A.J. Holst

My buddy swears by his quality and workmanship. I have seen his stuff first hand, as nice as any top line holster out there.

G, very nice work!

I bought a few Korean 15/30 round mags for my M1 .30 carbine for $8/$10 respectively 60 days ago. Recent price check at $60. High demand plus the Koreans must have had big increases in mfg'ing cost to boot for a $50 bump.

I took this course on 11/17/12 and it is my second SI course with Randy Harris.   You can check out the SI website for all the details and syllabus; I'll *try* to give an unbiased opinion on the day.   There are many top tier organizations out there; so is SI the "best"?   I don't know, but I do like and trust MY instructor Randy Harris. While Randy is a trained professional, he is NOT a Facebook/Mall Ninja nor does he have that elitist attitude. He is definitely the king of the analogy, which is pretty effective with his training style. It is my opinion the Randy approaches training scenarios with the mind-set, "this works, works well, but how can I / we continually improve to get better.   The course itself is geared towards the lower skill level shooter, but I still found it valuable. For me, a refresher on proper grip, alignment and sight picture had an immediate impact on my accuracy; I shoot a lot and slightly above average.   The nice thing about CPM is it picks up where your HCP Instructor / class left off. It takes you from the traditional static / lane training to something more dynamic. We did get spend time discussing PESTS EAT FAST. I view it as steps to AVOID getting into a gun fight. We learned how to identify potential threats and how to use that awareness so maybe you don't have to draw your weapon.   Dymanic vs. static. SI teaches "explode off the X" meaning, move - change your address - do something the BG doesn't expect. We do NOT shoot and move in CPM, that is covered in CRG. In this example, I describe static as traditional gun range / lane shooting. Stand in one place, set your perfect stance and sight picture and punch holes in paper. In CPM, we do static shooting, but add some dynamics. Randy will set live-fire scenario, covers safety, we then identify the threat, draw, move to the left or right, then shoot.   Personnel: we had 5 students, 4 male, 1 female. Backgrounds were as varied as a box of crayons and no loud-mouthed, know-it-all, camoflauged tactical nutjobs. Great bunch of people to spend the day with, as was my experience with my CRG class.    Equipment: wear comfortable clothing, no one expects you to be a 5.11 Tactical model. Have a GREAT belt and your preferred carry holster. Bring more ammo than recommended. As long as everyone is efficient reloading, you get to shoot a bunch. Handguns represented were Glock, Beretta, CZ and a Ruger SP101. I recommend bring more than one gun in case your primary lays down on you. If you bring more than one handgun or holster it also allows you to use the course as an equipment test bed.   My biggest take-away: in a gunfight with 2 or more BGs, you are woefully undergunned with a 5 shot revolver. The trigger bar spring broke in my CZ, , so I broke out my SP. I had 3 speed loaders and 2 speed strips. The term "speed" is relative. As Randy said to the class, "A.J. is going to party like it's 1899."   Do Different? Nothing other than location...great locale, free, safe...but it is a farm and cow pies are part of it.   Can't wait to host the next SI course in Knoxville! Plans are prior to June or after October - simply too hot.   We are discussing either 2 1-day courses or another 2-day course        

Like Red333, I have just learned to work around right-handed controls.   Middle finger for mag, I can't remember the last time I released the slide using the stop   Not sure if I had an ambi handgun how long it would take me to "re-learn" left-handed controls.

I couldn't afford a Python when they were "affordable" in the late 80s, so ended up with the poor-boy, a King Cobra.   Timthetoolman is spot on, the Python action is simply amazing.

When I was researching for .30cal carbine for purchase, one brand I steered away from was Universal. Very mixed reviews on the carbine. If you want  a .30cal handgun, Ruger put out a revolver and AMT had a semi-auto.

Picking up as much brass as I can, but have seen Herter's and Tulammo in my caliber in bulk on-line   I don't currently reload, though that will be a-changing.   Any issues with steel ins a USGI M1?   The reason I ask is when my buddy bought his first AR, he said some Russian steel-case and it did not feed or eject properly...

CZ9, The repair is probably in my skill level, I just don't currently have a work space with all the Christmas decorating. My office is a wreck

When the trigger is pulled, nothing engages. The transfer bar thing is sagging, preventing it from cocking the hammer

Mine is an Omega, no experience past field stripping. Hello predator...

My 75B broke, who do I need to see? Minor spring replacement best I can tell.

Thanks for all the recommendations! What model number would corespond to a 3rd Gen S&W? I didn't even think about the compact CZ line...duh. Definitely want to handle a MK9 and a Shield or MP Compact.

[sub]They do offer the SP in 9mm; not in current production and owners know what they got.[/sub] [sub]Will definitely check out the Kahr line, heard great thing about them but never investigated the brand.[/sub]

A .357/.38 lever gun is on my short list, but for an all around military-grade rifle, what about a USGI .30cal Carbine. For fun and hobby - plinking and target shooting out to 200 - 250 yards. In capable hands (not mine) you could hunt out to 150 yards. Self defense and hunting rounds are available from Speer and others. If the SHTF, you've got accuracy, high rate of fire if needed, 15 / 30 round mags are readily available on-line, simple to strip and clean, just stock up on ammo and consider re-loading. Don't forget to get an M4 Bayonet in the event you run out of ammo... It is a little pricey to shoot if you don't reload but ammo can be found at most gun stores and on-line ($22 - $28 per 50 110gr FMJ) and it is an amazing piece of American history.

After taking an SI class with Randy where my beloved CZ75B Omega broke after 10,000+ rounds, I broke out my SP101... Since the SP is EDC 10% - 20% of the time, it was a great opportunity to see how well I could shoot with it. Pretty well as it turns out, but I realized 5 shots with slower reloads using speedloaders could be a problem with more than one BG. I also discovered speed strips were a no go for me maybe because I am a southpaw Any recommendations, under $600, new or used, for an all steel or steel/alloy 9? If nothing in that arena, I have handled a full size M&P and liked it, what about their compact / shield? I simply don't care about the weight - my first EDC was the SP and I have no problems with the full sized 75. Thanks, GtG

I had a Bersa Thunder Plus, 15 rounds of .380 and pretty comfortable to shoot with the thicker grip. Traded it in on my "new" M1 carbine. As stated, .380 is pretty pricey to practice with; Off the shelf Target ammo runs about $.40/round

We have set the date for a one-day handgun course with Randy Harris of Suarez International. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Randy will be posting the particulars on the SI website for registration. If you have any questions, please respond here OR send a PM to Randy c/o Cruel Hand Luke This will be my second professional training event and I am looking forward to participating Having hosted the first one, I can assure you, this will be a great venue! Thanks, AJ

I carry a CZ75B, AIWB, 5.11 Leather holster, N82 (nate squared) Tactical Holster with no issues at 5'9" x 160#

As does the Kadet conversion for the CZ line...

I have been pleased with the Aquilla 60gr, no FTF/FTE issues out of my wife's P22 (recently sold to upgrade her to a G17)

Buddy has one, shoots it as well as his high end semi custom stuff. Says trigger is impressive right out the box. Hope this helps!

The only camp M1s are available through their auction, prices start around 1k+

3 PAGES of M1 carbines all mfg'ers represented. Price points from 600 - 1000 And yes, they have a Rock-ola or two listed... If I'm going to take the plunge, shouldn't it be a Rock-ola?

Thanks for all the info, help and guidance. I was set on an "OEM" but distracted by the AO and recently the Natl Ord. Got a line on a Standard or an Inland and I get paid Friday...