Firearm Hobbyist Catch-All

Edwin wrote:

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...

I appreciate the counterpoint and considering the time in that I have with a USP system, I am sorely tempted to get the P30SK if I ever decided to carry because it would not require me to unlearn much of the battery of arms I have developed familiarity with in my time with it. That said, it is indisputably more complicated than a striker fire (all hammer fired guns are). Even it if is just remembering to decock before reholstering (or returning to low ready), unless someone is willing to devote the time to programming the snake brain to zero defect, the better course of action is to eliminate functions.

Honestly, most folks who are not going to devote the kind of time you are to the martial practice are not going to need to make considerations for reloading, jam clearing, or reholstering. The gun is there as an afterthought and it is not getting reholstered after a discharge. It is being laid down the hood of a car with trembling hands.

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?

You may also want to look at Kahr Arms for another striker option. I came here to add my .02 but Paleo and Edwin have it covered very well. So I shall endorse their wisdom.

Edwin, how is the stock trigger on the PX4? Does it have a ton of travel on it or rough at all?

Really tempted now.

Sydhart wrote:

Edwin, how is the stock trigger on the PX4? Does it have a ton of travel on it or rough at all?

Mine is smooth. I don't think I've ever read of anyone having a rough one. There is a bit of slack at first to clear the firing pin block but there's no over travel. Trigger characteristics are a non-issue as it's all about training. A consistent, rearward pressure lets me roll right on through so while others find the DA pull to be the worst for the, it's actually my most accurate.

Suggested reading: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....

Here are a couple of videos of me running my PX4.

For comparison here I am running my full size 92.

Paleocon wrote:

Really tempted now.

There's now a VP9L and SK too.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...

I keep meaning to try that VP9. I rag on strikers all the time, but I am told that one is amazing.

Nice vids Edwin! I subscribed to your channel.

Paleocon wrote:

I keep meaning to try that VP9. I rag on strikers all the time, but I am told that one is amazing.

I'm on friendly term with a few of the people on the HK shooting team and got to use their VP9s last time I saw them in Idaho and Utah. I think the recoil impulse characteristics and sight tracking are better on the VP9 than the P30. I know people rag on the P30's trigger and how much better the VP9 trigger is, but these are the same people who wouldn't know what to do with my 92's DA/SA either so meh. It'll never be a 1911 but it can get a decent quality.

I really like the new VP9L with an optic on it. It would probably be fun with one of the 20 rounders in USPSA Carry Optics Division.

So MC Sports is going out of business and our local store has a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm for $419.99 plus 15% off...temptation...must resist...

I didn't realize that Stag Arms got the death sentence for being dumbasses. I guess my lower is a collector's item now. In a bad way.

For ThinJ who had expressed interest in building a 300bk.

Palmetto State Armory has complete kit sans stripped lower for $399. Add $50 for the lower and you are ready to rock.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...

fishdude wrote:

For ThinJ who had expressed interest in building a 300bk.

Palmetto State Armory has complete kit sans stripped lower for $399. Add $50 for the lower and you are ready to rock.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...

Hmm. And if you want to do an 80% build, you could join the ranks of the politically paranoid!

Thanks for the heads up! That's a serious deal.

Wish the handguard was longer? I like to get as long a sight radius for iron sights as I can get.

Hmmm.

So do I buy that and throw money at a new handguard, new trigger, and new stock alongside the actual lower receiver, or do I just buy a built lower and swap stuff. Decisions.

Paleocon wrote:

And if you want to do an 80% build, you could join the ranks of the politically paranoid!

I had never heard of this.

I wish I still hadn't.

My understanding is that a blackout lower is the same as a standard 5.56 lower. It is the upper that makes the difference.

Am I wrong?

Paleocon wrote:

My understanding is that a blackout lower is the same as a standard 5.56 lower. It is the upper that makes the difference.

Am I wrong?

This is correct. To be more precise, the only part that is different is the barrel. Everything else is the same.

Paleocon wrote:

My understanding is that a blackout lower is the same as a standard 5.56 lower. It is the upper that makes the difference.

Am I wrong?

Yeah, as Edwin says, 100% correct.

I'd just be putting a Timney in there, because after having one in my current AR the normal trigger will never be good enough again. I want a longer handguard, and I hate the standard AR collapsible stock real bad so a new stock would also be on the list.

And a new grip. Because my hands.

Thin_J wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

And if you want to do an 80% build, you could join the ranks of the politically paranoid!

I had never heard of this.

I wish I still hadn't.

I live in North Carolina. Pretty much every other gun owner down here is that kind of political paranoid.

It has really soured me on the sport to be honest. I think I have shot three times in the four years I have been down here mostly because I don't want to have to deal with the crazy.

Why do suppressors cost so much?

Baron Of Hell wrote:

Why do suppressors cost so much?

class 3 liability

Technology as well. The really quiet stuff is much more expensive. Exotic/lighter materials are also a major factor. Reputation as well. You can get cheap cans that may only last a few years before they are shot out. You can also spend some more and get something with a lifetime warranty that is built like a tank. Personally I have opted for the latter on my purchases. If I am going to jump through all the hoops, I want it to last. Mine are also on a trust so they can be passed down more easily.

fishdude wrote:

Mine are also on a trust so they can be passed down more easily.

I have heard before that putting them in a trust is the best way to go about it. I am always amazed at how people don't realize the difference in noise that Hollywood suppressors make and real suppressors do

Igneus wrote:
fishdude wrote:

Mine are also on a trust so they can be passed down more easily.

I have heard before that putting them in a trust is the best way to go about it. I am always amazed at how people don't realize the difference in noise that Hollywood suppressors make and real suppressors do

Seriously. My AAC Pilot will definitely make my 10/22 or Mk2 a whole lot quieter, but it isn't going to make it sound like a Hollywood "silenced" pistol. Gross decibel output depends more on the ammo you use than the suppressor type. Generally, the suppression runs around 20-30 dB, which can be really substantial if you are already using standard V ammo in a rifle or subsonic in a pistol. And anything bigger like 9mm or larger with a suppressor is still going to be loud enough wake someone up rudely from a sound sleep or hear pretty easily over the sound of an idling V8.

Mostly, suppressors make the sound "weirder" and, at least for me, harder to place unless I am really listening for it. But this business that you are going to tiptoe through a hostage situation and silently headshot your way through to the boss level without alerting anyone is pure, unadulterated fantasy.

Igneus wrote:
fishdude wrote:

Mine are also on a trust so they can be passed down more easily.

I have heard before that putting them in a trust is the best way to go about it. I am always amazed at how people don't realize the difference in noise that Hollywood suppressors make and real suppressors do

Used to be this way. They changed the law last June and I have to submit prints and photos for anyone on the trust. It is an added hoop to jump through but Silencershop.com had made it much easier with their kiosks.

Paleocon wrote:

Paleo hath spoken

I can put my Sparrow on my CZ bolt action and shoot 22 short or the Aguila Super Quiet and it is stupid quiet. Not much good past 40 yards but stupidly quiet. 22 cans are the most fun for me since they are so quiet. My 300bk is fairly quiet with subsonic ammo as well. Just another toy.

fishdude wrote:
Paleocon wrote:

Paleo hath spoken

I can put my Sparrow on my CZ bolt action and shoot 22 short or the Aguila Super Quiet and it is stupid quiet. Not much good past 40 yards but stupidly quiet. 22 cans are the most fun for me since they are so quiet. My 300bk is fairly quiet with subsonic ammo as well. Just another toy.

I find that my 10/22 is pretty stupid quiet with standard V ammo and the can. With rifle barrel length, standard V ammo is just about fully burned by the time it reaches the muzzle so the only thing you're really hearing is the sonic crack, which in an object the size of a .22 round sounds a bit like one of those old paper cap guns my ancient ass had as a kid. And since it isn't the same sound signature as the expanding gas, it sounds quite a bit "weirder" as well so it would be really easy to not associate with gunfire.

My understanding is is that this precise configuration with passive IR optics is what the IDF uses for use as "hush puppy" guns for, um, silencing guard dogs when conducting raids.

Paleocon wrote:

My understanding is is that this precise configuration with passive IR optics is what the IDF uses for use as "hush puppy" guns for, um, silencing guard dogs when conducting raids.

That makes a lot of sense.

Sydhart wrote:

Still haven't purchased a pistol yet. Can't decide!

To echo what the more informed people than me said earlier, have you gotten out and shot these at a range? If not see if any shop/ranges have a rental station with these available, and go shoot what you can. There really is nothing better than getting your hands on them and putting some rounds down range so you can make a good informed decision.

Our only local renting place doesn't have any of these in stock. The only one they have that is close is a S&W M&P 40 fullsize.

There is a discussion on a dl at work for firearms owners and the current topic is subcompacts for CCW. A whole mess of folks are advocating the P938 and it is taking every bit of self control not to point out to them that none of the folks that talk about carrying them have the training to do so safely and responsibly.

For the record:

A SAO is properly carried in Condition One. C1 is an "advanced carry" option that is not to be screwed around with by folks who just like the look and feel of a 1911 or scaled down version of a 1911. It is quite a bit more complicated and requires quite a bit more training to carry, deploy, use, and holster safely. It requires many, many hours of training to drill to the point of snake brain habit. And the failure to properly execute any one of those steps can and does regularly result in tragedy.

Don't be like these people. If you are going to carry, get the appropriate gun and devote the appropriate training.