SmokyBaer

If I could get serial #107, 417 and 910, I'd definitely be in for all three sets.... without doubt!  Odds of that is slim, so I am a definite maybe for one TGO set.

  Agreed...  They need to break out the old drawings and do a retro.

  Sounds like "Hometown Gunshop" does not have your best interest at heart.  They can make a profit on anything they sell so what's the reason for being picky on what they offer?  Strongly advise shopping elsewhere and not compromising what you want.    DW 1911s have top shelf quality and have some of the best fitted slides of all the mid-priced pistols I've seen.  Trigger was awesome too.  The older ones were full of Ed Brown components but I cannot say that for the newest ones from CZ.  Just don't know.   Only issue I ever had was a front sight being the wrong height for my sight picture but that was an easy fix. 

The 1911 is my favorite by far but I have to agree if the owner is willfully neglect in his/her maintenance, it's gonna choke.  It ain't rocket science to clean your weapon ever few hundred rounds and I don't mean a deep clean either.  A 1911 will run great by chasing with an oil soaked bore snake ever so often, smearing a tad of grease on the barrel and slide then follow with a quick wipe down.    Believe me, I tried to like a Glock once and I still have it mainly because I know there has to something I can do to make it more reliable like my 1911s.  Reason I say that is I go thru a bunch of different ammo, some good stuff and but lots of cheap plinking stuff too.  My Glock hates Wolf and Lawman but loves WWB.  Has to be hard primers because it just clicks, no bang.  Same ammo runs just fine in my clunker 1911. 

  Oh yeah, they are real... M14E2.   Originally a squad machinegun stock as issued in 1963 but found favor amongst other uses later on.

Just received an old time split ARMS18 scope mount for her.  Anxious to get out to the range and see what she will do.

  That was a GunJoker ricochet...  Fella sold the one I bidded on and I asked if he had more.  He replied there was about seven left.  He sent some pics and I jumped on the one that had the most figure to it.  Really sweet stick.  Tight fitting too.

I am a huge fan of DIY when you can.  Here's my all time favorite trigger upgrade...  Tactical ll 4 pound with relieved hammer. Dropped in and performed flawlessly on four different 1911s.  Hard to beat, IMO.

Skipped over a bunch of the assembly but here are links to some of the best vendors I have come across.  Their part quality and customer service have been top notch for me.  If you wanna build an M-14 platform rifle, it'd be hard to beat these guys.   James River Armory   Fulton Armory   Wolfe M-14 Barrels and Parts   Treeline M14 Parts   Windy City Sourcing    Brownells

Admiration time while we wait for some decent weather. All me range boys are getting cabin fever too. Here's Phoebe...

If you want consecutive, I can do that.  I have 98 and 99 still in the box.  You should still be able to Send a Private message to SmokyBaer. In fact, look at your messages...  PM sent this morning.

My tools, so far... Barrel Vise http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/vises-accessories/barrel-vises/barrel-vise-prod17199.aspx Action Wrench http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/wrenches/action-wrenches-components/m14-m1a-m1-garand-rifle-action-wrench-head-prod25116.aspx?psize=96 Clymer Gauges http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/measuring-tools/headspace-gauges/go-no-go-gauge-sets-prod26876.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=CLYMER I got out the bright light and found my previously driven LRB bolt's left lug was not even close to touching. Could see a gap with my naked eye. Headspace was already near perfect so lapping was not an answer. Here's what the light test shows... Recently bought a new Fulton Armory bolt and it wont close all the way on the "GO" gauge so there's plenty room to lap on this one. The left lug is still just a tad off the receiver so it needs a good lapping anyways. Some easy boy time... lapping in my new bolt!! Brought out my handi dandy homemade bolt tension tool 800 Grit makes a mirror finish BUT it's slow! Work it, Work it, Work it! Closes on the "Go" gauge but still a bit more to go.

Over the years, I have had somebody else do my barrel, bolt and headspace while I watch and learn. Took quite a while to gather my tools a piece at a time and even longer to peruse the many threads getting my answers. For those whose brain I have picked with PMs and the sharing of their posts full of priceless info, I want to say "Thanks to you all". So here it is, my 1st scratch built M14 project... The commercial barrel vise and receiver wrench came in the other day Pretty snug fit on my new Rock-Ola M14F... excellent tool!!! Chucked up my new JWolfe WMSW barrel. VERY solid clamp. Hand tight put me at about 8 o'clock, the extreme upper limit. Lubing both receiver and threads to prevent any galling. Ready to get it on and see how much grunt it's gonna take. WOOF! 1st snag... That 8 o'clock start is just TOOO much. Had to disassemble everything and think a bit. Got the books back out and after more surfing time, I made friends with turning the shoulder on my brand new barrel just a little to reduce my starting position. A 7 o'clock start seemed to be most preferred so I went with that and slowly, methodically removed a couple thousands off the shoulder. Finally, it arrived at my hand tightened target start point and I re-assembled all the action tools so the build could commence with more confidence behind it. Bowed up and white knuckled with gritted teeth but "Got-her-DONE!" A good 6 o'clock ramp and sight slots line up with rear sight base. Whooped out the "No-Go" gauge to see if all my prior calculations came true. Got all excited when the bolt would not close on it... WHEW, bout 1.632! That's all for now while I gather some more parts but at the least the 1st major hurdle is DONE! :up:

  That's gonna be a tough hunt.... Most SUVs I been in bang around 20 mpg. The old HHR Chevy we had done an honest 28 tho. 

Kinda hard to find but a Winchester SX-AR is the FNAR's little brother and can shoot very accurately.  From what I saw, they are 400-500 dollars cheaper than the FNAR too.  $800-900 range last time I saw one.  Maybe check GunBroker for one.

  +1!   My recommendation is getting on the Palmetto State Armory mailing list and watch for their best daily deal.  You can get complete kits for an awesome deal on quality parts.  Downside is a they are a bit slow BUT that's probly how they keep prices down. 

Their homepage is announcing shipping has commenced.  Anxious to hear what folks say about rapid plinking! 

  Yep...  they're the bread and milk salesmen now.

CONGRATS!!  You did well.  My ARMs18 scope mount is my favorite but the CASM is a close second.  All kinds of scopes and red dots out there but I can say this from experience...   The ARMs18 mount is the lowest rail out there that allows use of your irons.  The Sadlak mount is one of the most highly regarded mounts out there. If you want a red dot go with a higher rail like the CASM or Sadlak.   Bottom line is eye relief, ejecting brass cleanly and ocular clearing the rear sight.   Best of luck with your search.  Make it fun!

  Me too.... by far!

  Didn't swap names.  Just excited about the new toy, I guess.

At the range a couple months ago, an older fella was having a time with his Kriss Vector 45.  Not from misfeeds or such but he'd swapped the red dot out and was having issues with bringing it in to the x-ring.  First time i'd been around the futuristic Lego looking thing and he was quite the gentleman to offer me a round of fire with it.  Well YEA, I jumped on that opportunity and cheeked up for a fairly fun ride.  No where near the recoil I expected.  The fit was a bit off with me being a pretty big fella but it was comfortable enuff.  Downside for me was the groups.  I'm not being the best shot around but can hold above average placement.  Well, my 1911 groups were better than I could manage with that Kriss.  Granted, could have been the ammo, my first time out or any number of things.  Regardless of how bad I really been wanting a 45 carbine, I did not walk away needing to go find a Kriss of my own.  A nice Marlin Camp 45 is still my main objective which is a fraction of what the Vector draws.      :2cents:  :shrug:

  I've got a "shooter grade" 6" Python and would be very hard pressed to accept 1200 for it.  Once you shoot it a bit and it don't miss, you're hooked!!

Working with the dog is a piece of cake.  You have to become one with his instincts...  Bring him in close with food just like the neighbors do.  Ring a pretty loud bell, "BONG!", then pop that puppy right in the tail feathers with a plastic pellet/BB.  After the 2nd or 3rd application, you will be able to amaze your friends with the response you get from just ringing the bell.

    Wow!!  2400 smacks for a side charger, uuh... excuse me while I go change my shorts.    :unsure: