JustEd

You make good points David, still think a comp does not benefit most people on a carry weapon. It is certainly not necessary to be an effective sidearm. For me, I would much rather concentrate on items, such as sights, trigger and a really good holster. The specter is a bit different design and does avoid some of the shortcomings,, but alas it adds bolt and cost. Anyway, hope yours works out great of you. Do you have a holster picked out?

That adds extra cost though. Not impossible to do, but why go that route when you can just get one with dovetails. It makes more sense to me spend the money upfront and get what you want. They aren't hard to find with dovetails. Respect your perspective though. disclaimer: I am insistent that my guns have high visibility sights (old) and shoot to proper point of aim.

Heard a YouTuber of some reputation finally concede the point that the Feds are involved in the shortage of primers. Apparently they have first dibs out of Win, Fed/CCI plants. The same person has previously regurgitated the "supply and demand" argument which was the "right speak" for that channel. It also explains why non US made primers (Genex/Unis) are more available. Good that he woke up. No, I don't have any proof. It is what I have suspected from the start. If they can't control all the guns, make it too expensive to shoot much. Don't trip out either way. It is what it is...no primers at reasonable prices. I would guess that it's probably gonna stay that way.

In the spirit of keeping this head going: Most people do not need a compensator on a carry gun, Fo me they are a headache. They make the gun "bark" more, can blind you at night. If it is a ported barrel within a moving slide (most pistols) then you get soot and discoloration all over the barrel at the ports. Some guns just don't cycle as well with ports. In my experience it usually takes developing a handled for a compensated gun to get the most out of it. Cleaning after each shoot or event if mandatory with a comp to get reliable cycling. For oob carry or casual range use, I just don't see any benefit. If you are going to compete in a action pistol, then probably are worth it.

Make sure it has a slide you can change the sights out on (dovetail). Otherwise you will have to buy a whole slide just to change the sights.

Have not owned a RIA. Several of my friends have and they like them. With that said it seems like people who buy them do a lot of modifications to get them to their liking. Really though, that’s kind of the nature of 1911’s personally I find that they are too stiff and a bit rough oob for my liking Two examples I shot were ceracoated shortly after purchase As said before, they seem to be candidates for customization. One could do a lot worse

Have owned Hellcat and P365. Probably would still have the P365 but mine did not have the optic cut. It seemed just as easy to sell it and get a Hellcat with cut, which I did. Did not like the trigger on the Hellcat so changed it to a Apex. The Sig P365 was fine out of the factory. Other than that, they are both just fie for carry. Have nothing to choose one over the other with the trigger job done on the Hellcat. On both guns the magazines are difficult to load by hand, ie no loader. Both break in after cycling ammo through them. Both shoot and cycle well for me. SMGA recently had the P365 on sale which made it more attractive than the Hellcat price wise. Not sure of today's pricing though. jmo: Both come with really good iron sights, though the Hellcat's are a bit easier on my old eyes. However, running a rds it is a rather moot point. Oh yeah, both irons are sighted to a combat hold with the irons, which I hate.

"Hum Hum Hum" here I come. Right back where I started from Open up your Golden Gate "Hum Hum Hum" here I come. forgive the paraphrasing

I would stay way from the Lee progressive presses. Have a Lee Classic Turret as well as RCBS. The Lee is far lower quality. Not as precise either, but it does work....for awhile.

Have seen some Eastern European mfr'd primers. Tried a couple of thousand and no missfires, but hard to seat. The small pistol ones seemed to have a slightly different base profile than Win/CCI/Fed. Ok in Federal cases and usually Winchester. Too tight in CCI Blazer, S&B or other foreign cases (9mm).

btw, on factory Glocks when this happens it means there is oil in firing pin channel, or that the firing pin needs to be cleaned. Have not done that on the Taurus, but might want to look at that as a possible solution,

Have quite a few rounds through mine now (1k or so), Have had a few light strikes but on reloads which were using "any primer I could find." Can't really blame that on the gun though. Don't remember any light strikes on factory 9mm.

This is just my opinion... Right now seems to be a poor time to take up reloading. It is just too difficult to find primers. Bullets and powder are not had, if your not picky. Brass can be had at least if "once fired." But the primers are just unobtainable and probably will be so for quite some time. Don't spend money on equipment if you can't get a fair amount of supplies. Again, jmo!

It was hard to find last year, but have been seeing it here in Sevierville lately. Bass Pro and Buds. As to popularity, yeah not so much for carry. Still one of the better cartridges for pistol target shooting, at least in a 1911.

Win, Win in my book. Have volunteered help for Sheriff when was back out west

Thanks and may God Bless you both

They will be able to go into a steep dive and charge the battery from the windmilling propeller. What could possibly go wrong with that?

Sevierville this morning

Wow, not like mine,

btw, if you go the Ham radio route am of the opinion that starting as a Technician is just fine. After you explore the wonderful world of rf on the vhf/uhf bands you can decide if HF is for you. Not only is the equipment very different for HF, but the antennas are much larger. Simply put, its not for everybody. I have been an Extra class operator since 1989 and have not bothered with HF for at least 15 years. Too cumbersome and the band conditions have not been favorable for years, though that should eventually change. Before someone chimes in with all the "digital" modes, been there done that and am not a fan.

Do a search on the internet for GMRS repeaters near you zip code. If you find one contact the operator to get their opinion. I am not a GMRS user, but have been a licensed Ham Operator for several decades. 2 meters is great and 10 miles should be fine if no obstacles are in the way. However, GMRS may be all you need and you can go up to 50 watts on a base unit. Can't imagine needing more than that if you are in sight of a repeater.

Last year I went to rds on three of my handguns (four actually but sold one). On the Sig P320 it makes a absolutely fantastic gun for steel. On my lowly S&W Victory it is also a boon at the range. On my Hellcat it looks great, but haven't carried it much. Have to practice a lot to get used to a rds drawn from a holster, as in a defensive situation. I have noticed that my tendency with a red dot out of the holster is to aim a bit low out of the holster. It takes a conscious effort to retrain my mind to "seemingly" push the muzzle up a bit when presenting the firearm. It feels different and don't think it is just me. At the range they are just great and am absolutely sold on them. Guess if I keep practicing I will feel more comfortable with one on a edc, Anyway, practice makes..."somewhat competent" in my case.

The running joke is that fusion will always be just 30 years away. Saw a test fire of SHIVA back in the 80's, quite impressive and LOUD. Sadly, have been no breakthroughs recently, just slow progress towards controlled fusion. I have to wonder if its just too difficult to be practical?

I know a business here in Sevierville that does cerakoating, laser engraving too, If you PM me will respond with his contact info, He has done some work for me and am satisfied.

Yes, I had to shorten them on two Holosuns. Too bad they only supply one set (long),