McGarrett

 I had trouble getting them to do the bed of our service truck a few years ago. They quoted me a price on it but when I took it to them to get it done they got all weird about it being for commercial use and so on and then proceed with a drastic increase in price. The area is a lot smaller than a p/u bed since it was only about a 6x4 flat area of the floor, no coating up the sides,and I told them I understood if they could not warranty it since it was commercial use but they still wanted to charge me almost double what they originally quoted. The knew it was for commercial use when they looked at it for the quote but totally changed their tune when it came time to do the work.   Needless to say I did not think much of them after that experience. I just bought the diy kit and did both service trucks myself. Two thumbs down for Line-X of Knoxville.

I bought one of these belts; http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Real-Man-s-Belt-single-layer-of-leather.cfm?item_id=171&parent=670; Simply Rugged a few years ago. I got the 1.75" in the oxblood color to match a Silver Dollar Pancake holster I was buying for my SP101.   I like it a lot and it has become my everyday belt for the last 3 years. Excellent quality.   +1 on a good belt being essential for comfortable carry of a handgun.

I have one of these complete polymer lowers from ATI, http://www.americantactical.us/5133/detail.html. It does what it's supposed to and the quality looks good to me. I've had it for about a year and 1/2 now. I have it mated to an RGuns 16" barreled upper.

I have a 1300 Defender and my son has a Mossberg not sure if it's a 500 or 590, I'll have to check with him. I like my 1300 Defender. Bought it used from Farnsworth's in Vonore in '95 and it's been a good one.

Welcome to TGO!

I may have to change my TGO identity/ photo after reading some of these posts about Hawaii. Just kidding.   Always wanted to go but have not made it out there yet. I would like to see Pearl Harbor.

+1 on metal roofing. I have used Cornerstone Roofing out of Knoxville. My contact there was Monte, he treated us right and did an excellent job. They did my house, barn, rental house & business after the hail storm a few years ago.

Welcome to TGO & TN.   I wear a lot of carpenter jeans like these, http://dungarees.net/product_Carhartt_B13_Washed_Denim_Dungaree_Fit_Jean-120-1.html. They have a lot of room in the pockets and have a looser fit. These Carharrt jeans have a slash cut front pocket that works well for pocket carry versus regular jeans. I pocket carry my Keltec P32 in them with no problems.   I have a pocket holster I got off ebay about 5 years ago, don't remember the name but it was some custom leather shop with an ebay store. It converts for back or front pocket carry. Looks like you have a wallet in your back pocket

I have owned both. Go with the Keltec. I could never go through a mag in the Llama without jamming. Traded it in in my HK USP40. I have found the KT's to be very reliable.

1. Background checks should be mandatory for anyone who posts such a survey. Strongly agree.

I enjoy reading them. 

I have an '03 F350 SRW 4x4 service truck with a 6.0 with 167,000 on it. We changed the coolant to the red ext life that we run in the big trucks and installed a coolant filter. Knock on wood no coolant related problems. I cut open the first coolant filter after changing it, full of black sand, read about it online, this casting sand is what they say causes a lot of the coolant issues.   I also run this stuff in the oil, https://www.revxoil.com/REV-X_High_Performance_Oil_Additive.aspx, our 6.0 was like new after adding this stuff to the oil. I am not usually one to buy into the additives but another 6.0 owner recommended it to us. 

I currently own a Taurus PT111 9mm and in the past a snub .38 85UL. I have not carried the PT111 but it seems to be a reliable weapon, a little wide due to the double stack mags. I never bought a holster for it so it just stays around the house. I traded the 85UL on a Keltec P32 at a gunshow in Knoxville about 8 years ago. I like the KT much better than the revolver for what I use it for, pocket carry, warm weather very light cover garment, or ankle carry. The P32 is not near as painful to shoot as the P3AT and holds 1 more round in the mag. I have a J frame but just don't carry it much, nightstand gun.    I would look at the KT, or the Ruger LCR or LCP, LC9 lineup also.   I'm not sure what your primary weapon is but if you carrying a full size Glock there might be advantages to a baby Glock that would share mags. I owned a G27 in the past, it is also a lot wider than the KT due to double stack mags but might be something to consider.

Here's the truck you need; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8P5vGcf-NU. Will you be hauling a lot of knick knacks?   On a more serious note, a lot of good advice from the other guys posts. I can't help you much on "newer" trucks, my truck is an '86 F250 and I also have a '79 F150 4x4 that me and my son share. +1 for old Fords.   Check over the trucks closely and stay away from the diesels unless you are willing to potentially spend some big money on repairs and maint. I have a 6.0 F350 company truck but we have been lucky with it, we changed out the coolant when it was really new and added a coolant filter. I have seen several of the guys a work with the diesel pickups get into some big money repairs. I have noticed a lot of the diesels have been rode hard and put up wet and the good trucks that have been taken care of have a high price on them. 

I like this idea. I want to try something like that in our service truck. It has bucket seats and the metal cop car style center console. I could mount it on the side of the console easy enough.

I enjoy the Jesse Stone movies and I am also a Blue Bloods fan. The Jesse Stone books by Robert B. Parker are good if you like reading, http://www.robertbparker.net/. I have read all the Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall books over the years and I am now reading his Spenser detective series of books. They were the basis for the old tv series and movies Spenser for Hire that starred Robert Urich.    Tom Selleck took some flak a while back from Rosie O'Donnell over his pro gun stance but he handled himself well; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtkgoGY4Cm4

One pro gun actor that seems to be getting work is Tom Selleck. He is very open about his pro gun views and is on the board of the NRA, http://www.meetthenra.org/nra-member/tom-selleck.

I had a VW Scirocco back in the '80's. Great car but it got totaled in an accident. I got rearended by a '79 F250 but I walked away without a scratch. +1 on the article being bs.

I think Mark Harmon and his wife's gun control views came about after her costar in an 80's tv show, Rebecca Shaeffer, was murdered by a stalker. Although I may not agree with their views I can see how that event influenced them.    I'm a fan of the show but did not see the episode in question. To assume that Mark Harmon would be pro gun because he plays gun toting Agent Gibbs on tv would violate one of Gibbs' "rules"; Rule 8: "Never take anything for granted."    I guess I will still watch NCIS in spite of Mark Harmon's gun views because I do like the show.

These phones will work during a power outage; http://store.colemans.com/cart/german-army-field-phone-2-pack-p-2771.html?zenid=cd2tombfaigspgqv3bgp6evpc0

+1, I'm ready.   I have some projects to work on outside and I'm also tired of the cold.

Thoughts and prayers sent. 

I feel for you Spots. The 3.8 is usually a good engine. Take Red's advice and check for coolant leaking at the intake, could be hydro locking. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You might also check pull a part for a used engine if it turns out to be seized up.

Moriarty: suppose the bridge ain't there?  Oddball: Always with the negative waves Moriarty, always with the negative waves.    Big Joe: What are you doing?  Oddball: I'm drinking wine and eating cheese, and catching some rays, you know.    Crapgame: Hey, Oddball, this is your moment of glory. And you're chickening out!  Oddball: To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three tigers. 

I'm not a smoker but always thought that pipe smoking looked like a relaxing hobby. Might be something to try. Nice looking pipes guys, I can see how acquiring pipes could be additive just like firearms.