DaveTN

I’m not an expert on the M1917, but aren’t they .45ACP? I kinda assumed he was looking for a .45 Colt for a Cowboy shooting… maybe not.

Then it’s not an issue for you. No insight, just an opinion. He has to go by what his parole Officer tells him. The laws (for him) on actual possession are clear; constructive possession is not. Is his PO from Tennessee? I only ask that because Tennessee’s gun laws are some of the toughest I have ever heard of regarding a felon in possession. The only way you would be involved is that now you know he is a convicted felon, you can’t give him possession or transfer a firearm to him… obviously.

Wow, that has to be tough whether he was justified or not. Prayers to the family.

Yes, it applies to all K frame .357mag’s. Whether or not it is an issue depends of what you believe and much you shoot it. Use 158’s and it’s not an issue. The model 19/66 was the workhorse of LE for many years. It’s not a frame strength issue; it’s a flame/heat/ bullet length issue from a round the gun was not designed to shoot.

If it was a five shot it was probably a J-frame. Yes, the J-frames were made in long barrel lengths. The longest I have used is 3â€, but I have seen pics of 4 & 5â€. Three inch J-frame model 60’s were popular with cops working inside, or in plain clothes many years ago, and were hard to get. Life is too short to buy ugly guns; if you think they are ugly don’t do it. Unless of course you find a cheap, long barrel, .357mag, S&W J-frame revolver. Then buy it and I will promptly give you your money back for it.

I’m not over complicating or taking anything to the extreme, I’m not the one posting they want to make drugs legal, or why it’s a good idea. (I’m not laughing at you; I hope I’m laughing with you. This discussion has gone on years, and is really moot; no one is going to legalize drugs.) Your boss can do whatever he likes. But if you are injured at work in this state a positive drug test is a presumption that the drugs caused the injury. You have to prove that they didn’t. If you can’t prove that you may be denied benefits. If you go to the hospital with a work related injury; you are going to be drug tested. I have said nowhere in this post that you can’t legalize pot because of anything. Here is what I said about a piss test.... Can a boss fire you because you drink alcohol? Certainly he can. You live in an “Employment at will†state. Your boss doesn’t even have to give a reason if he fires you, unless he’s disputing your unemployment benefits. My own belief on this is that if you want to sit at home at night a burn a bowl that you bought with the money from the job you worked; that is your business. But that is not what is going to happen. Most people I know that have a job and take care of their family, and want to smoke pot do it anyway; so what’s the problem? Most of those types aren’t going to get busted by the cops. They may get burned on a drug screen and lose their jobs, but my point is that will probably happen even if drugs were to be legalized.

I see, just pot smokers go free. You aren’t going to tell business owners how they are going to run their companies on this issue any more than they will be told they have to allow guns; it isn’t going to happen. Especially when it just because I few people feel the need to get high. Drinking is legal, but you can still be fired for it. Tobacco is legal, but some companies have banned its use by employees even on their off time.

To add to what Leroy said above, these gang bangin’ kids know they are going to prison. Their fathers, uncles, and brothers are in or have been to prison and they know they are going. It’s just a matter of when and for how long. They do not fear prison. They need money and they are going to get it some way. Making drugs legal won’t change that one bit. If they can’t make money off drugs they will stick a gun in someone’s face. If the people in their neighborhood don’t have any money, they will come to your neighborhood and stick a gun in your face.

The way I would fix the drug problem is cut the head off the snake. That means take out the biggest suppliers and cut the flow. However, these are so called “Non-Violent†offenders because they don’t get their hands dirty with the violence. Let them go? Letting out “Non-violent†offenders sounds like good idea, but think about it. Shoplifters are non-violent offenders. Are you going to say that shoplifters no longer go to jail? Can you imagine the repercussions of that? Any other crimes you would like to do away with jail time for? How about burglary? Burglary is a non-violent offense, unless of course someone catches them in the act and gets killed by the burglar. Non-payment of child support is a non-violent offense and our jails are loaded with them. Let them all go? How about white collar crimes and scams, almost all of it is non-violent. Do they get to go free also?

It’s not about fair, and whether or not drugs are legalized has nothing to do with alcohol. As someone that has pulled many bodies out of cars that was a result of DUI, I can assure you alcohol is a powerful drug. I guess one of the advantages of drugs is that when you take drugs you know you are going to be impaired. But there are still people that think they can handle their booze and not be impaired. It isn’t legal, and they aren’t treated as if it’s legal. However… as I said “fairness†has nothing to do with it and alcohol will have little impact on the drug debate. I can get drunk on Saturday night, go to work on Monday morning and be just fine. If I were to take a piss test; I would pass. On the other hand, I could get high on Saturday night, go to work on Monday morning and be just fine. If I were to take a piss test; I would fail and lose my job. On the other hand, if someone sober leaves work and kills someone on the way home in a vehicle crash; chances are they won’t go to prison. If someone stops for a few beers at the local bar after work and kills someone on the way home in a vehicle crash; chances are they will go to prison. Is that fair? Nope, and you can make drugs legal if you want, but that won’t change how business handles testing positive. Life is not fair, and one has nothing to do with the other.

Does anyone here think for a minute that if drugs were legalized they would be cheaper? What… you think the government is going to let you go down to Mexico and buy pot by the garbage bag full, or fly down to Columbia and pick up a few Kilos of coke for the family? Or maybe you think they will let you grow it in your yard? Of course not. There would be state and Federal licenses, inspectors, store requirements, distributor’s, special transportation fees, etc., etc., etc. That’s all before both the Feds and the State pile on their huge azz tax. Look what they are doing with cigarettes right now; taxes are going through the roof. Why? Because the biggest base of smokers are poor people; and they have no power to fight it. Rich people drink, so they kinda try to keep a lid on the liquor taxes; but they are still loaded with sin tax. This would be the biggest sin tax of all. It is not going to keep the drug users from burglarizing your house, holding up the local Stop and Rob, or sticking a gun in your face at the ATM. What it would do is bring in new recruits faster and easier. When they see Mommy and Daddy burning a bowl, snorting lines, or shooting up, and its legal; they are real easy pickins for the next generation of social misfits. I don’t want to deal with the added crime, let alone have my taxes go to deal with obvious fallout.

This discussion is crazy…. I gotta have a drink.

Yes. Have you noticed how many bars have closed? People don’t go out and drink like they did in the 70’s and 80’s because of the crack down on DUI. When I was young a DUI was not a big deal; it is now. Not only can it land you in jail; it can destroy a career.

I think that within the next few years the BAC level will be dropped to .04 by most states. No one should drive when they are impaired. The problem is that most people have no idea what .08 BAC is other than a number. When you are impaired, you can’t make good decisions about whether or not you are impaired, and most have no idea what their BAC is; that’s why they blow. I drink, I sometimes get drunk. I never drive, not even with one beer.

Should we find out? Should we legalize drugs and see if drug usage and the crime that goes along with it skyrockets? I have no doubt that it would, but I’m not ready to sacrifice family or friends for an experiment so some people can have their dope. It would be like removing the DUI laws; innocent people will die.

First and foremost it must be American Made. Since its main application will be a target pistol that I will rarely carry, it needs to be extremely accurate. Must be .45ACP Must be 5†It needs to be stainless steel or steel, no plastic, aluminum, scandium, or unknownium. (Stainless for me) It needs to be well made (fit & finish) and be reliable, no MIM. Must be a standard 1911 or (although I hate to use the term), Mil-Spec. No odd ball stuff, double stacks, odd ball frames, etc. I have owned many 1911’s. I always was partial to Kimber; they are great weapons. But when Smith & Wesson came out with the SW1911 line; I had to give them a try. After I bought my SW1911 Target I sold my Kimber. I could not tell any real difference in the quality or accuracy, both are great, but since I only keep one 1911 around anymore, I kept the Smith & Wesson. It was stainless and I didn’t like the finish on the Kimber TLE Custom II. In the spirit of full discloser, in over 40 years of shooting and carrying duty weapons I have owned more Smith & Wesson’s than I can count. I have had some problems and S&W has promptly taken care of them. My 1911 was the first gun I had to send in to the factory; the thumb safety failed and the weapon fired while I was showing my BIL how 1911 safety’s work. I was at the range and the round went down range with no problem, but it was a catastrophic failure and the gun would no longer work. I called S&W and they sent me a shipping label and it was fixed. They said they replaced the thumb safety. I am a Toolmaker familiar with MIM and I am not a fan of it in guns for this very reason. The thumb safety is MIM and that is the way they retuned it. I wrote to them and told them I did not feel comfortable carrying this gun the way it is and requested they put a stainless thumb safety in. They told me the safety did not break; that it failed because it was not fitted properly. They told me they don’t have stainless safeties and that I would need to take the gun to a gunsmith for an aftermarket safety. First time S&W told me "no" or let me down in 40 years. I still think they make the best guns on earth and I know that all manufacturers are cutting costs in any way they can, and I know many of the top manufactures and using MIM, but I hope they fix this problem; it’s a safety issue. It’s a $1000 gun they don’t need to use MIM. I can get by without carrying it, so I really haven’t wanted to spend the money to have it fixed. So what would I buy now? Kimber, if they don’t use MIM, but I think they do. Or I would buy another S&W and see if I can buy a stainless safety and have the factory fit it.

Of course there would still be plenty of crime. Unless they plan on making the dope free; the dopers will still need money. A pack of cigarettes is $5 and going up, all tax. Pot would cost more than it does now. And it still won’t be “legal†for those that have to work for a living. Companies aren’t going to change their drugs policies; test positive and you are out. Just another nail in the U.S. manufacturing coffin. Drugs are the reason people will break into your homes, and the reason you need to carry a gun.

I know cops that never shot except during qualifications. To say they could out shoot someone that does it as a hobby is ridiculous. To say that the average shooter couldn’t pass a Police qual is probably not true. To say the average citizen couldn’t pass a Police qual; I would bet money is true. The average citizen has never fired a structured course of fire. How many of the top competition shooters are cops; I’m guessing not many.

If you use full house 158 grain magnums you won’t have a problem, I’ve fired thousands of them in K and L frames. The problem came along when people decided to give up mass for velocity in the 110 and 125 grain magnums. The shorter bullet doesn’t seal off the forcing cone as quickly as the 158 does and causes problems. I’ve never been one you give up mass to gain velocity; so I haven’t had any problems. But there have been plenty of users and gun mag writers that have put tens of thousands of 125 grain magnums through the K-frames with no issues. The L-frame was more a marketing move than anything. It’s a K-frame on steroids for those that thought the K-frame was too small and the N-frame was too large. I switched my duty gun from 66 to a 686 when they first came out and was happy. But I shot on the PD pistol team with a 4†66, 4†686, and three 6†Pythons; the 4†66 would out shoot them all (in my hands). I wouldn’t worry about the lock issue, unless it’s a carry gun. I have one on my 617 (New was the only way I could it). I have heard of the locks locking up a gun, but it is rare. Many things can lock-up a gun; it’s a mechanical device. I had a Ejector rod back out because I had the gun totally apart and apparently didn’t tighten it tight enough when I put it back together; same result…. No more shooting. I’m not aware of any problems with the new 686’s, just the pre-locks are more desirable. I’d be more concerned with MIM than I would a lock.

Depends on what your application is Lester. If you are going to carry it, 7 or 8 shots might be attractive. But you would probably have to go with a lock. There were a few prelocks made in a 7 shot 686, but they are hard to find. I tried to like the N-frames (27,627), even carried a couple on duty. But the only thing you get with a pre-lock .357 N-frame is more bulk and weight. A pre-lock 27 makes a good collector or home defense gun. But I would go with an N-frame if I was going .44mag (29,629). My application for revolvers is home defense, or I would like to get back into match shooting. Because I want to shoot them in matches, the 7, or 8 options would not be something I want. Revolver matches are set-up for 6 shots. I also like the K-frames. I always keep an eye open for a mint 19 at a decent price. That’s the only blued gun I have any desire to have. S&W did some amazing bluing on some of the 19’s and 27’s. I have had and carried many revolvers. My nightstand gun is 4†686, and on rare occasion I will carry a 2 ½â€ 66. Man I love me some revolvers, but a “Practical Combat Gunâ€? That would be my full size M&P with 15 rounds of .40S&W. S&W is a company that offers everything I need in handguns. I hope they never go under.

Okay... I did that. Obama is just a man; he can’t do anything on his own. What is it that you think these tens of thousands of American citizens are going to do to you?

It’s a good policy. I rarely dry fire my guns and I would rather not have one that’s been dry fired a bunch. I wouldn’t ask to dry fire a gun unless I had made my mind up to buy it. But then, I make the decision to buy most of my guns anymore without handling the gun. However, I’m sure there are some gun stores that will let you dry fire to your heart’s content.

Since a J-frame has no safety, and by design one of the hardest trigger pulls in the industry, I wonder what he was doing. The model they keep showing doesn’t have an external hammer, so he had to pull the trigger. This isn’t like having an ND with a Glock; this took some work.

Kimber Ultra CDP II $1250. Springfield Armory EMP 40 $1015. S&W M&P 40 Shield $425. All three of the above are SD Carry guns, none are target quality. I owned a Kimber SIS Ultra, it was nice, but not worth the money for a 3†1911, IMO. I recently picked up the M&P Shield for a compact .40.

It is a crime to carry a loaded gun in this state. The discretion of the Officer and how and why he finds it will determine if it is in close proximity or readily available, and whether or not you get arrested. If arrested, you can then make your case in court. Or… you can get a Handgun Carry Permit which in this state also allows you to carry a loaded rifle, just can’t have a round chambered.