Firearm Hobbyist Catch-All

detroit20 wrote:

@Baron of Hell

I know a little about air guns having bought one last year to deal with a squirrel problem (before I 'belled' him, the cat used to bring them in and murder them in the front room). On the recommendation of my local gun dealer I picked up a Crossman 2240 (which uses CO2, rather than pump action), and had him fit a PAO pistol sight and a suppressor.

The sight was attached using Pro Blocks, but all consensus online was that the steel breech (which has rails built in) provided a better platform. I bought and fitted the breech myself; it was a 15 minute job.

I finished it off with a totally unnecessary, but very cool, green laser sight, mounted on the gas tube.

I did toy with idea of changing the grips, but replacements are beautiful but expensive. I didn't bother.

my next purchase will probably be a Crossman 2260 CO2 rifle. A 2240 in rifle configuration would be more powerful and a better all-round tool... but the 2260 is lovely to look at.

CO2 is interesting. I wrote it off at first because I thought it would cost to much considering you should use it all once the case is punctured. However, the cost is cheaper than I thought it would be so I am looking into it again.

I was looking through CO2 pistols and came across a paint ball gun that looked like a real gun instead of the standard funny looking paint ball gun. The funny thing was that the gun was being sold under different names. One was focused on paint ball and the other as a defense weapon but they were exactly the same except for the name on them. The defense version had balls filled with pepper spray and tear gas. The reviews on the gun was pretty high for both versions.

I watched some videos of cops shooting each other and kids shooting each other. Looked like it was fun to shoot.

What was the name of the paintball gun? 'Rounds' filled with pepper spray and/or tear gas are almost certainly illegal in the UK.

Yes, CO2 isn't as expensive as you'd think. The main problems with it are relate to the power it delivers varying with temperature. That said, once you get to rifles it appears that cO2 is less powerful. I believe the Crossman 2260 tops out at 10Ft/Lb; 2Ft/Lb below the legal limit here in the UK.

The main or first company is Tippmann TiPX. That is the one marketed as a paint ball gun . Salt is the rebranded version marketed as a home defense gun and comes with pepper spray rounds. They run around $200. The gun is also illegal in California but that doesn't make sense because it is still just a paint ball gun. You could use the pepper spray rounds in a regular paint ball gun that aren't banned.

On a different note has anyone used a biometric safe? I was looking into real guns or rather guns that use bullets for home defense and wondering how people usually store them. With a bio safe I could open it up in a second and have access to the gun inside which would be loaded and ready.

I know some people keep their gun unloaded and locked in a key pad or key safe. This might be necessary if they have kids or untrustworthy people around. However, I'm thinking they might not have quick enough access to their gun if needed.

Baron Of Hell wrote:

On a different note has anyone used a biometric safe? I was looking into real guns or rather guns that use bullets for home defense and wondering how people usually store them. With a bio safe I could open it up in a second and have access to the gun inside which would be loaded and ready.

I know some people keep their gun unloaded and locked in a key pad or key safe. This might be necessary if they have kids or untrustworthy people around. However, I'm thinking they might not have quick enough access to their gun if needed.

I have a small safe with an individual fingerprint reader, and a keypad. Unfortunately the issue with the fingerprint reader is that its not very reliable, reads 1 time out of three to five tries. To the point where if I had to access in a hurry I wouldn't use it. It may help though if I was to enter in the fingerprint to be scanned a few more times. It has a memory for multiple fingers. So if you just did the same finger multiple times it may be less of an issue. If I can I will update with the model of the safe tonight.

I do have kids and need to make sure my pistols are locked up tight. I have timed it to the point with laying in bed, entering the code and having the mechanism open takes about 20-30 secs. If i could get the scanner to be accurate I think it would bring the time down.

The Tippman TiPX looks quite good. And it appears to be legal here... though I doubt those non-paint rounds will be.

But it's a bit pricey for a paintball toy. It looks like my Crosman 2260 will run to about £350 once I put a sight and a suppressor on it...

I have a C02 powered Walther P99 replica that shoots mag-fed 43 cal paintballs. They come in great variety... You can get regular paintballs, or solid rubber, or fuzzy velcro (those two are reuseable), or ones loaded with dry chalk, or even capsicum. The gun is a lot of fun, but has developed a leak which I keep meaning to troubleshoot, but keep forgetting.

So much stuff I have missed. I will try to hit as much as I can.

ThinJ - How do you like the TRP? I am about to buy a Remington R1 Enhanced Threaded as the main host for the Cosmic. I would also like to have a 10mm of some sort but that will have to wait a while while I recover room other recent purchases.

Paleo - I have also been looking at a Savage 10 of some sort. I have 2 other Savage bolts and they are stupid accurate. More than they deserve for their price. I want it in 300wm so the 10 is my first choice unless Ruger comes out with a Precision in 300wm.

sr_malo - I have a Ruger GP100 and love it. Put a Wolff spring it in it and the trigger is awesome. Lots of fun.

Baron - airguns are a side passion of mine since I was a young teen. Try Mountain Air Airguns for some mods for that 1377. They are almost the 10/22 of airguns with all the mods available. Power, shot count, accuracy and much more are all available options. Go with CO2 instead of HPA. CO2 is much easier to get without spending a serious amount of cash to get an air tank and/or air compressor.

Got the 9mm AR completed but will be making some changes. I do not like the grip that came on the completed lower from New Frontier. The m-lock handguard from Palmetto State is freaking heavy and will get replaced down the road with a carbon fiber m-lock. I am also a left-hand shooter so it will end up with an ambi safety that will also be a 60° throw instead of the standard 90°.

That is all for now, back to regular programming.

My buddy the certified Remy master armorer grudgingly admits that the 10FP is more accurate out of the box than even his 700PSS was when he first got it. He claims, however, that "nothing is more accurate" than it now after literally hundreds of hours of fine tuning and thousands of dollars or modification. Considering budget and the ceiling of my ability, there really doesn't seem to be a downside to going with the much less expensive rifle.

He does, however, say that he doesn't understand how Savage does it at that price point. "It's some kind of financial alchemy" is what he said. Moreover, considering he gets most of his stuff on the taxpayer's dime, he doesn't care what he pays for it.

Savage does it with pixie dust.

For my duckets I get the Savage. If I was using the rifle for work it would be a 40x variant in a McMillan or similar stock.

Go shoot a Steel Challenge match if you can. It's a ton of fun.

Dabbled with my modified Crosman 2240 this weekend, and fell in love with it again (so I won't be adding a 2260 to my collection just yet).

It was an interesting opportunity to compare old and new target acquisition technologies. I struggled to 'zero in' by PAO 2x20 optical sight. Even resting my wrist/hands on a steady surface, it was impossible to maintain stability and accuracy at 6 feet.

After 15 rounds I gave up and switched to my under-mounted green laser. Within three shots I was pretty much spot on. I then zeroed the PAO sight on to the green dot.

If I wanted to take this more seriously then I'd need some sort of shooting rest.

Was just doing some research on where to buy a gun. There use to be a gun store near me that has apparently moved. It seems Seattle added some kind of new tax to gun sells that cause many shops to leave the city. hmmmm just thought about it I'll have to look into if it is legal to transport a gun on a bus. I sold my car and have been mr metro for a few years now. Oh well.

Anyway I learned I could buy a rifle or shotgun right away. I thought these would have the same waiting period as handguns. I have some conflicting info on handguns. One site said there is 10 day waiting period but only if you don't have a concealed weapon permit. Then this one gun clerk said there was a waiting period on all handguns due to some kind of cooling down law.

Next I guess I'll look into what all is needed for a permit and where can I get it. The north precinct is closes but I wouldn't be surprised if they only issue them from the downtown precinct.

On a different note I have all the parts for upgrading my BB gun. Watched a few videos and it looks really easy.

LowPriceGuns.com in Bellevue
Precise Shooter and Lynwood Guns in Lynwood
CAR Arms in Tukwila
Pintos, Pantel Tactical and Ben's Pawn and Loan in Renton
West Coast Armory in Factoria

Are these places you been to and recommend?

Baron Of Hell wrote:

Anyway I learned I could buy a rifle or shotgun right away. I thought these would have the same waiting period as handguns. I have some conflicting info on handguns. One site said there is 10 day waiting period but only if you don't have a concealed weapon permit. Then this one gun clerk said there was a waiting period on all handguns due to some kind of cooling down law.

I'm not surprised that there is a waiting period. Most states have them. IMO I would highly recommend getting your CPL. Mostly just for transport. A lot of states have rules about how you transport your guns and their placement in relation to ammo, such as you cant have your ammo within reach of the same place you have your pistol. This may effect your bus riding too. With a CPL it essentially negates that aspect since you can travel with it loaded.

If this is your first handgun, I would really recommend a good holster as well. There are many types of concealed holsters. They are not all created equal, you need to find what works for you as a good cross between comfortable and practical. My personal preference is on Inside Waist Band (IWB) holsters. I have 2 I use regularly my Crossbreed Supertuck and a Aliengear Neoprene Backed. I use the Crossbreed on a full sized 9mm and it is very comfortable. The Aliengear is used with a sub compact 40 cal, and while not as comfortable for me it is a good holster and my main carry. Both allow you to tuck shirts over them if you want, and with appropriate placement make them barely noticeable. My brother in law tells me he notices only because he recognizes the clips placed over my belt.

Looking to purchase a new affordable 9mm pistol (so no Kimbers) that I can conceal and carry and my wife can use as back-up self defense at home (other than unlocking the safe and getting out the M4 or the 12 Gauge Guardian).

Original list included the following pistols:
Ruger LC9s
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Springfield XD-S
Beretta Storm Subcompact
Walther CCP
Sig Saur P938
Glock 26

Based on watching lots of reviews and research, I narrowed it down to the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, the Springfield XD-S, and the Walther CCP. These 3 pistols shoot really well, are affordable, and have lots of options for upgrades/accessories. The M&P Shield and XD-S are easy to field strip and clean but I read a few bad reviews on breaking down the CCP. I'd like to get my hands on one and strip her down myself though before I pass judgement.

I'm torn on what to get! Anyone have any experience with any of these pistols and can offer some unbiased advice?

Baron Of Hell wrote:

Are these places you been to and recommend?

Yup. I know most of the employees or owners by name personally.

Syd, I've shot the XD-S, a Shield, and a PPS. No experience with the CCP.

I bought a PPS because, put simply, it's the best trigger. It was kind of a tie with the Shield for ergonomics. The XD-S was solid but unremarkable to me in every way. Nothing wrong with it, but it's also not better than either of the other two. The higher bore axis is kind of nice I guess, but it's not enough of a difference to make up for the lesser ergonomics and trigger.

This is also where I offer the caveat that my hands are weird and I have *very* long fingers so every comment I make on ergonomics is at most half useful for people with normally sized and proportioned hands.

I've heard/seen enough people who prefer one of the other two to say, IMO, you have to put your hands on all of them if you want the real best answer for you.

There's a performance center version of the Shield that's supposed to be better and come very close to matching (or maybe even fully match it, depending on your preferences) the PPS' trigger, but I've never had a chance to actually shoot or even dry fire one.

Igneus wrote:
Baron Of Hell wrote:

Anyway I learned I could buy a rifle or shotgun right away. I thought these would have the same waiting period as handguns. I have some conflicting info on handguns. One site said there is 10 day waiting period but only if you don't have a concealed weapon permit. Then this one gun clerk said there was a waiting period on all handguns due to some kind of cooling down law.

I'm not surprised that there is a waiting period. Most states have them. IMO I would highly recommend getting your CPL. Mostly just for transport. A lot of states have rules about how you transport your guns and their placement in relation to ammo, such as you cant have your ammo within reach of the same place you have your pistol. This may effect your bus riding too. With a CPL it essentially negates that aspect since you can travel with it loaded.

If this is your first handgun, I would really recommend a good holster as well. There are many types of concealed holsters. They are not all created equal, you need to find what works for you as a good cross between comfortable and practical. My personal preference is on Inside Waist Band (IWB) holsters. I have 2 I use regularly my Crossbreed Supertuck and a Aliengear Neoprene Backed. I use the Crossbreed on a full sized 9mm and it is very comfortable. The Aliengear is used with a sub compact 40 cal, and while not as comfortable for me it is a good holster and my main carry. Both allow you to tuck shirts over them if you want, and with appropriate placement make them barely noticeable. My brother in law tells me he notices only because he recognizes the clips placed over my belt.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure a iwb holster would work for me. I don't like having things in my pocket but it might be something I have to get use to. I was thinking of using my man purse since I always have one on me.

Igneus wrote:

If this is your first handgun, I would really recommend a good holster as well. There are many types of concealed holsters. They are not all created equal, you need to find what works for you as a good cross between comfortable and practical. My personal preference is on Inside Waist Band (IWB) holsters. I have 2 I use regularly my Crossbreed Supertuck and a Aliengear Neoprene Backed. I use the Crossbreed on a full sized 9mm and it is very comfortable. The Aliengear is used with a sub compact 40 cal, and while not as comfortable for me it is a good holster and my main carry. Both allow you to tuck shirts over them if you want, and with appropriate placement make them barely noticeable. My brother in law tells me he notices only because he recognizes the clips placed over my belt.

JM Custom, Keeper's Concealment and Custom Carry Concepts Shaggy are the three best choices for holsters.

I can carry my full size Beretta 92, Hi Power or PX4 Storm with any of these holsters all day with no printing.

Sydhart wrote:

Looking to purchase a new affordable 9mm pistol (so no Kimbers) that I can conceal and carry and my wife can use as back-up self defense at home (other than unlocking the safe and getting out the M4 or the 12 Gauge Guardian).

Original list included the following pistols:
Ruger LC9s
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Springfield XD-S
Beretta Storm Subcompact
Walther CCP
Sig Saur P938
Glock 26

Based on watching lots of reviews and research, I narrowed it down to the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, the Springfield XD-S, and the Walther CCP. These 3 pistols shoot really well, are affordable, and have lots of options for upgrades/accessories. The M&P Shield and XD-S are easy to field strip and clean but I read a few bad reviews on breaking down the CCP. I'd like to get my hands on one and strip her down myself though before I pass judgement.

I'm torn on what to get! Anyone have any experience with any of these pistols and can offer some unbiased advice?

Skip the Storm subcompact and instead look at the Compact Carry. It really is the best carry pistol out there and shoots well above it's class. I saw that someone had shot one from concealment at a USPSA match placing in top 15 in Limited division that was full of 4 lb, all steel, custom made, $4k 2011s. Robar has some nicely tuned versions that are worked over by the creator of the model, Ernest Langdon.

As mentioned above, I use a full size version as my carry gun and can run the piss out of it.

Sydhart wrote:

Looking to purchase a new affordable 9mm pistol (so no Kimbers) that I can conceal and carry and my wife can use as back-up self defense at home (other than unlocking the safe and getting out the M4 or the 12 Gauge Guardian).

Original list included the following pistols:
Ruger LC9s
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Springfield XD-S
Beretta Storm Subcompact
Walther CCP
Sig Saur P938
Glock 26

Based on watching lots of reviews and research, I narrowed it down to the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, the Springfield XD-S, and the Walther CCP. These 3 pistols shoot really well, are affordable, and have lots of options for upgrades/accessories. The M&P Shield and XD-S are easy to field strip and clean but I read a few bad reviews on breaking down the CCP. I'd like to get my hands on one and strip her down myself though before I pass judgement.

I'm torn on what to get! Anyone have any experience with any of these pistols and can offer some unbiased advice?

I always try to figure out what job I am trying to address before I find the tool to fit it.

You mentioned that you are looking for a carry gun and that could mean a lot of different things. Your choice of what to carry and how will depend on a sober analysis of what you are trying to accomplish. Unfortunately, there is no one gun that "does it all".

If folks are truly honest, they a have to admit that they are unwilling or unable to devote the time, energy, and resources necessary to develop the competence, preparation, and awareness to make the use of deadly force a logical response to most violent situations. I know I am not and I have a lot more past training than most (btw, your training is perishable).

Not only do you need to develop a deep competency in the use of the firearm, but you have to understand and be able to mitigate the effects of adrenaline on your perception, judgement, and motor control in a crisis situation. When someone draws a knife and the spike of adrenaline makes your heartrate instantly go from 65 to 170 bpm, your vision narrows to 30 degrees, you hearing becomes incapable of distinguishing between signal and noise, and your small motor function becomes non existent. If someone told you to take out your car keys and open your door, you would be unable to do so. You might as well be wearing boxing gloves and roller skates. If you haven't rehearsed your plan and programmed it into snake brain functioning, your gun might as well just be a blunt force object. And the more complicated its function, the less likely it will be to be either safe to operate or useful in your defense.

Given that, here is my suggestion based on a number of basic assumptions about the "average" concealed carrier. These assumptions are as follows:

1) You and/or your wife will probably not devote the time that someone like Edwin does to the martial practice of practical pistol.
2) You and/or your wife will probably not devote significant time to a competitive martial art that involves competitions in which an opponent is sincerely trying to harm you significantly (e.g.: boxing, muay thai, bjj, mma).
3) Your and/or your wife's firearm training will not generally exceed weekly trips to the range and will not involve practical "shoot/no shoot" situational drills, use of cover, drawing into action, or tactical reloading with live ammunition.
4) Your and/or your wife's carrying of a firearm will mostly be a "just in case" measure and not meant to address a specific threat (e.g.: you have no restraining orders and do not have reason to believe that a specific individual is trying to do you harm).

Close so far?

Cool.

In these situations, I generally tell folks to recognize a few realities. These are as follows:

1) You probably won't hit anything farther away than 20 feet.
2) If you do hit it, your ability to make a valid self defense case diminish exponentially the farther it is.
3) You will almost certainly not be able to reload under stress.
4) You will absolutely not be able to clear a jam/misfire/stovepipe/fftf under stress.
5) If you need more than 5 shots, you have a problem a firearm is not going to solve.

So, to sum up.... If you are the average carrier, you want a gun that can make noise and end a violent threat that is outside the distance of a good punch, has a battery of arms that is dirt fcuking simple, is small enough to conceal easily, and NEVER malfunctions. Given those parameters, the choice is pretty obvious:

IMAGE(http://vintagepistols.com/images/642-1.jpg)

https://www.vanceoutdoors.com/range/...

I carry MP Shield and love it. Very accurate for me, small, smooth, and never had a jam or any issues.

Paleocon, that's a good suggestion for my wife at home and hadn't thought of that.

I on the other hand would not consider myself to be an average carrier as I've been shooting and hunting since I was 5 and had extensive Military & Law Enforcement training (8 years as an MP) in addition to being part of our units competitive shooting team. I don't get to shoot nearly as much as I'd like anymore (as we've moved into town and I can't go out my back door anymore and shoot) but I can still knock the head off of a nail at 15 yards with open sights on our deck.

The adrenaline rush is real and I've felt it many times in competitive shooting and in MILES training scenarios. As a civvy now, I'm not sure if I'd have the same reaction as when I was in full fatigues carrying a Beratta and M16 but I'm sure some of that training would kick in. At least I hope it would.

Edwin wrote:

Skip the Storm subcompact and instead look at the Compact Carry. It really is the best carry pistol out there and shoots well above it's class. I saw that someone had shot one from concealment at a USPSA match placing in top 15 in Limited division that was full of 4 lb, all steel, custom made, $4k 2011s. Robar has some nicely tuned versions that are worked over by the creator of the model, Ernest Langdon.

As mentioned above, I use a full size version as my carry gun and can run the piss out of it.

Edwin, the Beretta was originally my gun of choice and I thank you for your suggestion. I carried a Beretta in the Army and absolutely loved it. I am going to give it a second look now.

How is the slide pull on it and break down? Do you think a petite lady would have problems? Is it pretty easy to field strip and clean?

It's stupid easy. You pull down on the tabs on the dust cover and the slide comes off. Recoil assembly is captive and the barrel is essentially fixed with a locking block. If you're familiar with the 92 platform, this uses the same fire control group but in a plastic frame. Same trigger bar, sear, sear spring, hammer, etc.

Cool.

The law enforcement experience definitely changes the equation more than a little bit. If nothing else, it gives you some real world experience in the difference between a legitimate use of force scenario and a butthurt keyboard jockey one. You would be surprised how difficult it is for the vast majority of CCW carriers I know to distinguish the two. Show them the cases of Michael Dunn or Bradley Turner and a surprising number of them say "I don't know what they did wrong". One of the many reasons I actually like the Obligation to Retreat statutes as it makes it really easy to come up with a compelling reason to de-escalate a situation before it turns deadly.

If you are married to the idea of a semiauto and are really looking for a holdout pistol for "everyday carry", I would (and I can't believe I am saying this) stay with striker fire as the battery of arms is simple, the trigger pull is predictable, and there are fewer exposed moving pieces to get fouled up and result in a failure to return fully to battery.

As much as I can't stand the feel of a striker fired weapon, I have to admit that there are just simply too many compelling reasons to go with it over a hammer fired weapon for a duty, carry, or CCW gun. And of the ones you mentioned above, I have significant experience with the Smith, the Springfield and the Glock and find the differences to be largely how the fit your hand and eye. I, personally, have a Shield, but my decision to get it was less governed by research than it was by my buddy needing $350 at the time.

I know this isn't going to sound helpful, but go rent a bunch and find out which one shoots well for you.

Paleocon wrote:

I know this isn't going to sound helpful, but go rent a bunch and find out which one shoots well for you.

Always the truest advice even if it doesn't seem like the most immediately helpful.

I asked a ton of people before I bought a lot of the things I bought. In the end a whole lot of actual shooting and direct in person comparison was the only thing that let me settle on the things I liked best.

Hence my eventual love for the Walther PPQ. The only gun I think that was close for me for striker fired guns was the H&K VP9, but just like all the others, the trigger just isn't quite as nice. Seriously y'all, if you want a striker fired 9mm, Walther is just crushing it. Try one.

Counterpoint: I advise against striker fired for safety reasons as you can not tell when re-holstering if something got into the holster and snagged the trigger. This is why I junk carry a PX4 with a hammer. I place my thumb against the trigger and if something snags it, I can feel the hammer move alerting me to the issue before an ND happens.

There is a solution for Glocks, called the Gadget.

http://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/wh...