McAllyn

This is the video of the guy who can snap a Glock one handed. By his admission, he would only do this is a gaming setup, not in real life. However, there is another video somewhere of him doing this with several other pistols, M&P, different Glock models, and something else. I don't want to get into the arguement of whether his guns are modified or not, but if you want to carry without one in the chamber, practice this, and best of luck. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8475ocNvzw Mac EDIT: Personally, I carry an empty weapon, and keep the bullet in my shirt pocket. Cause I roll like that.

Just a clarification, if you mean .22 as in rimfire, you won't be able to reload that. However, you'll be able to load almost any centerfire cartridge out there. Necessary items: LOADING MANUALS (as many as you can get your hands on) press dies calipers powder scale nice to have items: tumbler media separator storage boxes loading blocks bullet puller (I'd almost say this is a necessary item since we all make mistakes) specialty dies (factory crimp, roll crimp, full length resizing) Round for round, you're looking at 50% cost of reloading vs. buying new, assuming you scrounge the range and pick up brass. This is a ballpark figure, the more common the round, the less you'll save. Won't save alot on 9MM, but you'll save a ton on 45. Good luck starting out, and there are a ton of people here who would be happy to help along the way, myself included. Mac

I just bought an FN SLP Practical for HD/3gun... and I'm speechless. This thing is an incredile machine. However, at just under a grand, it's not exactly a great choice for the budget minded. Mac

Started with junk ones from WallyWorld, moved to Oakleys, now using Rudy Project Rydons. Love em. Can't imagine moving to another brand at this point. Mac

I'm a big STI fan. Spartan as a base model, Trojan if you want to step up. Edge/Eagle if you want to go to double stack. Mac

You need to have more faith. Lol.Mac

If you're just getting started, hit up Craigslist. Crossbows seem to have poor resale compared to standard compound bows. You should be able to have one in hand for about $100, shoot it, and figure out what you like and don't like about it. Mac

I'm all for grip/frame stippling, and yours looks great, but I question the need for the stippling on the side of the trigger? If you need grip on any part of the trigger other than the front, you're doing it wrong. Mac

Man, I'm finally ready to come off the DL, and start shooting again, and my wife changes the calendar on me. I gotta get some matches under my belt before the Battle in the Bluegrass in April. Mac

FWIW, people will usually mention that the SDB conversions cost more than those for the 550, 650, LnL, etc. But consider that they not only come with the shell plate, powder funnel, and locator buttons, but they come with the carbon dies as well, lifetime warrantied carbon dies. Buy a conversion kit for any of the other machines, and you'll need to buy dies as well, which will raise their prices a little closer. Takes me about 10-15 mins to change caliber on my SDB, including time to verify the powder funnel charge has not been changed. Mac

Yes, but I was just showing that there is a bottom level to the scale as well. Mac And, yes, KB, you are correct, no necked cases in the SDB.

I have multiple pairs of Oakleys, but I pretty much only wear my Rudy Project Rydons now. I got my Rudy's from their website for $179 with 3 sets of lenses, 3 Rudy hats, a Rudy T-shirt, and a Rudy duffel bag. The lenses I chose were Photo-Black, Laser Red, and Shooting Yellow. Mac

Brian Enos sells an EZ Buy package for the Dillon 550B that has everything you'll need (plus some) except powder, primers, bullets, and brass. It's listed at 913.30. Looking over what's listed, you could drop off about $300 from that and still get working. i.e he lists an $80 digital scale, but you can get a decent one for $30 at the gun show. Or, skip all the above discussion, get the Lee Anniversary kit with everything you need for under $200, and start reloading tomorrow. Oh, unless you want a tumbler for case cleaning, that's extra. Mac

Dillon 550B. Pay once, cry once. It's not true progressive, so you can go as slow as you want, but when you're comfortable, you'll be pumping out ammo like a machine. My mistake was putting off buying one until it was my third press. However, I've saved enough by reloading in the last 2 years to pay for 3 or 4 550's, and I know I'll never have to buy another one. Mac

Yep, pretty sure I'd have plugged him. Mac

I'm a big fan of breaking down techniques into their smallest parts, then I practice all the parts individually. I'm pretty dense, so working on an entire movement (like sharpen target focus, draw from holster, build grip, pick up sites, present to target, solidify site focus, contact trigger, actuate trigger, watch sites drop back into place, reaquire target, switch back to site focus, actuate trigger again... etc.) is WAAYYY too much for me to work on all at once. I practice each one of those steps individually, and while I'm still terrible, it's made a remarkable difference. Mac

I use Zeros in .40 180 JHP, 9MM 125 JHP, .38 125 JHP, and .45 230 JHP. And I use A LOT. Never had a reloading issue that I could attribute to the bullets. They were the first one I bought at Reloader's Bench when I started reloading, liked em, and never have had a reason to try anything else. Mac

Every WalMart I go to is only down in handgun ammo sales for one reason, there never is any to buy. Admittedly, it's gotten much better, but for the most part, most of the people I know that used to buy their ammo there have stopped checking because they were out for so long. Oh, and because just about all the stores have remodeled and the ammo isn't behind the counter anymore.Mac

GAP is IMO a failed Glock experiment to make .45 ammo fit easier into their 22 frame. A couple other manufacturers jumped in to hedge their bets, but when it didn't take off, they backed down. If you buy the XD, you better buy up all the GAP brass you can find, and every GAP XD magazine you see, because neither will be very plentiful, or even availble, for long. Mac EDIT, huh, usually I'm no where near that opinionated, but I was a hair's breath away from getting sucked into the GAP movement. Backed out just in time.

Just for kicks and giggles, look at the XD Service in 9 or 40. Shoot it in IDPA, but you can carry it as well. It's really not THAT much bigger than the PK380. Major benefit being you're always practicing with the same weapon. Also peek at the M&P Service, as it is slightly thinner than the XD. Mac

1-800-RU-LEGIT is Microsoft's EULA Verification number. It should be printed on your COA that came with your Windows 7. If it's not, then more than likely you got a shady copy. Mac

Kydex is available all over, just Google "kydex sheet" There are a couple places in Nashville where you can buy it locally, but it's cheaper and better choices if you order it online. Here's the post where several people have shared their plans: Kitchen Kydex mag pouches - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo! Mac

I have an M&P 9 Pro and an SP01. They are both far more accurate than I am, and both have been utterly reliable. I would say you can't go wrong either way. Mac

You're gonna have to stand up to the inquiry, and you'll probably get sued, so you might as well make it worth your while? Right?Mac

Gay/Straight showers =/= Male/Female showers. You can't compare tacos and hot dogs. Mac