East_TN_Patriot

Hey look! You are at 2 posts now!

Here is one I made from a horseshoe. There once was a time when I could actually do that stuff, but other things got in the way. I also made one from a railroad spike that is pretty cool.

I'll take your word on that because I admittedly never looked at any drum mags because I think they would just be too heavy and bulky. Now that I know the price of one, I definitely won't be in the market for one. I'll stick with 3 P-Mags for my money.

Just got an e-mail from Brownell's regarding a pre-order for AR mags made by Surefire. They come in a 60 round and 100 round versions, and are a double-stack that tapers to fit the mag well of the AR-15. Very cool. Until I saw the price. The 60 round mag is $129 and the 100 round mag is $179. Great concept, but $129 for a magazine??? Really??? Not for me, thanks. http://www.policestore.com/.aspx/pid=42026/Product/SUREFIRE_HIGH_CAPACITY_MAGAZINES?mc_ID=p4008

WOW... I just looked on GunBroker and they are going for $500 (MSRP is $415). Methinks some people are going to be upset in a year or two when these are in full production and a new one is going for $350 or less all day long.

OK. My thinking was that there would be "pre-ban" and "post-ban" issues like when the old Brady crap was in place. In other words, in this scenario you couldn't take a post-ban import and add any toys to it without violating the law, but if it was an earlier import you could make the alterations before hand. Either way, I have no need for a Saiga, hadn't really seriously thought about one, heard about this, and saw one in a shop. Maybe a little investment gun?

Thanks for that link. Here's what I think is the most significant statements from that report: "Therefore, we recognized that any shotgun with one or more of these features represent a “type” of firearm that is not “generally recognized as particularly suitable or readily adaptable to sporting purposes” and may not be imported under section 925(d)(3). (1) Folding, telescoping or collapsible stock (2) Bayonet Lug (3) Flash Suppressor (4) Magazine over 5 rounds, or a Drum Magazine (5) Grenade Launcher Mount (6) Integrated Rail Systems (7) Light Enhancing Devices (8) Excessive Weight (9) Excessive Bulk (10) Forward Pistol Grip or Other Protruding Part Designed or Used for Gripping the Shotgun with the Shooter’s Extended Hand While the features listed above are the most common non-sporting shotgun features, the working group recognizes that other features, designs, or characteristics may exist. Prior to importation, ATF will classify these shotguns based upon the requirements of section 925(d)(3). The working group expects the continued application of unique features and designs to shotguns that may include features or designs based upon traditional police or military tactical rifles. However, even if a shotgun does not have one of the features listed above, it may be considered “sporting” only if it meets the statutory requirements under section 925(d)(3). Further, the simple fact that a military firearm or feature may be used for a generally recognized sporting purposes is not sufficient to support a determination that it is sporting under 925(d)(3). Therefore, as required by section 925(d)(3), in future sporting classifications for shotguns, ATF will classify the shotgun as sporting only if there is evidence that its features or design characteristics are generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to generally recognized sporting purposes. The fact that a firearm or feature was initially designed for military or tactical applications, including offensive or defensive combat, may indicate that it is not a sporting firearm. This may be overcome by evidence that the particular shotgun or feature has been so regularly used by sportsmen that it is generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes..." So, it looks like the Saiga 12 is not at risk of being banned for importation since in it's basic configuration, it doesn't possess any of those traits (AFAIK). I suppose the only question would be whether you could add any of the aftermarket accessories mentioned above, which I think would be a violation of federal law. Basically, if you just want the shotgun, it's not worth it, but if you want the shotgun so you can trick it out with all of the toys, better get it now and start putting the parts on it with the hope that they will grandfather it in. Anyone have any opinions on that analysis?

I've looked around the web and can't seem to find a clear answer. Is this shotgun actually at risk due to a change in BATF regulations saying it can't be imported because it doesn't meet their standards for a "sporting" shotgun? Some folks say yes, some say no. Some say one is insane if they don't buy one now before the change, others say people are insane for "panicking" and buying them up. Can someone here give me the scoop?

As far as I am aware, suicide is not a crime. As long as the police returned the firearme, you should be good to go. It would be illegal for them to return an illegal firearm to you. Sent from my SPH-M900 using Tapatalk

One source I looked at suggested using plastic 5 gallon buckets that can be sealed tightly and storing dry rice and dry beans in a cool place. They also recommended using food-grade mylar bags (interesting thing was they also sell these said bags). Before sealing you have to take steps to remove oxygen and water to prevent spoilage. There are a variety of ways to do that. Here are a couple of helpful sites with some basic info: Doing Your Own Food Storage. Food Storage Calculator https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/storage_life_of_foods.htm

I am certain you are going to spend well more than a couple hundred bucks just to get started. Brownell's sells an electroless nickel kit and just the chemicals are about $400 and that doesn't include the shipping or costs to set up the tanks, etc. The chemicals are pretty nasty as well, so you'll have to have a dedicated spot for it and the proper safety equipment around. Then you need the tools, equipment, and knowledge needed to properly do the job. Surface prep is key for any refinishing project, and that's really where the skill comes in. If you do a crappy job preparing the surface, the outcome will look crappy. I considered getting into this sort of thing, but decided it wasn't worth the time, effort, and cost as a simple DIY thing. In any case, here is the link to the stuff they sell: World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

I agree. It's not just union jobs, though. It's also about power - maintaining it and expanding it. Anytime you get a new government agency, you see a consistent effort to expand the authority of that agency, which makes it a larger part of the government bureaucracy. This helps assure its permanence. Government agencies are literally like parasitic creatures that are born, grow, try to climb the food chain, and fight for the ability to survive. This is the reason Jefferson said, "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground." A couple of other quotes: "There is in the nature of government an impatience of control that disposes those invested with power to look with an evil eye upon all external attempts to restrain or direct its operations. This has its origin in the love of power. Representatives of the people are not superior to the people themselves." - Alexander Hamilton - Federalist Paper No.15, 1787. "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation." - James Madison - 1788 I won't go into the social theories of Max Weber or Talcott Parsons and their discussions of bureaucracy, but they said pretty much the same thing in a very long drawn-out academic format.

TSA shuts door on private airport screening program - CNN.com TSA shuts door on private airport screening program A program that allows airports to replace government screeners with private screeners is being brought to a standstill, just a month after the Transportation Security Administration said it was "neutral" on the program. TSA chief John Pistole said Friday he has decided not to expand the program beyond the current 16 airports, saying he does not see any advantage to it. Though little known, the Screening Partnership Program allowed airports to replace government screeners with private contractors who wear TSA-like uniforms, meet TSA standards and work under TSA oversight. Among the airports that have "opted out" of government screening are San Francisco and Kansas City. The push to "opt out" gained attention in December amid the fury over the TSA's enhanced pat downs, which some travelers called intrusive. Rep. John Mica, a Republican from Florida, wrote a letter encouraging airports to privatize their airport screeners, saying they would be more responsive to the public. At that time, the TSA said it neither endorsed nor opposed private screening. "If airports chose this route, we are going to work with them to do it," a TSA spokesman said in late December. But on Friday, the TSA denied an application by Springfield-Branson Airport in Missouri to privatize its checkpoint workforce, and in a statement, Pistole indicated other applications likewise will be denied. "I examined the contractor screening program and decided not to expand the program beyond the current 16 airports as I do not see any clear or substantial advantage to do so at this time," Pistole said. He said airports that currently use contractor screening will continue to be allowed to. Pistole said he has been reviewing TSA policies with the goal of helping the agency "evolve into a more agile, high-performance organization." Told of the change Friday night, Mica said he intends to launch an investigation and review the matter. "It's unimaginable that TSA would suspend the most successfully performing passenger screening program we've had over the last decade," Mica said Friday night. "The agency should concentrate on cutting some of the more than 3,700 administrative personnel in Washington who concocted this decision, and reduce the army of TSA employees that has ballooned to more than 62,000." "Nearly every positive security innovation since the beginning of TSA has come from the contractor screening program," Mica said. A union for Transportation Security Administration employees said it supported the decision to halt the program. "The nation is secure in the sense that the safety of our skies will not be left in the hands of the lowest-bidder contractor, as it was before 9/11," said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. "We applaud Administrator Pistole for recognizing the value in a cohesive federalized screening system and work force." Advocates of private screeners say it is easier to discipline and replace under-performing private screeners than government ones. But Congress members have differed over the effectiveness of private screeners. Mica said tests show that private screeners perform "statistically significantly better" than government screeners in tests of airport checkpoints. But the Government Accountability Office says it "did not notice any difference" during covert checkpoint testing in 2007. Both groups failed to find concealed bomb components, the GAO said. Test results are not publicly disclosed. On Friday, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, lauded Pistole's decision. "Ending the acceptance of new applications for the program makes sense from a budgetary and counter-terrorism perspective," he said in a statement.

I agree as well. I hated to fool with that one. Smith semi-auto pistols aren't much better. I have a 22A and previously owned a 422 and both were a real pain to disassemble.

I do find it interesting the posts here that basically say "Bersa is a POS. I don't care what people say about how good they are, they are POS and you are stupid for trusting your life with them." Talk about blind gun snobbery and narrow-minded ignorance! Here is a list of guns I got rid of due to mechanical problems (and many of these were intended to be off-duty/back-up guns): 1) Kahr PM9: The captured spring/guide rod assembly broke while sitting in my holster. It rendered the gun useless with the rod sticking out of the front of the slide. 2) Colt Detective Special: It was a brand new stainless version that was released back in the late 1990s by Colt. There were so many problems with that gun, the dealer/gunsmith I bought it from simply sent it back to Colt with a very nasty letter. 3) Colt Mustang .380: Thing had a constant FTE problem. As I have related in another thread here, our department bought all new Sig P229 handguns, issued them out, and within a year had to return several to the factory for repair/replacement due to function problems. I've had and shot some cheap-o guns that were total junk. One in particular was an FEG copy of the PPK: Gun broke on the first round fired from the NIB pistol using standard pressure ammo. That single round bent or broke multiple internal parts, locked the slide open, and removal of the magazine was not possible without tools and lots of effort. I've owned several guns in my life that commonly get lumped into the POS pile by gun snobs. I had no problems with any of them. I had a couple of Kel Tec pistols, a Taurus revolver, and a Taurus PT1911. Depending on the situation, I now carry a Seecamp LWS-32, a Smith & Wesson 642, a Glock 22 (which I recently had a FTE with), or a Bersa 380CC (I have shot it many times with no malfunctions at all). Bersa is as solid and well-made as any other gun I have owned and I would trust my life, or the life of anyone in my family with it. I've shot guns costing 4 - 5 times as much as a Bersa (a buddy's Kimber always comes to mind) that there's no way in hell I'd trust anyone's life with it. To each his own, but to simply ignore the reality that a Bersa is not a total piece of junk is just dumb. IMHO of course. My original statement stands, even after reading the shop's response. I think the rule is moronic and if it were me, I'd definitely take my cash elsewhere.

Except that private transfers are subject to federal firearms laws. It's no secret that you can't purchase a handgun outside of the state of your own legal residency without it being transferred through a FFL in your home state. My sneaking suspicion is that if the BATF wanted to split hairs, they would look at your tax returns to determine what they would consider your "state of residency." If memory serves me - and assuming the laws haven't changed since living in Florida - the state law there did not provide for dual-residency and you had to spend 6 months +1 day or more to be considered a resident of the state.

I've laughed more during this thread than I have in quite a while on here. I think the mods need to leave it be for sheer entertainment value.

I just looked at the Kel Tec site, and there is no way I am paying $800 for a pump shotgun. If I am dropping that kind of cash on a gauge, it's going to be a Saiga.

I didn't make this one, but went to the last one and I agree. Sellers need to remember that people don't pay $10 to go to shows to pay retail. If I want to pay retail for a gun, I'll just go to my local dealer and save the money.

It can be, although I can be a bit of a gun snob myself at times. I have overcome it myself by seeing some really expensive high-end guns perform like crap while the cheaper firearms perform like a champ. Two primary examples I have personal experience with are Kel Tec and Bersa. I have owned a few different Kel Tec firearms and all have worked extremely well. I picked up a Bersa 380CC a few months ago from a TGOer and was a little hesitant because of the price, but did it because multiple friends absolutely love theirs (and the new Walther PPK series made by Smith & Wesson has been reported to have multiple problems). I have run 200 - 300 rounds through that little gun with zero malfunctions. During this time, I've had a couple of feeding problems with a Glock 22 (go figure). When I was still in law enforcement, our department issued Sig P229 handguns that were purchased new while I was working there. We had to send several off for repair out of the box and over the first few months due to problems with internal parts, finish, bad sights, etc. Several officers experienced malfunctions on the range. It was bad enough that the department considered trading them all in for a different firearm. I had a buddy who was all excited to show me his Kimber that he'd had gotten and it wouldn't fire more than one or two rounds at a time without a FTF or FTE. I recently saw a video where someone abused the heck out of a Hi Point pistol and it still performed a lot better than I would have expected for a gun at that price point and at the quality level I would not rate particularly high. In short, I have come to decide that most guns perform as well as anyone needs them to, all guns makers put out guns with flaws, and virtually all are capable of better accuracy than most shooters can get out of them. There is also a big difference between preference and snobbery. We all have our own personal preferences, but what I find to be the problem is when people take their preference and then bash every other gun out there that isn't what they like. A small segment of Glock owners are an example of this. I have seen many forum discussions quickly become little more than a "If it isn't a Glock, it's a piece of :poop:" debates. I've seen similar debates over Kimber 1911s vs other brands of 1911 handguns. That's just pig-headed and leads me to believe that the person doesn't really know as much about firearms as they think they do. It's none of my concern what a person prefers or what they are comfortable carrying. People have different needs and different budgets and if all someone needs is a rugged truck gun that will go bang in a pinch, it's stupid IMHO to drop $1500 on a custom 1911 when a $250 Kel Tec will do the job (or simply refuse to even consider the Kel Tec because it isn't made by company X).

That's totally stupid for someone to say that. I have owned everything from a Bersa or Kel Tec to high-end guns like Kimber, Sig, and H&K. Virtually every gun I have owned had at least one malfunction at some point either due to a bad round, a broken part, a bad magazine, or something similar. I had a buddy who was all excited to show me his Kimber and it literally jammed every other round. Once he soaked the rails in Break Free, it was a little more reliable. Frankly, I wouldn't want to take an HCP class from someone as ignorant as that.

Agreed. That's the way it is in Florida. For a posting to be legal, it has to meet certain standards for size, text, and location of where it is posted. The same holds true in Florida for traffic control signs and handicapped parking signs in parking lots. It only make sense to me to be specific to help keep honest folks out of trouble.

I keep a Glock 22 along with a Kel Tec Sub 2000 that accepts the same G22 mags. The Sub folds up and fits right into the nightstand drawer where the Glock and the spare mags spend most of their time.

That's my original impression when I see his videos. He acts like he's a member of Delta Force or some crap. I respect the hell out of those guys myself, but part of that respect includes my refusal not to try to pass myself off as one of them on the shooting range or on the web.

OK... the customs hold-up is probably the issue. The fellow notes on his website that he is now required to attach the customs paperwork to the shipments; that must be why. Good to know in case I ever need to ship anything overseas. I'll use Express Mail (and request to pay for the service) in the future. It was rather entertaining when I talked with the Postmaster about it though. I said - as seriously as I could - that the delay was kind of a problem because the package contains a kidney I bought from someone in Budapest and I'm not sure how much longer I could wait for it since I needed a transplant immediately. There was stunned silence on the other end of the phone, then she started to stammer "Um... sir... I don't think you would want to use a kidney that's been in the mail for over a month." I told her that I thought it would be ok since they probably wrapped it in plastic first. Then I let her off the hook.