The Guns We Own

[RabidAlien]

My wife and I had a kiddo-free day on Saturday, courtesy of wife's grandparents, so after a cheesy movie (Gnomeo and Juliet....meh), we ran some errands and found ourselves in the general vicinity of BassPro Outdoor Shop. So, of course, I talked her into wandering in and looking (again). We talked to the handgun guys, and after holding a couple of handguns, we've finally settled on the Springfield XD series as our next purchase. She likes the 9mm, it fits her hand nicely, whereas I was looking more along the lines of a .38, .40 or .45. Not really something that you'd carry concealed, but more than enough for stashing in the purse or on the hip, or leave in the glovebox just in case. I'll get her out to the range here shortly, there's a range in Dallas that has the XD series for rent, so we can send a few rounds downrange and see how we like the feel. Does anybody have one of these, or have ever shot one? We liked the grip and weight, but firing one may be a whole 'nudder story. How about reliability? I know the Springfield name, and would be able to purchase one blind (not having tested one prior) without too much worry, but other folks' personal testimonies do help that decision-making process a lot!

 

[javlin]

I shot a friend of mines XD with the shorter barrel?It was OK I have a decent size hand but did not car to much for the grips he had!The 4" barrel is what he had on his and I was not impressed with the accuracy wereas my 1911(5") was more accurate even when he shot mine for the first time.My friend loved his XD though and is now serving over in Afghanstan.

 

[bobbysocks]

I thought I heard the price had jumped cause I have a Semi -Thompson a West Hurley version I like to get done to a SBR version but what you said sums it up.Now do you remember or know? I think the Law goes all the parts for a FA cannot be under one roof or let's say location/address?

that is not true. as a matter of fact you must have the gun or registered parts where only you have access to them. so you would need a gun safe where you only have the combo or key. others may be able to shoot them with you present but they must not be able to get to them. i do not know if or what can be bought for your weapon. the original thompsons mgs fired from an open bolt IIRC....so you would need basically a total lower receiver or registered parts plus a bolt carrier configured for open bolt. would sure be a jack hammer to fire!

there is no real reason for someone to own one...you are right. in most instances a semi or single shot would suffice. MGs have limited application but when in those arenas they are the $#!T. i also dont have a reason for a car that can go over 70 mph, a televison over 35 inch, or a reason to own 1/3 of the crap i do. but there is nothing like wringing out a porche on the open road, lighting up the tires on a muscle car, spinning an airplane for the first time, or or running through a belt on a mg. you are just gonna want to do it again! if you have the cash and are willing to jump through the hoops you can do just about anything in thie country...as long as you buy the right permit/ pay the right tax.

 

[GrauGeist]

I'll agree with you on the "being available for a fee" idea, mostly because if something is easily available to the general public, it will eventually be misused in such numbers that lawmakers will put a lid on it (they're just looking for excuses to make new laws anyway).

Most cars can over-speed, true, but the cars that can travel at heinous speeds are inaccessible to all but the ones that want to pay for it and handle them (for the most part) responsibly. Same would go for the F/A shoulder weapons. I would hate to see them be available en-masse because you know how that would end up. The ones who are willing to pay for the right to own, are the ones who will handle them properly.

By the way, regarding that XD, I wasn't really impressed with it (shot both the .40 S&W - black phosphate over OD polymer and a .45 black phosphate over black polymer). The XD didn't fit my hand well and the trigger seemed a little stiff (maybe it's just me). I like the weight and feel of my 1911, but prefer my S&W 39-2 9mm for performance, weight feel...

 

[RabidAlien]

Yeah, I plan on test-firing a couple of different makes/models before I pick one out. My wife's done a ton of research, though (she has more free time at work), and is set on the XD. We'll see after we fire a couple of rounds through it, though. She was also eyeballing a Ruger and a Glock.

 

[tyrodtom]

I've shot my son-in-laws XD, 45acp, 5 in barrel. Didn't like it, didn't dislike it.

I guess i'm still stuck in the past, I look on weapons as mechanical art, plastic just doesn't make it for me.

 

[bobbysocks]

it has to feel really good in your hand or you wont either be able to shoot it well or wont enjoy shooting it. that's what i told anyone who looked to buy a gun off of me. forget the price for the most part. everyone's hands are different and what may be comfortable for you may feel horrendous to me. you can do some adjusting by changing grips. despite my personal preferences for the firearms...i found s&w revolvers and colt ruger autos fit best for me. i love the h&k pistols but something about them didnt feel right.

 

[RabidAlien]

Kewl, thanks for that Bobbysocks. I liked the feel of the grip on the XD, but with the trigger lock bolted on, I couldn't really get a good feel for how it fit my finger. I guess I've got bigger hands, or longer fingers, or something, but it felt like the shooting-part (lack of better term for the end of my index finger) rested naturally on the outside of the trigger guard, vs. trying to get in where the bolt was attached. That was the 9mm, though, the others looked larger, but the store was busy and we weren't looking to buy for me.

 

[Torch]

For a plastic gun try an H&K P30/P30l,won't get much better than that.

 

[RabidAlien]

Kewl, will put it on the list.

 

[GrauGeist]

I've also heard word that the newer generation Taurus S/A pistols are good performers.

I haven't had the opportunity to try any, but the folks I've spoken to (including Taurus owners) give decent feedback on them.

Might not hurt to have a look, at least.

 

[RabidAlien]

I'll scribble that on the mental posty-note, too. And then tell my wife, since I tend to misplace mental posty-notes.

 

[bobbysocks]

Taurus has always put out a good product....unless they had troubles recently they are worth looking at.

 

[Torch]

Taurus has been hit or miss, for the most part they have been good decent shooters, but they have had a history of stinkers also,I'd take the Tracker series of revolvers over their semi's.

 

[RabidAlien]

Wife reminded me that the last guy we talked to at the shop said that the current line of Taurus' keep coming back in with cracked barrels. So we're steering away from that line. For now, anyway.

 

[drgondog]

guys - have you ever contemplated that anything you post here re: stuff that you own becomes 'public'?

personally, I am not enthusiastic about the unwelcome disclosure.. if there is ever a 'general pick-up' order issued I woul rather have the issuer not have a laundry list to work from based on internet souces.

based on what I have seen coming out of the UN, this may not be as unrealistic as you might think - depending on the constituency in the Senate.

 

[CharlesBronson]

The M4 Colt /Umarex (here is sell under the name Walther) is really sweet, I made an alluminiun supressor for a cousin of mine and had the oportunity to fire, really pretty and accurate.

personally, I am not enthusiastic about the unwelcome disclosure.. if there is ever a 'general pick-up' order issued I woul rather have the issuer not have a laundry list to work from based on internet souces.

Nothing wrong to show that you are armed and proud of it. Nothing is gained concealing the fact you/I are/am a law-abbiding gun owner.

Taurus has been hit or miss, for the most part they have been good decent shooters, but they have had a history of stinkers also,I'd take the Tracker series of revolvers over their semi's.

Cough...if you want south american with good quality better buy bersa or Rexio...cough, sorry the advertising but is true.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwtTX2S-t-o


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpjKUeMpsaA

 

[bobbysocks]

guys - have you ever contemplated that anything you post here re: stuff that you own becomes 'public'?

personally, I am not enthusiastic about the unwelcome disclosure.. if there is ever a 'general pick-up' order issued I woul rather have the issuer not have a laundry list to work from based on internet souces.

based on what I have seen coming out of the UN, this may not be as unrealistic as you might think - depending on the constituency in the Senate.

they ( big brother ) know everything i have from the records i surrendered when i gave up my license. if that day (pick up order) ever happens...by the time they get to me i would have hot wired a plane and be across atleast one border...

 

[tyrodtom]

There are over 600,000,000 known firearms worldwide, over 200,000,000 known firearms just in the USA. And about 8,000,000 new ones made every year.

I think everybody realizes the actual numbers would be a great deal higher than those that are known.

Can anyone even begin to imagine the amount of people and the size of the organization it would take to begin to take every gun in just the USA.

Ain't gonna happen.

 

[javlin]

There are over 600,000,000 known firearms worldwide, over 200,000,000 known firearms just in the USA. And about 8,000,000 new ones made every year.

I think everybody realizes the actual numbers would be a great deal higher than those that are known.

Can anyone even begin to imagine the amount of people and the size of the organization it would take to begin to take every gun in just the USA.

Ain't gonna happen.

Plus I have discussed with many many local Pd's officers around here who I am aquainted with through my work and they all support the 2nd Amendment. These same guys have stated if the word ever came down they would not follow to start the reposessoning of weapons out of fear!