pop pop

Defender, I feel your pain. I also had deep reservations when getting started, but seeing the results of the ones I gave each one, and how they have respected the gifts, I feel much better about giving the gifts now. One of my grandsons and grand daughters are here this morning and we just finished an outing to the back yard range. My granddaughter is a natural. Her and her mom can drive nails with a 22 LR. She enjoys it and realizes she diffidently has great talent with shooting. Grandson is no slouch either. Scotty, my safe is really thinned down now. Very few safe queens left now. I am thankful all 6 of my grandchildren have respect for guns and their Pop Pop's gifts. I am lucky in that respect.

I am 75 and not in good health. Have 9 stents in my heart with double bypass and Agent Orange to go along with it all. About 2 years ago I made a decision to give my collection to my grandchildren so my wife will not need to fool with them when I am gone. I am about 2/3 done. Most of the ones I have now will be what I keep. My safe was running over also. I have about 5 more to give away and I will be finished. I feel good about where I have given them so far. Did include the Granddaughters in this give away. Going to make a list of my remaining guns and who gets them, or my wife can keep them. Her choice.

I have a TX 22 and really like the pistol. My favorite is a 686 + in 38/357. The 686 does not always go to the range, but mostly I take my Taurus 617 7 shot 38/357 2" Revolver which is my EDC and one of my MP 9 C 2.0 or Ruger Max 9 which I carry often. Not much difference in the MP and Max 9, only size. Both great pistols, IMO. Carry one of these 3 guns when I am awake. The revolver and Max are pocket carry and the MP 9 C 4" is IWB. Had both pistols and the 617 out 3 times in the last month. My grandson and granddaughter are here this morning, from S Carolina, and we will get the TX 22 out for some steel and hedge apple shooting. That is the plan after gravy and biscuits and country ham. Had a note taped to my coffee machine this morning written by a little girl. One simply must like/love a place where one can have a back yard range and spend time with grandchildren right before Thanksgiving. I know I do. Life is grand!!!!!

I have finally got caught up on things to do that I passed over to RV this fall. I have been out to my range 2 times in the last 2 weeks. I burned 60 rounds last week and 75 today. All 9 MM. Fired my S/W MP 9MM C 2.0, I IWB carry from time to time, and my Ruger Max 9 that I pocket carry often. Both are nice cheap pistols, but are very accurate, and up till now, very reliable even with practice ammo. I fired my Taurus 7 shot 357 Mag, I pocket carry, a few weeks (4) back. All in all, it has been good outings, and I sure am glad to be caught up on chores for the winter. You all get you some of it!

Desert Ranger, I just faced the same thing you are looking for. I went to Outpost Armory, in Murfreesboro TN, and was looking for an entry level. The rifle I carried in Vietnam was a Colt M 16. I looked at the S W Sporter and was really thinking that might be the one. I ended up purchasing an all-metal, except for the furniture, Springfield Armory Saint in 556/223 which included metal sights. I like all metal guns. It was a tad higher in price and a little heavier. My son-in-law purchased a Palmetto Armory AR, in Charleston S C recently. It cost him, 499.00 and he likes it. I had that in mind when I went, however settled on the one I purchased. I am satisfied also.

S G Ammo has 9 mm 115 gr R N practice ammo on sale. 1000 rounds, W/free shipping, for 259.00. Been 289.00 for months. About 12.95 per box of 50. I don't work for them, but is the best price I have come across lately. Edited to add; Winchester brand

Shame on you! Gave my 629 to a grandson last year. Just too much fun there. Great collection, DocHawk.

My training session, yesterday, went great. I have never had 2 people pick up shooting accurately this quick before. I had a mother, son, and father out that I attend church with. The father (mid 40ish) asked me if I would introduce/teach his 23 Y O son to shoot handguns. The father had shot before, but the son had not. I told him to bring his wife along if she was interested and she came. She told me she would watch so I did not push her. They arrived at 9:30 and we sat down at our kitchen table, and I had out about 9 handguns. Talked safety for a while then explained the handguns we had out. We then went to the firing range in my back yard. I Started them out with 22 L R revolver, then 38 Spl revolver, and finished with 9MM pistol. We stayed with Smith Wesson handguns for the brand. First, started with a alloy frame model 317-3, 8 shot, 22LR revolver w 3" brl. Moved up to a SW Model 65, 3" 6 shot Lady Smith 38Spl/357 Mag Revolver. Only fired 38 Spl practice in this revolver. Then finished with a 15 shot M P 9 C 2.0 pistol 4" brl. We took about 2 hrs in time. First allowed the son to shoot the 22 LR. He was extremely nervous. His hands were shaking so I sat beside and reassured him how the revolver was going to react, how to align the Green Pipe sights, and just gently talked him "easily" through the first shot. After the first shot we were off to the races. He was surprised but took it well as he emptied the 8 shots. I always like them to think about what the just did for a few minutes their first-time firing. I find they come back much more assured of what was happening. He never looked back. Next, I asked his mom if she wanted to try it, as all the while taking to her after her sons every shot and allowing her to watch intently. She decided to try it. Well long story short, we created a monster. She shot all 3 guns as had no problems and accepted the increased power of the other 2 calibers. So did the son. We were shooting at a 12" steel target and 25 feet. None of them missed the target with over 2 or 3 shots of everything we fired. The dad joined in and shot all 3 handguns very methodically and they observed and learned from him. After dad both wanted to fire some more. We took out 100 rounds of 38 spl practice ammo, large box of 22 LR, and 100 rounds of 9 MM practice. We fired 300 rounds total, and they all had no problem hitting almost every shot on steel. They told me this morning that the day was a total blast, and they enjoyed the outing. The son, quiet boy, came and shook my hand and really thanked me. I could tell they all had a lot of confidence and most probably handguns are in their future. The Mom told me it really empowered her much more than she had realized, after they got home, and really had time to digest the outing. My mission was totally successful. WE had a pretty good day.

My Veterans Day gift is an opportunity to teach a newbie, mom and dad this morning. Dad has shot a little and mom or son have not. My lucky day. Me, Vietnam 67-68, "Happy Veterans' Day" to all others that have and is serving. May you have a blessed day.

I would get the "Enhanced" Handgun Carry Permit. All states with respiratory agreements with TN will only honor this TN permit.

Splinter, hope to get it out next week. If I have time may get it out tomorrow with my students. I got some ammo laying out.

TSG, I have a 7MM 08 Savage Axis scoped for deer hunting, although it is not in an A R style form. Close to the 6.5 Creemore in power. Really like it, but after I purchased the rifle, my Diabetic neuropathy became so bad I am no longer able to hike nor walk very far any longer. I haven't been hunting in 3 years now. This getting old is the pits! The 556/223 will do what I wanted it to do.

My wife splurges on Saturday, and we have biscuits and gravy on Saturday mornings. That is our day, Mac. I have been using the Roger Raglin method lately and have shed 65 pounds in the past year. He has a book, "A big Deal" and well worth a look if you really want to lose weight. He, along with thousand has lost 80 pounds in 7 months If memory serves. Check into it. rogerraglinchannel.com You don't starve but need to adjust your diet. It works! Edited to add; Don't cost nothing to check it out.

My Saint came with the range bag, shown in the add, sights and sling mount so I could add it if needed. I know my A R is entry level, but it is all steel except for stock coverings. It is a little heavier because of the steel. I am satisfied with it. I went to Outpost Armory expecting to purchase the S W brand, but the saint was a better buy for my needs even though a couple hundred higher in price. I never really purchased the A R for home safety in mind, I have a shotgun for that. I purchased it just out of want. I have resisted purchasing one for years because they were underpowered for a hand-held rifle, IMO, I guess. Not going to be able to get it out this week because I have a lot of demands on my time right now. I will be introducing/teaching a 20 Y O and is mom and dad, "newbies" about handguns, in general, this Saturday morning. His dad asked me to do it at church a month ago and told me Wednesday night they could do it this Saturday morning. We will be doing safety training, familiarity training, and first-time firing on my back yard range for all of them. Wish me much luck in this outing. I also have a young family, with 3 young boys, who want me to teach them also. Dad said he had no guns but thought it profitable for his boys to learn about guns. The boys are 14, 11, 9. Talked to their mom Wednesday night and told her she needed to come also. She said she would. I am lucky to have these opportunities to teach these young people. I enjoy it and they walk away not being fearful of guns afterwards. I adjust my teaching to the appropriate age lever. I guess I need to renew my NRA Instructor Training credentials???? I really like "Newbie" training. I must use the "KISS" training method, I know. None of these have ever handled a weapon of any kind before. Starting out safety, then when firing first with 22 LR revolver/pistol, then onward and upward.

Received my Federal Fusion 62 Gr 223 ammo from Lucky Gunner yesterday evening at 6:00 PM. Had to go get my eyes checked today and they dilated my eyes so I can't see much this afternoon so I will not be taking the new AR to my range until tomorrow at the earliest. Looking forward to firing the new rifle.

The Nashville media is fixated on this story. Feel sorry for all involved, including the shooters parents. Prayers

A lot of work getting that many horses and riders there and ready. They had a lull in the parade, because of an emergency, so they took horses over and allowed the Vets to pet them. Some hugged the horses. Large smiles all around. Big deal for those Vets. Some were from the Nursing Home area as well as the Hospital. Wish the City of Murfreesboro would support this day, for the vets, a little better.

Had a 7 horse trailer, 3 horse and 2 2 horse trailers. Yes, quiet a fleet to move that many. Good parade.

Going to help my first-born daughter take 14 horses, and riders, to the VA Hospital parade in Murfreesboro. They usually have in on Veterans Day, but for some reason they are having it at 11;00 AM this morning. My wife wants me to wear a black "Vietnam Veterans Hat" that my son-in-law brought me 5 years ago. Said she wanted me to wear Red White and Blue clothing. Not much in favor of that however she is insisting I wear the hat. Those old guys do enjoy seeing the horses. Do like supporting things for Vets.

We RVed in Bue Ridge in April. Beautiful place.

Thanks BigK. The Federal fusion was 28.00 per box of 20. Not cheap in my book, then had to pay tax, and shipping. Got it from Lucky Gunner in Knoxville TN. In Vietnam these caliber rifles were not known for being reliable or hugely powerful man stopper. Guess ammo has gotten better, and things have changed in the reliability corner as well. I was in the Air Force and our 16's would fire, but the rest of the branches of Military had serious problems with theirs. Was later found a problem with the powders uses in the other branches M 16 ammo.

Just ordered 200 rounds of 223 Federal Fusion 62 gr MSR for the new AR. Got several practice rounds on hand both in 556 and 223. In your opinion which is the better caliber 556 or 223? I carried 556 in my M-16 while in Vietnam. Haven't fooled with these calibers much since 1967-68.

Did nothing for me.

Picked up an AR at Outpost the first of the month.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Will be online and ordering some soon.