Leaderboard

Guys, I was holding this open until the 16th especially for a member whom I promised I would, however he was able to pay early so the payments must be to me by the 9th of May, after that date I will be giving Pro Tech our money and the build will start! I know of two other forums that I am a member of who have some builds coming from Pro Tech but we are first, if I were to keep this open longer we would be risking a spot in line. Depending on my work schedule and when Pro Tech will have these completed, I expect to be shipping these to you around mid July. In the opening post there is a list of all who have paid, your user names are in Green along with the serial numbers you requested, I will update that post with everything and when the time comes after I confirm your shipping address I will send you each a tracking number VIA PM, next to your user names I will put the date of when I ship your knives I want to thank all of you who have supported this and who are aware of what a great deal this is for us. This is the beginning of what I hope to be a very long relationship with Pro Tech!

It's a privilege to me to tell all those people they can kiss my ass.

Well it's official. We signed a lease agreement for a condo in Lenox Village today. We are excited that's over with. Gonna be weird being a 'middle tn' resident

My wife, daughter, nephew, and myself all head to Waffle House this evening for supper. As I pull in I notice the same front plate on a Suburban that has always been on the front of my Dad's vehicles "Once a Marine, Always a Marine". I get the same proud grin every time I see it, or any military branch plate. We walk in and I see the older Marine sitting at a table by himself wearing his Vietnam Veteran cap and walk directly to him to thank him for his service. My daughter and nephew followed and thanked him as well and we all shook his hand. He smiled, thanked us, and wished us a good evening. When we sat down, I waved his waitress over and before I could say anything she walked up, smiled, and said "You want his check don't you?". I guess she could see how proud we all were to thank this man for all he'd done. As we finished our meal, I just thought about all of our veterans and how I wish I could buy every single one of them a meal and how it's the least we could do. As we were getting up to pay, he was leaving as well and had just been told that we'd taken care of his check. He walked up to us, leaning on a cane, and I wish y'all could have seen the smile on his face. It was heart warming. He thanked us, and said told us that it was a blessing to him. I told him Thank You and that he was a blessing to us and that MANY people are so proud of all that vets give and wished him a "God bless you Sir".    One of the greatest things about this forum is that I know we all think a lot of our vets and have a lot of members who are vets too. I also want to take this time to thank you all for everything you have done and do everyday.  :usa:   I've always respected what the men and women of our armed forces risk and give up for their country. But as I've gotten older, it sinks in even more. God Bless the USA and all those who fight for her!

IMO... the Ruger, hands down. The trigger is SO much better than ANY Smith snubbie trigger, it's ridiculous. It's light, accurate, costs less; I wouldn't even look at a S&W after the Ruger.

Google this topic, read articles, read other forums, and watch some videos. There's a lot of info out there comparing these guns.    My subjective observation: the LCR trigger beats the snot out of any right out of the box plain jane J-Frame D/A trigger. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't shot them side-by-side. I can't vouch for the new LCRx's S/A compared to a Smith.   I think of the LCR like a Glock. It is a fugly reliable gun made to do a job and it works. Although I wouldn't make a habit out of shooting .357's out of an LCR, I actually like the couple of extra ounces in weight in the .357 to help tame .38+P loads. I don't think there is much, if any, advantage to shooting .357 rounds out of a 1.875 snubby. But recoil with certain .357 loads isn't as bad in the LCR as one might think. Also, I like having full ammo compatibility with multiple firearms.       It took me a long time to get it in my head that a revolver could be made of plastic. The LCR isn't "pretty." Most Smith J-Frames have a sexy look about them. I think the LCR does as well but in a weird utilitarian type of way. Besides looks, the only real downside to the LCR is the ability to find holsters to fit the trigger guard.     This is a Coke/Pepsi argument. You can't go wrong with either but my vote goes to the Ruger.    

For the last 14 years I have been traveling all over the world for work. I can not count the times that I run into Soldiers on their way to or back from combat. Every time that I get the opportunity I thank them. Sometimes by picking up their tabs at a food joint or buying them a beer, I always do what I can. The look of gratitude on the faces when I thank them for their service and for keeping my family safe is more heartwarming and rewarding than anything I can think of, More than once I have given up a first class ticket and taken their coach seats on flights May God bless all of you who have served our wonderful country!

So, I picked up a smith and wesson Model 25-9 THP 60th anniversary revolver the other day.  From my research I have found that these were consigned by GT distributors and sold only to active and retired members of the THP as only 350 were made. The Smith and wesson book says that they were made using the model 25-5 with a few using the 25-9 model. The 25-5 was made from 1978-1988 and the 25-9 was made from 1990-1991. The anniversary gun was made in 1989.  My guess is they used some old surplus guns from the last year of the 25-5 and some early 25-9s.  What do you think. Does any one have more research on them? Mine comes with the presentation case, numbers matching box, and all tools still in plastic wrap.  Anyone else have one?   Thanks Hank    

So it's official. We found out today that my wife is going to do her residence at Vanderbilt University Med Center. We're sad to leave East Tennessee but very excited about the future. I'm going to be asking for living suggestions and job openings as we prepare for the move but I'll start new threads for that. Just wanted to share the good news. Sent from my iPad using Voodoo magic

Wife and I went to the parade today......it was loaded wall to wall......people....people......people.  Sevierville has grown outta it's pants.....LOL

Got em roosted. Hoping for #3 tomorrow.

I did my share of hunting over the years to put food on the table some and to just have extra freezer meat and save on pocket book. Then one day back in 1990 I was deer hunting with youngest son on his place and he put me up in a great ladder stand all painted camo and really comfortable and it was his favorite stand and he had been seeing a14 point buck chasing does on his place and had been trying to bag hi since Bow season and it was now gun season. I'm setting in the stand with my model 94 Winchester and I see this huge buck moving through a thicket coming in my direction. My son is also watching the deer about 350 yards away through binoculars. he just knows it is his buck and he said dang daddy's gonna bag my big buck. There was about 4 Persimmon trees about 10 yards out from the stand and about 10 minutes passed and I was 10 yards away from a   buck with a great rack and thick neck and about 225 on the hoof eating persimmons and I sat there and watch this magnificent majestic creature eating persimmons and several times he looked right up at me and he knew I was not going to shoot him. He ate for about 15 minutes before moving back into the thicket. My son showed up about 20 minutes later and we began the walk back to his house and he said "ya know dad, it might be time for you to quit hunting till you get some new glasses cause you can't see to good with those, and I laughed and said " Are you talking about the 14 that was standing in front of me eating persimmons"? he said "Yep". I just looked at him and said "Son, It's only me now at the house, my freezer is full from folks bringing me deer meat and fish and you have known all your life I am not a trophy hunter and me and that old deer made a deal, He looked up and me and winked and I winked back and I think he knew I would not shoot him." I told my son that day I will never drop a hammer on another wild critter for food unless I am starving and have no other options. Right now I have deer meat and fish in my freezers and have not Crappie fish in years and have not deer hunted since that day. I don't judge other folks if they hunt because that has been a way of life since the beginning of time and fishing the same way. I love to bass fish but I catch and release. I don't keep them. I am a fishing sportsman and don't fish for grease.............jmho

I have a J Frame 642 that ends up as my most frequent carry piece.  As far as the trigger, it was a bit heavier than I liked so I put in the Apex Tactical kit linked below and like it much better.      https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid49.html

Killdeer -   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killdeer   They can really haul hiney.

I've carried a 442 in a pocket holster in jeans without any problem. The +P isn't my choice for target shooting but I don't shoot an airweight pistol very often.

I have no issue carrying a ~21oz steel j frame in a pocket.

Great Race! California Chrome, a 10000 horse shames the million dollar pack with an almost 5 length win!   Magnificent Looking Animal!   And my wife's pick for the race as well.

I see a burger republic trip in the near future!

First, there are several versions of the 640.  One is a 1.85", 2.125 and the other is a 3" all are pocketable but obviously the 1 7/8" is lighter and smaller(perfect in my opinion). There are several versions of sp101 and the smallest is still larger than the biggest 640, you really don't want to shoot 357 out of either of the ~2.25" barrels. The ejector rod is easily bent on the sp101 which is probably its biggest downfall, if you aren't going to be doing tactical emergency reloads it doesn't much matter. Another thing, I only like the shrouded hammer/body guards as collectors (model 638/38/49/649). You miss out on the best attributes of the chief special and you miss out on the best attributes of the centennial, without any gains.  The shrouds around the hammer act as a funnel for moisture and pocket debris, my grandfather told me stories of cops going out on the range to find the bodyguards locked up from standing out in the rain one day.  Coins love to find their way into the shrouded hammers. I don't know if it would interest you but there are a few 327 Fed mag,6 shot j frames on the market.  You gain an extra shot, 357mag like performance with 38 like recoil, and the ability to shoot 327 fed mag, 32 h&r mag, 32 long, 32short, and 32acp(only use the 32acp for target practice as the primers often get weak strikes). If you find a S&W cut for moon clips, in a 3" barrel, or a pro series just buy it. Older non MIM parts and no Hillary Hole (internal lock)often bring more money.

I agree with musicman... I have several j/k/l frames and I have and shoot a ruger lcr 357. And multiple small 380/9 mm semi autos. IF you want a revolver for carry I find the trigger and overall utility of the smith j frames to be superior to the ruger. Actually I use my ruger to improve my trigger pull and trigger discipline. As noted by others it is really easy to short stroke this trigger, especially if you are shooting at the same time as semi-autos. On the other hand the light j frames are an handful, but personally I find the trigger much more predictable. I think a ruger lcr would work fine if you practice dry fire with snap caps and understand the limits to the trigger pull and long reset. And as long as you are happy with any 5 shot option whether it is a smith, ruger, or other revolver. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I've owned 3 LCRs, 2 SP101s, "airweights" both aluminum and titanium and a couple of S&W 60s.  I can do a fair action job on SP101s and S&Ws.  I also took a class one time where we fired around 400 rds of .38spl which I split between LCR and S&W.  I prefer the S&W, although the Rugers run fine. At the end of the day though I prefer semi-auto for a save your bacon gun. The difference between a LCR and lets say a S&W 442 isn't much.  I think the S&W has a shorter trigger stroke, but out of the box the LCR is smoother.  I think the S&W carries a bit "slicker" and seems smaller than than the LCR but that is mostly grip. If you are bound and determined to have a snubbie it would be a good idea to do some fast shooting in whichever revolver you plan on getting before you purchase.  

Strongly disagree with the perception that the Ruger trigger is better than the Smith trigger. Of course, all of us (especially me) are just forum jockeys so who really cares what we say. I have owned both... I still have the Smith double action revolvers. No more Rugers. The nice thing about the Smith guns is that you can just about find anything you want from Scandium to Aluminum to Steel for whatever you deem to be a good balance of weight for shooting comfort vs light for carry comfort. They offer more options between the nice but heavy SP101 and the light butt ugly LCR. I am not very recoil sensitive. 357s out of a steel snubbie don't bother me, but even I can't take more than a cylinder of hot 357s from a Scandium gun. 38 +p, on the other hand, is fine by me no matter what platform it comes flying out of. More than anything, +p seems just a bit louder with a touch more snap. As others have said, you also have a lot more aftermarket holster/accessory options with the country's #1 carry gun for decades running, the S&W J frame. That's this forum jockey's useless opinion. ;-)

both guns are good guns and will do what you want.  throw a dart and which one it hits will work. 

I Shot an  Air weight yesterday. IMHO I can't imagine that as my carry piece. Why punish yourself every time you pull the trigger. And I thought the trigger pull sucked. If you have to have a revolver I'd recommend the Model 60. I have one and I'd much rather shoot it. Much easier to shoot. That being said I carry a Kahr PM40. I'd rather shoot it over either revolver. ymmv

Lots of fairly accurate information has already been provided, I have several Smith & Wesson revolvers and a LCR 38(the wife's). I pick the Smiths over the LCR solely based on aesthetics, nostalgia, and availability of holsters and grips. My only performance complaint on the LCR is that it is easy to short stroke the trigger. I may have noticed a slight bit of accuracy increase with a LCR over airweight. I prefer an all steel like a 36/40/60/49/640 with a 640 or 940 being my preference over the airweights. The 15oz vs 20oz is noticeable by it makes it such a better shooter. My old 640 was like shooting a target gun compared to a 642. Airweights are not fun to shoot but carry well, but so do 20-22oz all steel j frames. I had the itch for a sp101, which is a fine gun, but I thought a 64 snub nosed gave me one more shot, weighed and was sized about the same, and lastly the 357mag out of a short barrel is not worth doing. I really wish I would have kept my 640 instead of going to the 6shot 64.

I pocket carry an SP-101. Did change the style of pants & shorts I wear to Tru-Spec 24-7. I shot the lighter revolvers. Too much recoil for me.

Ankle i dont think it would affect as much but for pocket carry, weight is huge, get as light as you can afford. Some of the super light Smiths are expensive. If you carry alot and shoot little, get airweight. If you shoot alot and carry little, go steel unless you belt carry then get anything.

I own more than a few Smith's, including 2 air weights.  I also own a Ruger SP 101 in .357, an SP 101 in .22 rimfire and a Redhawk in .44 Magnum.  I do not own, nor have I fired, a LCR.  The Ruger's are fine guns.  However, it has been my experience,  the Ruger's each needed $100.00 of action tuning to match the out of the box action I received with my Smith's.   Don't overlook a Smith Model 60 J frame in .357.  I would much rather shoot .38 +P in a steel gun stout enough to handle .357 than +P in an air weight.

Ankle i dont think it would affect as much but for pocket carry, weight is huge, get as light as you can afford. Some of the super light Smiths are expensive. If you carry alot and shoot little, get airweight. If you shoot alot and carry little, go steel unless you belt carry then get anything.

Ankle i dont think it would affect as much but for pocket carry, weight is huge, get as light as you can afford. Some of the super light Smiths are expensive. If you carry alot and shoot little, get airweight. If you shoot alot and carry little, go steel unless you belt carry then get anything.

Id opt for the S&W personally. No real reason other than I prefer metal especially in a revolver and the LCR is just ugly IMO. My experience has been with a S&W M&P340, which is a scandium frame (very light) .357mag. Wasnt a problem for me, but might be for some.

Bird #2. Shoulda been #3. 20 yds with crossbow. Happy happy. First one with archery. Butchering syntax with Tapatalk

This bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 1.

Pretty sure that officer is going to be in some hot water.   Your friend should have asked for a supervisor on the spot instead of handing over his weapon.  Specially having known the reciprocity law himself.   I would call the station and ask for the officer in charge and explain what happened.  If that doesn't help I would call the state police and explain to them what happened and ask to file a report of theft by the local yocal.   TN has a preemptive law.  Local governments aren't allowed to override state gun laws.

I am in for one, any serial number will be fine!  Thanks for doing this for us!!

Sweet! Worked 2 this morning but neither would come. Next property over and wouldn't cross the creek. I'll just live vicariously through you for the moment. Congrats! Butchering syntax with Tapatalk

I always do when up there.

  It'll be like crack for the OCD knife enthusiasts... :clap:

Me...but you already knew that.

  I do. Conflicted on it myself a bit. However, if local jurisdictions cannot allow something that's against state law, why should they be allowed to bar something that is allowed by state law? And I see no justification for the age of the local law to bear into it at all, myself.   Now, the whole question of whether some TN state laws are unconstitutional under its own constitution is another discussion.   - OS

Just assume any item you want that's for sale is on the other side of the state, at least it seems that way when something catches my eye.

That ALONE made me want to buy a porsche. Just the way you described it. 

I'll say it again,.. a good notebook and lots of meticulous notes every time you sit down to the bench....and always double check settings DO NOT rely on memory there's alot of difference between a charge of 4.7gr Bullseye and 7.4gr Bullseye for example and some of the number powders look similar but are vastly different in "personality"   I think and close enough  are words that should never be used while at said bench it is pretty black and white either perfectly right or perfectly wrong   any of those press kits are a good starting point   I have in my "toolbox" a Lyman and RCBS single stage and a Dillon 450 with powder upgrade kit  and they all make top shelf ammo though I lean to RCBS or Dillon for my dies I do use LEE for my .223/5.56  my 10mm set uses dies form 3 different mfgs.    a good solid bench to mount the press to with good lighting and a separate shelf for the scale and if it is digital no fluorescent lighting as it will cause variances I use 2 beam scales and check weights to verify often   case lube for rifles is pretty much mandatory and optional for pistol cases you can make your own for pennies using alcohol and lanolin and a dollar store spray bottle    Adopt the 1 powder 1 bullet on the bench policy keep all other components separated from the table you really don't want to mix powders the results are unpredictable and usually not good.   When I started out my Dad had the 15 year old me write out a Loading Plan  basically a sheet of paper with powder and charge weight, bullet and primers along with any press settings (OAL,Crimp) he would check it and we would double check charge weight against the established loading manual and that sheet hung near the press until after loading then it was put into a loose leaf binder and went to the range with us so I could fill out any range notes.      This practice has kept me from KABOOMING for close to 30 years now.  I have loaded bad ammo we all do at some point  a crimp setting off,short or long OAL etc. which brings me to the next piece of equipment  a Bullet Puller  you will use it eventually so go buy one when you get your press I think every press should come with one.....   Always keep in mind what you are doing has certain risks, like anything else in life if done right can be enjoyed for years  done wrong you end up in the ER or worse.   I wish you good times and enjoyment in your new hobby,   John

+1 On the Rockchucker Kit. It's a tool that you will use for the rest of your life. Even after you have gone to the dark side with the progressive presses you will be going back to your Rockchucker for  stuff you need more leverage and less production for. I don't like Lee. A lot of soft aluminum in them.

Or try your other eye even if you have astigmatism in both eyes it should look different

  Have you checked it by trying to take a pic with a camera? I can't enjoy using an aimpoint or eotech because of my astigmatism. Even "corrected" I get flares, they're minimized at low brightness and pop huge when turned up... but when I focus a camera on the dot and take a pic, they're clear as a bell.   For me, it's etched reticle or bust on red dots.

This is my 50th Anniversary M19. Cherokee Slim

Here's my uber high end WASR. :) Apparently the rumors are true that they've sobered up the Romanians on the line some and take a bit more care on this end at CIA too, everything is straight. Mag wooble, yes, but not loose enough to rattle when carrying or anything, so good enough for moi. Added sling, UTG butt pad (yes I'm a wimp, first 120 rounds left a bruise on my widdle shoulder), and a QD UTG side rail mount with a cheapo 4x scope. The "Sniper" scope is second one I've bought, 24 clams!, with rings!, and the first one has held up well on one of my ARs for quite a few rounds -- knock on wood but if they last will be the most solid firearm related purchases ever. Oh yeah, also put a bolt buffer in there, definitely nice to take away the metal on metal feel and sound. Oddly, the unfinished wood is solid, not the plywood laminate pictured at CIA or Buds, with solid steel buttpad, no hole in it or stock for cleaning kit. Seems quite nice actually. I'm gonna take all the wood off and tung oil it over a couple weeks if I can get to where I don't feel compelled to shoot it every few days! - OS

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-ar-15-complete-blem-lower-classic-edition-no-magazine.html http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ptac-16-mid-length-5-56mm-1-8-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle.html And your done. Just add magazines and ammo. :)

S@W is extremely resistant to corrosion. The slide and barrel are stainless. There are not much openings in a gun to let corrosive substance in. If you are in performance sports, be aware that human sweat can ruin a gun almost like salt spray. S&W is one of a few weapons that survive contact with the sweat.