maybe I should keep my 44 magnum loaded as my personal defense handgun. it will definitely penetrate through anyone, and if I run out of ammo it would double as a club. By the time I managed to run out of ammo, me and the attacker would both have permanent hearing loss.

8/11/2009 10:08:49 PM

Quote :

"According to most FBI ballistic studies penetration, not expansion, is king. The problem is, you trade that off with HPs."

I was told this is why the .357 SIG/.357 Mag round is so good for a carry weapon.

[Edited on August 12, 2009 at 1:28 AM. Reason : ,]

8/12/2009 1:26:56 AM

Any recommendations for a hiking holster?

I plan on backpacking soon and need something that won't get in the way, but is easily accessible.

Any ideas?

I'm considering:

The safepacker http://store.thewilderness.com/product_info.php?products_id=18
which also has the added benefit of multi use.

A galco shoulder holster.

A chest holster (heard this might interfere with the chest strap.

Thigh holster.

[Edited on August 12, 2009 at 5:52 PM. Reason : eh]

8/12/2009 5:52:00 PM

From what I have read, thigh holsters are not good for hiking.

8/12/2009 8:48:43 PM

I'd say a Simply Rugged holster with a Chesty Puller rig:





http://www.simplyrugged.com/leather_goods/index.html

8/12/2009 10:14:13 PM

I bet it looked better on Chesty Puller, that would probbably get old quick, as would a shoulder holster. As goofy as a safepacker is for every day, it may be right for you. or a galco fannypack holster ( tommy lee jones in The Fugitive)

8/12/2009 10:24:39 PM

Thigh holsters suck if you walk any decent distance.

What kind of gun is it?
The Safepacker would be good for smaller guns (small as in not the size of a Super Redhawk). You could also look for accessory pouches that you attach to packs.

I wouldn't get the Simply Rugged chest harness. If I got a chest holster it would be the Grizzly Tuff. Simply Rugged actually used to carry Grizzly Tuff on their website.
http://www.grizzlytuff.com/

Actually, I'd just make my own (I made one for my SRH), but not everyone does that kinda stuff.
Chest holsters work the best for big heavy guns while wearing a pack.

[Edited on August 12, 2009 at 11:11 PM. Reason : ]

8/12/2009 11:10:27 PM

Hadn't heard of them, but yeah, that looks like it is purpose designed for a chest holster. Safe-packer is neat, but I'd have to learn more about the accessibility before I purchased one.

8/13/2009 9:13:07 AM

Wilderness makes some great products. Though I think the last chick I banged was a little turned off/perplexed when I took of my frequent flyer belt and she asked if I had a velcro belt on

8/13/2009 12:53:10 PM

For a graduation present my gf is getting me this to go on my AR:
http://www.primaryarms.com/product.sc?productId=78&categoryId=18
with the 5x magnifier in the quick disconnect mount

The Primary Arms stuff is getting great reviews on ar15.com and the price was great so I decided to take the gamble.

It will replace my old Bushnell Banner 4-12x40 that looks like somebody took a baseball bat to it. I got the scope thrown in with a trade but it still holds a zero even though it looks like horse shit.

My parents are getting me this for part of my graduation:


for an old beat up 22 that I bought with a busted stock

[Edited on August 13, 2009 at 2:13 PM. Reason : ]

8/13/2009 2:11:24 PM

Someone give me the Cliff's Notes version of building an AR from scratch. Not step-by-step, rather, roughly what is entailed, what some of the good stuff to include on a build is, super-quick summary of some of your preferred manufactuers, and what sort of price ranges we're talking about.

Speaking of which, think it might be smarter to wait a little while for prices to come back down? I'm not in a big hurry...I'm just starting to turn the gears in my head on this.

8/15/2009 11:06:09 PM

you need a few punches and the buttstock wrench to build a lower. dont break the tabs where the trigger guard pins on. I like Del-ton, its all made in USA. Complete uppers are the way to go, they are already headspaced. Buy it in component form on two separate days, you will save the 11% excise tax on complete firearms. Prices are coming down on gunbroker. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

8/16/2009 8:24:44 AM

how much money do you actually save by going with a stripped lower?


and holy shit, ACOGs are expensive. I didn't know they were THAT high.

8/16/2009 9:00:00 AM

There is not much difference between a built lower vs stripped lower + parts kit + time. It is worth it to buy a complete lower assembly and a complete upper assembly on separate days. What kind of rifle are you leaning towards?

8/16/2009 9:15:38 AM

Looking to top my Savage 99 with a 2 x 7 or 1.5 x 5 scope. Anyone got any recommendations? I'm looking at a Burris Timberline right now.

8/16/2009 10:09:38 AM

^^ carbine-length AR

8/16/2009 10:57:22 AM

http://www.theledger.com/

guns in national parks poll is on the right about half way down

8/16/2009 11:23:45 AM

IMHO I wouldn't go by gunbroker prices, use the ar15.com equipment and exchange forum for the lower side of going rates. Check and components and prices. Generally the ads that last on there for less than a few hours are good deals, a few hours to a few days normal prices, and stuff on there for more than a few days and the seller's asking price is too high or the item is flawed.

Rock River, Stag, DPMS, Bushmaster, and Colt are generally well-liked. There's a whole slew of manufacturers for most items. Colt and another brand that I can't remember off the top of my head have some proprietary shit on some of their models that won't interchange with other manufacturer's pieces so that was kind of a turn-off for me personally.

My buddies have saved anywhere from fifty bucks to a couple hundred by building it up instead of flatout buying it whole. It really depends on the deals you come by. Building a lower takes little effort but you just need to be careful and not pull a caveman smash. I did it with some masking tape, a hammer, and some cushions. Didn't even need to use the vise.

I saw a quite a few complete but basic AR's for around $700-800 or so at the last gun show in Charlotte, and prices seem to still be slowly coming down on most stuff. Primers still seem to be somewhat of a PITA to get.

8/17/2009 12:29:20 AM

You can save some money by building an AR, and you can build exactly the one you want.

However, you can also just be patient and keep your eyes open and complete rifles sometimes pop up at bargain prices, particularly from individuals in these times of unemployement, excessive debt, divorce, etc. Keep an eye on classifieds and trading post publications in your area.

Go to pawn shops and start haggling from a point some 40-50 percent below their asking price. These guys usually work with margins rather different than most gun shops. Plenty of them on 70 between where you live and Morehead.

And yes, ACOGs are high. That's why I don't have one yet.

Whether you build or buy really depends on what you want to do and how much time you want to spend doing it.

8/17/2009 12:44:24 PM

any recommendations on where to get a threaded bull barrel and stock for a Ruger 10/22?

8/17/2009 3:02:46 PM

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/17/men-tote-assault-rifles-at-obama-event/

Quote :

" At least two Arizona men brought assault rifles to President Obama’s speech Monday to the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Phoenix. CNN’s Ed Henry reported that one of the men was carrying an AR-15 assault rifle and shouted anti-Obama slogans. The men remained outside the convention center where the president was speaking. Henry said U.S. Secret Service and local police were "very much aware" of the situation and were paying close attention to the men. However, Arizona is an open-carry state, meaning it's legal to carry firearms in public as long as they are visible."

8/17/2009 8:41:25 PM

^aaaand?

8/17/2009 9:17:24 PM

Nothing. With my luck I'd get tasered repeatedly if I tried that.

8/17/2009 9:24:36 PM

Quote :

"Go to pawn shops and start haggling from a point some 40-50 percent below their asking price. These guys usually work with margins rather different than most gun shops. Plenty of them on 70 between where you live and Morehead."

Yeah, there's one not far from me...Gun & Pawn store beside the Honda/Yamaha dealer. Their prices are out of sight, though...on EVERYTHING. I mean, like $48 for a box of Winchester Silvertips...or $300 for an older, 26' LCD TV with no remote...

I know pawn shops expect to have to haggle, but when even their ammunition is priced in the stratosphere, I figure that I'm not likely to get them down to an attractive price on anything good.

8/17/2009 9:34:40 PM

Here is a picture CNN is running from the event. Obviously a white supremacist . . .

8/18/2009 10:17:57 AM

LOL. HLN ran this story this morning - try to act like it's so shocking and (I assume) trying to get a raise out of people.

Use your 1A rights and get commended - no national news headlines
Use your 2A rights and get berated - national news headlines


funny how that works....

[Edited on August 18, 2009 at 10:24 AM. Reason : .]

8/18/2009 10:23:48 AM

well if you're using your 1st amendment rights to criticize the current health care plan, you will still be berated

8/18/2009 10:55:12 AM

lol, true I guess

8/18/2009 11:28:48 AM

Quote :

"any recommendations on where to get a threaded bull barrel and stock for a Ruger 10/22?"

http://www.midwayusa.com/static/Ruger-1022.aspx

The Tactical Solutions barrels come threaded.

8/18/2009 12:06:15 PM

while I'm on the subject of ARs, let's talk about Class III licenses.

I didn't know that it was relatively easily doable to convert an AR to select-fire.

[Edited on August 18, 2009 at 10:51 PM. Reason : ]

8/18/2009 10:51:09 PM

^no such thing as "Class III licenses"

8/18/2009 11:13:27 PM

Quote :

"HLN ran this story this morning - try to act like it's so shocking and (I assume) trying to get a raise out of people."

I laughed when Robin Meade was leading in saying "there were reports of multiple men bringing assault rifles to the protest literally yards outside the presidential debate - see why police and secret service stood by and did NOTHING..."

I have to applaud all of the guys who were carrying though, they didn't act stupid and give a bad stereotype for america. If anything the black guy decked out like steve urkel acted tactful and informed during the interviews, even explaining it's our right, and he's exercising it in the spotlight because many are ill- or misinformed about open carry. Sadly IMHO I think they will all probably be blacklisted by the SS for 'unruly behavior' and 'possible terrorist motives' for the rest of their lives and watched like a hawk for doing it.

Fun fact of the day: Airgun (read: pellet and BB gun) and paintball markers cannot have silencers or sound suppressors without permission and payment to the ATF. They are classified in the same category as firearm silencers.

[Edited on August 18, 2009 at 11:33 PM. Reason : .]

8/18/2009 11:21:18 PM

^^

ok, fine, let's talk about the licensing requirements to own a Class III/Title II firearm...more specifically, converting an AR to select-fire.

I'm interested in corrections to any errant verbage. I can do without smartass remarks regarding semantics, without any useful information whatsoever.

8/18/2009 11:24:39 PM

^^

http://www.gamousa.com/product.aspx?product=Whisper&productID=234

8/19/2009 12:13:33 AM

you cannot create a new machine gun unless you are licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA

Quote :

" From here:http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#m (N2) May machine guns be transferred from one registered owner to another? Yes. If the machine gun was lawfully registered and possessed before May 19, 1986, it may be transferred pursuant to an approved ATF Form 4. "

You will have to buy RIDICULOUSLY priced pre 86 registered guns/receivers/conversion sears in order to do this and you CAN NOT manufacture your own.

All of this is before you even worry about NC laws, CLEO sign off, etc.

[Edited on August 19, 2009 at 12:20 AM. Reason : .]

8/19/2009 12:19:16 AM

^^That is permanently attached, which are legal. BATFE specifies removable silencer/suppressor that can be be easily used or modified for true firearms. They have no legal ability to supervise or oversee airgun/paint markers or those parts.

[Edited on August 19, 2009 at 1:43 AM. Reason : .]

8/19/2009 1:36:46 AM

Oh, so I can't just have a machine shop build me the parts.

That's probably going to make things nearly as expensive as just buying a machine gun, then.

8/19/2009 6:48:47 AM

Right, I think I have heard that registered FA lower receivers are ~$9-10k

Better start saving your pennies!

8/19/2009 7:41:33 AM

^^If you want to pony up for an 07/02 FFL/SOT then you can make all the machine guns and suppressors you want. You have to be in business though, as ATF frowns upon using an FFL for personal collecting.

To get a F/A AR-15 you can spend as little as 3-4k all the way up to 12-15k. A Lightning link is the cheapest option, but doesn't give you "real" F/A - that is, it's a plate designed to be used specifically in semi-auto guns with semi-auto bolt carriers. They're relatively flimsy, don't allow select fire, but they are a (relatively) cheap way to get a legal F/A.
http://quarterbore.com/nfa/lightninglink.html



Next option up is a registered M16 receiver. A pre-86 manufacture M16 is civvie ownable, and goes for about 12k. This gives you the real deal - all M16 F/A parts, and can be used with any upper. None of the trip/timing issues that are present with the other two methods either.
http://quarterbore.com/nfa/registeredreceiver.htm


The last and (arguably) best option is a registered drop-in auto sear. This is a little piece about the size of a 9v battery that fits in the cutout just forward of the rear takedown pin. This also requires having a M16 FCG and bolt carrier in each host gun, but that's what's beautiful - you can move it around. Whatever gun it's in becomes a MG, so you can swap it to whichever lower suits your fancy and put whatever upper you want on there too. These run from 12-15k and even higher.
http://quarterbore.com/nfa/dias.html


[Edited on August 19, 2009 at 8:51 AM. Reason : .]

8/19/2009 8:47:30 AM

4^Well, you didn't say that. It makes perfect sense that you can't have a silencer made to screw on a .22 pellet rifle.

[Edited on August 19, 2009 at 8:51 AM. Reason : more ^]

8/19/2009 8:50:20 AM

whatever you do, dont order the pre'81 auto drop in sear from the ad in shotgun news. its the atf, and there is no such thing as a pre '81 sear that is legal to own with no tax stamps.

8/19/2009 6:06:35 PM

For those of you who have flown with your guns, what do you use to transport them? Pelican Case is an obvious choice, but I was wondering if there was anything less expensive y'all had heard about.

8/19/2009 6:26:35 PM

re: Class III weapons, etc

I believe you have to give up your 4th Amendment rights to be able to legally own one, which SHOULD be a technicality if you are friends with your local sheriff...note I said "should"

8/19/2009 6:42:45 PM

^^^^My bad. Sorry, in my mind when I hear of a silencer I automatically envision a piece resembling a heavy walled barrel like you see in the movies, which the hitman is usually screwing onto the gun once he's cornered the good guy.

^^^lol, sounds like someone is speaking from experience

Last I heard those DIAS pieces were going for $16k+ thanks to nobama simply being elected. I just wonder how long they will function before breaking leave someone owning a $16k paperweight.

[Edited on August 19, 2009 at 6:55 PM. Reason : .]

8/19/2009 6:54:06 PM

I have heard of them being repaired after an out of battery detonation or blown case head, if you can find all of it. For the Lightning Link, someone makes a shield to go over it, the serial number and markings are on the thin connecting parts, and if that gets blown away, you have had it. I dont think the full auto guys shoot crappy ammo because of that.

8/19/2009 7:07:58 PM

^^^ RE: Pre 81 'drop in auto sears'

auto sears were made, up till 1981, often with no maker marks, no serial number, and were NOT registered as a machine gun. You could buy 1 cheap when you did a Form 1 to make your AR into a selective fire, at least up till 86. In 81, BATF 'closed the loophole'. They grandfathered in ALL pre 81 sears, allowing them to be registered. All post 81 sears that were NOT registered were considered an unregistered machine gun.

Issues:
a: If you own a legal to own, pre 81 sear, and any AR type rifle, you are breaking Federal law, drop in part plus gun = intent to make a machine gun.

b: If you own one as a curio piece, key chain gob, keyring, etc, its up to YOU to prove that it IS a pre 81 and not one made in your basement yesterday. The BATFE will assume its a post 81, no serial, and unregeistered and will charge you. The 'proof' letters with most of the no serial unregistered pre 81's for sale, the 100-200 each ones from shotgun news, are just xerox copies of the statement that the seller bought them pre 81.

c: Even if you find a seller, who has them for lets say $100, and they have a makers mark, and date, and a serial number, and are 1980 makers date. Seller sends you a notarized copy of paperwork 'proving' they are real pre 81 items, and legal. You do not own ANY ar based guns, nor have any in or about your property/friends truck/shared gun safe you have stuff stored in. You still run the risk that quiet a few of the 'legal full auto / legal auto sear' ads ARE sting operations or fishing operations by either law enforcement or by those who inform to law inforcement, and an illegal gun buy, or the creation of an illegal firearm, is the foot int he door that the feds love to use.

8/19/2009 7:14:36 PM

Exactly right, and the one from the ad for $199 is probbably made as soon as you order it by the feds, and comes with a free ATF visit right after the UPS man drops it off. The same ad has been running for years, the mailing address is Quantico, Va.

[Edited on August 19, 2009 at 8:26 PM. Reason : they tryin to hook ya]

8/19/2009 8:25:07 PM

Quote :

"For those of you who have flown with your guns, what do you use to transport them? Pelican Case is an obvious choice, but I was wondering if there was anything less expensive y'all had heard about."

http://www.stormcase.com/

Hell of a lot cheaper than Pelican and good quality.
You can fly with anything that is lockable as long as you can't easily pry it open or easily undo the lock.

I flew to Kalispell on my honeymoon with my carry gun.
Going to montana, I had the gun in a cheap $7 plastic pistol box. When I got there a shop had Storm cases and they looked really nice and are about 60% the price of a Pelican, so I bought one and flew back with the gun in that.

Make sure you read up on the TSA regulations.
Basically you bring it unloaded in a locked case or locked suitcase.
At the check in desk, you tell them you want to declare a firearm.
They'll give you the declaration tag to put in the suitcase (on top of the locked pistol case), then you bring your bag to the TSA.
You must be present if they open the case to inspect it.
Because you MUST be present, do not use a TSA approved lock (because you'd be there anyway to provide the key or combination). The TSA locks are keyed to allow the TSA to open your shit without destroying your lock.
I've read stories of people with TSA locks having their gun boxes rummaged through AFTER they had already checked it in and had the TSA inspect it.
If the TSA wants to inspect your gun and you are not there then they are not allowed to open the case and are not allowed to put it on the plane.

If the TSA gives you any bullshit then whip out the TSA's firearm regulations (that you already found on the net and printed out) and show the dumbasses the rules that they're supposed to play by. You may run into ill informed TSA workers.

When I left RDU, the TSA took my bag and was going to search it out of view in their search room. I insisted on standing in the doorway of the room and watched as they checked it all.
When I flew back from Montana I gave the bag to the TSA and was a little concerned because they just took the bag to the back. They ended up just sending it through the xray machine and sticking it in with the rest of the luggage. They didn't give a shit; I assume because they do it all the time.
The TSA in RDU seemed to get excited about a guy with a gun.

[Edited on August 20, 2009 at 11:05 AM. Reason : Ammo must be stored in original container or in something like a 50 rnd plastic ammo box.]

8/20/2009 11:04:14 AM

Thanks. I've heard varying levels of trouble with shipping firearms through TSA, mostly on account of ignorance on behalf of the TSA employees. I noticed Stormcase was purchased by Pelican, so we'll see what that does to prices.

8/20/2009 11:18:57 AM

Starlight is another one, but they dont have the selection that Pelican and Storm does. New Innovative Products makes starlight.

8/20/2009 6:07:44 PM