M2

Load To quote Ordell Robbie, "AK-47. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfucker in the room, accept no substitutes!" Seriously, as much as I like the AR, I have always preferred the AK. Personal choice, nothing more. That M1A is a fine choice, Springfield makes some excellent firearms. As for places to sell, Gunbroker.com or GunsAmerica.com are two possibilities. Cheers! M2

Here's a link to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles. I was going to recommend the Garber facility, where the NASM used to do its restoration; but I see all that has moved to the Udvar-Hazy Center. Have fun in DC, but don't fall for the old "lost my wallet but if you give me $20 I will give you my driver's license as collateral" trick. If they lost their wallet, why do they still have their driver's license??? Cheers! M2

I'll second brabus' post, I use the cheap-o Uncle Mike's holsters on both my XD-45 and M1911 (although I rarely carry the latter) tucked in at the 7 o'clock position of my waistline and it works great. Rarely does it print and it is designed to prevent the gun from contacting your skin. I have more complex holsters for other situations, just as a vertical shoulder holster for when I am riding my sportbike; but these IWB holsters are what I use most of the time... And whatever you do, do NOT buy a PagerPal. Despite the video demo, no one that I have ever met that has bought one liked it. I even met the guy who makes them at a gun show and he did a live demo that looked impressive; but they are not practical and his customer support sucks. Cheers! M2

The process in Texas is a real experience. However, that doesn't stop a bunch of people I would never give a CHL to from getting one. In the weapons qualification, the first ten rounds are fired at practically point-blank range. Seriously, you could almost put the barrel of the gun up to the target, and we still had people who shot all over the place. The real fun begins in the classroom, especially during the 'use of deadly force' segment. Maybe my years in the military helped me figure this out a bit quicker, but there were some real idiotic questions being asked... Cheers! M2

I have a fear of heights, but that didn't stop me from stepping out of a helicopter at 1800'...seven times! Fear is a normal emotion, be it spiders, flying or Rosie O'Donnell; God gave us the ability to identify things that may be life-threatening. The trick is not to let your fears overcome you, you have to control them; but fear itself is helpful for keeping everything in check. Or, in other words, what Hydro said! Cheers! M2

I'll take a shot at this one. Nothing says you have to carry a gun. Some of us just like to exercise our Second Amendment rights, and realize that in some situations the authorities may not be able to respond in time to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. The advantages of owning a handgun are that it gives you an ability to defend yourself and your family in a deadly situation. It is a matter of last resort, but it could also be a matter of life-and-death. Disadvantages are it is a lethal weapon, and misuse could result in an unintentional death, which is why if you do decide to get a handgun and carry it, you fully understand the responsibilities that entails. Everything you want to know about a concealed handgun license (CHL) in Texas can be found here. In a nutshell, you take a one-day course on gun safety and use, submit an application package, a background check is done and if you pass everything you get your CHL in about two months. You are authorized to carry almost everywhere, but there are restrictions as outlined in the CHL laws handbook found in the link above. As for how often people carry, you can read the demographics for Texas here. Otherwise, I can only speak from personal experience. I usually carry if I am not going somewhere where it is restricted. I hope I never have to draw my weapon, but if the need arises I prefer to have the option. Hope that helps, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me offline. Cheers! M2

I was talking about the squirrels! Cheers! M2

Just a fancy term for plastic, and it really doesn't do much weight-wise as the Yugos are built with the heavier and thicker receivers therefore any savings in the furniture would be negated. But compared to the Chinese Norinco AKM I am "gunsitting" for a bud in Iraq, it weighs about the same. Yugos are starting to run in short supply with the threat of HR 1022 IH, another Clinton-esque assault rifle ban, people are scrambling to snatch them up. I paid about $600 with taxes a few months back. I am going to the local gun show this weekend, I will see if what the current prices are for them, if anyone even has them. I noticed the Romanian WASR-10s--probably the cheapest and most common AKs in the States--have also jumped up in price from about $300-350 to $400-450 locally, and 7.62x39 ammo has most definitely gone up thanks to Iraq and Hugo Chavez (); so if you are interested I would grab one quickly as even if the 2007 ban doesn't come about, they are still going to only increase in value. Cheers! M2

Synthetic polymer... Cheers! M2

Finally got one (a Bulgarian AK-74 bayonet for my Yugo M70AB2), and it works great! (Clicky on pics for man-sized version!) Now to take care of that pesky squirrel problem! Cheers! M2

Timely...this just came out today from ConsumerReports.org... Cheers! M2

California is a whole other bag of mixed nuts... UW-BB is in Seattle, and Washingon state is a helluva lot more "gun friendly" than the Republic to its south. Just remember you have to have the "California-friendly" 10-round mags if you ever decide you want to visit... Cheers! M2

I'll second that, I have 800+ rounds through mine without a single FTF/FTE. The 9mm version of the XD passed the Glock Torture Test--20,000 rounds and was frozen, buried in mud and doused in sand--with flying colors, and as I said the grip angle is more like a M1911 therefore more comfortable to me. Hold 13+1 of 45ACP, enough to keep me happy! It is about the slimest double-stack I have ever fired. I have internal guide rod laser sights (LaserMax) on mine and they work great. I trust it more with my life than I ever did the Beretta M9! Cheers! M2

I must be getting old, I haven't heard of any of those groups. Are you sure they are bands? Now we're talking! But I had to look up Dierks Bentley...from Wikipedia: "Bentley is a country music singer...(who's) musical style is considered to be more traditional than many of his contemporaries and often contains traditional themes of lost or forbidden love, drinking and cheating"...sounds promising! Cheers! M2

Have you checked the BX? Seriously, I have bought my wife diamonds there in the past and when they were examined by a reputable jeweler, they were amazed at the high quality for the price. Matter of fact, I just bought her a 1 ct total weight ring (joint Mother's Day/Anniversary present) and got a good deal. I don't know about a $9K ring, when you get in that price range you'd be better off buying an airplane ticket to Antwerp, Belgium and getting one from a broker there. You should pay a couple thou for a nice ring, but when you get into the price range of a small car I think you might want to be a helluva lot more careful on what you buy! Cheers! M2

I just ordered Herb Alpert's Rise, but I also bought Z Z Top's Rancho Texicano yesterday for riding around in the Jeep (replacing Ted Nugent's Greatest Hits). I also love 70s funk and 80s New Wave. Kinda shows you the wide genre of music I listen to... Cheers! M2

If you are committed to the .40, I would suggest trying a Springfield XD-40 or a Glock 22 or 23 (standard or compact, respectively). I prefer the XD due to its M1911-type grip angle. However, I am a .45 fan, so I probably a bit biased towards the Springfields (I have a XD-45ACP). Nothing against the .40, it is a common caliber for law enforcement agencies, I just like the larger caliber of the .45 myself. Honestly, although I don't have firsthand experience with the three models you listed, as far as I know you won't go wrong with any of them. Cheers! M2

This is some of the best advice you will ever get from this forum, and some that will last you long past your USAF career. If you truly believe this will be your partner for life, then show her how much that means to you. Get your priorities straight from the onset, and life will be a much easier ride. And congratulations on the engagement! Cheers! M2

Anyone who doesn't make an effort to talk to any of the USAF heroes (and I will let you decide who falls in that category) is an idiot. And don't limit yourself to USAF vets, I had the honor to escort USMC flyer and MOH winner James Sweat at the Gathering of Eagles back in 96 and it was a hoot! I can't go into much detail, but I will say that those guys still know how to have a good time and could teach a lot to the current AD folks (myself included!). I am sure I am not the only old guy on here who remembers Project Warrior... The Marines did something similar back in the early 90s. Notice no mention of the word 'cyber' or any other similar flatulence. History is a great thing, especially when it teaches you lessons you don't have to learn the hard way! Cheers! M2

Actually, I have a bud who is a contractor in Kabul at the moment who says he can get them; but he is still hesitant to send one back. I asked both him about finding me a sling and both came back stating anything weapons-related—to include something as simple as a sling—is against regulations. I have a bud in Fallujah who told me the same thing…I think they have been read the riot act about anything weapons-related, and I don't blame my bud in Kabul as he has a good gig and I wouldn't want him to jeopardize anything for something as trivial as a bayonet for an AK. I am in no rush, I just thought I would ask and I might try MeowMix (thanks HD!). As for the look, there is a reason for it but discussing it here would violate the rules of the squadron bar…plus it’s not that interesting. Cheers! M2

That was several months ago...I stopped shaving completely last month. It has gotten a lot worse... Cheers! M2

(Click on photo for full-sized pic) Cheers! M2

Little maintenance costs on an Aprilia? Are you shitting me? I worked with a guy who had a brand new Futura when I was in Belgium, and I had to help him load it on a pick-up when it crapped out. My 14-yr-old Honda ST1100 was more reliable. I like Aprilias and Ducatis, but there isn't an Italian marque out there that is cheap to run or maintain. And there is a big difference between an SV650 and Italian V-twins, namely the price! Cheers! M2

Preferably a black one, as that is the color of the furniture on my Yugo underfold. SAXET has a show coming up 2-3 June here in San Antonio, I guess that will be my best bet. The monthly shows they had here went TU due to the loss of the venue (Airport Convention Center). Most on-line sources are ~$50 for Yugos or E. Germans, used to be you could find them for $10-12. Much like 7.62x39 ammo, the price of everything AK-related seems to be going up rapidly... Cheers! M2

OK, this forum has generated some miracles in the past, so I'll give it a try… I am looking for a Yugo or East German bayonet for an AK-47 (specifically, an M70AB2). If anyone has any sources or knows of one at a good price, drop me a PM or post here. Not looking for a standard AK bayonet, need one in black (hence the Yugo or East German specification) and in new or near new shape. I'd prefer a Yugo, but I am not choosy if the price is decent. Cheers! M2