Patrick Henry

I recommend everyone send Starbucks an email thanking them for not infringing upon the right to carry laws. I have done so and received a similar reply. I favor open carry laws but as already said just because it is legal does not always mean it is wise to do so. One of the benefits to open carry is it does acclimate the sheeple to the fact that people do responsibly carry. But I believe one needs to exercise discretion where to open carry.

I do not get the least bit upset or scared when I see someone open carry. In fact I think it is good some people do! I don't open carry as I am concerned about getting hassled and if something were to go down I would be the first target, but I do think about it and someday I might. A good thing about open carry: it helps to acclimate the sheeple to the fact that people can and do carry responsibly. Yes, the sheeple get scared but hopefully later after their emotions have subsided (for some this never happens) they calm down enough to think logically (for many this is impossible) and they realize the shoot out at the Wally World corral did not materialize and that everyone but them remained calm at the sight of a gun!!!! And hopefully over time they begin to realize guns do not kill people, but people kill people with all sorts of various weapons. Invite someone who is not familiar with guns to shoot and especially invite someone who leans towards the anti-gun crowd to shoot. You just might enlighten and ignorant person to their liberty.

Guns & Leather usually has a large selection, good prices, knowledgeable sales people, and rentals available to use on their range!!! Franklin Gun Shop has a good selection but they are expensive. I hear various reports about their willingness to negotiate. Save some gas $$$ and time: call the shops first to see what they have in-stock.

He is correct you never want a pistol to fall out/through your pocket for all kinds of reasons!!!

Concerning Ruger trigger complaints: It is just what I have read online. Regarding the grip: grip is a very personal thing as everyones' hands are different from anyone else. If you like the grip that is important. I did shoot the Ruger P95 about 3 months ago, just a couple of magazines. I do not recall my impressions of the trigger, so it did not make a bad impression. I did find it to be accurate as I was able to put my first 10 shots in the head of the target at 10 to 15 yards. I previously considered getting a Ruger and I am a research nut. It is a well rated gun, some say a real sleeper of a value, maybe the best value out there, especially if you can find one used at a good price IMO. No gun is perfect so if you search well you will find some folks with issues on any gun. Any gun I am considering I always try multiple searches on different search engines and I always try a search with the gun name and the words "problems issues complaints". There is another new thread here about the Beretta Px4 and issues with Beretta customer service. Generally I have heard they are slow and not very service oriented, but I have no experience with them. Since they own Stoeger you might want to research the internet to see what folks are saying about Stoeger's customer service. Ruger is reported to have good customer service. All of my comments where I say "reported" or "some say" are based on what I have read online.

I have never pocket carried but I have always read you should use a holster for pocket carry, to prevent negligent discharge and to keep lint out of the gun, thus ensuring reliability.

I have read that Beretta's customer service is slow and anything but service oriented. Sorry to hear about your problem.

Very Racy!!! But I would be scared to carry a Glock just clipped to my belt and not in a holster with the trigger covered.

I highly recommend the move. I worked in York PA for years and lived in the Peoples Republic of Maryland. I am so glad to be out of there. TN has no state income taxes. The people are great, very friendly and welcoming, great values and God fearing. Cost of living is low and the climate is nice. When I am visiting in Maryland people regularly tell me they would like to get out due to the very liberal political climate, taxes, cost of living, so many people on the gov. dole, and poor work ethic and ethics in general. Thank you Tennesseans for being so welcoming and creating such a great state. Ya'll have given me a little hope for our country.

Beretta Px4 You did not mention caliber. I have shot both the 9mm and .40 a fair amount. An acquaintance loves his. Both are reported to be one of the softest recoiling handguns in their calibers due to the rotating barrel. Many find the .40's recoil to be not much more than the 9mm. I disagree: I think the 40 kicks sharply but softer than a Glock and I get the trigger finger sting that some people complain about. I believe this may be a personal issue as several others have shot the very same gun and do not experience it. A handful of police dept. have selected this gun. I find it to be a comfortable gun to hold and disassembly is easy. I have never witnessed any malfunctions with either gun. Your selection of holsters is limited but since you are not buying this for carry that should not be an issue. The sites glow in the dark after brief exposure to light; they are not true night sites. BerettaUSA.com frequently has the magazines on sale for about $20. Academy usually has the Px4 in stock for $519 before tax and background check. There is another post going about the Px4 and Beretta's lack of customer service.

One more thought on the Stoeger. If it is a little smaller you may find it is OK for winter carry under a coat, which is not a bad way to start getting comfortable carrying. That is how I started carrying with a paddle holster. These are comfortable, inexpensive, and you can slip it on and off easy in the car. You may want to check on paddle holster availability for the Stoeger since these may not be as popular as the Ruger.

Both are very reliable and well made. Most reviewers will probably rate the Stoeger better but the US Army did purchase 5000 Ruger P95 for use in Iraq by drivers. The Stoeger may have less recoil as I believe it weighs more (aluminum frame) and it has a rotating barrel, which is reported to lessen recoil. It may also be a little smaller than the Ruger. The Beretta Px4 Storm replaced the Beretta Cougar (now the Stoeger) the Px4 sells for about $519 at Academy Sports before taxes. It is very similar to the Stoeger but has a polymer frame and inter-changeable back staps to adjust the fit to your hand size. Stoeger is owned by Beretta and uses the same machines as Beretta did to make the Cougar. If you get the Stoeger the Beretta website recently had the magazines on sale for a good price. The Ruger has a polymer frame. The Ruger will depreciate the most and quickly. Some people find the Ruger grip to be to blocky and have some complaint about the trigger. If you are patient you should be able to pick one up used for $280 or less, after negotiating. Used Stoegers are rare but they do turn up. The Ruger magazines are expensive, about $35 and the only other magazine brand that reportedly functions well with the Ruger is Mec-Gar about $28. Mec-Gar is reported to make the best after market magazines. Many people will tell you to only buy Mec-Gar or original gun manufactured magazines or you are buying trouble. Again, both are well made guns and will give you a lifetime of service. If you can try to shoot them both at a range that rents them. Between the two go with with the one you keeping going back to.

the range is On-Target and I believe they have a website. good luck

Catdaddy I sent you a PM the other day concerning the see through rings from Marlin; the action needs to be tapped, rings are yours if you want them

I have had them on a muzzle loader for years and been very happy with them.

It would be interesting to herd hunt and participate in deer drives with that Saiga!!!!

I have see through rings from a Marlin up for grabs

Norma manufacturers ammo for both cal. It looks like it may have the anti-aircraft sights....hahaha:D some of them orig had these!!!

Mousegunner did ye have a wee little bit of Jeagermister this evenging?

I saw on another poster some of you have used the Glock 19 barrel in a Glock 23. I have asked 2 Glock armorers at the gun show today and they said Glock does not recommend this. When I asked why they said there is a potential for a problem due to the narrower barrel diameter of the 19 used in a 23. So my question is to those who have done this and fired at least 500 rounds have you had any problems?

I have read you should shoot 50 rounds of your ammo to ensure it feeds properly before you trust your life to it.

At the risk of repeating what may have already been mentioned, my suggestion would be a Ruger P95. If you are patient you should be able to find one in your price range. They are very reliable and well made. A number of police departments have used them at one point in time. The US Army purchased about 5000 for use in Iraq. They have a reputation for being as tough as a tank and will shoot everything. These are full size so you will need to wear a long tailed shirt untucked or a coat to keep it concealed. But the size helps to make them comfortable to shoot and aids in accuracy. They are not a Sig 226 for accuracy but they are more than accurate enough.

I have put about 14 rounds through a P9. I found it unpleasant to shoot and difficult to shoot accurately. I do think it will take some time to learn to shoot well.

If you can only take one long gun when bugin' out what will it be, .22, center fire, or 12 guage? And why?

Sorry if someone already mentioned these: Frogtog rain suit: good for rain or as a wind breaker, combine with fleece and you are prepared for all but the coldest weather. If torn patches well with duct tape Fleece balaclava: a combination hat, neck warmer, and face warmer. We loose about 30% of body heat through the head.