Patton

I had to look twice to make sure that I did not type this. I agree with every word and have even said this numerous times. Even though the Shield is still being produced in mass quantities, I would give up probably every pistol I have before the Shield. I have also shot almost every pocket and sub-9mm made with the exception of some of the exotics. None can compete with the Shield's value and shoot ability. While a 4" 357mag is a great versatile gun, don't pass on a 3" for the right deal.

One of my old Glock 19's I found to be extremely inaccurate with some Buffalo Bore ammo. Like you said, it was left, low, high, or right. Otherwise, that gun would put everything inthe bullseye.

The two that I will never part with are: Glock 23 (I have a complete 19 upper and 9mm conversion barrel also) S&W 65 3" That said, a S&W 642 and Shield 9mm serve as my only carry pieces nowadays.

This is the first I have heard of this incident, but I have never met a Ranger that claimed to be SF. Now, it is not that uncommon for someone in the Army to refer to the Rangers as Special Forces. The appropriate term for all years ago would have been Black Ops.

It is amazing how the little Shields shoot and handle like a fullsize, range gun.

A S&W, full size 1911 (2004 production) that actually belonged to a close friend that needed me to sell it. I had shot it several times while he owned it and watched many others shoot it without failures. It was a pretty stainless gun; it resembled the newer SR1911. He needed money really bad, and I think that I sold it for $550 in 2010 on Thanksgiving. Otherwise, I am not a 1911 or even a 45acp fan.

Some of the guys I worked with were able to carry Glocks because the police forces they were training were being gifted Glocks. It just made sense to be carrying what you were training people with. The first few thousand Glocks issued to Iraq police forces were actually used/surplus from a Federal agency. It has been so long now that I am not able to recall who. I heard the reason the Army Rangers had bought a supply of Glock 19's over 17's was because of the 15 round capacity as it is easier to keep up with the magazine capacity. Also, there were some Glock 22's bought for some units and it would be easier to keep the calibers and models separate. Glock even made the OD green Glock 22 mags specifically for this reason. However, all of this was just merely suggestion; there is a state that bought a heap of Glock 17's for the National Guard.

It does seem like the majority of CPD had the 4566 TSW at the end of the S&W era.. Some of my friends and relatives all had 4506, but I think they were issued them in the early 90's. I have not seen a 3rd gen S&W auto at CPD in several years;I assume they are all gone.

Sportsmans had some Remington JHP(non bonded UMC) for $45.99/100 that I should have bought on Monday also.

Why not another metal Smith? I tend to lean towards 3rd gen S&W autos without manual safeties (DAO) or a Sig. I tolerated Beretta 92's during my days of being a MP, but so much prefer Smiths, Sigs, or Glocks. Browning Hipowers are awesome if you don't mind the S/A. I refuse to own a DA DA/SA variant of 1911/BH. The real prize is a S&W DA/SA with a frame mounted decocker. I don't remember ever seeing one in a 9mm variant though.

I would much rather have the 686.

There are a lot of people that have or want to try a Glock 10mm, but only because they want a 10mm. Many are willing to put the Glock hate aside for lightweight, durable, and affordable 10mm.

The Glock 20 is a wonderful gun.

This is correct as far as I know. The S&W was a Registered Magnum.

I find that the FCD is a luxury for the most part. If a firearm has a tight chamber like a Kahr you may need the factory crimp die. I also find that some cases, a .380 for example, can often buckle during belling or bullet seating. In which case a FCD can help make sure the case is within speck because it can slightly resize again.

If the 66 was too big then a 4" sp101 will not be all that much smaller to you. K frame on top/ Sp101 middle/ j frame on bottom

Depending on how long of a barrel 66 you had, you may find the sp101 very similar because I do. I like shooting a L frame, but the k frame my be my favorite size which is only negligibly larger. I may be a little partial to Smiths though.

I would go with a 4" for the mere reason that they are newer and not as many exist. Besides, that should be a waistband gun and the barrel length for the most part will be irrelevant for carry. A 3" k frame or Sp with magnums is just barely manageable. A 4" sp101 would probably be a decent shooter with magnums, and also a good hiking gun around the East.

I found a used remington 870 express magnum with a 20" barrel and rifle sights. Is this one of the good ones?

I have heard many people say that they so badly wanted to like the 938. I would still like to shoot a 938. I like shooting a 238, but I hear they shoot nothing alike. The CM9/PM9 is not bad. It's probably my second favorite slim subcompact 9mm behind the Shield.

I wanted to say Shield, but that was not an option. I have not shot a 938, but I don't think I could part with my Shield for a 938. You could buy two a shields for what some 938s cost.

I got by for a long time with a baby Glock for all purposes. You can't beat the availability of cheap mags and holsters with the Glock. The Glock will always go bang, but may through brass at your face occasionally. I can pocket carry a baby Glock, but I don't like to. The 938 is much smaller than the 26 and only a little smaller than my Shield. The Shield for me is the perfect size so I would expect the 938 to be very carriable. I have met more than one person who loved their 238 and jumped to the 938 bandwagon to be very disappointed. I am not too crazy about the half cock problems that have plagued the 938 owners, nor do I like single actions anyway. I specially don't like carrying cocked and locked if it were going to be in a pocket.

The SF models are for the most part supposed to be the exact same as the same model in Gen 4. Some people have reported that the Gen 4is still a little shorter in swell but it takes fine instruments to measure.

When I was in college the first time, the machine shop classes were constantly looking for projects of this type. I would not have a clue on how to approach them anymore.

Investing in a 529 plan, and even paying 10% and taxes to withdraw for something other than college, would probably be the equivalents of continuously cashing in on matured 5 year CDs over the years.  Assuming that you could even start a CD with $250, and it would be a 2% APY at most anyway.  I don't know your family's financial situation, but for the average family in Tennessee $250 is getting to be a noticeable amount of money. I hope that you do not have a revolving credit card balance, high interest loans, or even a loan with an interest rate over say 4%.  If I were you, and I trusted myself and my wife, I would just take the guys $250 and spend it frugally. I would in turn bump up my 401k contribution say a percent, and just give him a minimum of $1000 in 15years, 20 years, or whenever you hear him hint at a worthwhile need for it. Understand though that he will be asking for or need the money before you most likely are eligible to draw without penalties; unless you are over 40 now.