ReeferMac

If you haven't read James Howard Kunstler I'd recommend his books. I've read 2 of them through the inter-library loan here in TN (A World Made by hand and Witch of Hebron), and am currently working on the 3rd (but the title escapes me at the moment, uncommon journey or something...?) If you haven't read "The 4th Turning", by Strauss and Howe, I highly recommend it! Not only will the middle part put you to sleep, it's a really thought provoking book. I have a copy, could drop off to you if you like. And best wishes for a speedy recovery! - K

I've seen plenty of .22 at Cabela's in Bristol and Knifeworks in Sevierville in my journey's there. Not always at 7cents/round, they usually have more premium-brand rounds w/ someone's face on the box... but I've been able to get the 325 rd. Federal 40-gr. boxes w/ regularity.

Was at Knifeworks the other day and picked up a cheap $30 red-dot scope from China (Firefield I think was the brand?) I have to admit, for the close-range... it's adequate! Makes one wonder what the $500-dollar models have that's so special, frankly, but at least to get started, and not worry about it getting banged around, it's quite good. I took it out the other night for a couple boxes of ammo, and it worked just fine. I may not shoot competition with it, but it allows me to focus my savings on a nice piece of long-range glass right now instead (and I still can pew-pew out at the land!) - K

Ditto on Knifeworks. If you're visiting town, go to Bud's, b/c it's just like being a kid in a candy store w/ all the merchandise. If you're ready to purchase, or want cheap ammo, Knifeworks is the place to go.

Thanks ehull, I'll give those steps a try.

Well I ended up ordering the scope rings suggested w/ pic. rails on top. We'll see what's in next-week's paycheck to see about some glass! - K

Thanks guys, I do appreciate the replies! I did dry-practice 15-20 times before trying it w/ live ammunition, but that's what made me wonder if I was 'doing it right'. The blackhawk is similar to most other IWB holster's I've seen, leather plate, plastic cover molded into the shape of the gun... But like I was saying, it's the condition of the gun that creates the concern for me. It is striker fired and has no external safety. When inserting the gun into the holster (whether practicing or suiting up for carry), it's hot and loaded. While the trigger isn't especially sensitive, an errant piece of clothing, or something else, could catch and cause a discharge. I can't think of any way to get around it? I can't close the breech while in the holster? I placed my finger across the trigger guard (tip on the forward outside edge to protect that side of the trigger), but I was still very nervous. I just can't envision any way to load the gun into the holster in any other/safer condition? I could carry w/o one in the chamber, but that would reduce my capacity and cause me to have to rack a round upon drawing, using precious seconds... Thanks again for the input. - K

I recently purchased a Blackhawk IWB Holster for my S&W M&P 9 Compact. So far I'm pretty happy, as it appears to have solved my biggest problem w/ the OWB holster I previously carried with (gun 'flopping' away from my body, obvious bulge, have even bumped it up against people when passing by in tight quarters). However a new problem has cropped up.... putting it in the holster. I was practicing drawing from concealment w/ the new holster this morning. I would draw, fire 2 rounds, and return to holster to repeat. (Re)Inserting the gun into the holster when IWB is a bit precarious, and very nerve-wracking, in part due to the gun itself. There is no safety, and I carry it w/ a round in the chamber (so an unintentional discharge only takes a tap of the trigger, something that appears quite possible when putting the gun in there!). I pushed my butt 'out' when re-holstering so as not to hit myself if it did go off, but this problem exists whenever inserting the gun into the holster... So what's the safest way to (re) holster a gun IWB? - Kevin

Thanks Jim, may have to take you up on that! Thanks BigK, so the reflect mounts on-top of the Burris scope-mount?

I suppose a picture is worth 1000 words? I've looked at a couple reflex-sights at the LGS, they're slicker than goose-poop! but the magnification is pretty low, which is really the only reason I'm shying away from them.... The hand-guard on it now is just rounded, there are some vents cut into the metal, and a tapped hole on the bottom for a bi-pod (thread on that coming next pay check... LOL!) - K

I've thought about that... The folks at the Hi-Power Rifle club here at my local sportsman club do some great stuff w/ iron-sighted M1's, etc., so I don't doubt it's possible, and the Pic. Rail on the gun is very small, so I'm pretty much limited to only 1 option due to length of the rail. But that also makes iron-sights I think less effeective, as the front and rear sight will be close to each other mid-mounted on the gun (doesn't have means to attach a fore-sight, unless I drill something into the hand-guard, which I really don't want to do). RE: Dcoudy: I'm not sure... guess I want to be able to do all of those? I suppose my immediate concern would be the first two, but I'd have to practice the last one to be any good at the first two? Played around w/ a Redfield 3-9 power scope at the LGS today, not really impressed w/ the magnification ability, so I'm really not sure now (thought that was my answer). - K

It's not about civil religion, it's about a lack of respect and insulting generations of men and women that defended this country. Whether the premise is even justified is up for debate, regardless, get your a$$ off the bench and show some respect for the country that made your life even possible. As suggested, he wouldn't be educated enough to express his opinion if he wasn't raised in this nation. If you want to raise awareness about a particular topic, find some other way to do it. It's all grand-standing for continued victim-hood, which frankly, is the real root of the issue. - K

Send him back to Africa, and see if he learns what 'oppressed' means. Hope the scumbag gets shot, frankly. Preferably before he has a chance to pollute the gene pool.

Specifically asking with regards to my new AR build from Anderson Mfg., but the question is valid for just about any rifle.... I'm told this gun is good out to 400 yds (chambered for 5.56, 24" stainless steel barrel), but even if it's only half-that, what's a good optic solution for both close and long range? A scope good at 100 yds won't do much at 300, likewise, if it's powerful enough for 300 yds, won't it be useless at 50-100? Is there a 'sweet spot' for the adjustable types? 4-9 power w/ a 40-50mm aperture? Rifle has a small pic. rail at the top, but not really big enough for multiple optics, and I can't see using iron-sights, as there will be these big scope-rings in the way? Budget matters, lets say I want to keep it around $300. - Kevin

The fishing guide that didn't think he needed his .45 b/c he hadn't seen any sows in a while? I'd just read that too! Must have gotten it from the same referring page, LOL! Ditto on placement, IIRC it was the last round that dropped him. - K

LOL! I'm about 2 months into the same experience Mark. I've burned up 2 chains on the saw already, and barely made a dent! - K

Watts Bar is looking pretty muddy, and the boat traffic is definitely down. My kids caught a few catfish and some sunfish there and in the Clinch River recently, but I don't even get a line in the water anymore (always baiting hooks, pulling snags, etc.) - K

Ah-hah, good to know. Yes, I have been trying my hand at re-loading 9mm pistol rounds, and was finding my coconut being challenged by these rifle rounds!

THANKS! That's what's missing from the 20-or-so articles about the differences that I've read.

Thanks! Barrel in question is a 24" 1:7 twist rate, so I should be good for the heavier projectiles. - K

I've read several articles that talk about the differences between the two, and own a 5.56 chambered rifle, so I'm capable of shooting both. Is there a ral-world difference between the two rounds performance-wise? Is there a reason I should choose one over the other? I've read pressures are greater on 5.56 rounds, and that .223's have a different head-spacing... but does any of that really matter, or for the average user, are they functionally equivalent? (The reason I'm asking is I'm going to start buying boxes of ammo, and frankly am unsure what to buy? Do I just get whichever is on sale at the time, and it's safe to mix and match my supply, or should I try to stick with one or the other religiously? Is there a cost-savings to one? My initial preference is to 5.56 NATO ammo, or possibly heavier projectile rounds. I'm guessing there will be a performance difference in my given setup, so for accuracy, should pick one and stick with it.... but which one?) Thanks. - K

Well, it's shipping out later today! I ordered the stainless 24" Barrelled upper from Anderson earlier this week, after contacting customer service... and I gotta say, they were great to deal with. I think speaking with/contacting/eMailing customer service definitely improved the process....: I emailed support asking when they would be in-stock again, as they've been listed as 'out of stock' for thee last two weeks. Got a response back, check after 4 PM. It was 4:30, I checked, showed 1 in stock! Placed order. Order said "On hold, will ship in 15-21 days. Emailed support to find out what's holding up, GOT A CALL BACK, that's our standard deal right now b/c of the volume of orders we're taking. OK, thanks, anxious to get it, but I understand, appreciate the call, thanks again, looking forward to getting it... Got eMail today, Shipped, here's your tracking number. WOO HOO!!!! NOW I've gotta find some glass. It'll be a while before I can afford a NICE scope for this thing (supposedly a 400-yd gun), but is there a cheap system I could get to start out with? Pic rail on the top. - K

Ahhhh, thanks for the info! Anderson does make some chrome-lined one's, but I don't recall seeing them in their upper-parts kits, must be sold separately: http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/16-chrome-lined-m4-1-7-twist-barrel/ I did notice they have a lot of stainless steel barrels. Is there any advantage beyond weight savings? I was considering a longer-length barrel in stainless (hoping the lighter metal offsets the length). - K

If I may expose my ignorance, what benefit does chrome lining the barrel provide? Wouldn't it just wear off after ### rounds? Or get covered/fouled by all the carbon? Thanks.

LOL @ Mike 357! Mostly plan on using the rifle at the range and around the farm for smaller game and bigger varmints... but I suspect all but a few rounds will punch holes in paper. I purchased the lower in part to ensure I'm able to get one after November... but I figure since it's just sitting in a box under the bed :D, I might as well get the rest of the bits and pieces for it so I can shoot! Don't want to get into the tax-stamp stuff, though I'm sure it's fun. If anything went that route it would be a can. I've shot a couple supressed AR's and they are nice. Thanks for the advice on the gas-block... would like to get a set of optics over iron-sights for this thing eventually (but will probably start w/o due to costs). I plink @ 50 and 100 yds w/ a .22 w/V-Notch sights, and... you cover the entire target and then some w/ the front-sight. - K