crc4

My God! I'd need a seeing-eye dog that could read the data and bark out the time to me. It's hard to beat a Timex. I have three and one is on my wrist everyday. Keep time better than my Rolex.

In my opinion, it takes less time to learn how to be on the right side of a self-defense act, than to spend 8-16 hours or more deciding which new gun to buy. The concepts aren't difficult, but do require simple knowledge that's easily obtainable. The law is very often not just. It's a system. One prepares for that law system by understanding how that system works. Study of SD justification prepares you by teaching you about that system and how you can best navigate successfully through that system. Merely obtaining some type of SD insurance though isn't enough. One must understand that to be on the right side of the investigation and possible charges, it's necessary to come to the SD situation with 'clean hands.' The clean hands concept is a major component of any SD action, but again is easily learned. Some people (not saying you, sir) believe the TV shows and movies where an innocent man gets saved by dramatic lawyers and the real truth passionately displayed before the jury. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. That's the great importance of having an attorney that understands not only the system, but how to properly present an affirmative defense for any SD action. That's takes an attorney who has trained, prepared for, and has handled such cases in the past. The typical criminal defense attorney is rarely what you need to stay out of jail. I've said this over and over and will continue to say it - learning SD justifications is not difficult, but does require the same commitment to that 'system' as to becoming proficient with firearms. The good news is that it take far less time to learn, only someone who wants to and is willing to work at it.

I attached a large magnet to a broom handle to run over the carpet in my gunsmithing room. I look like a minesweeper in Normandy. But I do find the springs.

I saw this 82 for sale. The price seems to be about what you could expect to pay. CZ 82 - commercial vendor A private sale would probably be less with cash. Then again, I wouldn't sell mine for that price as they're dependable and in almost 20 years of shooting never a failure, plus they are steel frames.

I've shot both and have found the CZ82 to be the better pistol in terms of grip, recoil, accuracy, fit and finish, and smoother handling overall. I have two CZ82s and large hands and found the FEG to be too small for me.

As an aside, check out Scotty Kilmer on Youtube. A real mechanic for 55 years, he gives you the lowdown on everything automotive. Listen to him, he knows his stuff, doesn't accept payola, and is hated by Chevy, Chrysler, Ram, Audi, BMW, Jeep, and other major companies for his honesty and pulling no punches. You'll save thousands on buying and repair costs. Plus, he's entertaining. Scotty Kilmer - Mechanic and Straight Shooter

My father, with the 2nd Armored Division from Ft. Benning, Georgia, under Gen. George Patton on the Louisiana/Mississippi Maneuvers in 1942. Three months later they landed in North Africa in Operation Torch.

First sell plastic guns and milsurps you don't want or care about, keep your family heirlooms, hold onto classic guns in good shape as they appreciate at a faster rate than Glocks and ARs. Tons of non-gun people bought guns in the last three years of panic buying. Never shot them after 2 visits to the range, paid too much, spent more money on tactical doodads, and are now needing money. In many cases a buyer can get that same gun for 1/3 to 1/2 off what was paid. So those guns will take a while to gain any value. Classic milsurps like full military Enfields, Swiss K-31s, German Mausers, M1s, M1 Carbines, M1As, are premium dollar getters in very good to excellent condition. Sporterized versions are always suspect and in the last 30 years have often been Bubbarized. If you have any of these sell them. Guns like Mosin-Nagants, Yugo 8mms, and other 2nd-tier milsurps in less than very good condition are still bringing in money, but I'd sell them first. I sold all my milsurps but my M1 Garand and never missed them. Get rid of guns you won't miss that take up space in the safe and in your mind. You may find that once you start cleaning out it becomes easier to do and can be mentally rewarding. You'll make a few dollars and enjoy getting rid of excess stuff you'll never use. Maybe you'll make enough to buy a gun you always wanted. Better to have a few guns you treasure than a safe full of guns that are only wood and metal.

The price is high for transfers hoping you'll buy from them for new guns. Try pawn shops for transfers. They're often cheaper as they want your business.

M*CARBO has the best trigger kit installation videos on CZs and a wide variety of other makes and models. Here's the one for the 75b from start to finish. CZ 75b trigger spring kit installation The CZ82 however, is notorious for being difficult and cussworthy. I have 2 but in 20 years it's never been necessary to do more than typical field stripping, thank God.

Thanks. With the exception of a few Markarovs and an FEG High-Power clone, all my semi-autos are CZs. I've installed M*CARBO trigger springs on the 75b, P-01, and 97b and reduced DA pull by a minimum of 40% and SA by 47% without having light hammer strikes. I did do some polishing of connecting rods, sears, and hammer, but only polishing which I'm certain has contributed to the smoothness and crispness of the triggers. Now I'm getting new sights for all of them. Glad to hear you like your TFO sights. I've never used a fiber optic before, but with the tritium should be good day and night. Thanks for your response.

I like the fedora. Do you know where it came from? Which Amish community? That's a keeper. I've been looking for a hat like that for years.

I need to try one of the new High-Powers that's not an FN then. I'd heard a review about the other clones, but not one about the FN.

I've owned 2 FN High-Powers over the last 45 years. Frankly, I didn't care for them. It wasn't the looks as the bluing was beautiful - it was the terrible trigger and magazine disconnect and the sights were little better than nothing. Even circumventing the md didn't make it noticeably better or smooth. I likened it to a beautiful woman gorgeous on the outside but internally ravished by disease. Sold them and never looked back. But about 20 years ago I bought the FEG HP clone for a very low price in a trade deal, decided to worked on it, got it to feed hollow-points reliably, did some trigger system polishing, and reduced the trigger pull and crunchiness considerably. While it's not and never has been my primary carry, on long-distance car trips I'll keep it under a jacket in the passenger seat as a New York reload. Still not thrilled with the sights, but as a high-capacity back-up in the car it's fine. I'm anxious to see the new ones to see if the trigger is better. But I am wondering why they've been reintroduced. Nostalgia, perhaps. But with the number of quality DA and SA pistols available where does it fit? Not a put down at all, just curious.

So did you shoot him? What did you learn from your involvement?

I'm the same way. I don't need the money, but I'm not a charity either. Some I've given to friends, their kids, or donated for charitable events. But I have one rule along those lines. I don't give guns to people who ask me to give them guns. It's my choice who and where to give them. If its kids, I make sure I know the kid, have seen his morals, and have talked to his parents first and made them responsible as guardians of the gun until the kid is 18. Plus, since a kid is involved, I do have them sign such a statement absolving me of any potential charges, damages, and liability. They always are happy to sign. As I enjoy buying and trading, most of the profits go into more guns, nice Italian homestyle restaurants, and a fried-fish joint with fries and hushpuppies. I'm buying new sights for my three CZs with the cash from a couple of deals last month. That's fun as everybody wins. They get a good gun (I don't buy junk) and I make a little money. Selling comes natural to me and it's easy to be honest. Dishonesty in someone I can't abide. Lose my trust once and we're done. Think about selling a few. It's not difficult, just be smart about it and know the values. Once you've sold a couple, it gets easier.

None so far. But I did find it necessary to show my gun many times in law enforcement and twice as a citizen to avoid being robbed. I did investigate SD shootings as a detective, took evidence to the DA and Grand Jury, and testified in trials I also learned that most (the majority) of law enforcement officers know almost zero about the legal conditions and ramifications of SD events and their advice is rarely correct. I have no reason to believe that knowledge has improved with the majority of police today. Most lawyers have about the same level of knowledge. It takes a special lawyer who does as it's not in the wheelhouse of criminal defense lawyers. My knowledge of the legal ramifications of self-defense are from my studies. It's easy to find that knowledge. All you need to do is want to learn it. Where did you learn about it?

I'm thinning the herd. Sold all my milsurps (except for my mint Springfield Garand w/ National Match barrel with a few thousand rounds of US-made ammo). While I enjoyed the milsurps from a historical perspective, I got tired of them, didn't shoot them, and kept them only to sell as investments which paid off in the last year. I've been dribbling out others, and only have about 3-4 more to go until I'm down to the ones I'll keep. I still have a Colt Police Positive and Chinese Paratrooper to sell, and maybe one of my East German Makarovs. A couple of antiques will remain until I find the right buyer as I'm not listing them publicly, I still am buying. Last week a new CZ P-01 at a $140 off retail, and am going to buy a couple more other guns this week for use as trade or profit. Trading and selling guns is fun. Most of the remaining guns have sentimental value as well as being good shooters. I'm taking my SD guns and getting new sights and plenty of SD ammo. I shoot all my guns regularly, enjoy keeping them maintained and looking good, and doing minor gunsmithing jobs when necessary. I've also gave away guns to those you can see enjoying them. It's a pleasure as you can envision them treasuring them as you did while you're alive to see it. Getting older gives you perspective that can't be described until you get there - then you know it. I do miss certain guns I traded or sold decades ago, but it's not regret. Sometimes things are so tied up in memories it's like Proust and his madeleines. Your hope is that those coming behind you will find their memories in their long, distant past that you helped them create. An old doctor friend from 50 years ago was an avid Browning Auto-5 shotgunner and a Weatherby rifleman who said to me, "When I die, sprinkle Hoppes inside my casket." I know what he meant

The ones I had handloaded for me were semi-hardcast - harder that normal wadcutters but certainly not the hardcast almost indestructible bullets I see today. I believe I still have some in my safe that are almost 48 years old.

The Meprolights on my CZ75b and 97b have played out after 17 years and have dimmed too far to be of value for night work. Plus, a new CZ P-01 needs night sights too. I've been looking for some time and frankly, it's rather confusing to find the right sights as claims of 'this one is great' with the next fellow saying 'these are trash' are common. So after a lot of research, I've decided to buy one new sight, the Truglow TFX Pro Tritium and Fiber Optic Xtreme, install it myself and see how it goes. I'll put it on my 75b. Truglo TFX Pro Tritium and Fiber Optic If it works out, I'll get the same sight for my other CZ pistols. I hope it does as I like having the same sights on my guns as it makes it easier to go from one gun to another, particularly as these CZs feel the same in the hand. I've never used a fiber optic before so this gives me a chance to see if they work for me.

Never shot the reversed wadcutters into gel, but in those days .38 special SD loads were rare, with many officers carrying round-nose for ease of reloading. My reversed wadcutters were probably closer to +p loads as they were strong in recoil and snappiness, but less than a 2' .357. At 10-15 yards they seemed to be accurate enough with a tendency to keyhole. I never had to shoot anyone with them, but I did believe they would do the trick. After checking around I'm going to try some of the hard-cast loads and some Honey Badger loads. I'm a fan of my Bodyguard as a good BU revolver, particularly in wintertime when I can have my hand on the gun in my pocket without drawing any attention and if necessary shoot through the pocket without hanging up as an auto might. Thanks for your response.

I disagree. Knowing the conditions that meet justification for a self-defense shooting before it happens helps you make the right decision. Not knowing can wind you up in jail, prison, broke, and without a viable future. The good news is those conditions that will make your shooting justified and easy to defend in court are not difficult to understand and apply. Like learning to shoot a firearm effectively takes practice, so too does learning and applying those justifiable conditions to your use of deadly force. Once you learn them, you can practice them on real world situations by seeing how and what others have done and you can see whether or not their shootings were justified. While self defense laws can and do vary across the states, the basic conditions remain the same for all of them. It's not necessary to learn the Tennessee law, then the Georgia law, then the North Carolina law. The same conditions apply to all of them. It's like having a car. Would you wait to learn how to drive until you're behind the wheel heading to Home Depot? Same with self defense.

Today, Dec. 27, Attorney Branca is having a web seminar (free). Here's the link. Andrew Branca - "Hard to Convict" Web Seminar

Thanks for the link. I ordered a copy to give someone.

Congratulations. You now know more about the laws of self-defense that at least 85% of gun owners know. Let us know if you like Ayoob's book.