Jamie Jackson

I think all of us would hope we would step up and do what is needed. But as has been mentioned we can't say with 100% certainty until presented with the situation. Having training such as @TripleGGG took with @Cruel Hand Luke can help provide realistic context for when & how, and allow you to start running the mental scenarios...again in proper context. Timing is a critically important aspect that could much better be addressed by Randy ( Cruel Hand Luke) than I. I would recommend viewing Active Self Protection videos to gain some insight and perspective on how some events actually unfold. They sometimes, unfortunately, have negative outcomes, fortunately sometimes positive. Proper training and practice, and mental preparation, will aid greatly in moving toward the positive outcome side of the equation. In the end it's a decision that each of us would have to make, but having thought it through should help. I personally would hope I'd do the right thing. I think I would. I hope I don't have to find out. Great idea for a thread @TripleGGG, This vid is food for thought and a decent analysis by John Correia

No intent to incite panic buying. I just find it interesting that with the unbelievable low pricing and availability of the past few years that anyone involved in our culture would not have availed themselves of those bargains . New shooters ? Well , this may prove a challenging time for them . And that's unfortunate, but I have no doubt this will cycle through as it always has. I would just encourage those that have been sitting on the fence about handloading to give it a try, Just my ever devaluing $0.02 worth...

I hope you guys are right And SPB is a solid group of folks in my experience A.J. and I've shot some of there ammo when sampling a few of their guns. It ran fine. I'm set on ammo for a good while and I needed to dryfire more anyway. The next normal may well be a bit different though. I hope I'm wrong and will gladly admit it. Strange times these are.

The only optic I considered back then was a scope. I still have a "return to zero" mount that fit the carry handle and it actually worked! I traded for my first RDS, an EOTech, around 2002-2003 iirc and was sold on thee concept. RDS just weren't a "thing" back then. But I sure am glad I learned iron sights first!

I know we've all seen and discussed the current run on ammo and the value of having the ability to load your own. I've also read many posts here over the past few years encouraging folks to stock up because of the historically low prices and availability . I imagine most heeded that advice. If this editorial is factual, it looks like another shortage may be upon us. I am glad I took advantage of the Black Friday deals members recommended and got some great buys on components as I primarily shoot handloads. What are your thoughts on this editorial and it's content? https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/economics-ammunition/374730?fbclid=IwAR33LUzNvC__tD5skk8giwUjQfdiGTgUh22JD_xQS4IV5jS4Li4JGysX2aQ

Greetings from another Knoxville local. My wife & I are members at SPB, Good folks there. And welcome to the responsible gun culture family. Sounds like you're making a positive entry.

The reason I choose the Dissipator was the longer iron sight radius with a relatively shorter OAL for the carbine. Suited my perceived needs at the time.

I had my barrel threaded as soon as the AWB sunset simply because it didn't look right without one LOL.

I actually still have my first AR. Like David, it's a 1995 Bushmaster 16" Dissipator. RDS weren't a thing at that time and very few civilian purchase options were available . The photo was taken August 28th 2005, the day before Katrina hit back home (MS). It was/is a decent gun for the time .

Bumping this back up (using a virtual keyboard , which is a PIA btw). Well, this isn't the apocalypse I envisioned ... No zombies All kidding aside, there are some great books referenced. I'm rereading "Light's Out" by Crawford . I forgot what a good book that is. of course I also reread "Gardening When it Counts" by Steve Solomon. Seems apropos.

I was curious @TripleGGG. Thanks for posting this my friend. I drove by there on the way home from work about 1 hr ago. The parking lot looked pretty full.

@jgradyc We have a Big Berkey water filtration system and it's been in daily use for more than 10 years. It's a household staple for us. I have recommended them as a first line purchase for a long time now. A lot of vendors may be temporally out of stock, but as I have to get to work, I didn't search deeply. https://www.directive21.com/products/big-berkey-water-filters/

Welcome to TN and to TGO! Have a safe journey.

We just learned of this. Glad you're OK btq96r. Praying for all of our Brothers and Sisters in the area.

I assume you are searching for these to handload? If so, what medium and process do you use to test them? As chance R mentions the 158 gr LSCW Hp (Old FBI load) rarely expands in snubs and iirc was originally aimed at 4" plus barrel length...but still kinda iffy expansion. Jim Cirillo of the old NYPD Stakeout Squad, (Guns, Bullets and Gunfights on Amazon) recommended a full wadcutter bullet with a sharp ogive for revolvers, 148 gr in .38 spl. He collaborated with Fuzzy Fletcher of the old Village Metalworks to produce the Safestop Round years ago. These used a plated 148 gr DEWC that ran at 720 fps (my chrono data from 2005). There's a lot of good current data and recommendations around right now as we seem to be in a bit of a "Revolver Renaissance" (to borrow a current phrase). Trainers like the aforementioned Greg Ellifritz, Daryl Bolke, Wayne Dobbs and others are recommending wadcutters as functional self defense ammo in snubby's as they yield accurate rounds with adequate penetration and allow non-punishing, fast shot to shot times. Federal Gold Medal Match is one I often see them recommend. I use both Rainier and Berry's plated 148 gr DEWC for handloads in .38 spl. The Rainier's have the sharper ogive. Oh, Michael de Bethencourt mentions Buffalo Bore, but I don't have any experience with these or know if the bullets alone are available for handloads. https://www.imwithroscoe.com/2009/08/27/snub-training-ammo-questions/ A factory round you might consider is the Speer 138 gr Gold Dot for snubbies. https://www.luckygunner.com/20rds-38-special-speer-gold-dot-short-barrel-135gr-p-hp-ammo I have loaded Speer 158 gr LSWC HP in the past and ran them at +P velocities without noted leading. But I never had any reliable medium for testing expansion. IIRC they are, or were, relatively soft lead. Cirillo's book.. highly recommended! https://www.amazon.com/Guns-Bullets-Gunfights-Modern-Day-Gunfighter/dp/1976745160/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

@Dirtshooter I tried one of those type holster T- shirts you mentioned, a Kramer made iirc, long ago. They were, as mentioned, not comfortable, but most important slow and clumsy to draw from and prone to snagging when trying to draw at any speed. I agree with @Hippy that a quality bellyband is a good consideration for deep concealment. But if worn under a tucked in shirt there is still the need to move a lot of closed clothing out of the way to gain access. I've worn them under my scrubs before and they served me well, but it's gun size dependent to a degree. I still have one that I took a Glock factory holster, cut a bit off and sewed into a bellyband. It served it's purpose well at the time for an NPE situation. I'll attach a pic below if I can dig it up. Just an option... It would be helpful if you mentioned the type/size of handgun and the attire you'll be wearing. Do you wear a coat and tie, or just a dress shirt tucked in? Untucked shirt? I recently listened to Spencer Keepers on the Polite Society podcast talking about concealing a Beretta 92 AIWB while wearing a dress suit with a vest. It's not that I'm recommending AIWB carry (that's my personal choice but I understand it's not for everyone). As to IWB in general I've found that with a quality gunbelt just repositioning the holster an inch or two, fore or aft of 3 o'clock for a right hand shooter to find that "pocket of comfort" can make a significant difference. But we are all individual on this.

My primary these days tends to be my S&W 9mm Shield. I find it far more "shootable" than a gun this size should be. I've carried my G19 for over 20 years now. It's like an old friend, but age is creeping up on me rapidly and the Shield simply takes less thought and effort to comfortably carry. But I have one of my LCR's in a pocket as a secondary, sometimes a primary for NPE carry. Love my wheelies! I still want to pick up an LCP for those times when deep concealment is required. But money is tight these days...

I feel your pain buddy. I have an RMR on my 17 and it dramatically improved my groups, especially at distance. But I've put a lot of dry fire practice into it, still do. Consistent presentation and all of that. But I have been amazed at what improvement it makes at distance. I have astigmatism, so I have to be careful I don't have the dot dialed up too bright at distance (50 yds +), but closer it's a nonissue. It;s nice to be able to simply target focus. Pick up the dot and press. Nice. I have HD's on my G 19 and Ameriglo CAPS on my G 26 and S&W Shield. I'm happy with those choices. When proven out a bit more, I am considering one of the Holosun RDS for my G 26 and/or my S&W Shield...maybe both. Time, and money, will tell.

I like that setup @BCR#1! I have my 550 set up for 9mm as that's what I have historically shoot the most of. But I've loaded quite a bit of .38 and .380 on my old single stage Lee press this year. I need to look into a 550B for .38! Back when I used to shoot 45 acp a bunch I had a separate tool head and powder for my 550. That made life simpler at the time. These days, like @leroy, I claim curmudgeon status.

Those guns are beautiful @LINKS2K! And definitely congratulations on the retirement! I am envious and hope to actually do the same ...one of these days...

We've hauled off a tube TV and a couple of window unit AC's to the Knoxville Waste Management Facility on Elm Street, They are a curious bunch with tons of restrictions, rules, and regs, but one of the only options locally I know of my friend. I'll try and link some info below. Crazy world isn't it? Mike's suggestion has merit imho. Someone I know might have done something similar...maybe... 1033 Elm Street Knoxville, TN 37921 Office: 865-215-6700 http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=109562&pageId=200230

Not yet, just intermittently as YouTube keeps pulling them... violation of policy? Seriously? No surprise...

Welcome to TGO!

I totally agree. I, like many other TGO members, purchase from SGAmmo and subscribe to their newsletter. In the most recent newsletter they mention the fact that ammo, especially bulk purchase, is at a 13 year low. But they also mention that several companies will be increasing their pricing this year, and of course they mention the unpredictability of an election year and the equally unpredictable response of the public. The majority of us only too well remember the wild swings and shortages of the past 15 years. It's definitely a buyers market right now. How long that lasts is anyone's guess, but this year and the next should prove interesting.

At your service my friend.