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At any given time? Probably like 30.

I started my own business last year. Time to go max effort on it.

Well, that and their complete lack of ability to survive in a non-permissive or denied environment.

Pretty cool article, I guess C-130s and C-17s can't take all the airdrop credit. WxMan https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/09/travel/c5-galaxy-dover-museum-minuteman-missile/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

Very nice, Brick. I have a Model 39-2. The weak extractor was unique to the original Model 39. It ran the length of the rear of the slide up to the ejection port. They were also steel framed guns. The 39-2 saw the transition to aluminum frame and a more reliable/durable extractor used on all future versions of S&W's all metal semi-autos. Although the internals on S&Ws 1st-3rd gen semi autos are quite complex, they are pretty robust. The all steel 3rd generation models are particularly durable. I can't find it at the moment, but there is a story floating around online about the external safety or magazine disconnect of his M39 (don't remember which feature) saving an ISP officer's life when a bad guy was able to get a hold of the officer's gun.

Given those restrictions, exactly what information were you hoping to learn/discuss on this forum?

I can't believe the threshold for "journalism" these days... I think that about covers it. The shoot down of EXTORTION 17 was a horrible event for the US military, and more specifically the SOF community. The preposterous conspiracy theories surrounding it are an insult to the heroes that died that day. I'm also tired of only reading about the SEALs that died with no mention of the Air Force CCT and PJs on board or the Army helo crew that also perished. People trying to paint this as some kind of "set up" make me sick. These men were on their way into battle and some muj got a lucky shot off. Period. At least they were visited by a couple GBUs and some 40 and 105mm a few days later. Here's a toast to the heroes of EXTORTION 17.....

It is not that is won't fit. It is the fact that it will blow the trees down and the exhaust will burn holes in the nice grass.

Smith & Wesson Model 439 not my photo If a M1911 and a Browning Hi-power had a baby, it would be something like this. First, the history via some google-fu: S&W developed the Model 39 in the early 1950s to compete for a US Army effort to replace the 1911 (when has that ever happened and how many times?). Specifically, Big Green was looking for a double-action 9mm to be a NATO standardizing weapon and round as well as taking advantage of the double-action of the German P-38 of WWII fame. S&W came up with the Model 39 and then the competition was cancelled. So they went to the civilian market where it did ok. Incidentally, the Vietnam-era SEALs used the Model 39, including a silenced .22 version called the "Hush Puppy" for silencing the biological ADT alarms of the VC of the day. Fast forward to the 1970s and the second generation, the Model 439 came out. It fixed some of the issues with the original Model 39 - weak extractor mainly. The Model 439 was the first semi-auto to be adopted by a major police force - Illinois State Police - which began the switch from .38 revolvers to today's semi-auto armed police forces. So with that background, here is my report on this new-to-me Model 439. This is a Colt Commander-sized semi-auto. It has a better hand feel than even a 1911 (which is the best, IMO) with curved mainspring housing filling up the center of the palm. The fixed front sight is large, but has no definition for my old eyes, so I had a red insert put in. The large rear sights are adjustable. Capacity is 8 + 1 of 9mm. Controls are 1911/most semi's standard. Recoil is soaked up by the steel slide and aluminum frame. This is not a light-weight gun. But the nose didn't rise very much and follow-up shots were easy and quick to do. I put 200 rounds of 124 gr. FMJ through it yesterday. Zero malfunctions of any sort and it hit where aimed from 25 yards down to 3. The double action is heavy but not as bad as, say, a Walther PPK/S. But you aren't going to accidentally fire this thing when the hammer is down. You will have to mean it to pull the trigger in double-action. In single action, there was a little play before the trigger took up tension, but the break was clean and precise. Could be because this is a used gun. (After buying, I took to a gunsmith for a full R&R since I didn't know the full history of it before I bought it.) A trigger job could be on the horizon to lose the slight play. The slide-mounted decocker/safety is on both sides and easily reached/manipulated. I like this gun. I could easily see it being a carry piece especially for those that like 1911's for such. And, for me, carrying it with one in the chamber, but the hammer down would be more instinctive than the 1911 condition one cocked/locked. No insult intended for those that do, just that I haven't trained for such. My thought pattern is that if I need to draw, I need to fire. And my lizard brain is likely to be the only one working at that moment, so adding a step of 'safety off' is one I will screw up. Obviously, training and practice could overcome this. But since I don't carry a 1911, I don't need to. But I digress. Breaking it down to clean it shows the old-school of it as well. Kinda 1911-like here too. Push and remove the slide-lock pin, slide off, mainspring/guide rod off (and it's a looooong spring), barrel bushing off, barrel out, and there you have it. I like old-school steel and wood guns. But technology has passed them by in a lot of ways. For less weight, I can carry more ammo in a modern polymer 9mm. I can also carry smaller, more concealable pistols. But in the day, or if this was all I had, I would have no problem carrying this one. It is flat like a 1911, points well, and operates in a standard fashion. It also would make a good night table house gun. Pros: Feels good Low recoil Shoots well Looks good Cons: Heavy compared to modern counterparts Complicated engineering compared to modern counterparts Limited magazine capacity I like this pistol enough to where it made the display gun cabinet. Just a classic, classy looking pistol

Nice, being a DSG is one of the best jobs imaginable. Not the first and you will not be the last to do this is the next few years!

I like it on the motorcycle for rainy days.

Depends on what's going out. A single training CDS: not much. A full load of Army dudes going out? A loooooot....power back and trim down. Don't recall that CBT anywhere, had to figure it out on my own first time I dropped personnel lol.

Absolutely. The only "extras" that should be paid should incentivize job performance, not encouraging dependency. We're swerving from the thread. My point: whatever bennies any Ssgt or Capt gets, all Ssgts and Capts get. What you choose to do with yours is up to you. Stay single, or spend it on/with family. Further derail: next idea that goes along with this one is: no ADSCs. Ever. For anything. Stay or go? Your call, anytime. But no retirement until 20, and min rank to go to 20 is Msgt and Lt Col. HYT at 18 for both Tsgts and Majs. No partials, no vsp, no bonus... all or nothing from day 1. Back to the thread: if gays get 10 days PTDY for "marriage", then everyone gets 10 days PTDY for "marriage".

Ehh wash it out with a hose, let it dry over night, should be FMC for the first go of the day right? Now the LGPOS in the bottom pic might as well send that to the boneyard.