StPatrick

I can shoot them, and I can clean them, but I do not have any idea how to detail strip my guns. (Cut me some slack, I've only been at this like 8 months or so.) Your reasoning on why this should be done is sound, and I want to learn. So: What resources would you recommend for learning the process, and where would you recommend picking up any tools or supplies needed to do so?

The adjustable sights are one of my concerns, but I've been practicing point shooting anyways, so sights aren't that big a deal...at $919 plus tax, I'm trying to figure out of if the grips, beavertail (which I love) and trigger job are worth the extra cost over a stock 229 and aftermarket TFOs. You can follow my progress, via the Sigarms.com website: The Al grips are very thin, which is a big attraction for me. I have a 239 with Hogues, and the idea of having nearly identical grip thickness with double stack capacity is very attractive. Sig is selling the grips for $180 through their website. Good lord, somebody finally found a way to manufacture grips that are more expensive than Nill. SRT is $100. Looking at stock P229 prices on gunbroker ($750+), it seems that the package deal is more affordable than buying a stock 9mm and adding the grips and SRT job, if night sights are part of the package. The beavertail is obviously impossible to price - it's more like you pay extra for it, and then Sig throws in some other goodies as well. Am I selling this to myself? Dammit, this is always how it happens. Where is JHatmaker when you need him? He probably has three of these.

Does anyone have experience with these? I was in G&L earlier today (took my HCP course, hooray!), and saw this while browsing afterwards. To say I badly wanted it is an uderstatement. I may have to sell some stuff... I am especially curious about the SRT trigger - anybody have one? Here's the link to the Sig page, since I'm having difficulty copying and pasting a picture: Products & Services Note: the one I looked at did not have the threaded barrel.

Remove any factory grease and gunk from the internals, lightly lube any contact points (everybody here has their own favorite gun lubricant - I prefer slideglide), and go blow holes in something. Can't help with your hydra-shok question, but somebody here should be able to. My PD rounds have all been 124gr.

CollinP2, what were you shooting? I didn't get to talk to many people today, but if you were the guy to my right with the Walther and the M&P, nice shooting. On most occasions out there, I see maybe one or two good shots if it's busy, but today was a good day. I saw a "regular" (the 1911 / large-frame revolver guy who makes one big hole at 45', and walks with a cane), and a couple guys on down the line were doing some impressive rapid fire drills with Glocks. There was zero spray and pray. The total experience could not have been any better. I agree 110% about the range staffers. The RSOs could not have been any friendlier or more encouraging than they were. I love Chicago, but I'm glad I've lived down here for the last 15 years. There is no way we could have had her first shoot up there, and had it turn out so well.

She already has it - it's the Oxygen network. I guess it's something like Lifetime, but for some reason I haven't found the time to check it out. Between that channel and her magazine (which has her picture on the cover every single month - cult of personality anyone?), even after her talk show is over, there will still be plenty of Oprah to go around.

+1. I can't think of a carry option where slide length is the primary concealibility issue. It seems like grip length and thickness are always more important. Hopefully, the Croats will find a way to make a true compact XDm. If they can make one that shoots like the full-size, count me in for 2 of them.

This post is just a general thank you to all the TGO members who have answered so many of my questions over the last several months. In half a year, I've gone from someone who had never fired a handgun before to that "ragged hole" guy you see at the range (if I could just get rid of the blasted flyers). A great deal of that is thanks to the guidance I got from so many who post here. Today, I took my younger sister to the range for her first time. The RSOs at the Stones River TWRA range were fantastic, and so were all the other shooters there. They made her feel welcome and invited to a place that can be very intimidating for a first-timer. She had a great time, and is now a permanent convert to our side - she even said that the "mystique" was gone. For the cost of about 200 rounds between the two of us, she no longer sees a gun as anything other than plastic and steel, and realizes she is its master. In other words, Awesomeness. It's probably the best $60 I've spent in ages. She is now certified paper-plate accurate, and can load, unload, and make safe most pistols. Thanks to all of you who helped make it possible for us to have such a great day. TGO members played a big part in making her first shooting experience very positive, enjoyable, instructive, and safe.

XDm vs. Sig is a lateral move, yes, in terms of dollar value, reliability, etc. However, I own both of the above guns in 9mm, and while I really enjoy my P239, I love my XDm. Maybe it's just something about your first handgun, but if I could only take one to the range, it would always be the XDm. /threadjack off

Bigger men can conceal bigger pistols. If your everyday routine and dress would allow you to carry the XDm, do it do it do it. Huge capacity, great trigger, and a fantastic one-big-ragged-hole shooter. If you have to go smaller, there's also the Sig P239 to consider, along with all the other good suggestions posted earlier.

Hex, I would posit that if he's an officer, and makes it explicitly known that he is a uniformed police officer to his clients, his actions directly reflect on his department as well, no matter where he gives his lessons. My belief is that it is his implicit responsibility to uphold the mores and values of the dept. he represents, be it police or other. I'd guess that many of our former MIL / current law enforcement members would back my asessment up. Even if you're not wearing the uniform, it carries a great deal of weight with most of us non-service types. I'd guess that in the firearms respecting community, wearing that uniform is looked at as a badge of honor, and something to be respected and admired. As such, this man would be naturally be seen as a person of authority and respect in the minds of his students. Thus: He has made it known that he earned his badge and speaks from a position of authority. He is not just an instructor. He is a living, breathing symbol of protection from all things bad and wrong. Anything he says will be filtered through those ideals, and will be interpreted as the official view of his P.D. *Note - I'm not disagreeing with you; parsing your quote was just the easiest way to start my rant. My , Patrick

Wow...I just googled it because I'd never heard of one before. Complete 1911-schwiiiing!

CK1, I'm leaning towards J-hooks, or velcro (as a last resort) - any kind of "over the belt" clips are a no-go for me. Again, thanks for the suggestion, Patrick

COOP, Thanks for your response. I should have provided more background information. I wear jeans and dress shirts to work, which is my area of primary concern (Rosa Parks just north of the Capitol builiding, for Nashvillians). I need to be able to conceal until I get there, and pick right up where I left off when I leave, without the need to change clothes, or wear a jacket / vest in summer. Thanks, though. For my own time away from the job, I'll take a good look at the Don Hume you mentioned.

Gents, I'm getting ready to make the leap and get my HCP. My intended carry piece is a Sig P239, SA/DA, 9mm (picked up on the TGO trading post, BTW, thanks Silver). I've heard and read many good things about various holster options, but never where said holster is positioned, or when different "X O'clock" positions work better than others. As the subject line mentioned, I'm leaning towards IWB, since I generally don't wear baggy clothes, and my shirt is tucked in 95% of the time. With that preface, here are my questions: 1: What positions (2:00, 5:00, etc.) work best for a right-hander, and in what situations? What are their drawbacks? 2: Is there a holster that can do it all, or is it better to have multiple carry options based on how you're dressed? 3: If the multiple carry options win, do they pass a cost / benefit analysis? 4: Finally, can owners of both weigh in on the Supertuck / Minotaur battle? Everybody who has one of either loves it; does anyone have both? 5: Supertuck vs. Minotaur vs. XXX? I don't know about , so if there's a better IWB rig out there for a Sig P239, please let me know. Thanks, StPatrick

Bubba, In that price range, I'd have to submit the XDsc line as well, if you can find one used. They're great shooters, and there's plenty of TGO members who can provide testimonials to that effect. Otherwise, Glock, Glock, Glock. At $400, they're the best-pedigreed weapon available, with the best customer service, an army of certified armorers, and relatively affordable accessories i.e. lights, lasers, etc. (MUST have a holster with one, this is not an option or accessory, but a necessity). The "Safe Carry" system only works if you carry safely. See Burress, Plaxico. Smith M&Ps are loved by their owners, as are the Sig 229 and 239, but they're going to go for more than the $400 ceiling I think? If I'm wrong, look to the following posts that correct me momentarily). I'd suggest that if you're going to entrust your life to a firearm, consider saving a little more and open your options up if you don't like what you can get for $400. One last point: if this weapon is for home defense or carry, night sights are a must, so budget accordingly. My >2 cents, StPatrick

All of them, or the *one* they know about? That doesn't even include my "zombie stash" of ammo. I'm keeping that no matter what - if the day ever comes, lead will finally turn into gold. Either way, I'd like to see the pol with huevos big enough to demand something like this and still get elected (so I could kick him right in aforementioned huevos). Let's all hope the Supreme Court does the righteous and constitutional thing next summer regarding incorporation of the 2nd amendment.

Destroyer of the Organic Lab, Post your questions under the appropriate headings, i.e. handguns under "Handguns". I've posted a few, and there's usually a torrent of useful info that floods in. Given a choice, I would blow up the analytical lab first, then either the P-chem lab or the inorganic lab (although it at least had explosives), but to each his own. That being said, if your O-chem prof had a Grignard-boner, I could see wanting to destroy it first. You'll be surprised to find how many of the posters are scientists and engineers here. Enjoy your stay, may it last a long time. StPatrick

+1 on the TruGlo TFOs. I am not a Glock owner (yet...), but I bought TFOs from G&L, Jeff Walle put them on my XD(m), and they made my shooting experience much more enjoyable. TFOs definitely make shooting from a dark position to a bright target much easier. I would assume that since they also function as night sights, they would also make shooting from dark to light, or dark to dark, easier. Since I haven't tried, I won't say that they do, but I'd be willing to bet that they would.

^--I can't recall Michael Savage doing anything that has required subtlety, nor a soft touch. That being said, why would Kel-Tec need his help? I don't go into a lot of gun shops, but I've never noticed a surplus of P3s. Being around the forums, it seems like tons of HCP folks carry Kel-Tecs already, so where is the benefit? My guess is that this mfg. run is targeted towards Savage fans (Michael, not Savage Arms) who don't have guns yet, in the hope that they'll pay extra for one with his name on it, in a "limited edition". Why anyone would buy a limited / numbered piece for EDC escapes me. I can't wait to buy a 2011 Colt 1911 (rubbing hands gleefully... they're going to be awesome, at least in my mind!), but I'd never carry one. Savage pitches these guns as personal protection, but if they are truly special and unique, they're safe queens.

I'm a n00b as well, and I've learned quite a bit from the members. TGO has proven to be a great resource in my journey becoming a responsible and knowledgeable gun owner. Welcome. pwhphd: I'm a 9mm guy - if everybody followed your advice, some of my favorite threads would never make it. Where else can the neverending arguments over grain size vs. capacity take place?

Sign me up! Those meetings sound like a lot of fun, even if I won't admit that I have a problem. The ones with the problem are paper targets, tin cans, zombies, and (God forbid) burglars.

That has certainly been my experience. I can't tell the difference between wwb and federal (American eagle), but UMC definitely requires more work on the fouling in the barrel. The feed ramp seems worse as well, which would be a strong indication of a slow burn.

Make sure your shooting hand is on the grip very high and tight with small hands. I have small hands as well, and have found that making sure the beavertail is very snug into the webbing between thumb and forefinger allows the bigger muscles in my thumb and forearm to resist muzzle flip. In addition, this gets your entire hand closer to the barrel, which provides a shorter lever for the gun to rotate against. As we all know, shorter lever = less force applied. If you've been shooting in a stance similar to Isosceles (arms equal length, gun in center of body), try a Weaver or similar, where your dominant arm is extended. Isosceles forces the wrists to absorb all of the energy in the muzzle flip. If your dominant arm is extended, you also bring your elbow and shoulder into play. Combined with good "balls of the feet" forward weight position, this should help to tame some recoil. Another alternative: get a grip strengthener like guitar players use for finger strength. Stronger 3rd and 4th fingers might help - I've been playing guitar and hockey (another wrist and finger-intensive activity) for 15 years, and haven't found a pistol I haven't enjoyed shooting, despite my small hands. Good Luck!

2010 being an election year, it is unlikely that the dems will push unpopular gun-control measures, as they are already facing the prospect of losing many seats in the house. Then again, they could always double down on stupid...we've seen stranger things before, but I doubt that party leadership is willing to take such a big risk.