1gewehr

Hmmm, Ruger copies the FN FNS 9mm compact and calls it 'new'. Seems that I've heard that song from them before.

There is not a more versatile handgun than a 4-5" barrel .357 revolver. I'd go for quality. The Colt Trooper III or earlier models are still kind of reasonable. The Manurhin M73 was a pleasure to shoot. A bunch were imported a couple years ago. And a pre-1980 Colt Python is probably the best revolver made in the US. But prices on those are over $2000 for a good one.

The 10mm is far and away the best caliber for a pistol-caliber carbine. I've always thought it would be a great SMG cartridge. I also appreciate the KRISS Erma PM-9 inspired operation. But, that is one butt-ugly gun!!!

Hmm, reasons NOT to buy? Big, heavy and limited use .40 short&weak. All the stopping power of the 45 and the penetration of the 9mm. Tall sights made for snagging on stuff. Aside from that, if you want it and can afford it, Get it.

I'd take those reports of WallyWorld not carrying .22 with a very large grain of salt. I suspect that when production catches up with demand, you'll see it in those stores.

Only if the cartridge contains more than 109 grains of powder. Less than a 1/4 ounce of explosive is not regulated. Even the huge .600 Nitro Express cartridge only uses 100 grains of powder. The .50BMG uses about 250grains for comparison.

It's much more accurate to say the Ruger and Taurus are almost the same as the Keltec. The Keltec was out several years before the other two came along. I have a Keltec and quickly learned that it likes hot ammo. As long as I don't try to use the low power target loads it runs perfectly.

Post the pictures and we'll give it a good try? If you haven't already looked here, it's a pretty good primer on the Rolling Block. Amazing service longevity from 1865 - 1918. Especially considering that it spanned from the muzzle-loading era into the smokeless repeating rifle era. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Rolling_Block_rifle

The original AR10 was designed and built by the Armalite division of Fairchild Aircraft in the late '50's. production was moved to Artillerie Inrichtingen in Holland, About 8000 rifles were built in several configurations. The last and largest purchase was by Portugal to arm their paratroopers. These rifles were used to great effect in the wars in Angola and Mozambique until they ran out of spare parts and had to re-arm with the G3. Later Mark Westrom bought the Armalite name and the rights to manufacture .308 rifles. these rifles have no interchangeable parts with the original AR10s and use the AR15 fire control and modified M-14 magazines. This company still owns the rights to the name 'Armalite' and also 'AR-10'. Eventually, other companies started to produce .308 rifles using the Stoner system and features. While many shooters generically call these 'AR10's', they cannot have that name due to the Armalite copyright. The original Dutch-made AR10's are the only rifles that can claim non-Spec-Ops combat use as they were issued and used by soldiers in Central America, Africa, and a few even showed up in Vietnam, Typically the countries that had them quit using them when they wore out from use. MY AR10? It's a Portuguese model built on a semi-only receiver. Then only reason it doesn't go to the range with me every trip is the afore-mentioned shortage of spare parts. It's an amazing rifle!!!! http://www.ar10.nl/Portuguese.html What else do you want to know?

Keep in mind that early Colt AR15s are now C&R. Anything made in 1966 or earlier is a C&R. LOTS to choose from there!

Very nice pistols with a good trigger. Do not dry fire it. They break firing pins when you do. New-made firing pins are available, though.

Look all you like. It doesn't matter where you get your appetite as long as you go home for dinner!

There's been a good but of discussion about this ever since the first steel cased ammo showed up about 20 years ago. Usually with pistol ammo the problem is associated with two factors. First, steel cases don't expand like brass, so gas blows back down the side of the case because of a poor seal. Second, the ammo is pretty dirty. So you get a lot of powder residue building up in the chamber. It seems like the lower the chamber pressure, the worse the problem. I saw a lot more buildup of cr@p with .45 than with 9mm.

Hmmm, reminder to self: Don't type with my foot in my mouth. Doh.

What are you using for magazines? I've thought about a 10mm AR, but the lack of larger mags stopped me. I've heard that M3 Grease Gun mags work with 10mm. Anyone know for certain?

What about shooters with their own guns? Will there be spots on the line where we can shoot? Or this a spectator and rental event only?

I'd be inclined to go with a classic. American firearms from the 1920s through about 1970 were the finest quality mass production arms ever made. You really can't go wrong with a Colt revolver or 1911a1 or S&W revolver of that period. For outside the box, an early FN made Hi Power or WWII Luger might be a neat heirloom.

What does HE like? Really, what will he appreciate the most? Is he an experienced shooter? Then go with something in a useful caliber. Will he appreciate an heirloom? You might look at a really nice Colt Trooper III or S&W M66. But your first gun is something you will always remember. Mine was a No. 5 Lee Enfield .303 I bought in a Canadian hardware store for $40 when I was 16. I sold it when I moved back to the US as importing it wasn't worth it. But I soon bought another when I turned legal age in the US.

I would imagine that gunsmiths offering the conversion have figured out how to keep things from breaking by now. Just keep in mind that getting a 230gr bullet up past 1200fps and near 1000 ft/lbs requires living with sharp recoil, a heavy pistol, muzzle blast, compensator, hand loading ammo, etc. This is not a new concept. I believe it came out about 1998 or so.

I looked into this years ago. Ultimately decided against it. Lack of factory ammo, requirement for a muzzle compensator, and reports of cracked slides put me off it. I don't like compensators on carry guns as they emit a jet of flame, usually right into your line of sight. Bad idea in low-light situations. I have a full-size and commander-size 1911 in .400 Corbon. Not really in the same class, but I like a practical 600ft/lb handgun that you can actually carry and buy factory ammo. Just my .02.

Shoot, a little JB Weld and it will be good as new!! Seriously, Dillon has always treated me very well in spite of myself. I'll be very surprised if you they don't make it right very soon.

Favorites: Sig P210 (not a fan of Sig Sauer) CZ75, CZ75B Sterling SMG Colt 1911A1 High Standard Victor Spencer M1865 No.5 SMLE.303 AR-15

For Sasquatch, go with the .458. For anything else you're likely to find in TN, the 6.5 Grendel can handle it. There is inexpensive steel-case ammo for plinking, or really high quality ammo for getting out as far as you can shoot. With handloading, the variety of projectiles is staggering. BTW, I've got over 600rds of the 100gr steel-cased ammo through one of my rifles, and have been very happy with it. Very consistent for cheap ammo.

I absolutely LOVE the original Remington 51 .380! That made me curious when Remington announced the new 9mm. I'm glad I didn't waste my money two years ago. I'll wait a while before I look at the new release. Remington's quality has been so poor in the last several years that I'm still wary.

It's difficult to find a better carry .380 than the little Keltec P3AT and its copies. Get a pocket holster and it can be with you no matter what you wear (except a Speedo :-( ).