MacGyver

I've got a Surefire LX2 that is hands down my favorite light of all time. Dual output LED, 200 lumens on high beam The Coast branded lights from Home Depot are great for the money, too though. They've got a 3xAAA model that usually runs about $35 and can occasionally be found on sale for $19. I've picked up several of those when theyre on sale to scatter about and have been really pleased. Lowes will occasionally run Surefire 6Ps for less than $30, too.

When I was a kid growing up in Atlanta, there was a great old Army/Navy store around the corner from my house called Old Sarge. It was a kid's dream, and there's no telling how much of my allowance I spent there over the years. He had a footlocker of training grenades of all types. They were $1.00 each. They were standard issue for our war games. Why use pine cones when you can get real ones. I was thinking about this as I was reading about this case earlier this week, and thinking about my childhood. As a kid, I only drew the attention of the FAA, once. Today, I'm afraid I would have had agencies of some sort or another called on a monthly basis until my parents finally sold me to Bedouin traders or something. Our kids are really being robbed.

I'd argue that we have two major problems in our country today: First is that we have a two-party political system that has become a dysfunctional zero sum game that doesn't help anyone. What is good for one party must necessarily be bad for the other, and as such, that has become our legislature's focus. "We the people" have ceased to matter. Second, we cannot deny the fact that 47% of the population has no skin in the game. If you aren't paying Federal taxes, you don't care about anything more than who promises to give you the most stuff. It's a problem that is unfortunately fed by the first problem above. I don't discount that the poor have it hard. But regardless, everyone should have a little skin in the game. It's simply the only way the system works. It's not a matter of fairness. It's a matter of basic function of the system. If you're trying to build any system where one group pays and another group that's roughly equal in size doesn't, sooner or later people in the first group are either going to look for ways to get into the second group or they're going to stop playing. Everyone needs to contribute something. I'd love to see true term limits as a third point, but think a third viable party could provide a partial solution. I'll go so far as to say that any politician that serves more than two terms has stopped representing the people and starting enriching themselves. I'd love to see a two term limit law passed. Or, we could just skip that and pass a law that says you're free to serve more than two terms, but after losing an election past your second, you can simply report to the nearest Federal penitentary to start serving your sentences for corruption and fraud.

My iPhone4 is completely bricked right now. It crashed somehow when I was updating, and now it's demanding a restore that it can't complete because it can't talk to the Apple servers. Seriously, y'all. You've got $40 billion in cash and are #1 by market cap in the world. Surely you've got some people who can straightface capacity planning.

This must be from the same group that did Fireproof. The actor in the beginning scene is the same. I'd like to see it.

Yep. He's my first and usually only call for reloading supplies.

David, I loaded up some of these that I got from you at the last show. They perform well in the SOCOMs. Mike, you're using different load data, but in my 10.5 they were great.

That's freakin' awesome!

In this case, I'd bet that "complicated" simply means "I'm more comfortable with striker fired guns, and you should be, too". While a 1911 does have more steps in it's manual of arms, it is a very safe weapon. That said, as someone who regularly carries a government sized 1911 with a light attached (6'0" 145lbs), carrying a 1911 comes with a commitment: 1. You have to get to know the manual of arms, and train with your weapon. While this should go without saying for any weapon, a 1911 isn't point-and-shoot like a Glock. 2. Modern 1911s have some pretty tight tolerances. The RIAs are probably some of the loosest made, and they're still pretty tight. You really need to be meticulous about your maintenance in ways that you don't necessarily have to worry about with say, a Glock. Pocket lint and dirt mixed with grease and sweat can cause many picky 1911s major problems. You have to be strict about your maintenance. 3. A lot of people tweak their 1911s without really knowing what they're doing. I guess it's because of the ubiquity of the platform, but everyone's first action with a 1911 seems to be to trade something out. Simply look at any "my new 1911" thread on here to see evidence of this. I'm not saying this is bad - my 1911s are custom as well - but when trading something out, you have to be committed to returning to the range and function testing. The 1911 is my favorite platform. I like shooting the rough equivalent of a flying ashtray. But, it does require a commitment. Think of it as the MG or Triumph of the gun world. BTW... With an AresGear Ranger belt and a Raven Concealment Phantom LC holster, my pants don't sag a bit.

Here's a posthumous reprint of the article. Marshall was a great asset to this forum who will be sorely missed. Self Defense - A Christian Viewpoint

Mousegunner also wrote a great article on gun ownership and self defense from a Christian perspective. I'll see if I can find it.

I hunt with a suppressed SBR. It frankly suits my needs at every range I'm going to feel like I can ethically take a shot at. Firing 250 and 300 grain rounds, it has plenty of stopping power in it's advisable range. Once you start shooting "ear-safe", it will affect every firearm decision you make from that point forward. I wasn't the one shooting, but I've seen a pig hunt with a suppressed .458SOCOM where at 110 meters the other pigs in the group didn't even react when their buddy went down. The 500gr round put it down immediately and quietly.

Got this from Netflix today. Man, they've screwed this up in a major way. Say hello to shareholder lawsuits. I'd guess we'll be saying goodbye to at least the CEO in the near future.

I've spent some time here over the years as well. When I was single, it didn't really matter; this whole question was just a philosophical debate. But, when I got married the issue certainly changed for me. It was strengthened even more when I had kids. I think as a Christian, I have a responsibility to protect and provide for my family. I can't do that if I'm not here because some thug killed or seriously injured me to take what I have. I've carried everyday since the day I got my permit 15 years ago. Because of my line of work, I have a price on my head from two nations and one person who is currently on trial for war crimes at the Hague. I don't really lose much sleep over those threats. I do lose sleep about not being able to adequately protect or provide for my family. There is no reconciliation needed here for me. My faith, my perceived responsibility to my family and my decision to train and carry as a part of that all fit within my worldview.

Why the Rangers over the HSTs? I carry 147gr HSTs, but am interested in your opinion since I expect you guys have shot plenty of both. I have in my mind y'all shooting a bunch of HSTs in .40 at one point and having some issues.

I think it's civilian branded Winchester Ranger. It's not moly coated like the talons were.

My Benelli loves that stuff! It's great ammo.

They have groups for people like you, Mac. edit - this may be a case of the pot calling the kettle, black.

I really like that, Mac. I haven't seen one of that style in years, but it seems like it would really have some utility in the right situations.

I don't drink, smoke or do any type of drugs (immoderate amounts of coffee, butter and half-and-half excluded). That said, I'm mostly of the opinion that so long as you don't bother me about my guns, I'll leave you alone with your pot. This book has been out of copyright for decades, so I'll post the text of one of my favorite stories. If you haven't ever read Mark Twain's travel epilogue Following the Equator, do yourself a favor and go pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed:

Most of the Dovos are really quality razors at a great price. Have fun!

Get ahold of that .458 SOCOM of yours the wrong way and it'll likely feel about the same.

I've got the non-trench version, but have fired both. They're both reliable copies of the model 1897 right down to the ability to slam fire it if you're so inclined.

I cannot encourage you enough. You have no idea now how much of an influence you may be to a kid. My dad was an assistant scoutmaster, went camping with us every month and just made himself available. Twenty five years later, I have friends and former troop mates that I don't really stay in close contact with, but who still call my dad regularly just to say hey or ask his advice. Despite the flack they get in today's overly pansified world, scout troops - properly run let boys grow into leaders by working through problems on their own. The scoutmasters should really be there to serve as a good role model, to teach, offer advice when solicited, and make sure they don't kill themselves in the process. If you really look at those qualities, you realize how rare those traits are in today's world. Good work! Stay involved. As Gerald Ford used to say, "Boy, do we need scouting."

Great post! Thanks for taking the time to put this together.