Guns

[YSSMAN]

How is it sad? Its like that here in Michigan. I can't think of too many people, at least in my family, who don't possess a firearm of some-kind. Being a hunting-oriented area (the state as a whole... Side Note: Everyone needs to see Escanaba in Da Moonlight to understand Michigan hunting culture...), guns are everywhere, in various styles, calibers, and also have varying degrees of access, some of which are probably too easy to get to.

Vintage guns are probably the worst stuff to think about. If I recall, they are unregulated here in Michigan, so a good number of my family's handguns and rifles do not have any kind of registration (that I know of). The 19th Century Magnum revolver of my Grandfather's is probably one of the deadliest weapons I've got easy access to, beyond that the wide-assortment of vintage bolt-action riffles in my basement.

...I've always fancied owning an M1 though, being a WWII-guy and all. A friend of mine has one, and although he pretty much uses it as a display piece and for some kind of reenactment stuff (he does double-duty as an American 82nd Airborne as well as a Nazi SS trooper, and was actually in Band of Brothers a few years back). No real reason other than it was probably the best military-grade weapon the US Army has ever used, oh, and it can actually shoot through bullet-proof glass... Although I have no idea why that would be useful other than to say you could...

That, or I'm pretty dead-set on buying some kind of medium-sized handgun when I turn 21. It isn't as though I live in a bad-neighborhood, but it would be nice to know that I have one in case anything bad was to happen. I would think something similar to a .357 would be nice, but I'm not certain.

I'm planning on taking some shooting lessons this summer, just to get a feel for it, and then move on from there.

After all, it is my RIGHT to do so...

 

[Josh]

I'm kind of surprised you haven't got into it yet. It's a whole lotta fun. As much as talking about firearms! It's really a fun hobby. Yes, I'd call it a hobby.

It's easy, yet complex. But, learning a few basic things, and you're hooked. For beginners such as yourself who want to get into it, I'd get the 6th edition of Hornady's Reloading Manual. There's a 7th edition out already, but I don't think it's as good. Plus, the 6th ed. will be a lot cheaper. Find it here... http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=111919

Oh, and for beginners, check out this place. It's really the best place to start. You'll see a lot and learn a lot and it has some of the best deals around for reloading items. Not always, but their deals, when they have them, are fantastic. Notice, it's the same place I linked above. It's called Midway USA. http://www.midwayusa.com/ Request a catalog; it's a great one.

A great second place, and what I think should be the only progressive press anybody in the hobby of reloading should get, Dillion Precision. They have a catalog (The Blue Press) you can request and it's always filled with advice and tips. A must get. EDIT: Forgot to post the link... http://dillonprecision.com/default.cfm?

Another place is Cabela's. But, I don't like them over the other two. It is a great source of info and products, though.

You sound like a dude who should get into this hobby. I'm telling you, it's a lot easier than it seems and a lot of fun! It's great to formulate and test which components make the most accurate ammo for your guns. Each gun, even same models, like different ammo and components.

Making light loads for the kids or wife, or friends who don't shoot well, is a great convenience. Trust me. I love .44 Special, and ammo for this caliber is unnecessarily expensive. I'd pay $25-$30 for a 50 round box of ammo, but instead pay about $5-$6 per 50 round box if I reload them my own. Plus, I can make .44 Special ammo a little hotter than normal, since factory .44 Special ammo is so anemic.

Problem is, starting off is so expensive. But, you're young and getting into now will save you a lot in the long run. I got started early, and I'm glad I did. Don't forget about eBay. A lot of great deals exist there, too.

I know all too well of MidwayUSA. They, along with Wideners, Natchezss, AIMsurplus, and a few others just love taking my money every month for cases of ammo. I actually have a catalog from them that's only maybe 2 months old.

When I was a about 16 I wanted to get into reloading, but obviously then I would of had to have gone through the parents to buy stuff, but now I can buy it myself. I was reading a Shotgun News, or something, on my last flight over to Germany a couple weeks ago and read a big article on reloading. I'll definitely be trying to get myself a little single stage press here pretty soon to ease myself into it, and then get into more heavy reloading. I can't wait, too, because I'm sick of spending thousands of dollars on ammunition. I should be spending that on more guns! Thanks for all of the links!

jammyozzy - if you think $1.18 per round is bad, stay away from .50cal's.

 

[Joey D]

How is it sad? Its like that here in Michigan.

Airsoft is legal here, you just have to by 18 to buy the gun at most places. I think I have 4 or 5 airsoft guns, two of which I bought from Meijer. Although I haven't bought any in about a year so the laws could have changed. There are probably some legal issues with playing it though, I can't think of any area where it's technically law abiding for us to shoot one another with pellets.

 

[jammyozzy]

jammyozzy - if you think $1.18 per round is bad, stay away from .50cal's.

Not much chance of me seeing a .50cal here in England.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Not much chance of me seeing a .50cal here in England.

Or here in SoCal.

Josh, a nice single stage press is nice to have and I did the same tactic. However, about 20 minutes after reloading I thought, "I should have bought a progressive." Actually, I admit it's nice to have both. Target and defense loads in the single stage and plinking ammo on the progressive. So starting out on a single is still a good tactic.

Stay away from Hornady and RCBS single stage presses. I've owned the Hornady and had time on the RCBS (not the Rockchucker which I hear is nice). Both are crap compared to the Forster Co-Ax or the Redding Ultra Mag which I have. I've heard great things about the Co-Ax and if I were to purchase a new single stage reloading press, I'd make it that one.

If you ever take the plunge I can answer all your questions. I've done it all. Shot shells, rifle rounds, pistol, target ammo, plinking ammo, light loads, hunting rounds, etc. I know the best tactics to making the best target ammo and the most reliable ammo. It's super easy once you get started and a fun hobby.

 

[ledhed]

5.00 each for a rifle . I have no idea what the desert eagle rounds cost .

In Kentucky every year there is a machinegun show...I and my Dad , along with my son were to attend this year...it was flooded out .

My dad still has surplus .50 cal from when he owned his Gun Shop .

LOL ..I used to use empty Ammo boxes for tools . I would be unloading My van or pickup and it never failed to have someone call the police..lol..
so I bought Orange flourescent paint and solved the problem that way ....

Now days I would be getting the city evacuated like they did in Boston ...lol..

OMG ORANGE BOXES !!!

Man you would have LOVED my dads shop .one whole section was ALL WW II and before Vintage Rifles and handguns.

Only Russia was not represented..But he did have a few Chinese SSk ...Korea was well represented.

As soon as you walked in it was all camo netting ...a Nambu lt MG and a BAR on a Tripod ...in case of Burglars....lol....Thompsons ...M1 carbines by the crate ...Italian Bolt action rifles Japanese with the Crystansium still stamped...man I can smell the cosmoline...everything came in wooden crates ..still wrapped .

if he had his shop today they would evacuate the city.....worlds gone crazy ..omg LOOK AT ALL THE guns !!!

TRY GETTING A ffl ... Things have really changed.

It used to be 500 dollars US for the permit to own a MG . ( per ) ..

 

[YSSMAN]

I think I have 4 or 5 airsoft guns, two of which I bought from Meijer.

I remember back when they used to sell real guns at Meijer. Those were the days...

I was walking through the store the other day to buy some motor oil and a filter and an MP5-clone air-soft gun caught my eye, but I had more-important things on my mind...

 

[Gil]

My son has a few green gas pistols, and an MP5-battery gun.
It is pretty nice.
The pistols also have a nice heft to them, and they field strip much like their real counterparts for cleaning.
The gassers, also shoot faster, and harder than my spring gun.
Pretty accurate too.

 

[EXelero]

Although i voted for all guns being illegal, i don't understand how it will change anything. I have to admit, i'm unaware of actual statistics, but i believe (in the UK) theres approximately 4million illegal guns. In a country the size of USA, even with registration laws, that number has to be alot larger. So what can we alter by making them all illegal or allowing moderate use?

IMHO with things like this, we always have to address why the weapon is being used as opposed to what weapon is being used.

 

[Sureboss]

If anything legalising them would probably make things easier as you could license the guns and know who owns them.

Btw, on a gun related topic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6727073.stm

How nice....

 

[ledhed]

IMHO with things like this, we always have to address why the weapon is being used as opposed to what weapon is being used.

OMG a SANE person !!


Who let him in here ???

 

[Solid Lifters]

OMG a SANE person !!


Who let him in here ???

You mean her.

 

[crimson_menace]

I say moderate control, because I think there should be strict background checks and training/education requirements involved in getting a permit for gun ownership (excluding long guns). I'm less concerned about the types of guns it is legal to own than I am about the people who are allowed to own them.

^agreed.

 

[Josh]

Anyone here who's into guns, and doesn't have a CWP(concealed weapons permit) do yourself a favor and go get one. No more background checks or waits when buying a gun. I've purchased 4 pistols, and a MEGA machine lower receiver for an AR-15 build in the last 4 weeks - each time I just walked into the gun store, filled out a piece of paper, signed it, showed my CWP, and walked out. Much more convenient.

Oh, and if anyone here is into suppressors(aka silencers) go the revocable trust route. No more Chief Law Enforcement Officer signature required, fingerprints, background check, photos, etc. Form 4 + $200 BATF transfer tax, + a 1-3 week wait, and bingo bango.

 

[Omnis]

Josh, with your current avatar, your advice on acquiring guns is awfully shady.


GTP is now a Code Orange.

 

[YSSMAN]

Thats interesting...

...Either way, I still have to wait until Thanksgiving to get mine...

 

[Josh]

Josh, with your current avatar, your advice on acquiring guns is awfully shady.


GTP is now a Code Orange.

Yeah, it's a bit creepy, huh?

Also, for anyone in the US who's over 18, but under 21, there's a couple ways to legally purchase suppressors/silencers. An 18yo on AR15 found a loophole in NFA laws, and challenged the BATFE, and actually won. Good stuff for you youngin's looking to purchase NFA/Class III items.

 

[Zrow]

So all these are for just taking to a firing range to shoot, I imagine?

 

[Josh]

Mine? Some of them I concealed carry. I rotate which one's I carry on what days depending on what I wear. All my other guns are just for range time, or tournaments. And one was for my wife to carry in her purse/car.

I sold two of my AR-15's this month. My new build will be extremely nice, and make up for those two though.


I'm not some psycho. I just enjoy collecting/shooting firearms. My first love was cars - now guns. Next - cars again.

 

[Solid Lifters]

So all these are for just taking to a firing range to shoot, I imagine?

Or self defense, yeah. Why?

I wish I lived in a state where my CCW (CWP) actually gave me some benefits. My annual hunting license and my NRA Instructor certificates (PRS) grant me all the benefits I'm allowed, already. Which isn't much.

 

[Danoff]

Josh,

This isn't an attack, I'm just curious and I think you might have a good answer....

Why would a law-abiding citizen want a silencer?

 

[Zrow]

I can understand owning one gun, I just wanted to know the reasoning for owning like five of them. I mean you don't own an AR-15 for self defense.

 

[Swift]

I can understand owning one gun, I just wanted to know the reasoning for owning like five of them. I mean you don't own an AR-15 for self defense.

Why would do you own 5 cars? You can't drive them all at the same time.

 

[FoolKiller]

I can understand owning one gun, I just wanted to know the reasoning for owning like five of them. I mean you don't own an AR-15 for self defense.

Some people collect guns, just like some people collect antiques, or Coca-Cola memorabilia, or anything.

And like he said, some are for carrying with different outfits.
"Does this gun match my shoes?"

Seriously, I know people who have outfits where certain guns are easier to conceal than others.

 

[Josh]

Josh,

This isn't an attack, I'm just curious and I think you might have a good answer....

Why would a law-abiding citizen want a silencer?

Because we can?

For me personally it makes shooting 10x's more enjoyable. Much less noise. I'm able to shoot AR-15's, and all of my pistols without hearing protection - safely - even indoors. Plus, when I'm at my parent's house even though it's legal to walk out back and shoot, their neighbor's would definitely not appreciate it. They also reduce felt recoil.

One of the main reasons I do it is to help people realize that owning them in the United States is not illegal - much to everyone's surprise. And you don't have to have a license, permit, or anything special, to obtain one. Nothing like going to a range, and letting some people shoot a gun they swear up and down is illegal, until you prove otherwise. Btw - you wouldn't believe the number of times I've spoken to police that have been called out to one of the outdoor ranges I visit [in my short time of ownership] because uninformed people think I have one illegaly, and am some assassin or something. It's ridiculous.

And most importantly I can sit around in my boxer's and wave my suppressed pistols around pretending to be James Bond. Kidding, of course.

Once you shoot a suppressed gun you'll never want to shoot an unsuppressed one again. I don't even like being around other people who aren't using them.

Also a lot of people don't realize a civilian in the United States can legally purchase, and posesss, a fully automatic machine gun. Too bad they're insanely expensive - otherwise I'd be helping spread the word firsthand on that too.

 

[opelgt1969]

Because we can?

For me personally it makes shooting 10x's more enjoyable. Much less noise. I'm able to shoot AR-15's, and all of my pistols without hearing protection - safely - even indoors. Plus, when I'm at my parent's house even though it's legal to walk out back and shoot, their neighbor's would definitely not appreciate it. They also reduce felt recoil.

One of the main reasons I do it is to help people realize that owning them in the United States is not illegal - much to everyone's surprise. And you don't have to have a license, permit, or anything special, to obtain one. Nothing like going to a range, and letting some people shoot a gun they swear up and down is illegal, until you prove otherwise. Btw - you wouldn't believe the number of times I've spoken to police that have been called out to one of the outdoor ranges I visit [in my short time of ownership] because uninformed people think I have one illegaly, and am some assassin or something. It's ridiculous.

And most importantly I can sit around in my boxer's and wave my suppressed pistols around pretending to be James Bond. Kidding, of course.

Once you shoot a suppressed gun you'll never want to shoot an unsuppressed one again. I don't even like being around other people who aren't using them.

Also a lot of people don't realize a civilian in the United States can legally purchase, and posesss, a fully automatic machine gun. Too bad they're insanely expensive - otherwise I'd be helping spread the word firsthand on that too.

I can see you standing in line at the local "car title" loan office now Yelling "I need more ammo". Not flaming you here just a funny thought.

 

[FoolKiller]

Also a lot of people don't realize a civilian in the United States can legally purchase, and posesss, a fully automatic machine gun. Too bad they're insanely expensive - otherwise I'd be helping spread the word firsthand on that too.

Isn't that just recent though, as in the law was allowed to lapse a few years ago and not get renewed?

 

[Solid Lifters]

Josh,

This isn't an attack, I'm just curious and I think you might have a good answer....

Why would a law-abiding citizen want a silencer?

Asked by a guy who's never shot a high-powered rifle before?

Them suckers are LOUD. A silencer on a rifle will not complete reduce the sound to a whisper, like silenced guns in the movies, unless you use subsonic ammo, but it does reduce the sound noise by a lot. Plus, it makes the gun easier to shoot (less recoil). It also makes it more accurate. You need to clean the rifle more often, but shooter usually clean their firearms after they come home, anyway.

I wish I could have a silencer for my .22 pistols. They sound like BB guns. 👍

Oh, and Zrow, the AR15 style rifles are becoming the most popular home self defense firearm. The reason, home invasion robbers who wear bullet-proof vests. The .223 round will penetrate through them. And, with special ammo, once the bullet hits flesh, they disintegrate into a million pieces, thus not over penetrating and going straight through, out the other side.

But, since these rifles are so damn LOUD and are shot indoors, a silencer is a must. If you shoot one indoors without a silencer, you WILL go deaf. Hence the necessity for a silencer.

 

[Danoff]

The recoil issue hadn't occurred to me, neither had the bit about making target practice more enjoyable. One of the things I like about my guns is that if I use them, people will hear. So if I'm shooting someone, I don't have to be on the phone calling the cops - because the 12 houses nearest me will all be taking care of that.

Having a silencer tends to make me think that you don't want OTHER people hearing your firearm - which means you're probably not using it legally.

But if you're using it to make target practice easier or improve accuracy, that's something else.

Plus, I still buy the whole "because I can" argument.

 

[Omnis]

Here's a cool guns-to-the-rescue story:

http://www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI53001/