shot probably went "elsewhere". ;)   - OS

  You're asking about the odds of being caught and charged vs the legal ruling. The legal ruling that a lower first configured as a rifle cannot legally be made into a pistol That includes all firearms, not just ARs. It became settled law with the SCOTUS Thompson Contender decision in 1992. Before that ATF contended a pistol could not be configured into a rifle either.   This is one of those things that would likely only ever come up if you were on ATF or other LE radar for other stuff and it wanted an add-on charge or had some other reason to grind the axe on you.   Obviously, if you purchased a virgin AR lower, the burden of proof to show you first made a rifle, then later a pistol would be pretty tough. However, if you purchased the lower new configured as a complete rifle, or purchased a used lower that had been first configured as a rifle, could be proven it was first a rifle by going back to manufacturer/distributor/4473 and FFL's bound book.   - OS

I think as Benefactor you can edit the Member Title in your profile regardless of how many posts you have.   - OS

You tried simple "mortaring" first? :   Hold down on charging handle, smack stock on firm surface (make sure stock is not extended):   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzBdyubc0Uk   Do I need to mention muzzle must be pointed in safe direction in case that's a live round in there?     - OS

  Patrick Stegall is a TGOer, and lawyer in Memphis who does firearm related stuff, you might get some free consulatation or something:   http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/user/8320-stegall-law-firm/   http://www.stegall-law.com/   - OS

  Often asked question and the answer seems to be YMMV. I think the general take from reading lawyer's remarks is that expungement will not necessarily keep it from LE access.   - OS

  Yeah, I was surprised to see that was by Feherty also, have read a couple of his books, have always admired him due to some shared personality similarities we've both had to rise above.   Great article and research, and had forgotten about his trips over to the war zones and his Troops First Foundation.   http://www.troopsfirstfoundation.org/   - OS

One of the HCP qualifiers is,  "Shall not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined in 18 U.S.C.A. 921 (33)"   Federal law also prohibits firearm ownership for same thing.   Obviously it's not showing up on your 4473 checks, so only question is whether the more thorough check for HCP will find it or not, and I guess there's only one way to find out, although I have periodically seen someone claim there is a way to pay to conduct a background check on yourself, but don't know the procedure if that's true.   - OS

  No, not really.   I'd posit the entire legislative debacle that Washington has become would clear up quite a bit if both Senators and Reps simply had to vote on every bill they had to take up, without the absurdity that the filibuster has become. Let the debate continue until there's literally not one more speaker who wants to be heard, then vote.   No more "tacit filibuster" that takes cloture to force the vote; that was never its intent. Let these guys simply stand on their clear cut voting record for their constituencies to easily see without all the duplicity on what their various votes "meant".   - OS

  Wonder if they are more tender than adults? Like veal?   - OS

  Oh, he can't beat Hildebeest, only question is whether he believes that.   I still think he might wind up being her Veep. Teaming with an outspoken liberal idiot worked for Hussein, plus he'd bring along lots of the wishy washy Republicans too.     - OS

  Yep, y'all say it's nice up there, but most fight to the last breath not to go.   "Oh Master, make me chaste -- but not yet!"   - OS

Seem to me if the Big Guy occasionally micro managed like this to save a handful of folks, it would behoove him to do a bit of macro managing now and then to save millions.   - OS

  Mitt wasn't either, that's why it took so long for him to grind out the nomination.   - OS

  It doesn't require a change of the rules to vote on actual bill, it's always 51 votes.   It's the cloture thing that takes 3/5.   - OS

  I'll bet you felt the same about Mitt -- I'd call Christie even money at this point.   - OS

  And the main reason we still have a majority in the House and so many GOP state legislatures is because the GOP got better at gerrymandering districts over the last 20 years than the Dems who invented it.   - OS

  Not the state reps that he mentioned. ;)   - OS

oops, double tap.  

If you want a  "mid range" $1000-1200 AR for $800-900, get a stripped lower, parts kit, buffer./stock assembly and find a complete upper, like from Palmetto State Armory when then run their sales. Matter of fact PSA is good for all the parts really -- watch for blem sales.   If you want a complete quality rifle you can for sure depend on with a factory warranty on whole gun, buy one of the Colt or Smith and Wesson models from Walmart in the $1,00-1300 range. Although a lesser priced Windham Weaponry, DPMS, or Bushmaster from there will suffice just fine for most folks and will likely kill near about as many zombies  before MTBF as the Colt/S&W, but the snobs will dis it. :)   - OS

  Would require change to federal election laws, if not an actual constitutional amendment. Not a call individual states can make.   - OS