M2

Fogo This is what I got from the Civil War re-enactor that I work with... Hope that helps! And I gotta add, that's a helluva cool gift you guys are getting for your grandpa! Cheers! M2

Had to do some cleaning up in here, too much info on what and where. Keep it to information that is already on the Internet (jrobe's link is a perfect example), and no FOUO! And sure as hell NO CLASSIFIED OR ANYTHING THAT COULD BE EVEN REMOTELY CONSTRUED AS CLASSIFIED!!! Thanks! M2

In today's AFA Update... Here's the full story... Nicely done, Class 08-08! Cheers! M2

Fogo I work with a guy who is a Civil War re-enactor, I will see if he has any info... But this would be a great place to start, and here is a site to get an idea on how much you may have to spend! Just a thought, but if your grandpa still likes to shoot, then get a functioning replica. Non-functioning ones are much cheaper, but not nearly as fun. If it were me, I would like to know what it felt like to shoot such a weapon; not just look at it! I have shot a musket before, and it was fun! Cheers! M2

Fogo Y'knew I was going to pipe in here, didn't ya? Anyhow, if you are eligible to own a gun, then there is no problem with the private sale. Just have your uncle make sure he doesn't everything legal under Illinois law during the sale, to keep his own ass out of hot water; but it should be a simple transfer. Now, you didn’t say if you were flying or driving there, so getting it back to Georgia will depend on which method of transportation you are taking. If you are driving and don’t have a concealed carry license that is recognized in every state that you drive through, the safest thing to do is leave it unloaded and locked up in the trunk/back of your car (out of reach while driving). You can legally possess and transport a handgun in every state in the manner I described; but the rules for carrying it loaded and in reach differs by each state and usually requires a CHL recognized by that state. If you are flying, it really isn’t that tough either. First, check the website of the airline that you are flying with to see what their rules are. Most require the weapon to be unloaded and locked up. I would recommend both a locked container and a cable lock through the weapon. Also, plan to get to the airport a little earlier than usual, as you will have to process the weapon when you check it in. That just means a little paperwork and most likely showing to the airline folks that it is unloaded and locked in your check-on luggage. They should be used to doing this, but if you get a newbie who hasn’t done this before just ask for a supervisor. The funny thing is that the latter was how I bought back my Dad’s two revolvers after he passed away, one of which was a snubby Taurus .38 Special. It was his ‘throw-away’ gun as he didn’t like carrying his 1952 Colt .357 Magnum (the other revolver I now have). The .38 is an easy gun to shoot but too small for my tastes for everyday carry. I prefer the 13+1 of .45 ACP that the XD provides. Cheers! M2

We are the best kept secret in the galaxy. We monitor, licence and police all alien activity on the Earth. We're your first, last, and only line of defense. We live in secret, we exist in shadow.

Mike It is pretty much like that in most states (at least the gun-friendly ones, so not California or New York!). As long as the recipient would be eligible to purchase the weapon themselves, they can receive it as a gift. A straw/strawman (I've heard both terms used) purchase is when the recipient would not be eligible to purchase the weapons themselves. Inasmuch as I would steer clear of anything that resembled a strawman purchase, I wouldn't allow it to stop me from buying a gun for a friend that could own one themselves. But as Big Freddie points out, the only real way to know that for sure is to take the person to the dealer and have them complete the paperwork. Cheers! M2 JF I go to Academy and toss a 1000 rounds of 7.62x39 into the shopping cart like I am buying milk and eggs. No one even gives me a first look, much less a second one. A thousand rounds is just a couple of fun days at the range! Getting good deals on ammo is a challenge. Believe it or not, WalMart seems to have the best prices on .45 ACP; but for the AKs I have to watch for sales. There are some online distributors, such as Cheaper Than Dirt; but once you factor in shipping they don't always save you that much. But to make it worthwhile the minimum is probably 500 rounds, so 1000 rounds isn't really that much. Instead, I monitor the forums and when someone finds a good deal or sale at the local shops or chains, they will usually post about it! Cheers! M2

AMF Not sure what the Louisiana laws are; but in most cases as long as the recipient would be eligible to buy the weapon himself, it should be legal for him to receive it as a gift. Of course you want to do your homework, and the shop where you are purchasing the gun would be a good place to start. Another good source is LouisianaCarry.org. If the person is in another state, then it starts getting complicated... Speaking of which, that's one helluva nice gift to be giving! Cheers! M2

The Blue Angel's Monika Lewinsky! Cheers! M2

Damn, and I could use a good laugh! Cheers! M2

MD From what I understand, the M1991 is basically no different than a M1911. Colt just decided to market an economy version of their basic Series 80 Government Model and other than a few cosmetic changes, mechanically it is the same as any other Colt Series 80, 1911-type pistol, and even Colt 70 Series. That said, I have never shot one...but I don't think there is anything substantially different between it and a M1911. Cheers! M2

Stretch Nice rifle, if you want to drop it off in San Antonio I will take really good care of it! As for the XDm, the looks have changed a little but the original is such a sweet gun that the only way I will ever part with it will be the day my son inherits it! But if you want a XD45 and can wait, see if the price drops when the XDm comes out because right now is the worst time to buy a new gun. Prices and ammo have risen dramtically since last Tuesday. Things have gotten real crazy and I would wait if I were in your shoes. You still might be able to find a deal, I know a good dealer near Corpus who I bought my last two M1911s from; but I don't know if his prices have gone up like everyone else's. So, if you can be patient and can take your time, you will be better off. It took me several months to find the Springfield M1911s I wanted at the right price, but it was well worth the wait! Cheers! M2

Brick (et al) I don't think the intent was to stymie boisterous discussions on here—far from it—but to ensure that the known boundaries are not crossed. We retirees are more free to speak our minds than our active duty buds, and whereas there may be mechanisms to track down offenders I would think it would have to be a very serious remark that would generate that level of response. No, we only ask that the criticism be constructive and none of the bashing we saw when the incoming administration were simply candidates. It was a gentle reminder of the restrictions that officers face (and I am not sure what article enlisted personnel would be charged under, as Art 88 specifically applies to officers only; but I am sure they’d find one if the need warranted!). The best approach is to attack the issues and not the individuals. That has already started in my beloved gun thread, as those of us who exercise our Second Amendment rights to the fullest are fearful that another Clinton-like Assault Weapons Ban is on its way. Allow me to define contemptuous… con•temp•tu•ous [kuh n-temp-choo-uh s] adj. Manifesting or feeling contempt; scornful Obviously this translates to angry and/or disrespectful comments towards our elected officials, down to “the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he (the officer) is on duty or present” (I guess ‘he’ applies to females as well!). So if we stick to the topics and issues at hand, and leave the individual bashings to other venues, we will all be A-OK! Cheers! M2

It's been discussed before... Clinton Assault Weapons Ban There is a very good chance that another one will be imposed, plus other restrictions. This is what is driving the increased sales (and prices) of guns and ammo... I would buy as soon as possible. A bud of mine already asked me about getting a Yugo M70AB2 AK-47... Cheers! M2

It would be prudent to heed it in both environments; but more so in the real world! Personally, I try to avoid conversations on politics and religion at work. Jeeps, guns, and porn are all fair game, though! Cheers! M2

I believe CH was trying to be proactive in keeping things under control, and I have to agree. As someone who served under Clinton, it is easy to get contemptuous towards the President; but like the man or not, you have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to refrain from those kinds of remarks. I have already had to change the title of a thread from “Barack Hussein” to “Obama;” and we don’t need anymore threads such as 'From Powell to Socialism and Everything Else in Between...An Obama thread gone wild!' Yes, this is a somewhat anonymous internet forum; but don’t think for a second you cannot be tracked down if the need necessitates. Most likely you will be banned from here, as we don’t need that kind of unwanted attention; but that doesn’t mean the authorities won’t continue to take action to find you! It is easier than you may think, and the majority of people on here do not take the appropriate measure to completely hide their identities. So, the bottom line is simple, keep it civil. No, I don’t think we need to impose the same ROE that two dudes in uniform chatting at the BX food court should observe; but we need to keep it under control. The majority has spoken and that is the democratic process we have all sworn to defend at some point in our lives. Like it or not, that is how this country works and if the elected administration fails to perform to the satisfaction of the masses, there will be another change in four years. If you have any further problems with this, feel free to send any of the mods an email, or contact BaseOps directly. Otherwise, we all appreciate your understanding and cooperation! Cheers! M2

AMF With those initials, you'll want to stay away from the Harleys! Seriously, as a Honda man, I think you'd be better off with one of those deals. Not only are they half the price of an H-D, but they are better engineered. And before anyone tries to flame me about motorcycles, I have been around them for over 35 years and worked in a motorcycle shop during my youth. In addition to the 2005 Repsol I posted pics of earlier, I've had a 1991 Honda ST1100 since new, and it still runs strong. It looks similar to this, but I have a Corbin seat and a ClearView Sportshield on mine... I had it in Germany for four years and Belgium for three, and it has been up and down and across Europe on several occassions. It was designed by Honda Germany and is tailor made for comfortable, long-distance high-speed runs down the autobahn. My favorite ride was a multi-nation week-and-a-half Alpine tour in late 1995. I have a picture from the top of Passo dello Stelvio, the highest pass in the Italian Alps, that still hangs in my office. If anyone gets a chance to ride the Alps on a motorcycle, I would highly recommend it. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I hope to repeat one day! Cheers! M2

All joking aside, loose and open clothing is not a good idea at the range, especially covered ranges! A hot casing can fly in places where hot casings shouldn't be, and that can lead to other unwanted actions such as swinging the gun around or dropping it! Ballcaps help, as will buttoned up or crewneck collars; and don't forget eye and ear protection! Sure, it doesn't photograph as well, but shooting a .45 under a tin roof will seriously cause problems if you aren't properly dressed! Cheers! M2

And, you do not have to be married to commit adultery. If either of the two parties is married to someone else, both are guilty of adultery. So, if the guy is married, but the chick he is is not; she is still as guilty of adultery as he is! Cheers! M2

Fogo I've taken numerous first-time shooters to the range, from my wife to my then-9-yr-old son to a Canadian teenager. The first thing to stress is safety. Go over the rules of the range and gun safety several times before even heading out. An accident will put someone off faster than anything. Secondly, I go over each weapon being shot; from a description of how it works, properly handling and how much kick to expect. Then, for my semi-autos, I chamber one round and drop the magazine. I then stand behind the shooter and make sure they keep the weapon pointed downrange. Then I let them shoot. This is the scariest part of me as I am always afraid they'll drop the gun! After they've fired a shot, ask them how they like it. Most likely they'll be scared and excited at the same time, both of which are a good thing as the fear will ensure they respect the lethality of the weapon and the excitement means they would like to try it again. I even make a point to let them shoot all the guns I have, to include the .357 Magnum if I've got it. I warn them it will kick; but I think it is better they experience all the guns than only the ones they think won't kick. However, I try to find out which on they like most and let them shoot it more. I load a couple of rounds in a magazine and show they how to load it and take the safety off. Also ensure they know how to check to make sure the weapon is clear afterward, and to keep it pointed downrange at all times. After some more experience, I will load up a complete magazine and let them fire on their own; but you will know when they are ready for that. My wife loved my M1911s, but she'd probably prefer the .38 revolver to carry. My son has shot everything I have minus the 12-gauge pistol-gripped shotgun. He's not big enough for its kick. But even the Canadian kid (the son of a buddy of mine), who was shaking most of the time he was shooting (he's never shot a handgun before, nor a rifle larger than a .22) had a great time! Just take a little time to prep, and keep an eye out to make sure they are enjoying the experience. Don't push them beyond their desires, and I am sure all will work out fine. Shooting is a great pasttime, and many people are surprised they have a natural knack for it. And above all, make sure it is fun! Cheers! M2

Even if it were taught in schools, unfortunately I still believe a majority of Americans are too lazy or apathetic to pay respect to the symbols of our nation. If you want my feelings on this, just go back to the Josh Howard thread I started when that fuckstick was running his mouth during the playing of our national anthem. Even with the new law, I feel odd saluting in civilian clothes; so I stick with what I know best...stand at attention with my hand over my heart. However, I have been tempted to slap the living shit out of people when I see them jawing aroiund or playing grabass during the national anthem. The main problem is that the freedoms that the citizens of this great country enjoy come too easy for the vast majority of them. Those of us who have supported and defended them, and who actually lose some of those same freedoms while doing so, understand how important they really are; and how to respect the symbols of those freedoms. On a side note, it is always good to see our old pal Linda posting! Hope all is well, my friend! Cheers! M2

I would expect something like a Tweet flying off into the sunset...with 1957-2009 across the bottom. Yeah, I know, it's a bit corny; but send the old girl off with a little style and class! She deserves it! Cheers! M2

Exactly, which is why this is such a ridiculous proposal in the first place. There is no strategic value in 13 or 130 Marines as compared to a well-placed TLAM on the right target, and the development costs only would draw momey away from more critical programs. Someone needs to put the comic books down and wake up to the reality, the US military needs a helluva lot more things than BS like this and floating ideas like this into the press only gives more fodder to those who think defense spending is already outrageous! Cheers! M2

Ace Just personal preference. For one, I consider my .357 Colt is a family heirloom, something I will pass on to my sons one day. These days it is kept in a display case. Secondly, I don't doubt is a great firearm, I have shot it on numerous occassions and love it (the .357 round kicks ass!); but the capacity of my XD (13+1) over the six it holds is another selling point. Lastly, the XD is significantly slimmer and easy to draw from an IWB holster. I would prefer to carry the revolver in an external holster on my hip, which isn't allowed in Texas as it isn't an open carry state. Again, this is just my logic behind it, I am not saying that a revolver is bad carry weapon or unreliable, I just find a semi-auto to be a better solution for concealed carry. And I also have a small .38 revolver that I do sometimes carry under certain circumstances, like when I am going someplace where I would have to leave it in the car. It was my Dad's old "throw away" gun and whereas I would hate to lose it if it were stolen or something, it would pain me less than if I lost my XD, the .357 or one of my M1911s... Cheers! M2

Berg If it's good enough to win WWII, it's good enough for self-defense! I have a .357 Magnum revolver, a 1954 pre-Python Colt that was my Dad's. It is a great gun to shoot, but I would never carry a revolver for self-defense, and .357 semi-autos are hard to find (Springfield ceased production of the XD357 a while back). I was already a .45 fan, but this FBI report is what convinced me to stick with .45 JHPs instead of cheaper 9mm. Sure, shot placement is the most important factor; but as the aforementioned report says, all things being equal the second most important factor is caliber size. In other words, bigger is better. Smaller, faster rounds like the 9mm not only make a narrower path through the target, they have less of a chance of hitting a vital organ. Larger, slower rounds like the .45 have a better chance even though the bullet size isn't substantially larger than a 9mm (see the comparison chart earlier in this thread). But the fact that the larger round will tumble and expand (if a JHP), the larger caliber greatly increases the potential for striking a vital organ. Considering the fact that my XD carries 13+1 rounds of .45 JHP, that is more than sufficient for most situations. Yes, .45 ammo is more expensive than 9mm; but in my opinion (and the FBI's), it is the most effective round. Plus, the best semi-auto out there, John Moses Browning's M1911, was designed around it. The 10mm, like a .44 Magnum, is a powerful round but not a practical one; the .45ACP is about the largest usable round for concealed carry and self-defense in a pistol. It is why the M1911A1 is still being used by some US units who actually need an effective firearm...and I am not talking about the sky cops! Anything larger than that, and it's time to grab the shotgun! Cheers! M2