Showing posts with label shotgun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shotgun. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Catching up

I can't believe it's been over a year since I've posted. Guess I suck as a blogger. Well I've been busy! (Who hasn't?) Since June of 2009:

  1. We found out my wife was pregnant and we had our first baby. OK, I could probably stop there since that was such a huge change–it really effected our entire lives. I definitely haven't been shooting as much as I'd like, but it comes at a great trade off.
  2. I picked up a Savage Weather Warrior 16 FCSS in .308 Winchester with a Nikon Pro Staff 3-9x40 BDC scope. It's a great rifle that I'm still learning to shoot well. I love the stainless finish, AccuTrigger and AccuStock. This is my first bolt-action, so I don't have any other experiences to compare it to. I wonder if the bolt is stiffer than others. I've seen guys cycle some Remington's with just a flick of their wrist and I can't really do that. I might need to work on my technique, but I need to keep it in the context of hunting, since that's what I'm really planning on using the rifle for. I think the trigger is wonderful, and haven't touch the adjustments since I don't want to go with too light of a pull. I've used it for the past two deer seasons. Unfortunately, I haven't harvested anything yet.
  3. I now have a Benelli Vinci RealTree APG 26" that I used for the turkey season and shooting clays. It's a totally different beast than my Mossberg 590, no surprise there. It's a very smooth autoloader and the only problems I've had were with handloaded shells.
  4. I started handloading 12 gauge shells with a Lee Load-All II (?) reloader. I've handloaded about 350 shells and love it. It's perfect for me for the amount that I'm shooting. I was surprised how expensive lead shot is, but otherwise am really happy that the whole set up is really saving me some cash.
I'm sure there's lots more I'm forgetting but I had to try and cover what I could remember so that I can start from somewhere.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

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.

Friday, November 02, 2007

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.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Adjustable Shotgun Stock

I saw that Remington was selling "tactical" versions of their 870 shotguns with these stocks and they look like a great add-on for any shotgun! Knoxx makes some huge claims about how much felt recoil reduction you'll get, but aside from all the numbers, they have some wicked videos showing folks firing the shotgun with someone's should sandwiched between a wall and the stock and even someone firing the shotgun while it was pressed against his belly! I'm a pretty light guy, so something like this really appeals to me.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Lookin for a house-hold scattergun


So, what to get? I'd like to spend less than $800 for...
  • 12 ga
  • slide action
  • short pull
  • low recoiling
  • weapon-light accepting
  • non-beaded combat sights
  • 18" barrel

With plenty of manufacturers to consider...
I'd love to get a Vang Comp custom, but I think that'd push me over the price limit I was set on.

I gotta say that a lot of tactical options look great, but I'm not SWAT and I need something that my wife can use too. I am hopeful that she can handle a 12 ga, but realize that I might have to consider a 20 ga down the line if she doesn't like the recoil of the larger guage.

So far, I like the Remington 870 Tactical with the SpecOps collapsible stock and the Mossberg 590A1 with ghost ring sights.

I don't believe in "clearning the house"... I just want something for holding out in the bedroom until the cops can come check things out.