Clod Stomper

Yep. And they're always black. Even IF someone saw a panther in the wild here in E TN (a very, very rare transient), the odds of it being melanistic are astronomically against. Back on topic, OC in tourist areas will certainly draw more attention. Especially in the National Park, since it's a fairly new policy to allow such. Many of these people come from countries or states where only criminals and agents of the State carry weapons. Here is an interesting anecdote. I worked at Elkmont campground in the Smokies back in '98-'00. A camper came in who actually looked like a LEO in plain clothes. Don't remember why I thought that, but I remember guessing that he was off duty LE. And strapped in front of him was a huge black fanny pack. At that point, it was just too obvious what was in the pack. Being a gun nut, I asked what he was carrying. I just wanted to talk guns. But by the way the blood drained out of his face you would have thought I had just sprouted horns and fangs. Remember, most everyone in the NPS wears the same uniform. The only thing that distinguishes LE from everyone else is the utility belt and in recent years the badge. But back then the badges were the same. I was not LE, but he had no way of knowing that. He started stammering that he was, as I had guessed, an off-duty LE. I don't believe it was legal, at the time, for even off duty LE to carry in the park. He fumbled for his badge to show me, while his wife was going on saying, "I TOLD HIM NOT TO CARRY THAT!" By that time, I was feeling bad that I had "outed" him and I explained that I was just interested in what he was carrying. He just said, "9mm". No other description. So it turns out that he was from CHICAGO. Where, as I said, only criminals and agents of the State carry weapons. So he had no conception of what it is like to be in a (relatively) Free State. Even if he had been spotted by the LEO Rangers that worked there at the time, it really wouldn't have been a big deal. Most Rangers that I know are very gun-friendly. Even concerning non-LE individuals carrying weapons, if there was no other problem with the person, they would explain the law to them, unload their guns or sometimes take their ammunition and wave them a friendly goodbye. Of course, that's changed now that it's legal to carry in the park. The irony is that if I were spotted in HIS city (which is a much more dangerous place than the Smokies) carrying a firearm, I would be arrested and probably spend time in prison. But that's another thread, I guess. Will

This... And this... I have said the same thing to people that only want to have firearms that shoot military rounds or "something I can find at Walmart". First, guess what EVERYONE else is thinking. Second, if you're thinking about battlefield pickup of ammo, you can pick up the guns as well. Finally, one needs only to look back to November, 2008. Guess which rounds could NOT be found at Walmart or anywhere else. Yep, the "most common" rounds were nowhere to be found for MONTHS. The one advantage to having a 5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x51, 9mm, etc. is that you can buy it right now fairly cheaply. Of course if you handload, that advantage is reduced. Were I concerned about "stocking up", I would pick a round or rounds that had characteristics that I wanted and start buying it or handloading it now. If that happened to be a military round, awesome. Will

I have not used a Mo-Rod, but I have used a homemade barrel strut. It stopped the vertical stringing. My barrel was very bad. It would string several MOA both vertically and horizontally. The barrel strut definitely reduced the vertical stringing. I also had the barrel cryo'd, cut to 16.25", threaded and added a flash suppressor. After cryo, the barrel stopped stringing horizontally. I didn't put the strut back on after that. I haven't tried to shoot groups since the shortening. I'm hoping the shortening and adding the muzzle attachment, along with the cryo treatment, will cure the stringing problem. I also had the idea to add a light under the barrel at two attachment points in place of a barrel strut. Serves two purposes. But I haven't gotten to test that yet either. Good luck, Will

Come on. Come to the Dark Side.

What? You've never seen a black panther? Everyone else seems to have.

The Safety Smart store used to sell them, but they closed some time back. There is a dealer who sets up at some gun shows that sells Fenix. But after yesterday, I may well not attend any more shows unless I need something specific that I can only find there, which is unlikely. Will

I was standing about 20 feet away when it happened. Sounds like he brought in his loaded CCW and decided to take it out to show a dealer. Not sure about that. I never got the actual story before I left the show, but that's what Channel 8 says. Man accidentally shoots himself in the hand at Gun Show I've never witnessed a Negligent Discharge at a gun show before. I don't want to again. Will ETA: Moderators, if this is in the wrong forum, please accept my apologies and move it to the appropriate place.

I don't freakin' think so! Why not exempt yourselves from insider trading laws as well? This one better not pass. I was just starting to regain faith in our state legislators.

+1 for exercise and stretching. But only correct exercises and stretches. I'm 10 years older than you are, but the only time I have those aches and pains are when I get lazy and neglect my fitness routine. Sounds like you're already on the right path to recovery. When I do end up with pains due to restrictions or injury, I go see a sports chiropractor. The guy I see doesn't just make adjustments. He prescribes strengthening and stretches for the specific injury and also for restrictions that will lead to an eventual pain. So do ALL the exercises regularly. Maybe make time 3-4 days a week to get in a full workout. It doesn't have to be hours long. Short, very high-intensity workouts have been more effective for me. Good luck, Will

I'll be happy to help out. I'll send a PM with contact info. Will

I'm pretty sure that they do not. I wish they did. Will

I will reserve judgement about whether this lady is an idiot or not. Remember, we tend to look at things through our own prism. Most people on this forum are well aware of the gun laws of places like NY and CA. But not everyone who has a permit to carry is a "gun person". Perhaps she was under the mistaken impression that the Constitution of the U.S. still applies even in NYC. After all, her driver's license and marriage are recognized by NY, right? So why wouldn't her license to carry a handgun be recognized? I prefer to not call her an idiot without further proof of her mental incapacity. I also do not want to see her life ruined by evil, unConstitutional laws. Especially when she made a wholehearted effort to comply with the rules. She made a mistake. That's it. Will

I have the same problem with a Rossi .243. Except mine probably shoots worse. 25 yard groups look more like shotgun patterns. Rather than put a lot of energy into trying to make it shoot, I'm going to stub the barrel and install a .264 barrel and chamber it in 6.5 Grendel. That's a more appropriate round for a rifle that size anyway, in my opinion. Will

Redacted. Never mind. Will

Smiths. I've worn several different brands, but Smiths are the most scratch resistant I've used. Had a pair on top of my head a few weeks ago when a roofer accidentally (?) threw an old shingle on my head. Just a couple very light scratches. I've had several pairs of Bolles and Wiley-X. They usually were too scratched to be usable after a few months. As said above, I don't recommend wearing cheap sunglasses. I only have one good eye and I'll spare no expense to protect it. BTW, Smiths are a bit expensive retail. I watch for close outs of discontinued models. Will

Do you handload? If so, I would get the .45 Colt. In the Blackhawk, it can easily be loaded to a .44 Mag level. And you can shoot factory pressure ammo for fun. Of course, if you handload, you can also load .44 Mag lighter, too. But if you like the idea of having a .45 Colt for nostalgia, I'd get that. Plus, like others have said, you can get a .45 ACP cylinder for it. If you do not handload, your choice can be narrowed down by deciding if you're just going to be plinking or if you may have need for more terminal energy. .44 Mag for energy and .45 Colt for self-defense or plinking. I'm guessing that your range rule against anything over .44 Mag probably means anything over .44 Mag power. You should clarify that with them. They really shouldn't have any problem with you shooting a .45 Colt since it is generally much milder than .44 Mag. Will

Except that they can legally lie to you.

The $.10 tax has been there for many, many years. I can just barely remember when it was a 5 cent tax. It does go to TWRA. I could be mistaken, but I believe it may be a federal tax that comes back to state natural resource agencies. Do a search for the Pittman Robertson Act. I majored in wildlife and fisheries in college, but that was a long time ago. Will

Where did you get your barrel, if you don't mind me asking? Is it gas operated or blowback? Thanks, Will

It means a point in the barrel that is wider than the rest of the bore. Usually caused by a bullet lodged in the barrel and another round fired behind it. Will

I know a mortgage person. Very trustworthy. To what part of the state are you moving? If you're interested, PM me. Will

I've only been to Coal Creek and ORSA. Coal Creek is ok if you like indoor ranges and their rules. I've had tons of fun participating in IDPA matches at ORSA. The cost isn't much more than what you would pay for range time at Coal Creek. $15 per match for non-members. For practicing on my own, my preference is always private land. I got my degree in Wildlife and Fisheries at UT as well. PM me. We can talk about where to shoot and why you should change your major.

I got mine in 2003. Aaah, those were the days. One could still get Lee-Enfields, Mausers, Mosin-Nagants, Nagant revolvers, Swiss K-31s, Finnish Mosins, Swede Mausers (yeah, I already mentioned Mausers, but these are a class by themselves). Now, the extent of mil-surp is mostly M-Ns and probably Nagant revolvers. They're still good deals, but... I let my CR-FFL expire in 2009. The Mil-surp deals were starting to dry up and I had recently lost my job. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. The Midway and Brownell's discount is still worth the $30 every three years. And there were even better deals and selections before I got my C&R, so I missed out on quite a bit. Who knows, I may reapply someday. Will

Those were my thoughts, though I didn't express them when I went in there. I wish I had. As far as WD on Alcoa Hwy, I wouldn't go there anyway. I went in there two or three times. Once, no one acknowledged my existence (there were no other customers in the store at the time), so I left. When I did browse, the prices seemed to be marked up by at least 100%. Ok, not everything, but some ammo like the brass cased 7.62x39 was priced at $500/thousand. This was when I could get it online for $250. I haven't been back there in a while. Likewise, I doubt I'll stop at Stars and Stripes again unless I hear they've changed their policy. Will

I'm not sure, but I believe that Lumber_Jack was referring to the National Firearms Act of 1934. The Firearm Owners Protection Act (yeah right) was the one passed in 1986. I believe that they're both equally unconstitutional and should be struck down. Will