Preparing for the 2009 Flintlock Season

I'm thinking about buying a Thompson Center Firestorm with a SS barrel. I've found one for about $449 NIB. Not a great deal, but not too bad either.

First, I wanted to contact the PA Gaming Commission to make sure that this type of flintlock would be acceptable for use during PA's Hunting Seasons. I was told on the phone that this model would be OK for use during the flintlock season. I didn't want to spend the money only to find out they didn't allow the use of synthetic stocks or something else.

I read a GunWeek Review on the Firestorm and a forum post on HuntingPA about the Firestorm that sounded pretty good and a friend mentioned that he was looking at one of these models as well. I only wish it came with a nice wooden stock and brass accents like the Hawken.

From the research I've done this week, I think I'll go with one. Happy Birthday to me!

UPDATE: I just picked up the Firestorm and it looks great. My wallet isn't so happy about the fact that flintlocks require a whole range of dedicated accessories and cleaning tools, but I think it's cool. It's a modern flintlock, but to me it's still a great tribute.

The Wish List

Well, I've almost assembled everything I need for a good foundation. I need to add a few accessories, but I really need more time at the range and a good supply of ammo. I've done away with a "B-List" since I'm just focusing on what I need right now.

Next on the "Buy list"
• Kel-tec Sub-2000 - 9mm Glock compatible model; for the car; companion for the Glock 17 to be kept in the car as well

Accessories
• optics
• M1A optics mount
• slings
  
• holsters

Convert your M1A into a "BullDog"

Glock 30SF

Figures. I have a Glock 30 that I picked up a couple of months ago. I love it. It's compact, .45 ACP, and the handgun I'm going to get licensed to carry first.

Then I noticed that TopGlock.com has begun to take pre-orders for a new SF model, but with some significant differences. I haven't found official information on the new SF model on Glock's website. Apparently there's no ambi-mag relase (that's a shame) and no Picatinny rail (no surprise).

I'm going to have to check one of these out now as well. I won't part with my Glock 30. I put a lot of thought into buying a weapon and I don't believe in selling them.

Cashman Gunshow Dec 15-16th

This weekend is another "Crossroads of the West" gun show here in Las Vegas. I went to the same show in October. From their website, it looks as though they have four shows here a year.

I'd never been to a gun show before the one in October. I've been to a few trade shows before. Two Macworld conventions - one in Boston and one in NYC and an Outdoor Retailer show in Utah. Those trade shows had glitz and glamor, but it wasn't really the scene where you could really buy something for yourself. You could get a lot of free products, but it was more about showing off the stuff for the upcoming year.

This gun show is more a massive flea market, with the coolest toys you can ever imagine. There's a lot of silly junk as well, but you know what they say about "one man's junk..." Not much glitz or glamor here, but that's alright with me.

I went by myself the first time. I found an online coupon that saved me a buck on the entry cost. When I got there I was buzzing with excitement. There were folks in the parking lot returning to their cars with rifles, pistols, gun cases, and ammo pulled in heavy duty carts. It was awesome and I hadn't even been inside yet. There were families, old folks, young folks, almost anyone you could imagine.

Unfortunately, inside I wasn't able to take any pictures. It was mayhem. I set up my cruising path and drooled over the tables and tables of guns and accessories. I bought some really good beef jerky, some ammo, a mag or two and then I finally decided to pick up my Glock 30. I'd been dreaming of getting one ever since I decided to relegate my Kahr PM9 to "pocket-backup".

There was a huge line since the national background check system had been off-line. I stood in line behind a guy that was buying an XD40 and another who was buying his first Colt AR-15. I can't remember off hand, but I got a pretty good deal. I was given a special option to pay with a personal check rather than have to pay an additional surcharge to use my credit card.

The gentleman buying the XD40 was in his 50's and was buying his first handgun. He had his son and grandson visit him in line and they were off looking for different ammo, so perhaps his son had guns and turned him into a proud gun owner. I said he'd be very happy with his XD40. I told him I had an XD45ACP. I said that the only thing I've heard that comes remotely close to criticism is that they aren't "from" America. Thinking that Springfield Armory made them, he thought they were American. I didn't push it. He'll be happy.

This weekend, my wife is coming with me. We'll probably buy more jerky, some ammo, perhaps a mag or two, and maybe a few odds and ends. I'd really like her to be less mystified with gun culture. I'd really like to see her a shooter as well. I might bring my brother-in-law as well. He's been out shooting with me as well and might enjoy the scene.

I'd really like to buy some stuff off my wish list, but that'll have to wait.

New additions to the gun locker

In the last month or so I've picked up three new additions that nicely round out my arsenal.
Mossberg 590 with a Speedfeed stock (50668)
I was literally talked into this one and if a gun purchase could ever fall into the impulse-buy catagory, this one would be it. We needed a shotgun and I've been thinking about getting one since I began buying guns. I almost immediately upgraded it with a Surefire 623FA.
I had problems installing the fore end because the light hit the bayonet lug attached to the barrel band. The place I bought it from didn't tell me that I might have problems even though the salesman said afterwards that he knew there might be problems. What the hell is that? What a prick. I probably would have bought the fore end anyhow, but it would have been nice to know about potential problems before making the purchase. Surefire didn't have anything about it on their sight either. After two sessions with the store's gunsmith, I had the bayonet lug milled off and I was back in business. I need the light more than a bayonet, I just hate to change a gun unless absolutely necessary - it was necessary. I have to say that I was pretty concerned about the recoil. My .308 Springfield Armory M1A kicked me pretty hard to the point I needed a shooting pad. I'm about 140lbs and don't have a lot of bulk. I've read that with the right recoil I should be able to handle larger caliber firearms. I found a cool article on shooting a shotgun using an alternative stance and it's worked wonders. I'm anxious to try it out with my M1A as well. I'm more bothered by the noise of a heavy OO Buckshot load than its recoil. I still need lots of practice and training.
Glock 19
I am a fan of Glocks. I like their reliability, handling, and range of accessories. I have another 9mm model, the 17. I bought that one a few years ago. The model 19 is a wonderful sized pistol, something that my wife can shoot comfortably. Ultimately, I'm planning on keeping the 17 in the car and the 19 around the house for that bump-in-the-night. I'll have to look into getting a good light for it as well, whether it be hand-held or a weapon-light.
Glock 30
I had bought a Kahr PM9 for CCW. I had barrel-peening problems and still have to have that fixed. I'm confident that Kahr will take care of me, but I ultimately decided that I want to carry a .45ACP. I think I'll need a considerable amount of training to pass the CCW qualification, but that won't have as much to do with the caliber as my trigger skills. I bought a Thunderwear holster for it since there's no way I could conceal a 30 on my hip, not with my build. I'm planning on carrying it with a 9 rd magazine with a 13 rd back up. I still plan on carrying the PM9 in a pocket holster, just in case.

Stressed out over ammo

I don't usually pay much attention to my dreams. But I had a slightly disturbing one last night and I know it's mostly because I'm relatively stressed out in my situation right now. No big deal.

In the dream, I was in a huge house with two elementary school friends - now grown up as well. We had to defend ourselves in the house from hoards of people or things outside. I know, cliche zombie movie. That much was entertaining. I had my small arsenal to which my friends added a couple firearms of their own. I only remember a .357 magnum revolver because I didn't have any rounds for it.

Which brings me to the heart of the "nightmare". We were adequately armed with various handguns and long arms, but I was haunted by the realization that we didn't have many rounds to fend off the intermittent waves of attackers. A few shot shells, a hand full of pistol rounds and a few mags worth of rifle rounds. That was it.

Once I woke up, I began to realize that I don't have a suitable stockpile of ammunition at home or cached away. I only have a total of about 500 rounds, not including about 500 rimfire rounds. I was planning on really building up what I have at hand, but I think I should really consider what I want to keep in stock. I'm not planning on an invasion. I just want to keep a comfortable cache for those "dry" times.

$5000 Shopping Spree

Starting with what I already have (in black) I'm looking to add some essentials to get me going before I have to start saving again. Additions in blue.

• Springfield Armory M1a Loaded
• 4 x 20rd magazines
• 6 x 20rd magazines $240
  
• cleaning kit $15
• ?? sling
• ?? spare parts

• P.O.F. Piston .308 Rifle $2300
• ?? magazines
• ?? sling

• Remington 870 Tactical w/ Surefire forend $1000
• ?? sling
  
• Bushmaster Modular Carbine
• 6 x 30rd magazines
• 14 x 30rd magazines $280
  
• tactical cleaning kit
• ?? sling
  
• full replacement parts kit $150

• Rock River AR-15 complete lower with a 6-pos. stock
• P.O.F. Piston 5.56 Upper $1000
  
• Remington 700 VSF $1150
  

• Ruger 10/22
• 3 x 10rd rotary magazines
• ?? sling
• Springfield Armory XD45ACP
• 2 x 13rd magazines
• 6 x 13rd magazines $150
  
• ?? holster $40
  
• Glock 27
• 3 x 9rd magazines
• 1 x 15rd magazine
• 5 x 15rd magazines $125
• ?? CCW holster
  
• Glock 17
• 4 x 17rd magazines
• 6 x 17rd magazines $150
• .22LR Conversion Kit & 3 mags $325
  
• ?? holster
  
• Kahr PM9
• 1 x 6rd magazine
• 2 x 7rd magazines
• 3 x 7rd magazines $100
• ?? pocket holster
  
• Browning Buckmaster
• 4 x 10rd magazines
• 6 x 10rd magazines $100
  
• Rifle/Pistol cleaning kits
• Glock Complete Replacement Parts Kit
• AR-15 Field Repair Kit
  
• Ammo
• .308
• .223
• .45
• .40
• 9mm
• .22

Priorities are:

1. 12ga Home Defense Shotgun
2. POF 556 Piston Upper
3. POF 762 Piston Rifle

A hypothetical order from Bushmaster
Another from Natchez
And another from Topglock
I'm not doing such a great job staying within my budget, but this is what it is all about. Start big and work down from there.

New toys

Well, I came back from the summer with:

1. Kahr PM9
2. Springfield Armory M1A Loaded
3. Rock River Arms AR-15 Complete Lower w/6-position Stock (unknown trigger)
   
4. Springfield Armory XD45ACP

My first impressions about the PM9 were:

• god this thing is small
• it is very controllable
• love the trigger
• a little rough on the finishing, especially on the polymer frame
• a pain in the ass to take-down (it did get much easier)
• gonna have to spend some time to learn how to shoot this thing accurately
• and did I mention that it was small? gonna be a great carry gun

Ultimately I had some real problems with the PM9 and I'm going to have to speak with Kahr about taking a look at the barrel and the slide. I can't even describe what happened, but I'll try. The top edge of the barrel that is between the square, chamber-end and the cylindrical barrel section has gotten "mashed" for lack of a better term. The slide now catches on the top of the deformed "detent" and the weapon fails to automatically cycle between EVERY shot. This happened soon after the 200 round break-in period. I'm really anxious about this problem. I hope Kahr will help me out here.

The M1A is a hoot to shoot. I went through about 40 round of Spanish surplus with great results. I sorta forgot that I was supposed to break-in the barrel and clean it more often, but I hope that shouldn't effect the accuracy down the road. Let me stress that I'm a new shooter and new to rifles... my third string of three-rounds was 1MOA at a 100 yards! This rifle kicks butt.

I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my XD45, but here were my first impressions with this lovely piece:

• as polymer-frames go, this thing is beautiful
• it fit my hand very well, though the grip seemed a bit long
• it points well
• great features
• accurate
• controllable
• and a hell of a lot of fun to shoot

So, I'm just dreaming about my next summer of fun, when I'll be able to get back and shoot some more. Lots to learn!

TopGlock Summer Order