MphsTiger1981

Great podcast with Tom Givens. Well worth the time to listen.   http://americanwarriorshow.libsyn.com/

I was over there recently looking for small pistol primers, but all they had that day was large pistol primers. No powder to be seen. They did have a few old boxes of lead bullets, but the prices were not really that good. For whatever reason, the primer prices have always been competitive with everyone else.

I am former LEO here in Memphis, Shelby County Sheriffs Deputy to be exact, and it is disappointing when I see posts that seem to paint all cops with such a broad brush. My brother is still a cop. Just made detective in February and my whole family went to the promotion ceremony. I lack the words to adequately describe how proud we are of him. My parents are both in their eighties and dad has Parkinson's, so getting in and around was hard due to the wheel chair, but his face was beaming when they pinned that new badge on Tim. I know my brother is a guy who does it the right way, every time, that's why he took the job, and still loves the job. Not for the money, or the power trip of the gun and the badge, but he really wants to make a difference and he tries every day to do just that. Another guy in his department is a well known member on TGO. Also one of the stand up guys. If I was ever in a dust up and had to reach for the radio for back up, I would sure feel better seeing Him as the first car on the scene. I still see a lot of guys I worked with and went through the academy with. Friend of mine had her brains blown out transporting a low risk prisoner that another friend of mine had just patted down and missed a gun in the crotch. He also broke protocol and handcuffed him in the front instead of behind his back. That guy is a raging alcoholic who took early retirement. Two guys I went through the academy with are actually in prison now, both of them did really stupid things involving women. According to the versions I heard, they both got what they deserve. I think the main difference is, if you screw up as a cop, under the Color of Law, you are headed to prison. Not many salesmen or teacher, coaches or other vocations harp on going to prison as much as I heard throughout the entire time I was in training, both at the academy and at in- service each year. Someone asked a very good question, why don't the good cops get rid of the bad cops? The short answer is generally civil service boards and union. Of course if it gets bad enough for criminal charges, all bets are off. The thing you have to remember, the guy may be the only one who can save your life at some point in time. As a para military organization, the fraternity is close and closed lipped. The old saying was sort of like Vegas before the ads, what happens in the car, stays in the car.

Very nice! Congrats on the new additions. Look forward to your range report with the 43.

DaveTN makes a good point. I would only point out that the 1911 pattern guns seem to be more "magazine sensitive" than other guns. Personally, I would prefer to spend $25 or so for an extra magazine from a reputable maker like Chip McCormick or Wilson Combat, etc. and keep the gun in my possession and try to shoot it, and continue to break it in, as opposed to sending the gun into the manufacturer. I always hate shipping a brand new gun back. I've done it a few times, but it sure takes the fun out of a new gun. Good luck getting it fixed and running soon.

This and try this ^^^ and maybe a new magazine from Chip McCormick or Wilson Combat and see if that doesn't help your slide lock problem. Be sure to put plenty of grease or lube on the rails, mine always runs better wet.

I am interested in replacing the stock trigger in my full size 1911. I don't think the actual install will be a problem but I am was looking at some from Wilson Combat with long, medium or short pads. Any idea how to figure out which one might fit my hands best before I order it? TIA.

 I clicked on the Alliant website back several weeks ago looking up a recipe. As I was looking around I saw an offer for a free 2015 reloader's guide. I clicked on the offer and filled out the information. I had totally forgotten about this when it came in the mail today. Nice paperback book with handgun, shotgun and rifle loads for all the Alliant brand powders. This guide is much more information and gives a lot of detail the reloader's guide on the website does not provide. The site does allow a download of the booklet, but for me, this is easier to use as I can keep it on my bench and refer to it as needed. Just thought some of you guys might benefit from another reliable source for reloading recipes.        http://www.alliantpo...es/catalog.aspx

 Sometimes a bird in the hand is worth two down the road in Corinth. I've paid a little more than I wanted to at  Bass Pro, Sportsman's and Avery simply because they had what I wanted in stock while I was there. I never know whether brand X powder or primers will be in stock some place else, so it becomes a matter of betting that this may be the only place around that has what I want/need at the moment.   I will also give the local guys a heads up. If you like Unique powder, Sportsmans's Supermarket on Marathon Way in Southaven, MS had an 8 pound jug for $139.00 the other day. I started to buy it, but I honestly have an okay stock of powder right now and figured somebody else will need it more than me. 

    Good point, Chuck. I agree It's a mighty thin pancake that doesn't have two sides to it. I'd certainly like to hear his thoughts on it. Chances are, he never gave it a second thought and thinks he gave me exceptional service. Maybe my expectations are unrealistic. I only compare this experience to what I've run into at other ranges in town, as well as Range Master when Tom was running it. I distinctly remember lots of folks having less than Chik-Fil-A type service from some of Tom's staff who worked the cash register.  Nobody's perfect all the time. 

  Absolutely. You make a good point. I will just say I noticed from the jump that he's not what you might call a people person and the sons are much more personable than he is. And the reality is, most career law enforcement people are not outgoing, friendly people. And it's possible I might have had a bad day, too. It happens. However, I really got a whole other impression from dealing with him. He's never been all shucks and grins and welcome to my business, which you might expect from someone who has invested so much into a business. But hey, it's his to run as he sees fit. If I'm not his idea of the type of customer he wants, all he has to do is to continue to treat them the way I was treated last night and it won't be a problem. Guys like me won't be back if they have to deal with him and his attitude. 

  Thanks for sharing. That is interesting. I asked him point blank last night about the badge. It looked to me a lot like the Shelby County Sheriff's Office badge, but he just grunted something about "Federal". I liked the article, it was a good piece. I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure the signs posted in the range about being a shooting school and not a shooting gallery belonged to Tom Givens and were left there when he left. I also chuckled at his quote to the reporter,“I’m counting on you to keep coming once I give you a service and make you feel comfortable.” 

As of the end of the month Memphis will be home to the largest Bass Pro Shop in the world. Lol! The old Pyramid will open up for business on April 31st. Should be a great place to shop. Looking forward to it.

There is a new range in the building over on Mendenhall at Mt Moriah, previously known as Range Master's by Tom Given's and his staff. Tom moved out some time last year and a new tenant moved in. I have been over there about once a week or so since they opened, sometimes more often as its close to work and not any further from home than Range USA or TWRA. The name of the place is Global Training Academy and Range.    The new owner or tenant, (not sure if he's buying the place or just renting) is a federal law enforcement officer. He wears his badge every time I see him, and I've asked him about it, at least twice just to make conversation and he never said exactly which federal department he works for.  I only mention this as he is apparently expects to someday have to identify himself in the confines of the building, otherwise, why not ditch the bling?   The owner's two sons work the front desk most of the time and they could not be nicer and more willing to help. They clearly have limited knowledge of guns and shooting, but things like that can be taught, whereas being polite to customers apparently is not a coachable sport. You either have it, or you don't.    The charge for a lane is $12, tax included. Targets are $1 for small 8.5"x11" and $2 for the larger targets. Ammo prices are about the same as other places in town. You can shoot your AR but you have to buy their frangible ammo. The store for holsters and other gun related gear is limited.  There are nice couches and a big screen TV if someone in your party wants to be somewhere other than the range. They have painted the interior of the range and it looks bright and clean. The controls for the bringing the targets back and forth appears to be an ongoing problem. I was there Sunday and my target stuck down range and it happened again on a different lane again tonight. While it's an inconvenience, I don't think it's a deal breaker. There are usually other open lanes available, so I just pack up and move to another open lane.    All in all, my experiences there have been pleasant over all. Until tonight, that is.   The owner was there and apparently he had to stop what he was doing and come to check me in. It seems this inconvenience bothered him. During the course of the check in he asked if I needed targets. Yes, please. He then asked about ammo. I declined as I roll my own. He said he needed to see all of my ammo. I took out about four boxes and laid them on the counter for him to inspect. He didn't open the lid or closely inspect anything,  just looked at them and mumbled "okay". Next he asked when the last time I filled out a waiver form. Now about three weeks ago he had waited on me and checked me in. He had me fill out the waiver form and told me in the future just say that I had one on file, so my response was, "I have one on file". He became irritated and asked "how long since you filled one out". I replied about two or three weeks ago when I filled it out for him, trying to remind him of the last time he and I had met at the counter. And last, but not least, after I paid with my debit card, he asked to see my ID. I'm beginning to think the guy either has brain damage or he's just a natural ass. Finally, he then turned around and looked at the range and after much contemplation said for me to take lane number 2. I walked through the doors and had to laugh. I was the only person on the range and you would have thought this guy was having trouble finding a place to put me due to how busy they were.   Needless to say, it ticked me how I was treated. Its not like I was there asking for something for free, or special treatment. I was simply paying to use his facility. The previous check-ins with him and the two sons had always been a breeze, and never once have we had to endure the Spanish Inquisition treatment. I feel like I was being treated like a perp, and frankly there was no reason for it.    In conclusion, I'm not going back after tonight. As much as I really want there to be plenty of convenient places to go shoot, there is a point where the juice just ain't worth the squeeze. For me, I'm going back to Range USA and TWRA or any other place that will let me shoot in peace.   If you do decide to try it out, you'll find the range and building is clean and nice and the prices are reasonable. The two young adult sons who normally work the front desk are great. I personally don't care to take the chance to have to deal with the owner any more. Life is just too short and I don't need the hassle. 

It's all good. I was actually in my LGS today and was looking at one. I was actually comparing it to the Walther PPQ M2. Very nice gun!

Pictures?

Good choice, my friend! I have one of these and it works great. You will immediately see a difference between this belt and your everyday run of the mill off the rack belts from the places you buy clothes. Let us know how you like it once it arrives.

You won't regret it. Tom is a first class instructor. I took a tactical pistol class at his range here in Memphis a few years ago. It was well worth the price.

Got the same canned response from Alexander and Corker. Fincher's response was a little better.

  Don't let my wife see that. Our 2 year old grandson lives in Nashvegas and the wife just about has a cow at least once a month or so complaining she doesn't see him enough....

okay, so I went to the Walmart in south Memphis while I had time at lunch today. Sure enough, they had about 20 boxes of the Perfecta in 9mm.  I asked the clerk to scan a box just to see if there was some sort of mark down that was not showing on the price listed in the glass cabinet. It scanned $13.97. I mentioned some of the brethren had purchased this fine ammunition in other locales across the state at 1/2 the price she had quoted me. She had no idea why the price difference. There was a "Zone Mgr" just a few aisles over and she called her over.  I explained to the Zone Mgr about the prices reported across the state and asked if she could sell me the ammo for the same price. She then took out a small hand held computer that looks like a pricing/inventory tool, and was able to pull up the current price for the same ammo in Jackson, TN, where Jct1911 had purchased his ammo. She told me there was a "Rollback" on the ammo but it was now selling for $10.97 per box. She could not explain why it was for sale in Jackson and other stores across the state for $6.94, but could only confirm that it was selling for $10.97 now.  She agreed to sell it for that price. The only problem was, they still have a three box limit per day per customer. Before I left, I asked who set the prices and why they differed between cities within less than 100 miles apart. The Zone Mgr said all the prices are set in the home office in AR.  :ugh:

Gotcha. Thanks. I read your post that the .308 was Perfecta just didn't catch the 9mm was same brand. That's interesting as they are getting $13.97 here for it. Was there some sort of sale posted, cause that's half price from what I saw on 3-12.

I went through a simulator like this several years ago when I was a reserve deputy with Shelby County. Not sure if this is the same one or not, sort of doubt it. I'm sure the technology now is probably more sophisticated. Anyway, You got four different scenarios, each one was something not unlike regular calls we often got in patrol. We were using a pistol which would show up on the screen as red dots when you pulled the trigger on the simulator pistol to show where your rounds would have hit, if you decided to shoot. Of the four I had, two of the people were armed and two were not. It all happened at real life speed. The person who operated the simulator determined how the people on the screen reacted to your voice commands, and you were graded on your reaction and whether or not it was correct and justified. I have to admit it was very realistic. Probably some of the best training I got outside of the academy.

I'm really curious. Which brand of 9mm ammo are you guys finding for sale at Walmart for $6.94 a box? Cheapest I have been able to find here in Memphis was Federal aluminum case for $9.97. Even the Tula was a dollar more than the Federal. I reload and my cost to reload Xtreme plated 115 grain FMJ is about $12.00 per hundred. At $7 per box of fifty that's too good to pass up, even as much as I like to roll my own.