Firearm Hobbyist Catch-All

After turning 40, I haven't had any problems with cougars.

That's because they are all looking for cubs.

TheHipGamer wrote:
Quintin_Stone wrote:

Bears are the reason for the mountain gun, a short-barrel revolver in .44 magnum or higher made with weight in mind. S&W adapted the 629 to this use way back when, and Ruger has their Alaskan.

Grizzlies? Sure. But not black bears.

I meant bears in general, in response to ELewis17's question about what kind of gun, not that all bears are aggressive.

Quintin_Stone wrote:
TheHipGamer wrote:
Quintin_Stone wrote:

Bears are the reason for the mountain gun, a short-barrel revolver in .44 magnum or higher made with weight in mind. S&W adapted the 629 to this use way back when, and Ruger has their Alaskan.

Grizzlies? Sure. But not black bears.

I meant bears in general, in response to ELewis17's question about what kind of gun, not that all bears are aggressive.

I think ALL bears* pose danger to Second Amendment and other freedoms we so cherish.

(* - except Rub Ed)

The run has started. 70,000 PMAGs were sold today and everyone is basically out of everything.

I am still using C-Mags and have 30+ of them, so I think I am pretty set.

Edwin wrote:

The run has started. 70,000 PMAGs were sold today and everyone is basically out of everything.

This was inevitable. Price gouging is starting for some things already too.

I'm with Paleo though. I have six 30 round Pmags, three 20 rounders, plus a stack of standard mags that all still run fine.

I did order four mags for my PPQ, but that was back when I bought it and they were already backordered.

I wonder if now is a good time to sell some of my mags.

The only thing I'd like to have are more spare parts on hand. Couple extra bolt carrier groups, firing pins, etc.

Thin_J wrote:

The only thing I'd like to have are more spare parts on hand. Couple extra bolt carrier groups, firing pins, etc.

Probably not a bad idea. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get a couple stripped lowers just in case, though I imagine that the prices for those have already skyrocketed. Shame too. I was honestly thinking of picking up three or four a couple months ago.

My lower probably only has around 1500 rounds of use on it.

I could see wanting a couple lower parts kits on hand, but those will be ridiculous now too.

I too am wanting for spare parts; I bought a few more PMags this summer.

Thin_J wrote:

My lower probably only has around 1500 rounds of use on it.

I could see wanting a couple lower parts kits on hand, but those will be ridiculous now too.

AIM still has them at $75-90 depending on manufacturer (mostly Spikes), but I suspect they are all sold out by now.

I just ordered two bolt carrier groups and a couple firing pins, plus some assorted other small parts. Cam pins, extractor springs, a third spare bolt, etc. No sense waiting on prices to go up on everything.

Just picked an LPK up, along with spare parts for the bolt carrier group form Stag Arms. The LPK was $66 directly through Stag.

My armorer finally got a chance to run my build through its paces at the range he has access to and commended me on an outstanding job. He even said that my build was better and better thought out than most folks he's seen who have been in the business a little while. Not bad for a first time.

Anyway, going to pick it up later this week. Maybe I'll put a couple hundred rounds through the barrel this weekend.

Paleocon wrote:

My armorer finally got a chance to run my build through its paces at the range he has access to and commended me on an outstanding job. He even said that my build was better and better thought out than most folks he's seen who have been in the business a little while. Not bad for a first time.

Anyway, going to pick it up later this week. Maybe I'll put a couple hundred rounds through the barrel this weekend.

What all did you end up going with?

Edwin wrote:

The run has started. 70,000 PMAGs were sold today and everyone is basically out of everything.

OMG! The stores are out of PMAGs! I heard Obama and his black helicopters confiscated them all in the middle of the night.

All I ask is that the folks looking for guns to carry in bear country also carry bear spray.

I picked up a nice little amount of pmags, if the ban comes down, caaaaching, if it doesn't, my family better start liking pmags for holiday presents.

All I ask is that the folks looking for guns to carry in bear country also carry bear spray.

unless it's windy

has anyone else seen the huge jump in full ar prices? lowers and kits seem to be the same, but good god the mark up on full rifle.s

MaverickDago wrote:

has anyone else seen the huge jump in full ar prices? lowers and kits seem to be the same, but good god the mark up on full rifle.s

I haven't seen any markup. What I have seen locally is that they're all just.. gone. Nobody has even one to sell. Out of stock across the board.

The Bud's website has been down off and on for days, and when it's up it's super slow and rarely responsive. They can't keep up with demand at all.

Thin_J wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

My armorer finally got a chance to run my build through its paces at the range he has access to and commended me on an outstanding job. He even said that my build was better and better thought out than most folks he's seen who have been in the business a little while. Not bad for a first time.

Anyway, going to pick it up later this week. Maybe I'll put a couple hundred rounds through the barrel this weekend.

What all did you end up going with?

My build sounds a bit like this:
1) Stag Arms lower receiver
2) Fulton Armory lower parts kit
3) Standard AR15 solid stock
4) Wilson Combat standard 16" barrel with mid length gas system and birdcage flash hider
5) Free floated, four way rail, aluminum fore end
6) A3 flattop upper
7) Yankee Hill flip ups
8) Millett 1-4 scope
9) Vertical pistol grip
10) Surefire 9p light with tag switch taped to pistol grip
11) Green laser with tag switch
12) Bungee sling (side mounted)

Paleocon wrote:

My build sounds a bit like this:
1) Stag Arms lower receiver
2) Fulton Armory lower parts kit
3) Standard AR15 solid stock
4) Wilson Combat standard 16" barrel with mid length gas system and birdcage flash hider
5) Free floated, four way rail, aluminum fore end
6) A3 flattop upper
7) Yankee Hill flip ups
8) Millett 1-4 scope
9) Vertical pistol grip
10) Surefire 9p light with tag switch taped to pistol grip
11) Green laser with tag switch
12) Bungee sling (side mounted)

Can't wait to see pics of that sexy beast.

I've been thinking about adding a vert grip to mine; have been looking at the ones that have a bipod incorporated.

I stopped by my local place out of curiosity on the way home even though I am not really going to buy anything and I don't own anything and the walls were bare. All that I saw left was some Magpul iPhone cases, a pink Ruger 10/22, some suppressors, a Sig P239 w/ suppressor and a Hi-Point C9. Guy working behind the counter said the run start on Monday for him.

So, an ar15 has been on the "to buy when I get a big safe" list.

Well, obviously now is a bad time to buy.

But lets say in a month, nothing has happened yet. One could potentially build one or buy.

Lets say the crazy demand if solely for fully assembled ar15s. So building put you in the less demand area potentially. What skill level are we dealing with? I managed to totally gut and upgrade my Ruger MKIII pistol to install new trigger/sear/hammer. I've heard people say that was difficult, and the gun survived. So how does an AR15 build rate in comparison? Any special order to acquire parts in?

As for fully assembled rifles, recommendations? I know that's a very subjective question. Looking for above entry level price range(which from rough estimates was 600-700 range) and not high end(LaRue looks very nice. calling them the high end at 2500). What's a solidly built middle of the road option ya'll would recommend, and what was the normal price for it last October? I'm not really sure what to look for.

What questions do I need to ask myself to narrow down what I want for mid-January?

taer wrote:

So, an ar15 has been on the "to buy when I get a big safe" list.

Well, obviously now is a bad time to buy.

But lets say in a month, nothing has happened yet. One could potentially build one or buy.

Lets say the crazy demand if solely for fully assembled ar15s. So building put you in the less demand area potentially. What skill level are we dealing with? I managed to totally gut and upgrade my Ruger MKIII pistol to install new trigger/sear/hammer. I've heard people say that was difficult, and the gun survived. So how does an AR15 build rate in comparison? Any special order to acquire parts in?

As for fully assembled rifles, recommendations? I know that's a very subjective question. Looking for above entry level price range(which from rough estimates was 600-700 range) and not high end(LaRue looks very nice. calling them the high end at 2500). What's a solidly built middle of the road option ya'll would recommend, and what was the normal price for it last October? I'm not really sure what to look for.

What questions do I need to ask myself to narrow down what I want for mid-January?

Rock River makes a decent gun. So does Bushmaster, though they tend to be a bit overpriced.

I just made my own and, aside from needing a few special tools for stuff like the roll pins and building the upper, it was actually pretty easy.

Paleocon wrote:
taer wrote:

So, an ar15 has been on the "to buy when I get a big safe" list.

Well, obviously now is a bad time to buy.

But lets say in a month, nothing has happened yet. One could potentially build one or buy.

Lets say the crazy demand if solely for fully assembled ar15s. So building put you in the less demand area potentially. What skill level are we dealing with? I managed to totally gut and upgrade my Ruger MKIII pistol to install new trigger/sear/hammer. I've heard people say that was difficult, and the gun survived. So how does an AR15 build rate in comparison? Any special order to acquire parts in?

As for fully assembled rifles, recommendations? I know that's a very subjective question. Looking for above entry level price range(which from rough estimates was 600-700 range) and not high end(LaRue looks very nice. calling them the high end at 2500). What's a solidly built middle of the road option ya'll would recommend, and what was the normal price for it last October? I'm not really sure what to look for.

What questions do I need to ask myself to narrow down what I want for mid-January?

Rock River makes a decent gun. So does Bushmaster, though they tend to be a bit overpriced.

I just made my own and, aside from needing a few special tools for stuff like the roll pins and building the upper, it was actually pretty easy.

The things I've read say complete uppers are easier, less special tools required. As to the roll pins, is that just punches?

I'm also interested in purchasing a semi auto (AR-15, M4, etc.) and looking for recommendations on a fully-built model. Assuming legality of ownership doesn't change and prices return to 'pre-CT shooting' levels, what's the best option for the following criteria: under $1000 / significant stopping power / lightweight / ease of repairs/upgrade?

taer wrote:

The things I've read say complete uppers are easier, less special tools required. As to the roll pins, is that just punches?

They make roll pin punches. The roll pin punches keep you from damaging the pin. I just used standard punches and a little TLC.