1st Gun Experience

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My S&W 627 has a tactical rail on it and I recently bought a flashlight/laser combo for it. I had heard, however, that you have to be careful with firing the gun too much with the light on it (e.g practicing at the range) because the barrel of a revolver tends to get pretty hot and may damage the light over time. Is this true?
 
Any opinions on Ruger Mini 14 or 30?

They are fun guns, but if I were to spend my money on a .223 rifle, I'd buy an AR first before I'd buy a Mini 14. AR's are more customizable and in general more reliable.
That said, if there is a reason why I couldn't get an AR (Local gun regs, wife that doesn't like big black guns, etc.) I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Mini 14.
 
While we're posting pics ...

trg-42.jpg


Took my new TRG-42 out to the range yesterday. Don't have a dedicated scope for it yet, so swapped one from another rifle for the day.

A few rounds to zero @ 200 yards and chrono'd the 250 grain factory ammo at 2830 fps. Then up to the 1000 yard range ... plugged the #s into the ballistic computer, dialed in a measly 7.6 mils of elevation, hit after easy hit on a steel plate from the rest.

BANG ... 3 (target sways) ... 2 ... 1 ... CLANK!
BANG ... 3 (target sways) ... 2 ... 1 ... CLANK!
BANG ... 3 (target sways) ... 2 ... 1 ... CLANK! 😀

Couldn't stop giggling.
 
Nice shooting with a very nice rifle. Which suppressor are you getting for it?

Is that a small section of rail on the barrel just above the forward sling attachment?

- pod
 
I recently bought my first handgun as well, a glock 19. My question involves the aftermath of a situation. As a physician, if I kill someone in self defense could I loose my, job, license, etc?
 
I recently bought my first handgun as well, a glock 19. My question involves the aftermath of a situation. As a physician, if I kill someone in self defense could I loose my, job, license, etc?

Doubtful you have anything to worry about in Texas or Florida. But, since each state has its own laws I recommend finding out in detail about them.
 
PGG,

Have you started using any variable power scopes on your ARs or just RDS? I've got a AP T1 on my one ar but have decided to put a 1x-4x on my second I just built. I've been looking at the trijicon tr24 and swfa ss.

I want the variable power for some hunting purposes but don't want to loose the close range capability either.


As far as self defense and your license. Know your local laws, get a carry permit. And get quality training. You have to survive the first fight to fight the legal battle later. Then of course there will be an emmotional battle after that.
 
Nice shooting with a very nice rifle. Which suppressor are you getting for it?

We have a Surefire FA338SS about a month or two into the Form 4 wait. Took a long time just to get it to our dealer by Form 3.

The Thunderbeast 338 can gets great reviews and I considered that for a while. But we have a couple other Surefire suppressors for .30 cal rifles and .223 ARs, and I'm totally sold on the QD mount system. The Surefire cans themselves are really top notch too, even though the pre-SOCOM generation seems to suppress a little less effectively than some other brands.

I also ruled out the direct thread on cans, in large part because the rifle will be shot unsuppressed (brake only) in my not-free state >>1/2 the time, and suppressed in my brother's home state the rest of the time. I wanted to put a brake mount on, and forget about it.


Is that a small section of rail on the barrel just above the forward sling attachment?

Not exactly. It's a kind of L-shaped piece that fits under the barrel and attaches to the receiver to put another sling mount off to the side (hard to see in the pic). I think you can get a picatinny-type section of rail to attach there in a free-floated fashion. I'm not sure what anyone would put on a rail there, maybe a clip on thermal or NV sight.




Have you started using any variable power scopes on your ARs or just RDS? I've got a AP T1 on my one ar but have decided to put a 1x-4x on my second I just built. I've been looking at the trijicon tr24 and swfa ss.

I have a fixed 2x ACOG on one which I kind of like, and an Aimpoint on another which I like a little better.

I have one of the new 1-6x SWFA scopes on order but I probably won't actually get it before I leave for Afghanistan. Really looking forward to that one. I ordered it as part of their Facebook promotion maybe 6 months ago, package deal for their 5-20x scope (usually lives on a 20" AR10, also on the Sako pictured above), but they had delays with production or something so I'm still waiting on the 1-6x.

My brother has one of the Nikon M-223 scopes on an AR, the 3-12x model with BDC reticle. Shot it a couple days ago and if not for the pretty gusty wind blowing the 55 gr vmax bullets around past ~300-400 yards, would've been getting hits on steel out past 500 with just the holdovers. I liked it enough that I think one of my scopeless AR10s will get a variable M-308.



As far as self defense and your license. Know your local laws, get a carry permit. And get quality training. You have to survive the first fight to fight the legal battle later. Then of course there will be an emmotional battle after that.

Agreed, and think about what you'll do and which attorney you'll call before that day comes.

If it's a justified self-defense shooting, I wouldn't worry about your medical license. If it's not, worry first about the felony charges and conviction, and worry second about how that felony conviction will affect your medical license.

Avoidance and de-escalation are super important. Most of the "self-defense" shootings where the person ends up in legal trouble have some color to them. People doing dumb things, in suspect places, around shady people. Case in point: Zimmerman.
 
Two more pics ...

Getting ready for tomorrow:

338reloading.jpg


96 grains of Retumbo behind 250 gr Lapua scenars, in new Lapua brass with Fed 215M primers.


For perspective, .223 on the left, .308 in the middle, 338 LM on the right.

223-308-338.jpg
 
I recently bought my first handgun as well, a glock 19. My question involves the aftermath of a situation. As a physician, if I kill someone in self defense could I loose my, job, license, etc?

Doubtful you have anything to worry about in Texas or Florida. But, since each state has its own laws I recommend finding out in detail about them.

If the shooting is justified, you should be fine. If it's not, you won't need to work where you'll be going, anyway. 😉

Good choice of handgun, BTW. I have a 19 myself.
 
How many magazines do you guys own for a home defense/range type gun? Why not more or less?

I like to have at least three for a carry piece. That way, I can keep one loaded with self-defense ammo, and use the other two at the range with FMJ. Not that it's that big a deal to unload a magazine, of course.

I've got six or seven mags for my Glock, including a 33-rounder. They were half the price of my Kahr mags.
 
How many magazines do you guys own for a home defense/range type gun? Why not more or less?

Magazines are semi-disposable parts. They break or get lost. Some don't feed as well as others and get marked 'range' or practice use only. I have probably 5 or 6 for most handguns. A couple guns I have more.

Some people fear another high capacity magazine ban and say you should buy LOTS of them. My tinfoil isn't wrapped that tight. But at $8-10 for a 30rd AR magazine, there's no reason not to have a dozen or so.

Also, some magazines retail for $10. Some are $200.



For a defensive gun, you should have at least a couple extra. It's very important to run a bunch of your actual defensive ammo through the gun using the actual magazine(s) you're going to carry. It's sort of expensive shooting quality $1/round defensive ammo at paper at the range, but you need to confirm that your gun/magazine will feed that stuff reliably. It's not unheard of for a gun to reliably feed cheap FMJ ammo but occasionally hang up on some hollow points. The time to discover your gun has a penchant for jamming with a particular brand of JHPs is not when it's pointed at a guy swinging a crowbar. 🙂



Also, here's an ammo purchase tip if you like Gold Dots for your defensive rounds. They package it in 20 round boxes for the commercial market and 50 round boxes for the law enforcement market. Usually very roughly the same price per box. The larger boxes are marked "duty" ammo. The actual rounds are identical, but the "duty" ammo is <1/2 the price. There is no prohibition or law against civilians buying the duty marked boxes.

Example:
http://www.policehq.com/Products/CCI-9GD - 50 rounds 124gr GDHPs 9mm for $29
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20rds-9mm-speer-gold-dot-124gr-hp-ammo - 20 rounds 124gr GDHPs 9mm for $21
 
How many magazines do you guys own for a home defense/range type gun? Why not more or less?

Mostly I carry a revolver, but my BUG is a semi. I carry two magazines for it (one in the weapon and one reload).

I own anywhere from 2 to 12 magazines per gun depending on the role it fills in my collection and the capacity. The high end is for my carbines and rifles, and the low end for my handguns. I have been buying additional magazines for all of my guns that hold more than 10 rounds since the election.

- pod
 
Two more pics ...

Getting ready for tomorrow:

338reloading.jpg


96 grains of Retumbo behind 250 gr Lapua scenars, in new Lapua brass with Fed 215M primers.


For perspective, .223 on the left, .308 in the middle, 338 LM on the right.

223-308-338.jpg

Just curious but what are you using the 338 LM on? Are you hunting with that?
 
Just curious but what are you using the 338 LM on? Are you hunting with that?

Mostly steel targets. I can get out to 1000 with .308 but wanted to try something a bit further, and it's just a cool gun.

Never been hunting in my life. Maybe someday. The 338 LM is purely for the grins.
 
Mostly steel targets. I can get out to 1000 with .308 but wanted to try something a bit further, and it's just a cool gun.

Never been hunting in my life. Maybe someday. The 338 LM is purely for the grins.

Cool. I would like a 50 cal bmg for fun, can't afford it now though. Where do you find a range for those shots? In the east it is tough to find ranges that size.
 
Cool. I would like a 50 cal bmg for fun, can't afford it now though. Where do you find a range for those shots? In the east it is tough to find ranges that size.

Wide open rural CA.

I think it's $35/year for membership to a place that has
- walk-up pistol range with about 20 steel targets
- 22 range with steel spinner targets at 25, 50, 75, and 100 y (my kids love this one)
- 25 and 100 y rifle sight in ranges
- rifle range with steel targets at 200, 300, 400, and 500 y
- long rifle range with steel targets at 1000 y (actually it's more like 950)

And public land in Arizona.

It's going to be a problem when we move back to Virginia ... not much more than 200y within a couple hours of our house.
 
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Guess you will just have to move to Montana!

I had a particularly fruitful trip to Texas this last 12 days.

8240143992_0bc00bc515.jpg


It took some shuffling, but the suitcases all weighed exactly 49.5 pounds!

- pod
 
Wide open rural CA.

I think it's $35/year for membership to a place that has
- walk-up pistol range with about 20 steel targets
- 22 range with steel spinner targets at 25, 50, 75, and 100 y (my kids love this one)
- 25 and 100 y rifle sight in ranges
- rifle range with steel targets at 200, 300, 400, and 500 y
- long rifle range with steel targets at 1000 y (actually it's more like 950)

And public land in Arizona.

It's going to be a problem when we move back to Virginia ... not much more than 200y within a couple hours of our house.

That is an insane price for a range. Back east where I started shooting it was 40 per day at the public range and to join a gun club was 300+.
 
Oh man, anybody else catch this *****ic pro-gun control editorial from the brain trust that is NBC and Bob Costas (citing a Jason Whitlock article no less) on the SNF halftime show? Don't want to thread-jack, but this kind of crap drives me insane.

In case you're wondering, HK P2000SK 357 Sig. I'm a big fan.
 
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Oh man, anybody else catch this *****ic pro-gun control editorial from the brain trust that is NBC and Bob Costas (citing a Jason Whitlock article no less) on the MNF halftime show? Don't want to thread-jack, but this kind of crap drives me insane.

In case you're wondering, HK P2000SK 357 Sig. I'm a big fan.

Saw it. Was actually going to post a similar comment. His commentary shouldn't surprise anyone though.
 
Please like Fire Bob Costas on Facebook. Help us get to 10,000 likes by the end of Monday Night Football.

Or this one if you can stand to like a page with such a blatant misspelling.

Fire Robert "Bob" Costas - NBS Sports Reporter

Not sure which will get more traction.

I have already cancelled my subscription to NFL online and will cancel Sunday Ticket tomorrow when DirecTV reopens.

I will be firing off several letters to Sunday Night Football advertisers tomorrow.

No more NFL or Olympics for me unless there is an on air apology, a resignation, or a firing. They fired Hank Williams Jr for a lot less on his own time.

- pod
 
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Looks like you got your 300BLK. Did you decide on a can for it?

I won't get to shoot it for 6 months or so, but I was stoked to find something to feed it for a reasonable price. This stuff is incredibly hard to find. I have seen some classified ads which list the subsonic loads at twice retail price. Not a bad gig for the seller. Free ammo if you buy two and sell one.

I am trying to find the 7.62 SOCOM.

- pod
 
I won't get to shoot it for 6 months or so, but I was stoked to find something to feed it for a reasonable price. This stuff is incredibly hard to find. I have seen some classified ads which list the subsonic loads at twice retail price. Not a bad gig for the seller. Free ammo if you buy two and sell one.

I am trying to find the 7.62 SOCOM.

- pod

Have to agree with the Surefire suppressor 👍 start looking for a few mounts now too. 🙂 NFA is a patient man's game ...

I bought my last 3 suppressors from silencedamerica.com, excellent prices. Don't know if he has any of the SOCOMs in yet though.


You reload, so you might keep an eye on rmrbullets.com - every so often he gets a load of pulled 220 SMKs in. A while back I got 1000 of them @ $.25 each, that plus the primed factory AAC brass from Midway ($130 for 500) puts the first 500 rounds under $.60 and each subsequent load a bit over $.30 with AA1680 powder. Subs will treat the brass nicely too. Wish I'd bought more of the 220s when they were in stock.

The 208 A-max bullets make good subs also. Midway has them discounted to around $.30 each all the time (including right now).
 
Don't forget the 225 grain Hornady Match

I'll have to give them a try.

Right now, short of finding good quality pulls at a huge discount, the 208 A-max seems to be the sweet spot for accurate/cheap subs.

Some people are casting their own bullets for Blackout rifles. Supposedly they don't lead the suppressor too much at subsonic speeds, but my .308 can isn't user serviceable so I'm reluctant to go that way. Also, I'm not into casting bullets, yet. Maybe someday.

Also, I'm on a bit of a hiatus.
 
I draw the line at casting. Not only are cheap/free lead wheel weights drying up, but in the course of my normal practice, I see too much lead poisoning to even think about smelting my own lead. I've treated 3 range employees for lead poisoning over the last couple years.

The A-Max and the Match are about the same price retail. I like the slightly heavier bullet as I can throw a touch more powder behind it and make a little more gas.
 
This is going to be an expensive habit.

It's amazing how small changes in technique over the course of one day at the range to the next have increased my accuracy and precision. Recently got frustrated, came home and watched a bunch of Todd Jarrett videos on YouTube, few other videos, and read a bunch of articles. This led to minor changes in grip, trigger finger position, and other technical changes but the results are significant.
 
This is going to be an expensive habit.

It's amazing how small changes in technique over the course of one day at the range to the next have increased my accuracy and precision. Recently got frustrated, came home and watched a bunch of Todd Jarrett videos on YouTube, few other videos, and read a bunch of articles. This led to minor changes in grip, trigger finger position, and other technical changes but the results are significant.

Awesome. 👍

If it's an option, see about getting some professional instruction. Even if it's only 30 minutes or an hour, a good instructor will make you better. There's no substitute for a trained eye watching you shoot.

And the benefit of good instruction never ends. I'm doing my pre-deployment combat training right now - it's pretty basic stuff, many people here have never held guns and are getting qualified on the M9 (Beretta 92FS 9mm) and M4 (14.5" M16) for the first time. But even though I've owned guns for years and have multiple handguns and ARs of my own, I've improved over the last few days.
 
Although they look pretty similar, the one you posted is the SOCOM556. Mine is the SOCOM762.

The 7.62 is 2.2 inches longer and 2.5 ounces heavier with identical diameter so it looks slightly different.

Should be able to initiate the Form-4 by the middle of January, meaning that it will likely transfer to me before the SBR that I intend to mount it on does.

- pod
 
This is going to be an expensive habit.

It's amazing how small changes in technique over the course of one day at the range to the next have increased my accuracy and precision. Recently got frustrated, came home and watched a bunch of Todd Jarrett videos on YouTube, few other videos, and read a bunch of articles. This led to minor changes in grip, trigger finger position, and other technical changes but the results are significant.

Haley puts out some good info on dryfire and draw practice....can't totally replace actual rounds but it's a free augment to training
 
I had an enjoyable morning.

m2.jpg


The barrel's not actually resting on that wood, it's just so hot it's broiling it.

This is what 800+ rounds of 50 BMG does to the ground in front of the barrel (I didn't get to fire them all, there were lots of us):

m2-crater.jpg


Noisy, too. I don't really understand why the military doesn't use more suppressors.


Also some more belt-fed time with a M240B (7.62) and a M249 (5.56). Just familiarization fire, not much formal training. Spent the rest of the day working with the M4s.


I went looking on gunbroker right afterwards, out of curiosity. There's a never-fired transferrable Sako-made M2 up for sale right now, priced to sell at $56,000. 🙁
 
I had an enjoyable morning.

m2.jpg


🙁

So, 20 innocent children and 6 adults were executed in CT today, in one of our nations' worst and most horrific mass shootings ever -- and your (thoughtless) response is to post pics of guns you shot today? Are u ****ing kidding me?
Are you completely and socially inept? Are u that psychologically numb, morally spent and emotionally damaged, in the name of your precious killing weapons, that you could not even have a momen of heart to rethink your post?

I had a mere teaspoon of respect left for you, and now I have none. You are an example that jerks can be found in all professions. There's something bigger than you out there, and your precious gun collection, 20 kids are laying face down, 5 year olds, 8 year olds, on cold cement tonight in a NATIONAL TRAGEDY. An elementary school was attacked. And you post smoking gun pics. What are ****ing **** you are. Be well Pgg. You are a pathetic human being.

Imagine if it were one of your kids, 4th grade, that went to school and ended life there while facing a glock. But you are so incapable of processing something like that, that u make a tactless posting in the midst of a national tragedy. I'm sure if it were YOUR innocent kindergartner you'd be standing up for 1787 laws. Antiquated laws. I'm sure you'd tell your spouse "he had a right to own the gun..."
Your post here is REPREHENSIBLE under the circumstances.

I'd say most parents tonight are grabbing their kids extra tight and being thankful it wasn't us. Kids. Brothers. Sisters. Playmates. Classmates. All will wonder "why can't I play with my friend anymore." And instead of reflecting on this tragedy, how could a numb mindless human being reflect, rather you post smoking gun pics the same afternoon as a tragedy.

You need help. You're sickening.

D712
 
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My apologies if anyone besides d712 was offended.


Today's tragedy in Connecticut was a result of mental illness, not the tool the nut chose.

Enough is enough with this crap.

Every gun needs to be registered, there need to be penalties against the owner if their gun is used in a crime, and all those who seek to own guns need a background check and psych eval.

How many innocent people have to die before you're willing to compromise on this ridiculous notion that everyone no matter how sick should be allowed easy access the tools for mass murder? When will it be enough for you? A shooting in a nursery school, a hospital nursery?
 
Apology accepted. And you're right, it was surely mental health related. And also, slightly, gun related. A change from above is needed, a massive change. Though you pointed the killers mental illness out and avoided the gun control debate, your post -- regardless of the killers means or methods or madness, remains in ATROCIOUS TASTE.

I apologize for using insulting terms. Though I stand by them, there are other ways to communicate such ideas and feelings.

d712
 
Enough is enough with this crap.

Every gun needs to be registered, there need to be penalties against the owner if their gun is used in a crime, and all those who seek to own guns need a background check and psych eval.

How many innocent people have to die before you're willing to compromise on this ridiculous notion that everyone no matter how sick should be allowed easy access the tools for mass murder? When will it be enough for you? A shooting in a nursery school, a hospital nursery?

Amen.
 
I'm going to respond to you once more, and then resume pseudo-ignoring you for all the reasons I've laid out before. (I'd put you on ignore, but as a mod I feel obligated to read everything posted on the forum, just for situational awareness. Dirty job, but someone's got to do it ...)


First, if you MUST re-re-re-re-re-re-re-open the gun control debate, this is a nice article to read.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine...se-for-more-guns-and-more-gun-control/309161/


Second, if the thought of icky guns offends you on a day like today, consider not reading threads with the word "gun" in the subject line.


And with that, I am disengaging again. Declare victory if you like. I wouldn't have responded to you at all, if not for the possibility that someone besides you might have been offended by my post in the context of today's events.
 
Get off the pulpit doc712, there is nothing insulting about him talking about target shooting. This is not a gun control thread...take it somewhere else
 
This dude is psychotic, not evil.

There are psychotic people in every country.

The reason this **** happens in the US is because there are so many guns.
 
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