Shooting USA

I started watching Shooting USA, thanks to my TiVo. They mentioned their Pro Tips a number of times and I found the link. Now, I'll have to find some time to watch them all. I'm particularly interested in the reloading section. It'll go well with Midway's video tips.

Convert your M1A into a "BullDog"

Easy Mag definitely kicks butt

The guys over at Defensereview.com spotted this one and I've watched the videos and I'm very impressed. Easy, (looks) reliable, and durable. How much? About $40. Normally I wouldn't consider a mag over $20, but this is very cool. I always wondered why someone didn't design a mag like this.

Universal Chest Rig Links

Purchase from SKDTac.com

Military Morons review

Biometric Gun Vault

Something to think about getting in the near future.

AR-15 Mags

I gotta start buying more mags soon and I was initially dead-set on the PMAG's from MagPul,

but then I heard about stainless steel mags and problems MagPul was having with some of their mags produced before 7/07. MagPul is offering free replacements for folks who have problems with their mags - nice, but that should have been picked up on in the earlier stages of development in my opinion.

Anyhow, the stainless steel mags are produced by C Products and they're selling for about $12.95 with optional spring types, followers, and even a tactical base plate (for an additional $3). I wonder how heavy they are?

Advantage Arms Glock 30 Conversion

I've been having a hard time finding a 19/23 LE kit. I was on TopGlock.com's backorder list for over a month and a half. I found 29/30 kits were more available so I picked one up. I only have one magazine for it, so I can't properly use it to train for my CCW, but that's just a matter of time.

I was very nicely impressed with the quality. Even the translucent case is very nice. It even has two locking holes next to the handle. I had some problems getting the slide to lock on assembly, but there's probably a little trick to doing it smoothly. I should probably read the instructions fully. My bad.

It comes with some pretty clear warnings about ammo to stay away from. So, I started of with a 100 rounds of CCI Mini Mags. I couldn't get through a single mag with out a FTF, FTI, or some other strange malfunction. I'm really hoping that it was due to a lack of cleaning or a faulty mag (which I wouldn't be so psyched about).

I've only been to the range once with it and had quite a lot of problems with it. I didn't clean it before I used the kit, so that probably played a huge factor in it's reliability. I've cleaned it pretty well and intend on oiling it up for my next range session. I was happy with the accuracy. I was getting about 2" at 7 yards. Yeah, I know, I suck. That's what this kit is for, practice baby.

I really believe in this kit, even though I had so many problems with it. I went ahead and bought a 19/23 model through GunBroker and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It'll be a great way for my wife and sister-in-law to shoot. They won't have to worry about recoil or excessive noise.

Here's some other reviews (in no particular order):
From shooter2-indy
From Owen
YouTube Video on Assembly

(original 12/14/07)

UPDATED: I just got my 19/23 LE kit. I was on TopGlock.com and almost every other Internet retailer's waiting list for one of these and I got sick of waiting. If you're waiting, check out the GunBroker.com - I got mine for $238 plus nominal shipping.

My wife and I went out yesterday and shot about 150 rds of CCI Mini-Mags and Remington Golds both in 40 grains. This time I thoroughly cleaned the kit and lubed it with Wilson's gun grease - great stuff by the way. I didn't have any oil on hand, but hoped the grease would suffice. The only problems we had were a few FTE's that were due to the wax-lube build-up from the Mini-Mags. Otherwise, we were able to burn through the 10-rd mags without much trouble. I'm fairly confident that with enough lubrication, the Advantage Arms kits will run great.

I'll have to adjust the sights a little. The 19/23 kit was shooting a couple inches high and a little to the right at around 15-20 yards. I'm really happy that I'll be able to improve my trigger control and general handling at a fraction of the price of 9mm FMJ.

Holster Resources

Pocket Holsters for the Kahr PM9
JS Pocket Holster
Galco Holsters
Universal Clipdraw

IWB Holsters for the Glock 30
DeSantis Cozy Partner
Masters of Concealment

General CCW
RM Holsters
Fal Gal Concealment Leather
Maxpedition

(original 9/17/07)
UPDATED

Beta Company: C-Mag

Oh, this thing kicks ass. It stores indefinitely fully loaded, no external devices to manipulate to render functional, and 100 rounds fully loaded! I wonder how heavy that thing is fully loaded?

I just found that TopGlock.com and probably others are now selling a version of the C-Mag with a clear back panel for ammo level checks.

UPDATE: I doubt I'll drop the cash for one of these. I found a pretty scathing review and other negative remarks on forums. I think I'll be putting my money into P-Mags instead.

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.

SafePacker: outback CCW

One of these would be perfect for a day out or on an extended trip. Wonder if they have one for my AR-15? Or another option from Uncle Mike's.

$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.

WileyX Light Adjusting Lenses

I bought a beautiful pair of XL-1's from, of all places, the Harley Davidson distributor in Maui. I guess they are popular with riders who need good eye protection from road debris. Makes sense. I got a pair with dark, smoke-colored lenses and went online to order a pair of Light Adjusting lenses for more "tactical" uses. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. They don't adjust to light. My Dad's everyday corrective light adjusting lenses work a hundred times better than the ones from WileyX. They are too expensive for another set of clear lenses.