Real Guns

[Eric.]

But those $89 Mosins are now fetching about $200, and that is silly.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

So guys I'm curious as to what would be a good starter revolver for my wife, or even pistol to start teaching her with. I am also curious what are some good pistols for a more middle to advance shooter for CCW that is in either .45 or .40 but if any other suggestions feel free to tell me.

 

[Nicksfix]

For your wife, look into. 380's. They are relatively small, easy to conceal and are pretty reliable. For a revolver, look into a snubnose. 38. That is what my wife carries and she loves it.

 

[Michael88]

I'd definitely NOT recommend a .380 or any of the small pocket pistols for a woman. Why? They're very small, light and those with a direct blowback system snap quite hard even though they're not really powerful.
Not the kind of gun beginners and/or people who do not practice with their guns very often, want.



I'm happy! Just got cards for the international gun show which is going to take place March 8th - 11th in Nürnberg, Germany. Thats just ~ 3 hours with the car from here.
I'm so going to make a F-ton of pics with my camera.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Smith and Wesson 60LS .357
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

The wife has that. I even love it. I used to want to shoot it all the time. So, she took off the wood stocks and put on pink soft rubber ones. Didn't work. I still loved to shoot it. Plus, I like pink.

If .357 is too much for your wife and you'll know she'll never shoot that round, get the 642LS.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Don't get a semi-auto. Women have a hard time racking the slide back and sometimes can't eject the magazine if it binds up. Wheel gun is what you want.

 

[Zenith]

Rarely can a learner's gun pull double duty as a concealed carry pistol for a woman. Men can usually pull off a Glock 19, but women usually can't.

A Browning HP or CZ75 makes a good learner's platform. They're good all around guns and they're nice and weighty with little recoil. One of the biggest hurdles for new shooters is recoil anticipation and trigger slap. A heavy 9 will inspire confidence.

If she doesn't already shoot rifles with a reasonable amount of skill, you should definitely start her there.

As for your pistol, what's your budget and why do you want .40 or .45?

 

[a6m5]

at Solid's wife swapping grips.

Michael, I hope you share some of those photos with us!

 

[Michael88]

Michael, I hope you share some of those photos with us!

Absolutely, though I doubt my photos will show anything new that hasn't already been displayed at the last shot show.
But who knows....

 

[a6m5]

Absolutely, though I doubt my photos will show anything new that hasn't already been displayed at the last shot show.
But who knows....

Personally, I'd be interested in just learning how they operate, and also how different they are to the smaller, local gun shows I've attended.

 

[Nicksfix]

I'd definitely NOT recommend a .380 or any of the small pocket pistols for a woman. Why? They're very small, light and those with a direct blowback system snap quite hard even though they're not really powerful.
Not the kind of gun beginners and/or people who do not practice with their guns very often, want.

That would depend on what manfucturer and model of a .380 really. Some older versions, you may be right on, but seriously check into these 2 newer models. Both which can be had @ around the $400.00 mark.The Ruger LCP and the S&W Bodyguard are excellent choices for a woman. Simply because they are very concealable, lightweight. Handling a .380 is not overly complicated either, they are actually pretty simple, reliable, accurate. To be honest, it is harder than hell to find these, (at least in this area). Women are sucking these things up ... CCP purposes obviously. The shops can't keep them in stock, they are out as soon as they hit the shelf.

 

[Zenith]

Don't get a semi-auto. Women have a hard time racking the slide back and sometimes can't eject the magazine if it binds up. Wheel gun is what you want.

I haven't noticed anything of the sort. LMS should check to see if she's able to use a semi-auto.

LMS Corvette, here's a good video on CCP



I would recommend taking yourself and your lady to a gun shop. Have a list of guns that fit your budget and try holding, racking, aiming them. The way your body interfaces with the machine is one of the most important things when considering a handgun.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I haven't noticed anything of the sort. LMS should check to see if she's able to use a semi-auto.

LMS Corvette, here's a good video on CCP



I would recommend taking yourself and your lady to a gun shop. Have a list of guns that fit your budget and try holding, racking, aiming them. The way your body interfaces with the machine is one of the most important things when considering a handgun.

It happens in 'stressful' sitiuations. Plus, I had Colt .45's from the early 90's and I''m sure you know the 'fit' wasn't always the best.

Wheel guns were always easier for the gals in my life, including Mrs. Lifters.

 

[Nicksfix]

Nice call Zenith.

LMS Corvette,

If your wife is going to conceal carry, she may want to watch this.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Just saw this and had to post it! LMAO!

WARNING! Language

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I agree with Michael88 on the .380, my father has one that I shot from time to time, and I hate it myself wouldn't want it for my wife.

I like the choices Solid lifter gave me, so thanks for that.

Rarely can a learner's gun pull double duty as a concealed carry pistol for a woman. Men can usually pull off a Glock 19, but women usually can't.

A Browning HP or CZ75 makes a good learner's platform. They're good all around guns and they're nice and weighty with little recoil. One of the biggest hurdles for new shooters is recoil anticipation and trigger slap. A heavy 9 will inspire confidence.

If she doesn't already shoot rifles with a reasonable amount of skill, you should definitely start her there.

As for your pistol, what's your budget and why do you want .40 or .45?

Have a CZ75 in 9mm for a racegun, I don't like 9mm other than for competition since 38 super is expensive and I think that 9mm rounds really shouldn't be used for ccw or open carry weapons. So I rather go revolver for her, unless there is a good semi-auto you can put up (anyone that is). I want .40 and .45 due to stopping power, and really would like to learn on a 1911 but, my father thinks that me owning a single action isn't a good idea.

 

[Michael88]

a6m5, if you haven't seen this vid already I highly recommend it! It should answer all your questions about optics on your AR10.
(44:10 for a short review of the Redfield 2-7x33 )

 

[a6m5]

Good video, but it is so long and so boring! I tried watching this couple of times now, and I think I still missed tons of stuff.

I'll try again later. Thanks for this. It is very informative, and I'm also glad that nutnfancy touched a bit on the Redfield scopes. 👍

 

[Nicksfix]

While at todays gun show I picked up a couple of goodies.

Ruger MK1 .22

No sooner got home with it and it was out into the back fields for some action. Awesome and accurate piece, love it.

and this one also ... question time for ya'

Can you name this gun make ? model ? caliber ?
(internet handshake and pat on the back if you can get it)

 

[a6m5]

It's not Mosin Nagant? Super nice handgun by the way. 👍 I ended up buying a SR22, but my coworker has the Mark, and that thing rocks!

On my search for AR10 scope, I know I shouldn't, but this red dot/laser has my attention.



Also, the Battlezone scope is a scope I'm currently looking at. Only downside of this scope I see is the smaller relief(I think 3.5"), but it is built for .223 & .308.

Edit: I guess the red dot's out for now. The laser is mounted near the bottom, so I'd have to take off the front sight to make do with that.

 

[Nicksfix]

It's not Mosin Nagant? Super nice handgun by the way. 👍

Indeed it is a Mosin Nagant, nice job. Model and caliber ?

On the way back home, we stopped at a gun shop to pick up a few rounds for this piece. 20 rounds @ $10.00, not bad. We took it out back as well. Sights are off a bit, it is shooting just a bit on the high side, but none the less, a blast (no pun intended) to shoot. Talk about something loud .... OMG !!!

Oh, thanks for the .22 comment. 👍

 

[a6m5]

I don't remember the model number, but didn't it shoot something close to either .308 or .30-06? I think I remember it having common caliber, but with Russian casing length.

 

[Nicksfix]

Your on it, close. 7.62x54R, kind of an in-betweener.

This particular piece is an M1938 (Circa 1943, by the #'s on it). It is missing the strap and the original scope that it was equipped with. These items should not be that difficult to find seeing as how these are fairly common, rare, but yet sort of common. The M1938's were not equipped with the bayonet as commonly seen on other Mosins, the barrel was redesigned to not accept one. One can be adapted to fit it, just for kicks and giggles if you so wanted to do, nostalgia purposes, conversation piece, but it's not original for this model.

These too are not overly expensive to get (pending seller). I have wanted one for some time, but the ones I've seen, people are asking more than they are really worth, or they were in poor shape. This one, the wood is solid, no cracks, chunks, splits, anything. Just the usual slight wear scratches and wear finish. I am planning a full restoration for this piece, just as a conversation piece of Russian history.

 

[Michael88]

On my search for AR10 scope, I know I shouldn't, but this red dot/laser has my attention.

Also, the Battlezone scope is a scope I'm currently looking at. Only downside of this scope I see is the smaller relief(I think 3.5"), but it is built for .223 & .308.

I wouldn't put it on my AR10 if I had one, I'd put it on a CQB 12'' barrel AR15. The .308 can easily reach out to 800yds, I'd want a sight that takes advantage of the power and range of my rifle, a low magnification scope.

Also the 4 moa dot is huuuuuge, its going to cover 4 inches at 100yds, at longer ranges its completely useless because its going to cover the whole target, I hate 4 MOA's, two MAO dots are already huge enough.

Another downside is that reddots don't have their reticle laser edged on the glass, that means if the electrics die on your scope its useless. I have seen too many electronic devices die for no reasons, yesterday my high quality €80 surefire tactical flashlight died for reason unknown, it was brand new.
Had to send it back.
Imagine if that happened if I was clearing rooms because I detected an intruder. I hate relying on electronic devices.

The battlefield scope looks good, though thats a true long range scope.

 

[Zenith]

I agree with Michael. You've got a battle rifle. Get optics that suite it range capability.

4 MOA is bigger than it needs to be for most purposes, but people tend to exaggerate its effects on accuracy. It is possible to shoot a good group with a 4 MOA dot, even if it's not ideal.

When deciding on an optic, you need to be honest with yourself and think about what kinds of shooting you are likely to do. What kind of ranges? From a rest or off-hand? Low-light or range only?

Personally I have faith in good lights and good optics, I've never had an important light or optic go down. As with all devices, I'm sure to put it through its paces before I assign it for serious use. It's good to check for defective equipment like Michael's light.

I know ACOG's and Accupoints are a bit silly for your uses, but I'm going to talk about them because I think they're cool. Trijicon uses a fiber optic and tritium illumination system. The reticle is etched into the glass like with most optics. Tritium, a radioactive isotope, glows as it decays. This provides some illumination. The red/green/amber line that you normally see on the top of ACOG's and Accupoints is a fiber-optic cable. When light is shined into the cable, it transmits that light to the reticle. This system requires no batteries and adjusts brightness depending on lighting conditions. The weaknesses of this system is that the tritium dims over time and that it doesn't work well when looking from a dark position into a bright position (since there's no light to illuminate the reticle).

 

[Solid Lifters]

What you want is an at least 3x12 tacticle scope in matte finish that has a mil-dot recticle. Put a picatinny scope mount on it and then add a small red dot sight on top of it. Burris has a FastFire III red dot sight that is 3 MOA. Mount that on top of the scope mount picatinny rail and you have the best of both worlds. It's what I would do.

The FastFire III has been getting GREAT reviews. Looks like a decent dot sight. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/62...ot-sight-3-moa-dot-with-picatinny-mount-matte

 

[Michael88]

I'm a little bit confused now. Does anybody know the powder brand Lovex?
Its new Czech made powder and supposed to be really high quality. It has a powder burn chart where it is compared with other brands.
Got 1kg of S040 of that new brand which is supposed to be exactly as fast as Hodgdon H4198. Good, exactly what I need.
The strange thing is they only recommend it for shotgun shells, .222rem and .30 carbine.
The Hodgdon H4198 powder however -which is supposedly as fast- has loads for .45-70 and .444 marlin.

The hell?

 

[a6m5]

God, thank you so much guys. I really appreciate the inputs, and also making it easy for novice like myself to comprehend the information being provided. :tup:

Realistically, for now, I'm looking at a scope for 200 yard range. I just don't do long range shooting for now, plus, I might upgrade to a higher powered scope later, or more likely, I'll buy a bolt-action down the line.

Like I said, that red dot by Redfield's out anyway(my front sight blocks its' laser), but what do you guys think about me adding a laser on my rifle for CQB-purposes? I don't know why I didn't entertain this idea before, but when nutnfancy was talking about how scope might slow you down just a little bit in a CQB, I was thinking "that could be life & death!". After the scope, I really want a laser now. Sight in laser for 50 yards or less, then the scope for long(er) range? Do you guys think I'm being retarded? I'm interested in your feedback!

Again, thanks for all the advice, feedbacks & ideas. It's really helpful!

P.S. Michael, when you said that Battlezone scope look like a true long range, how long of a range were you talking about? Do you think it would be a overkill if I'm looking to shoot just couple hundred yards?

 

[Solid Lifters]

You can add a stand alone laser sight anywhere on a picatinny rail. For 200 yards, I'd get a 1.5x6 scope with mil-dot recticle.

 

[Michael88]

With practice you should be able to see and shoot targets out to 400-500 or so with a 9x magn. scope depending on the reticle thickness. Many experienced shooters can hammer 500yds silhouette targets all day long with zero magnification, just with peep sights and a trusty old Enfield mk4.

Do you think it would be a overkill if I'm looking to shoot just couple hundred yards

No, in fact I'd say it would be pretty much perfect for that application, not too big, perfect objective diameter, mildot for long ranges...BUT you're going to have a tough time shooting things that are 50yds or closer with a 3x, thats where the 2x (or less) min. magnification scopes shine. 3x standing unsupported is shaky!
If its going to be a multi-purpose rifle you need to either step down in terms of magnification or you get an aimpoint/docter on a piggyback mount like Solid Lifter has suggested.
But this is going to be expensive and you know...electronics.

Realistically, for now, I'm looking at a scope for 200 yard range.

A couple of hundred yards or 200? For 200 a 2x7-32 with a plain duplex reticle should serve you well, and it can be used for close(r) quarter situations as well if you turn it down to 2x.
Heck, you can still shoot 200 with irons with some practice.

 

[a6m5]

You can add a stand alone laser sight anywhere on a picatinny rail.

Exactly. I have Magpul MOE handguard on it now. I have couple of picatinny rails I can attach to it. If laser work OK, it would be pretty sweet tactical() advantage.

For 200 yards, I'd get a 1.5x6 scope with mil-dot recticle.

Does 1.5x6 mean 1.5 to 6x zoom?

With practice you should be able to see and shoot targets out to 400-500 or so with a 9x magn. scope depending on the reticle thickness. Many experienced shooters can hammer 500yds silhouette targets all day long with zero magnification, just with peep sights and a trusty old Enfield mk4.

One step.... at a time. Please.

No, in fact I'd say it would be pretty much perfect for that application, not too big, perfect objective diameter, mildot for long ranges...BUT you're going to have a tough time shooting things that are 50yds or closer with a 3x, thats where the 2x (or less) min. magnification scopes shine. 3x standing unsupported is shaky!
If its going to be a multi-purpose rifle you need to either step down in terms of magnification or you get an aimpoint/docter on a piggyback mount like Solid Lifter has suggested.
But this is going to be expensive and you know...electronics.

Ah, some stuff to think about right there. 👍 While I do plan on doing what needs to be done(and as usual, on the cheap ), I do share your sentiment on the electronics. Keep it simple, less thing that could go wrong the better.

I would like to get something with a 2x magnification, ideally, and I sure didn't take the effect from the shakiness into the consideration. Great tip right there. 👍

A couple of hundred yards or 200? For 200 a 2x7-32 with a plain duplex reticle should serve you well, and it can be used for close(r) quarter situations as well if you turn it down to 2x.
Heck, you can still shoot 200 with irons with some practice.

I have seen that, but damn, it is night & day with, or without optics! Again, I'm thinking 2x is ideal.

I stopped by the sports shop on the way home today(Leupold/Redfield dealer), and while their prices weren't bad, they keep very low inventory. Also, their ammo situation was crazy. They had 3 box limit on most, except the likes of brick of .22LR was one box limit. It's bad here guys.

Anyway, after shooting down the Redfield Battlezone, I think my front runner now's this entry level scope. Redfield Revenge It's cheap, but I sure liked the one that was on display(display was 3x, this one's 2x).