| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
It is absurd the way "progressives" virtue signal their indignation about one of the most notoriously brutal gangs in existence being called animals and "dehumanized" as a pre-cursor and warning of right wing Nazi tactics...while they dehumanize and propagandize against all of their political opponents such as Republicans, Christians, straight white men, the NRA, gun owners, individualists, anyone that believes in the Constitution in the proper context as written, etc, etc. They're truly crazy. | ||
| Slaughter |
I would strongly advise ANY people who might consider a firearm for use in personal or home defense take a GOOD series of courses in defensive firearm use. Course should ALSO bring you up to speed on legal precedents. Sunny and I are fortunate in that we live within an hours' drive of a private range where Chuck Taylor offers his series of 2-day defensive firearm courses. He's testified as an expert witness in DOZENS of legal cases so he's seen the legal ramifications of "righteous kill" where the homeowner has still been sent away for a dozen years. There are myths of this-versus-that firearm and "empty your gun into the guy" that will end badly in court. REGARDLESS of your weapon of choice, there are thought processes that MUST be considered and PRACTICED at the range regardless of weapon of choice. Sunny and I are again taking Taylor's advanced defensive handgun course in July. Practice, practice and practice... but practice CORRECTLY because it is how you will react under stress. He keeps the stress levels high in the training. Keeps it as real as he can. Scenarios he creates gives you practice in shooting from cover and concealment. HIGHLY recommend the Taylor courses. Hell, he's been in more than a dozen gunfights - won every one of them even though he has the scars and bullets in his body from fights he won which still put him in the ER. Trained military and police units - foreign and domestic. Worth the time and money to learn EFFECTIVE use of weapons. In the advanced class, he sets up realistic urban scenarios - including vehicles - multiple assailants, communication while engaging, "bedroom" scenarios (chaise lounge with blanket over your face so you can't see the scenario being setup)... similar "restaurant" and "dinner table" scenarios with multiple assailants and hostage and much more. Practice, practice PERFECTLY because that's how you will react unconsciously under pressure. Of particular interest to us is that one of the people taking these courses for a few years is one of Keith Code's longest-serving instructors at Superbike School. Pic of vehicle training - "ambush" scenario with 4 assailants. Use of cover in the vehicle and communication between both of you in the engagement - covering during magazine changes so you're never both "down."  Use of cover (and the DIFFERENCE between cover and concealment):  Pic of our February class - light rain and snow. Good practice. (IDs obscured as a courtesy - except yerz trooly and Chuck Taylor)  (Message edited by slaughter on June 29, 2018) | ||
| Aesquire |
What he said.  Skills and smarts make it more fun & safer. Seems like every gun magazine has an article on inexpensive, polymer stocked, bolt action rifles that astound me with their accuracy. And in the New long range optimized cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor. Now Leopold has a $390 scope with all the features I want, minimal, but great glass & coatings, lifetime warranty, in a variety of powers. I may buy one for a 10/22 I haven't bought yet.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've been happy with my Savage .308 lefty bolt and Leopold scope...just critter-plinkin', but I do have good sightlines down my driveway when folks show up that I'm not expecting... I do need to get some more practice in though. Maybe time for another order of Canned Heat, so I have some rounds to fire off... | ||
| Rick_a |
I don't need no stinkin' training. I need moar bayonet. In all seriousness, I brought home a 1957 Ithaca Model 37 today. I'll be making a trench gun replica of it, eventually. I've been meaning to get a pump to replace my 1979 Remington 870 riot gun I had purchased some twenty two years back. It was sold to my in laws. On inquiring about buying it back, I was told I'd get it back when they expire. Not wanting to wait for that time, I looked at the Mossberg 590's. Nothing there really struck my fancy. This Ithaca really caught my attention and quickly grew on me. Before I knew it, it was mine. This is what I intend to make of it:  Trench guns are awesome. This gun has the ability for the near mythical status and infamous slam firing, as it has no trigger disconnector. Cool. Ithaca makes a current production of these guns ready made, but at $1000+ they can keep 'em. For about $450 I shall have a faithful reproduction. The one concession I will be making is a proper rubber recoil pad. This hard plastic thing hurts to look at. | ||
| Aesquire |
That style with a Remington or Mossberg box magazine chassis would be nice. Not historically correct, so I'd go steampunk on the finishes. Brass with patina. Distressed electroless nickel. Wave motion leds under the heat shield? | ||
| Tootal |
Wave motion leds under the heat shield? What is this? Pimp your ride, I mean weapon?  | ||
| Aesquire |
Just imagine. Dark hallway. Soft thrum. Glowing lights in motion speeding up as thrum gets louder..... Make them run away faster than tactical Black or boring FDE, the current fashions in guns. Throw in that multi beam shotgun laser sight, and maybe fire up the Tesla speaker in the dining room... Halo theme Mjolnir mix? Ideally they run screaming from your home leaving behind only some broken glass and a faint smell of the load in their pants. Or paint it Stormtrooper white. Seriously, it's hard to improve the practical lethality of a trench gun. You are left with cosmetics and special effects to play the psychology of a home intruder. It's not like you WANT to shoot a home intruder. Miles of paperwork, grand juries, legal fees, all your guns confiscated for evidence, ( and you have to sue to get back some of your property, which probably will be damaged and robbed of accessories and optics ) Strobes in the hall and scary music on the stereo suddenly seems like a good investment. | ||
| Rick_a |
And I thought a one and a half foot long bayonet would be enough... | ||
| Rick_a |
Not too bad for an old gun.  20180702_171049 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr  20180702_171112 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr  20180702_171143 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr  20180702_171206 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr  20180702_171150 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr | ||
| Aesquire |
https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/0 2/huntress-shoots-black-giraffe-stands-her-ground- social-media-backlash/ I always thought the Ithica was the most elegant of the pump guns. I keep my eye out for one. I've had Mossberg, meh, Remington, the "standard", & Winchester, so far my favorite, the 1300 in 20 ga. Really, my opinions are based on feel. How they function, & fit. ( also on how well I shoot them ymmv ) Re: hunting. I chose not to hunt deer simply based on my own injuries. Too hard to drag a 200 pound critter out of the woods. I fully support deer hunting, I've killed a few with cars, and people die every year locally when they stuff one through the windshield and get kicked to death. Please hunt deer. Not big on doing a Safari, not big on trophies, but I support others contributing to conservation and preserving game animals. Simple truth is that being a desirable game animals is how a species can survive with the help of moral, rational hunters. Ducks Unlimited has done more for waterfowl than any eco warrior movement. I've also tossed some hard earned money at the NWTF ( turkeys ) and at Elks. ( the critters, not the club ) I wouldn't mind winning a hunt at a spa equipped lodge, like Argentina has for bird harvests. Those run from bunks in a cabin to luxury hotel with spa, masseuse, & pool. ( spa! Give the SO something to do If she gets bored hunting ) If there was a prairie dog guided hunt, with shade, portable benches, bbq lunch ( not prairie dog ) with hot tub and pool for after, THAT I might save up for. There's a luxury hotel in Texas that was originally part of a big development that fizzled. Others bought it is and fixed it up, and they have a spa & cowboy action shooting course, & other attractions in the middle of nowhere. Also their own runway, so pilots can fly in and avoid the long drive. That might need to go on my list. | ||
| Rick_a |
It is a Browning design, after all. It is certainly a solid feeling gun, unlike all modern pump guns. The receiver is a substantial chunk of billet steel. The heavy gauge interrupted threaded barrel and threaded mag tube are remnants of a bygone era. The numerous screws with grub screws required for take down as well as the rudimentary way parts are removed from the receiver are also an indication of a slight lack of refinement compared to more modern designs. That said, the quality and fit/finish is at a level commonly unseen today. A comparable gun by Browning or Remington today is a $700 gun. The current Ithaca gun company iteration is a $1200 shotgun. That's frankly a bit absurd, but nice things cost a lot of money these days, though $400 can basically buy a simpler, lighter, more functional shotgun. While the Winchester 1897 may have more flair and grace, the old Ithaca can still be had inexpensively, is more accessible, and I prefer its design. When the kid is old enough to hump his own gun around and confidently handle shooting a full sized rifle off-hand unsupported, we'll be going on a hog hunt. We have doves in the area, but they're small and dumb, and not worth much in a sporting sense. We have squirrels (of course) as well, and while being rather crafty they're quite small and skinny tree rats in these parts. To finish this project I'll need to more than double my initial investment, which is unfortunate. I'll need: • Reproduction bayonet mount/heat shield • Reproduction rear sling swivel • Reproduction 1917 bayonet • Leather strap on butt pad • Military leather sling | ||
| Rick_a |
Hudson is introducing an alloy framed version of their H9 pistol, the H9A. It is 8 ounces lighter (26 vs 34) and should come in at a lower price point ($947 retail vs $1147). The idea behind the pistol is a 1911-like trigger and low bore center in a double stack striker fired 9mm with similar ergonomics. I kinda like it. If it were a little smaller I might consider it. As it is it's a little big. Though dimensionally similar to a commander sized 1911 it has a much bigger footprint from the side. Though ergonomically similar, it's not quite as good there, either. It's a little bulky in the grip in comparison and points a little off for me. In checking an H9 out today it consistently pointed off to the side when checking for the natural point of aim. That's something very atypical. It's a somewhat handsome gun and has a quality feel in this day of rattly plastic guns. The guide rod is low in front of the trigger guard which gives it a very distinctive look.  My Springfield is the softest shooting 9mm I have and I'd be hard pressed to replace it. The only downfall (if it is one) is that I've found only one magazine manufacturer that's any good for a compact 9mm 1911. I have a bunch of mags and holsters for it and have been shooting 1911 pattern guns for twenty two years and carrying them for twenty. Only eight plus one but an amazing shooter and practical carry gun.  20151219_083424 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr The development of the Hudson is interesting...from an MS Paint concept to production gun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh7IN-AZaxA (Message edited by Rick_a on July 06, 2018) | ||
| Rick_a |
Sig's latest P210 Target is a bit of a modern retro. I've admired these guns for ages, but when it comes down to it, if it's not practical to carry I don't have much use for it. It's probably one of the most striking looking pistols available today.  What was once a fine military pistol has become something of a boutique pistol that mostly collects dust in people's safes.  | ||
| Rick_a |
So it begins...  20180705_024632 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr | ||
| Chauly |
There is no feeling like that first removal of metal on a gun, be it engraving, drilling for sights or rails, or, (ahem) hacksawing a barrel. It's definitely: measure many times, mark carefully, (hopefully) cut once... | ||
| Rick_a |
On some guns it results in profuse sweating...especially when working on a component worth hundreds of dollars. On that one...no big deal...other than the reality that I now have to spend a bunch of money to finish what I started. Hopefully I'll get a bayonet lug for Christmas  | ||
| Aesquire |
https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/0 9/sen-chris-murphy-brett-kavanaugh-is-a-second-ame ndment-radical/ Check out the Forgotten Weapons videos on YouTube or the web site. Mostly filmed at auction houses with the subject rare or interesting guns, with a history, function explanation, and field strip to show how it works. When ammo & rarity permit, a firing demonstration. Also filmed at museums. Guns you are unlikely to see elsewhere, like a PIAT spigot mortar, the British WW2 anti tank weapon. ( required balls that clang ) Or rare Sov Bloc machine guns that the magazines never mention. Lots of rare, and often legal, transferable machine guns. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/shooting-the-950- jdj-the-largest-sporting-rifle-made/ Seriously the winner in any phallus measuring contest! | ||
| Aesquire |
I'm seriously opinionated on pistol grip 12 ga. shotguns. Totally admit it. It's a mix of experience, pain, and envy. I'm terrible with one. I generally agree with the guys in this video, and have the complaint that they treat the Pistol grip shotgun tested poorly. I would argue that the better choice of limited gun, between the Pistol gripped and Coach gun, is the Coach gun. Better, with ejectors, by far. Better investment in time to practice with the double to gain speed & reliability, over the Pistol gripped one. My FIRST choice, however, would be a normal stocked autoloader. Short but legal barrel. and box magazine, like the new Mossberg & Remington pumps, if & when available. I believe a modern autoloader, like the Browning/Winchester/FN gas operated, to be more reliable than pumps in stress scenarios. | ||
| Rick_a |
That's been one of my favorites on YouTube for ages. I also enjoy their "In Range" series where they mud test various modern and historic guns and run them through 2 Gun competition, where they often do surprisingly well. Agreed on the shotgun part. I sold off my 870 for an 1100 after finding that I would short stroke during the first mag full anytime I had gone more than a few weeks without practice. That's a critical error, and frankly unacceptable. Since then an AR firearm is my main home D gun, but the 1100 is always in standby. It only needs to be kept reasonably clean, and the length of the magazine spring should be checked on occasion, as it releases the action via smacking a shell out of the magazine into the internal release.  So far I like the Ithaca 37 better than the Remington pump. It's a bit of a smoother, easier action, and a beefier gun as well. Featherlight is the name, but a featherweight in construction it is not! | ||
| Aesquire |
The 1100 was the first shotgun I liked to shoot. The pump & bolt guns I shot before were hard kicking & heavy. The 1100 is no lightweight, but a neighbor took me out trap shooting when I was about 12 and let me use his 1100. Wow. Other favorites include a Winchester 1300 pump in 20 ga. ( Defender series. Labeled at the store "Lady Defender". But I found it manly enough for ducks, trap, & deer. And a Browning side by side in 20 g. Sweet shooting & fast on grouse, dove, etc. The first went to a disabled person who couldn't take the recoil in a bigger gun, and the second was gifted to a petite relative. Miss them both. The Winchester/Browning/FN gas gun in 12 ga. Is my go to now. Never jammed no matter what I fed it including a mixed magazine of 3 1/2" Magnum hevishot Turkey loads to 2 3/4" bulk field loads. I admit to occasionally wiping off the magazine/ gas system. | ||
| Ourdee |
Since then an AR firearm is my main home D gun +1 | ||
| Rick_a |
I've had the opportunity to shoot the 1100 side by side with a Benelli M4 using slugs. The 1100 was smoother shooting and I could shoot it better, despite the Benelli having superior sights. The Benelli, of course, is simpler and has a more robust gas system, but they both work just the same. | ||
| Bandm |
http://www.wnd.com/2018/07/justice-ar-15s-are-not- military/ | ||
| Rick_a |
You can't stop the signal. I'd like to do an 80% AR .308. It would make a nice backpack gun for taking to the range. The barrels and bolts are relatively expensive, unfortunately. | ||
| Aesquire |
Interesting project. I don't think I agree with everything 100%, but the high 90's for sure. And I bow to the AR experts here, I just had one, it was a very heavy monster, but reliable and accurate as all get out. Much better than I am. A few comments. I totally agree on the A1 stock. My Varminter had an A2 stock, and it was not good for all positions. too long, and I'm not a small guy. I don't like most adjustable stocks. More to break, more ways to be wrong. Parts that are not there don't weigh anything. I do prefer a rubber butt pad on a stock, so I can stand the rifle up in the corner on a polished wood floor, and expect it to not fall over. Yeah, I'm opinionated. barrels. I had the 1" barrel that necked down to 750" at the gas block, then stayed that dia. , fluted, to the muzzle. Perfect for a hot day on the high plains, volume fire at prairie dogs, or a typical 100 deg day at the range where I might pump 150 rounds at 1" shoot n see pasters with no stopping, not rapid fire, but not slow. call it 20+ rpm? Never had a shift in impact, never noticed stringing, just hole after hole after hole. It's what it was made for. But to carry the darn thing over a mountain? Might as well have a FAL and have .308. Plus it was muzzle heavy, and with the A2 stock, not great for offhand. A slim lightweight barrel is a much better choice for most applications. And, really, if you are shooting so much the barrel gets hot and you CAN'T stop shooting because the Martian Hordes are swarming your position? You are having a Bad Day, and you need a SAW, not a HBAR. Triggers. I really liked the Bushmaster 2 stage match trigger. But many don't like a 2 stage, and while I might argue, the trigger they chose for this project is nigh perfect, and I'd use it. The videos & reasoning are well worth watching, if you are into ARs, and I would appreciate feedback to tell me where these guys are wrong... and right. If only for my next build. The legal issues in NY are coming to a head this election cycle, and if the Actress becomes Governor, unlikely as it seems, I do expect civil rights violations. But I can accumulate parts for after the Singularity, and since the parts in the video are all the same, except the Upper receiver & gas system, as the bolt action AR variant I want to build, I want to know if these are good choices. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Took longer than I expected to get this up. Phoenix Arms is a few doors down from my shop. Marlin Model 19 trench gun, among others.  | ||
| Aesquire |
The downside of shotguns, as a defensive arm, has always been the reload speed and dexterity issue. I'm not knocking King, who came up with the loading gate for tube magazines, or Browning, who IIRC invented the under receiver loading system. ( please correct me if I'm wrong ) But single cartridge loading takes lots of practice time, dedicated time, to perfect in the dark and under light stress. I practiced at a pistol pit with live ammo, dummy shotgun shells of the right weight being a bit hard to find at Dicks. ( The now reviled slime ) And the few hours invested improved my skills to crappy, up from hopeless. I have confidence I can load blind a tube full, slowly, but haven't practiced under stress in years, so in a home invader scenario, I really can only hope for, say, four shells of buck, before needing to move, and reloads? The new box fed models fix the problem, albeit at a cost sure to be as high as an AK variant, and not yet available afaik for self loading shotguns. I probably will wait until there is a SuperX or Benneli auto loader with box fed system before spending money. Btw. Quick product review. The Knoxx recoil reducing stock. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/revi ew-knoxx-spec-ops-stock-review.340948/ My experience with a Remington 870, is generally positive. Mine has an AR style adjustable stock, which I am not fond of. Clunky and slow to adjust, a good argument for fixed or folding stocks. The lack of a good cheek piece means a sharp smack to the face if you treat it like a rifle or a sheet gun. The upside is full power buck loads feel like a 20 ga. The recoil shock through the pistol grip is not bad at all, I haven't shot many clays, but slugs & buck on tactical targets work fine, with the caveat that you want a reflex sight mounted high enough to let you keep a light to zero cheek weld. Or a laser. Mine has a very early Lasermax light/laser combo, and my best times and results have been with a heads up, but firmly shouldered, gun using the laser. ( IPSC course as a non compete experiment ) My effort to clean the shotgun portion of the course went well, and there was much interest, several actually good shots borrowing my 870 to try it out. All agreed the results, which worked out, as the course organizer said, that lasers were just cheating. I highly recommend lasers. The Knoxx? If you like AR collapsing stocks and want less recoil, try before you buy, you might enjoy it. It is my current locked in the bedroom gun, & I can't say I love it, and if offered money for it, I'd sell it, but I also trust it to work.... As long as I do my part. ( see short stroke curse above ) | ||
| Aesquire |
In my not so humble opinion..... There is nothing on the market today that is really new in fire arms for the last 100 years, except lasers. Maybe the new screwdriver bullets? But I bet that was tried in the 1920's or '50's. Plastic, high cap magazines, optics, all old hat. Improved! Yes. Especially optics. But really a game changer? We've been on a technology plateau ever since the French invented smokeless powder & Spitzer bullets. Lasers, OTOH, are a serious force multiplier. I wouldn't purchase a defensive hand gun unless there was a laser available. Lasermax guide rod lasers or Crimson Trace laser grips are THE must have accessory. Glock fan? Lasermax. I am biased, Lasermax is made locally, and has improved their products every year. Darn near Marine proof. https://www.lasermax.com/products/internal-lasers. html | ||
| Rick_a |
That Marlin trench gun is something else. I've never heard of such a thing. That M1 Garand is nice. My 870 went through a few iterations, and as soon as I had it how I liked it...I sold it off.  |
