Hot Tub Forum
General => General info Somewhat hot tub related => Topic started by: badval on September 10, 2006, 11:04:39 am
-
Names Like 38Super & pics like Terminator's make me wonder how many shooters we have here?
I love it, but haven't been able to get to the range nearly as often since I moved from TN to NC last year. I have a decent firearms collection & some of my favorites are:
* 2 AR-15's that I built from stripped lower recievers. Both are great shooters & I'm especially proud of them since I built them :) One is a standard 20" A2 configuration & the other is a 16" M4 profile.
* 2 SIG P229's. One is in .357SIG & the other is in .40S&W & has a .357SIG barrel & spring so both can be in .357SIG if wanted.
* Beretta 92FS. I had the trigger on this done by Ernie Langdon a few years back. Too bad he's not doing them anymore. Made this the sweetest shooting M9 I've ever handled.
* HK USP40
* Kimber Compact Stainless II (pictured below). Very comfortable carry gun & probably my favorite overall. Came very well-tuned right out of the box. People argue that Wilson, SA, Les Baer, et. al. are the "best" 1911's, but Kimber gets my vote.
I have several others, but these are my favorites!
(http://cmv.zftp.com/kimber.jpg)
-
Hi badval,
My wife, Tricia, and I shoot competitively in several disciplines. I also coach a High School Rifle Team (believe it or not) in the People's Republic of Massachusetts.
My favorites are my pistols: a S&W model 41 and model 52, and two Les Baer .45 wadcutters (consecutive serial #s for my wife and me). And Tricia used a Hammerli for .22 and center fire competitions.
My son owns a locker full of Kimbers, and I agree with you that they are arguably the best "out of the box" pistols you can get. I intend to replace my full-frame colt with a Kimber carry gun. But even he will tell you they don't come close to the custom Baers.
For rifle hunting we use a Savage .380. Tricia and I took it to S Africa this summer and it worked great! You can see a few pictures of our trip at http://members.aol.com/wsa1933/galleries/edrisafrica/edrisafrica.htm. We were only hunting plains game so it was plenty of rifle with one exception. Tricia took the Kudu at 360 yards and used a .300 Win Mag for that.
For Trap we both use Remington 1100s.
For Archery Tricia shoots a Matthews Ultra Max and I shoot an old PSE Carrera. For indoor competition we both use Hoyts.
Man, I JUST LOVE SHOOTING!
Chris
-
[jealous]...owns a locker full of Kimbers...[/jealous] :)
I'm at work & firewall won't let me see your site. Will check it out from home later!
That's great that you coach a rifle team! I think the best way we can protect our 2nd Amendment rights is to teach the next generation of voters the positive aspects of shooting.
-
OK, a locker full is a bit of an exaggeration. At last check he had a Desert Warrior, a Raptor, and an Ultra Carry. But he's always adding something to his kit.
Amen on teaching safe gun handling to the next generation.
We're very fortunate because the HS principal, community and local paper support us. In fact, last year we had a front page spread in the Northwest edition of the Lifestyles section of the Boston Globe (I was sweating that one out hoping they wouldn't spin it against us). They did a very nice article emphasizing the control and discipline required by the sport.
The kids love it! I've had several of them tell me their grades increase during rifle season because they're more disciplined and can focus better.
At the end of the year when we have our awards night, I run a family shoot-off where the parents and siblings of the team members compete against each other. It's great to see Mom and Dad get up on the line and have fun trying to win for the family.
-
My favorite pistol is my .45acp Springfield Armory Trophy Match Long Slide. It's a 1911 factory tweaked with a few bells and whistles (nice beaver tail, match barrel, hand fitted slide to barrel, trigger breaks like a glass rod, adjustable sights).
This gun is a tack driver, and is fun to shoot.
My carry gun is a Springfield XD-45. Prior to that I had an XD-40, because they hadn't released an XD done in .45acp. But when I found out they were available, I sold my .40 and bought the .45. I reload, and want to get to just one caliber.
Another fun gun, and cheap to shoot, is my Ruger MKII target pistol in .22LR.
I also have a cheap Rossi .357mag revolver that I'd love to sell.
I don't have any long guns, no place around here to shoot them, and I don't hunt.
-
Also from the PROM (people's republic of MA).
I used to love to shoot. Work and the house and my wife do take a up most of my time, but lately I've been thinking on getting back into it. (espically since down the road from me is a nice range). I never had a desire to hunt. But target shooting and plinking I enjoyed quite a bit. A trumatic eye injury had signifcantly hindered my aim. :'(
I shot mostly .22 for target. I have a ruger 22 long rifile. I sold my bull nose 22. pistol. I also have a Springfield arms .22 revolver (12" barrell, and some really nice blueing) I bought more as a collectors piece and a piece of local history. (made in MA). It can also shoot 22 mags. (change in a different chamber ). My favorite gun was an el-cheapo marlin tube fed .22 . My first gun. I learned on that gun and was never so accurate just using steel sights than on that gun.
I did some skeet, and that's fun. I always wanted to pick up a thompson 45 with a drum magazine and violon case. :) Just for fun. Something I always wanted. :)
More and more I'm thinking now, that I'm getting more done on the house, I might find some free time to hit the range. Term's and Lt Dan's post make me long for the old days when I had time, and perfect eyes. Maybe the doctor can help me get set up with a better pair of specs. ?
-
Try a consult with an eye doctor- you never know what's possible if you're willing to spend a few dollars on special glasses, or whatever the solution might be.
There are devices that attach to standard glasses that act as the f-stop on a camera lens- essentially increasing the field of view to allow a wider range of focus.
Could be worth looking into.
Ironic that the states (MA for one) who were central to the US independence are now so anti gun. But all that gun control (like in D.C.) sadly doesn't influence crime rates at all in a good way.
-
Don't get me going on gun laws.......argggggh! I have a constitutional right to bear arms, but yet, I need permision from the local police to purchase one? They will deny me a permit if they so desire? I wish someone would take this to the SJC.
I am due for an eye exam. I should explore what the options would be for me.
Cedris, where in MA are you located (if you don't mind). I'm in Central MA. (Boylston).
-
You might find you can start shooting with your weak side if that eye is ok. I'm left handed but am right eye dominant. I started shooting left handed because that is what felt natural, but switched to right in the Army (because M16 brass ejection isn't necessarily kind to southpaws). Anyway, it didn't take long to adjust & now can shoot equally well using either hand/eye.
I've gotta dig the camera out & get some pictures posted. I stated in a different post that I'd get some pictures & a condensed review of my spa up soon becasue there's not a lot of info out there about them. Need to get a "family shot" of the guns as well :)
One of the things I really liked about living in TN was that there were so many places to shoot. Now that I'm in NC, the choices are very limited. There are a few indoor private ranges (pistols only) that are very expensive & nowhere really close by for long guns. I prefer private land because its more fun to plink around & you don't have to worry about some unknown yahoo a few lanes down, but I don't have any family here or know anybody with a suitable tract. Been looking into buying some recreational land, but even out in "the sticks" land here is very expensive (compared to TN at least - probably dirt cheap compared to you guys in New England).
-
Cedris, where in MA are you located (if you don't mind). I'm in Central MA. (Boylston).
I'm in Bedford M-F during the school year and in Hillsboro, NH the rest of the time.
-
I enjoy shooting. I am up here in Montana, and sometimes it is hard to find a spot at the public ranges.
I own a beretta 92fs 9mm, and just bought a beretta Px4 Storm .40. I am very happy with the px4, and after about 300 rounds so far I can group 14 rounds in about 15 inches from 60 feet with it.
I have an SKS for plinking rifle.. super cheap ammo and not a bad rifle.. I dont hunt, so I have not bothered to buy any rifles bigger than that..
The friend that I shoot most often with ran out of room in his 36" wide safe about a year ago. He and his father have been buying guns from around 1900, and have quite a collection going.. about 40 various rifles. My favorites would have to be the Garand first, then probably the 4570 shilo sharps.. AR15 is fun but a bitch to clean, so we dont shoot it often, plus the spring makes it sound like a toy when it shoots.. He has a hundred year old craig that he took down to Texas to go boar hunting with his father, and he was the only one in the group to get a boar.. open sights at about 80 yards..
I used to keep my 92fs at his house in his safe since I have kids at home and no safe yet, but a few months ago I went shooting and brought it home, figuring it was safe to store at home since I didnt have a single round of 9mm anywhere in the house. One night about 2 months ago my 13 year old son came down to our room at 2 am and said that someone just climbed in his window and was in the house. I jumped out of bed and grabbed my gun, thinking that working the slide would be a good deterrent to anyone upstairs. As I went upstairs, I saw shadows moving on the wall coming from the hallway. When I got to the top of the stairs, I realized that if the intruder was drugged up, an empty gun wouldnt help much. I ended up finding the intruder passed out in the spare room, half hiding under the bed. The next day I bought a small electronic keypad safe and I keep that 92fs with a full clip of hollow points and the new px4 storm in it. Next time, I wont have to wonder if I should throw the gun or use it as a club..
Up here in Montana, almost everyone I am friends with has at least one gun, and most have multiple.. I worked with a couple guys at one time that not only had more than 50 guns each, but stockpiled ammo and alcohol as well. (alcohol would be like money if the sh*t hit the fan, and whatever you couldnt trade with alcohol, you could get with the guns). I dont quite see things the same way these fellas do, but, this is Montana, and some people think that way around here. The last gun I shot of theirs was the barret .50cal. Fun to shoot but it feels like you get punched in the nose every time you shoot.. from the concussion.. doesnt kick much either..
Dave
-
Glad to hear that you and your family came thru this ok. As you found out, about the only thing an empty gun is good for is a club or paperweight.
Sounds like you found a good way to keep those guns secure yet handy in for self defense. Hopefully, it never happens again, but if it does, you'll be in a better position to defend your family and home.
-
Ok, these are some of my favorites in group shots.
First pic top to bottom:
AR-15 (5.56mm) 20" A2 w/ "postban" compensator & bayo lug neutered
AR-15 (5.56mm) 16" M4 w/ Aimpoint Comp M2
Beretta CX4 Storm (9mm)
Second pic top to bottom & left to right:
Sig P229 (.40S&W)
Sig P229 (.357SIG)
HK USP40 (.40S&W)
Beretta 92FS (9mm)
Bersa Thunder 380 (.380ACP)
Walther P22 (.22LR)
Kimber Compact Stainless II (.45ACP)
I keep most everything loaded when stored. The really old guns, .22's, & other "plinkers" like the CX4 stay unloaded because I'd never grab those for things that go bump in the night. Otherwise, they stay hot - I simply have no use for an unloaded firearm. They stay locked up except what I'm carrying that day & what stays in the nightstand.
We don't allow children into the house other than our own & he knows what his boundaries are. I take him shooting often & he has his own Chipmunk .22 rifle. There's no curiosity about guns with him & he has great respect for them. Since guns aren't those "mysterious secrets that stay locked away", he doesn't want to go mess with them to see what the big deal is all about. We've taken all the mystery & secrecy away from day one while teaching him safe handling & respect, so I don't worry much about leaving a holstered hot weapon in the nightstand drawer. He's almost 8 so is never at home alone. Once he gets older & starts staying home alone sometimes, I'll use trigger or cable locks on everything.
Dkersten - glad your situation worked out safely. Thank you for sharing what you learned from that experience.
(http://cmv.onlinestoragesolution.com/spa/guns2.jpg)
(http://cmv.onlinestoragesolution.com/spa/guns1.jpg)
-
Wow, badval
OK, don't take this post to be a judgement on anything you're doing. You know you own situation and are responsible for yourself and family. But as a shooting coach and firearms instructor, I need everyone who reads this topic to understand how we teach firearm safety.
The National Rifle Association, the Civilian Marksmanship Program and USA Shooting (Olympic Team) have very specific rules for how firearms should be handled and stored. They are all similar and can be condensed into three main rules:
1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Every firearm instructor and coach I know follows these rules as if someone's life depends on them--it does!
Personal defense is slightly different in that you need to keep a firearm hot to be useful, but we teach it should always be under your direct control or maintained in a way that prohibits access by unauthorized people.
Again, I mean no offense, but I want to make sure the "official" position get's told.
Respectfully,
Chris
-
Cedris,
What does the NRA say about keeping a fire arm for personal protection? Or do they deal only with sporting situations?
/suporter of the NRA.
-
Cedris - I agree & for the average family that probably makes 100% sense.
When youngsters are raised around firearms & you take a proactive approach to educating them, I don't see much harm in a hot weapon in the nightstand or on my person. It's something we talk about weekly & just like he knows not to put his hand on a stove eye or jam a paperclip into an electrical outlet, he knows not to touch any of the guns in the house. Everything else does stay secured in a metal locker that he couldn't get into. The occasional time any other kids are in the house, everything gets locked down. The holsters for the night stand weapons have good retention & a small child couldn't draw from any of them.
BTW - when we're at the range, we follow those rules. Everything stays unloaded, up & downrange, fingers off triggers, targets & backdrops inspected, eyes & ears, always treat it like its loaded, etc. I hope that I don't give the impression I'm cavalier about weapons safety - I'm not. But to me, an unloaded gun is more unsafe than a loaded one for defensive purposes.
I engage the whole family in firearms training. We shoot together as a family. There's a big difference compared to the guy who buys a gun to have "just in case", hides it in the closet, & tells the kids "this is Daddy's gun. Never ever touch it."
-------
Checked out your pics from Africa. Beautiful. Bet that was a great trip!
-
badval,
We agree. Nothing is more dangerous than someone who buys a gun without the practical and mental training required to handle it properly. That person with a carry gun and no training is more of a danger to himself than an attacker.
Drew,
The NRA has alot to say about personal protection. They believe a person should be very well trained and psychologically prepared if he/she plans to carry. Take a look at the training/courses section of their website.
Also of note, the NRA is the basic firearms training resource for almost all shooting done in the USA (and probably elsewhere). Police, military and civilians all use their methods and training materials to one degree or another.
And finally, they also have a great gun safety program for small children called "Eddie Eagle." The only message from the NRA for little kids in this program is if you see a gun:
Don't Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult.
[/list]
Chris
-
I am a firm believer in taking the proactive approach with children and guns. A child that not only respects the guns, but also respects the parents enough to know that playing with the guns when the parents arent around would earn disappointment as much as punishment from the parents, is the child I feel comfortable to have in the house with firearms.
I grew up with firearms in the house, and almost all the friends I had also had firearms in the house. Keep in mind that 30 years ago, few people used gun safes, and a gun cabinet with little tiny lock on it was the most you would see in anyones house. Usually the key was on top of the cabinet, and every single friend I had knew where the key was.
However, I had those friends that did not respect guns as much as I was taught, and there was more than one instance where if I was not so conscious of the ramifications of playing with a loaded gun, someone could have been hurt or killed. I had one friend, when I was 7 years old, who got a .22 for his birthday, and would shoot holes in the vents in his trailer house when his folks werent around. Kinda scary lookin back at it..
My biggest fear is not my kids getting a hold of one of my loaded guns, but rather them having an influential friend over when I am not around and allowing them to get a hold of one of my loaded guns. This is why I keep the loaded guns in the little safe next to my bed. The kids do NOT know the code.
I have friends with children that keep a loaded gun maybe tucked up under a nightstand, or in their closet, or somewhere they dont think the kids will ever look. Thing is, when I was 12-15 years old, I would regularly go through my parents rooms when they werent there, and I knew exactly what they had and where they had it. If you dont think your kids will ever violate your privacy when left alone you are sadly mistaken. If it is loaded, lock it up.
Yes, the most important thing you can teach a kid is to treat all guns as if loaded. Sending the kids through a hunter safety course, even if they arent going to hunt is a good idea too. Not only will they learn basic gun safety skills, but also some survival skills and such. Around here hunter safety is a readily available class, and my 13 year old son will be attending in the next couple weeks.
I could sit here all day and tell stories of friends that shot out the brakes on a car after hunting, or stories of people every season that blow the head off a fellow hunter. Bottom line is, accidents happen, and it isnt just you or your kids you have to worry about.. you have to worry about what goes on at their friends houses, and at your house while you are away.
That being said, if you keep a bunch of loaded weapons in your gun safe, more power to you.. I understand fully.
By the way, the two guys I referred to in my first post, there is a good story about them. I was in the audio business for about 10 years, and these guys were employees for some of the same companies I worked for. They both had nice home theater and music stereo systems (there is a difference). Their names are Jason and Del. Jason bought a new Sig one day, and brought it to Del's house. Del is checking it out, not paying attention when Jason says it has a round chambered. Del sights in on his $2500 M&K subwoofer, and squeezes the trigger. The hollow point (.40 or .45 cant remember) entered the cabinet on the side, deflected off the basket of the woofer, tearing it apart in the process, and exited through the amplifier. It was a $2500 mistake, and in my opinion quite funny, although it could have been very deadly. These guys are gun fanatics, and have probably shot more rounds in a year than I will my whole life. But the second they let their guard down, an accident happened.
It is all too easy to get so comfortable with guns that you forget about safety. Its just like working with a table saw.. the moment you relax and stop respecting the saw is the moment you will lose a finger or worse.
-
Same rules of being careful apply to a lot of other objects- Careless, distracted, and or intoxicated motorists turn motor vehicles into lethal weapons all the time.
Swimming pools and hot tubs can even injure or kill in the presence of the careless or moronic.
Be careful, be safe, and be aware.
On a side note
Our new wash machine hasn't arrived yet, so I went to the coin laundry with Mrs. B. tonite. It's in the back of our local mall, in a pretty dark unlit parking lot.
If I was thinking I'd have had my carry gun with me.