McAllyn

Brian,   I like the article.  I wish I had been a little more eloquent, but that's on me, not you or the story.  I probably would have preferred you blurred my license plate, though, lol.   Mac

No worries, I'll keep my eyes open.  Actually, pretty interested in it.   Mac

When will this story hit newstands?   Mac

Huh, teenage college students unfamiliar with deploying a weapon in a self defense situation failed this "test"... who would have thunk it...   Mac

  Now THIS is an analogy most people can get behind!   Mac

I have a Kahr CW9 and Ruger LC9.  Love the Kahr!  The Ruger... not so much.   Mac

Have you tried the CZ forums?  Angus Hobdell and Matt Mink post on there a lot, and if those guys can't help you figure out the problem, your CZ ain't broke.   Other than that, I know G&L sells quite a few CZ's so I imagine their gunsmith knows a thing or two about them, but I've never asked him for sure.   Mac

It seems to me that the 380 brass I generally deal with is a little more... sensitive?  It took me a while to get the bell just right without breaking the case mouth but still have enough bell to seat the bullet reliably.  Maybe it's a little thinner than my 9MM brass, dunno.   As an aside, I will say that a 95gn bullet from my 380 stack accidentally loaded into my 9MM load built for a 125gn bullet will MOVE!   Mac

MSA Sordin...  not really another option at that level.  I only have one set of ears and they have already suffered.  Anyone who's willing to spend thousands of dollars on their shooting hobby but won't spend more than $20 on ear protection isn't doing something right.   I've had Peltor 6S's... not recommended.  Only 19dB, kept cutting out, and changing the batteries makes detail stripping a Ruger MKII look like tying your shoe.   Had a set of Radians... don't remember the model, they worked much better and the battery compartment was accessible from the outside, but I'm pretty sure they were designed for someone with an infant's head.   Pro-Ears are great, work spectacularly, but they are VERY large.  Shooting a rifle with them is not easy because just about the time I would get a solid cheekweld, they would hit the stock and start to break the seal.   Howard Leights, had both electronics and plain, both worked well.  Can't say much about them, other than they are "good enough"   Sonic Defenders... never did a thing for me.  Thought I had the highest rated ones available, closed the filters... still winced every time someone fired at an outdoor range.   Lots of options out there, but some will work better for you than others.  Try as many as you can, but like I and others have said, don't skimp.  Can't replace your ears when they wear out and tinnitus will drive you CRAZY...   Mac

Hear-Pro or Westone custom ear plugs.  I have one pair of Hear-Pro's that I had made at the 3 Gun competition at Rockcastle and 2 pair of Westones that came from Elite Audiology in Mt Juliet.  Both will run in the $100-140 range with acoustic filters, but they are custom fit to your ears and last a VERY long time.   When I shoot indoors, I wear my plugs under electronic muffs.  I can talk and hear everybody but the weapon report is more quiet than a medium thump on your chest.   FWIW, some of the language people use in the range when they think no one can hear is borderline appalling... if you're sensitive to that type of thing.   Mac

Challenging would make much better sense.  Testing means you go to FPMITAP.  Challenging means some lawyer-types stay up late a few nights.  (No offense to you fine lawyer-types on this forum!  Forget I said this comment when I contact one of you for my NFA Trust next year!)   Mac 

  Thanks for bringing that up... I had almost blacked it out.   I met Jerry at the Russian Tea Room in NYC back in '92.  Actually a really nice guy, but then he wasn't promoting an agenda, just hanging out with no cameras around.  Now... he's just another attention whore who's fighting for relevance that's he's never had or deserved.   and FWIW, everytime I see or hear him I only think of one thing:   I've had enough of you, Uncle Tom!!!   Mac

Didn't several states, Montana comes to mind, basically bypass the NFA?  Since it made the news a while back, last year or year before maybe, I haven't heard anything since.  I'm not sure anyone has "tested" the states' ability to do this, and with the fines, fees, Federal prison time, and MAJOR tag on the arrest record, I don't think anyone has had the stones to give it a shot.   The reason I ask is because if the state said, "If you make a suppressor here in this state and want to own it or sell it, go for it.  The Fed has no business here."  That precedent has the potential to effect this very same outcome as anyone here in TN with the equipment and knowledge to build weapons could pump them out as fast and furious as possible with TN residents able to pay for them with one hand and "Single Finger Salute" the Fed with the other.   FWIW, I know my facts are VASTLY oversimplified in the above, but this is just a casual discussion.  The actual facts of what Montana and several other states did with the NFA are far more elaborate, and for all I know, there may have already been a countermeasure put in place to rein them back in.   To the point of this discussion, I will say we all know what happens when people try to find "workarounds" for legislation.  Well, that is unless you're powerful and connected enough to not be worried about consequences.   Mac

I can't verify the validity of the test, but a few years ago, when I was a member at On Target, there was a guy who was torture testing his Glock 17.  Apparently, he was well over 15,000 rounds of white box/target junk ammo without cleaning or replacing any parts.  From what I heard (from other customers who knew the guy and people working at the store) he kept it in the tool box in the bed of his truck to somewhat expose it to weather as well as abuse.   Again, I can't say whether that was true as I never knew the actual guy or saw the weapon, but it is what it is.   Personally, I have over 18,000 rounds through my G34 with factory barrel and an aftermarket recoil spring, guide rod, and trigger.  I never shot it in the factory configuration and I've never replaced any of the aftermarket parts.  The only failure I've run into was a squib.  Definitely not the weapon's fault.   Mac

Can't wait to see one in the sandbox.   Did I say that right?   Mac

FWIW, not that I agree with the policy in any way, but it is, in fact, a money thing. I used to work in LP for a "Do It Yourself Warehouse" that specifically stated that no employee, from floor sweeper to store manager, will interact in any way other than full cooperation with someone commiting a crime. Get that person out the door and let them get away as quickly as possible. Seems pretty stupid on the surface, but the actuality is that it is fiscally impossible for a criminal to steal more than the insurance and lawsuits would cost to pay out for an injured employee. However, I will say some of the LP stories of dealing with shoplifters are funny on an epic level. Most of the LP employees would get a big kick out of messing with the dumbest of the criminals after observing them and deciding they were just stupid and bad at their "jobs" However, the "rule" at my current office (which is posted as "No Weapons on the Premises") is, "If something bad happens, find Bill. If he's running, get your ass behind him. If he's not running, get your ass under your desk." Mac

I don't really believe in the supernatural, but I'd test her "otherworldliness" rather quickly. If she wasn't a ghost, she'd be one later that day. Mac EDIT: That sounds terribly Rambo, but I have a bad heart, and don't react well to situations like this.

[quote name='Threeeighty' timestamp='1353851999' post='850398'] Is it always kittens , why not puppies ? [/quote]Because kittens are weak and lack the heart to survive in the world of retail.

Walmart does what they do. They buy A LOT of something mainstream, and get a discount. They pass that on to me. I avail myself of that service whenever possible. Not because I consider my money all that "hard earned," but more because I want to consider my money "wisely spent." The $40 I save on my base model 10/22 will be spent at the LGS buying the optic/mount/custom stock/barrel/etc. that will turn the base model into something I couldn't have purchased over the counter at either store. And if the LGS wants to cry in their beer that I didn't pay $36 for a 550 brick of Federal 22 so they can't feed their kids, well... I can't help them there. They should have rethought their marketing/sales plans. Bottom line, Walmart will never offer the selection of Franklin Gun Shop or Guns and Leather. They can't, unless they want to turn the entire Sporting Goods section into a decent Sportsman section. They offer good prices on the mainstream items. It's bulk sales. I'll buy my Nighthawk from FGS or G&L, but I'll buy my Pardner Pump at Walmart. I'll buy my 22 bricks from Walmart, but I'll buy my Golden Sabres or Gold Dots from FGS or G&L. Eventually, everyone will get into my pocket one way or another.

How you start out is up to you, but I will admit, I started with a SDB, and still use it today. However, I also have a 550B and two single stage presses now. Honestly, if you go to the 550, you will be able to run it as an "advanced" turret press as it does not auto index, and you'll be able to load anything you can buy dies for... except shotgun and 50. Only you know your technical competance. None of us can say what you are capable of learning, knowing, or doing. But, we can say for a certainty that you CANNOT load 223 or 7.62x39 on a Square Deal B. FWIW, I use Vihtavouri N320 for 9MM, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. It's on the expensive side, but it's been very reliable, even between lot numbers. Mac

Not for nothing, but what the hell does Tebow know about a "lead"? Mac

Tanfoglio Gold Custom

My 34 is fairly modified with aftermarket sites, aftermarket trigger, steel captive guide rod, grip tape, and different spring weights. My 26 only has a night-site up front and the extended slide release from a 34. Only reason I did the slide release was to make sure I had the same manual of arms on my carry weapon as I do on my comp weapon. I have no problems with the factory trigger on my 26, but the modified trigger in my 34 is "better" (which is a completely subjective term) If I were to go buy a 19 (which is an inevitability) I'll replace the sites and change the slide release. I don't shoot casted, so I don't need to switch barrels, but everyone I've dealt with that has used Lone Wolf's have been very pleased with them. Mac

Personally, I've seen some VERY questionable things that "jury's" have done over the past few years, and there is no way IN HELL I'm putting my freedom in the hands of a jury hand-picked by someone that possibly has an agenda.My solution is to avoid "Gun Free Zones" when possible, but when not possible, I follow the rules set forth by the property owner. That will serve me just fine, and probably much better than the suppositions of a policeman. Mac

While not a steel J-frame, I carried a Glock 26 in a Galco ankle holster for about 2 years. Weight wise, the 26 loaded with 10+1 of 125gn HP's is somewhat similar to a 640 with 5 rounds 158's. All in all, it got to the point where I'd actually forget that I was wearing it. Adding the calf strap made it pretty much disappear and kept it from slipping down and rubbing the ankle bone. Overall, there will be a barely noticeable difference in the steel vs. airweight, but you should adapt very quickly. Mac