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I had a pretty sad and sorry machete that was given to me. It was pretty rusty and one of the plastic handle 'scales' was busted. I decided to clean it up a little and do a paracord wrap handle. To begin, I busted the rest of the plastic handle off and cut the handle pins with my Dremel. I ended up with this: I wasn't concerned about ending up with a 'show piece' (wasn't going to happen, regardless) so I just went at it with a wire brush chucked into my cordless drill followed by scrubbing it with steel wool and 100 grit sandpaper by hand to get the loose rust off. After wiping it down with rubbing alcohol, It looked like this: A couple of coats of Krylon matte green 'camouflage' rattle can paint and I had: I knew I wanted an 'underwrap' to help stabilize and further cushion the top wrap. I know some folks use gutted paracord for an underwrap but I kind of see that as a waste of paracord so I did an underwrap with some much cheaper, nylon cord I had (which is also thinner and softer than paracord and so easier to wrap tightly in such a manner.) That gave me: Not wanting the white of that cord to 'shine through' the overwrap, I decided to give it a quick shot of the Krylon, too. It stuck well and dried quickly: I started out trying to do a Stryder style wrap but can't seem to get that pattern to look smooth and tight so I ended up doing a modified version of the same wrap I came up with for the Paklite from my other thread. In this case, I started by passing the cord through what had been the hole for the bottom pin. I used the underwrap as stand-ins for the finger choil hole and on the second, bottom pass. As I said, it was never going to be a show piece but I like how it turned out. Except for the red at the end of the lanyard, this was also one strand of paracord - I fused the black and the green. It took something like fifteen to twenty feet of cord, all told. The way I did the weave, the black is more 'dominant' on one side and the green is more 'dominant' on the other:

I thought if I stuck to just colt 1911s it would save money by not buying a lot of guns . It did not work lol

This weekend I picked up a Buck Paklite I decided to try my hand at doing some kind of paracord treatment on the handle. I looked up a couple of tutorials for various handle wrap styles but ended up coming up with one on my own. I am almost certainly not the first person to use this style but I did come up with it independently, not from any tutorial, etc. I think it turned out pretty good. It provides a nice, positive and pretty comfortable grip without being extremely bulky. I was pretty pleased as, for whatever reason, I seem to have had a 'mental block' about working with the various paracord stitches up to this point but after doing this (and watching a couple of tutorials) I have now at least figured out the cobra stitch and maybe a few others. The wrap is one piece of paracord, somewhere between six and seven feet long. I started by centering the cord in the lanyard hole (middle of the length of cord) and then passing each end of the cord in opposite directions through the hole at the finger choil and back through the lanyard hole until I had three strands running lengthwise to the handle on each side with both ends ending up at the blade end of the handle. I then started going around the handle, each end starting in a different direction, alternately weaving them over/under the three lengthwise strands. I did realize after I had finished that I got out of sync on one pass of one of the strands (that is why the 'stitch' about halfway up the spine of the handle doesn't look exactly right) but decided it wasn't bad enough to warrant unraveling the whole thing back to that point. Not yet, anyhow. This weave will also work, in a slightly modified form, on a solid handle as I will show in another thread about a different project I did this past weekend. Yeah, for me this past weekend was pretty much all about paracord.

Given that it's discriminatory and unconstitutional, it won't last long.

Went ahead and did it. #16 is paid for.

    Just read that and came in here to post.  The incompetence is oozing out of every crack of the building... The fact that he got to the door is mistake #1, the fact he got inside is mistake #2 and the fact he made it more than one step inside without being turned into swiss cheese is just mind boggling to me, much less made it through multiple rooms and into the family's living quarters.    Every security person working that day should already have a bunch of free time to start looking for a new career.

Exactly, with "openly" being the key word. As others have stated, plenty of private clubs discriminate against all manner of types of people. They just aren't obvious about it. All this chick wants is her 5 minutes, and she's gonna get it.

uh oh, I think I've been the "you gotta shoot this" guy before.

If a person owns their own business, they should be able to discriminate against anyone they wish. The only "slippery slope" is back toward property owners being in control if their own property instead of the government deciding for them.

  NO REDNECKS??? You went too far now. :)

These knives will be awesome Gents, I can't wait for these to be delivered to me!

Sold Out Folks, major Kong and Mac Gyver have the last two knives available

this has disaster written all over it.

I think the correlation here between Islam and acts of barbarism is being interpreted incorrectly.  For this specific instance, the individual in question was a convert to Islam, but seemed not to know enough to practice it.  Based on the news report on his Facebook page, there was a lot of information on there that was in contrast to fundamental Islam.  He's kinda like a person who would convert to being a rabid vegan, yet continue to eat eggs and fish.    What we have in this case is a man who is a violent psychopath who converted to Islam and embraced ideals he thought were organic to the faith, and coincidentally satisfied his murderous fantasies.  So is Islam to blame, or the psychopath?   Some folks would argue that a faith which promotes such behavior makes an attractive haven to people like this man, and I don't disagree.  I don't agree, however, with the notion that all Muslims are guilty by association.  There are more Muslims picking up arms to fight against fundamentalist than there are Muslims picking up arms to promote it.  Yes, the Quran has some evil stuff in there, but so does the Old Testament.  The difference is there aren't fundamentalist Christians using terrorism to promote their brand of religion.  This, I think, is due to cultural and geopolitical reasons.  Obviously, Christians control Western society, and Western society is pretty stable when contrasted against mid-East civilization as a whole.  The mid-East is unstable due to a list longer than I care to make or read, but the high points would be culture, sectarianism, western political influence (due to oil), an Israeli state, rampant poverty, poor education, and tribalism.  What a breeding ground for an endless supply of angry, fighting aged males looking to blame someone, anyone, for their woes.  Toss in a promise of everlasting paradise with nearly 100 chicks to play with your pecker, and you got yourself a ripe pool of recruits to pull from.  These are the types of screwheads that we have to worry about, and the types of screwheads that are attracted to the idea of having their own extremist state (ISIS) where they can have the perception of control over their destiny.   Now, enter the loonies who weren't born of such a society, yet have obsessive, psychopathic tendencies.  Some of the less intelligent nutbags need an outlet to justify their actions.  The more intelligent, narcissistic ones don't need an outlet.  They know they are crazy and don't require excuses for it.  In the case of this beheader, it's safe to say he wasn't the among the best and brightest.  This man has always been a nut, and only recently found Mohammed.  Perhaps his perception of Islam, or at least the Western perception of Islam, motivated him to follow Momo the kid raper so that he could manifest his anger into something.  I think the choice of Islam itself is inconsequential here.  He could just as easily chose to be in a Satanist cult, vampire cult or the NBPP.  There are plenty of mentally unbalanced folks who join these cults for the sole purpose of legitimizing their crazy fantasies.  I can't place the blame at the foot of every Muslim.  Plenty of them are secular and choose to ignore the murderous parts of the Quran, just like plenty of us ignore the murderous parts of the OT.

Stevie Wonder could pass the shooting test.  Use whatever you have the most ammo for or whatever you can replace 48 rounds with.

Got all of the PSA parts in - - - Got it all put together yesterday - - - Got it to the range today. Call this the Proof-of-Principle configuration. The PWS break/hinder came off an FN SCAR 17. I added a MAGPUL fixed carbine stock and an extra Larue APEG grip that I had. Also installed some MI panels that I had left over from another build. The Millett 1-4 scope in an ADC scout mount is borrowed off one of my other 3Gun ARs. The rear BUIS came out of my spare parts bin, I mounted it to see if it would clear the scope. I pulled the stock off of my Light Weight AR to see if it would fit. The PSA 308 carbine tube is about an inch longer that the standard carbine length and the MAGPUL did fit. I may still go with a rifle tube and A1 stock to balance out the firearm. (Did a test fit of an A1 stock and realized that the shape of the MOE butt plate is so much better) It seems just a hair nose heavy to me right now. Noted today that PSA now has a slim profile barrel for this upper. Fired about 50 - 70 rounds of M80 7.62 ball ammo. No issues with function. Recoil was on par with my soft shooting FAL, far less than my M14, and much better than my G3 (my least favorite 7.62 battle rifle). Groups were in the 1 to 1.5 inch range and that was using the Millett's Donut-Dot Reticle. No problem hitting the 10 inch plate at 200 yards. 173rdABN also fired the gun and pronounce fit for Heavy Metal 3Gun duty so long as I replace the "SH*TY" stock trigger. I Really Like This Firearm! Funny...., wasn't even thinking about an AR in .308 less than two weeks ago.

This is what I'd call a modified Wharncliffe as far as shape. As you can see I made the blade edge round back up to the point instead of leaving the blade edge straight. It's a beefy blade for being on the small side made from 5/32" thick 1095 carbon steel professionally heat treated to 59-60RC. While not what I'd call a mirror finish you can see in some of the pictures a distinct reflection in the blade. I finished it down to 400 grit so it's pretty slick. The scales are stabilized mineral stained Afzelia Xylay sanded to 1000 grit and oiled with Scandinavian tung oil. They came out pretty sweet. They are mechanically fastened with JP Bolts as well as epoxied. The blade is about 3 1/2" long and the overall length is right at 8 1/4". It has some nice jimping along the spine of the blade from the back to around 2" past the front of the scales. This knife took quite a while to make since I only had a rough plan when I started and it kind of matured as I went along. It really deserves a leather sheath but since I'm not a sheath maker it got a kydex one. The sheath it made from .08 thick kydex so it's stout and the holes are laid out for a small tec-lock. The mounting holes are 1" apart. The small tec-lock is not included. This knife with sheath is for sale. If you are serious about purchasing this blade send me a PM and I'll fill you in with the details.

The HCP class is NOT a shooting class.  One is suppose to know how to shoot and properly operate their firearm before they come to class.  With that said, I always have students which have never fired a handgun before.  I enjoy teaching, especially new shooters, but some folks may be more of a challenge than others.  I do go over the fundamentals of shooting and really anyone that pays attention and can follow simple instruction should be able to clean the target at 3 and 5 yds.  That automatically gives you more than enough of a passing score regardless of what you do at 7 yds.

I was crackin up at the first one! I think the voice over would have been funnier with a high pitched voice? He didn't look much like a baritone :rofl: But crazy cool whistling for sure. 

  Check the ammonia level

Unfortunately, and I will confess; in my younger days, I probably was all of these guys at one time or another. :stunned:   Thankfully time, age, and hopefully a little bit of wisdom have weaned me from these proclivities.

Business owners "should" be able to do a lot of things but they can't.  Openly discriminate against anyone and there will be repercussions.  It's the way it is and it will never change.  There are reams of laws against it.   People have lost all sense of discretion these days.

Private clubs are just that--private.  If they want to discriminate, or only cater to certain groups, then that is their legal right to do so.  Just try to go into a mosque for a visit and see how that goes.  Country clubs are private, and most don't have a problem with that.

1: This range is a private entity, not the government. I believe private property owners or the operators of private clubs should be allowed to discriminate against whomever they choose for whatever reason, no matter how disagreeable it may be. If enough folks don't like that business' stance on things they will not patronize it and the place will close. Yay for free market choices! 2: See 1. She wants to ban Muslims/ gays/ tall people/ gun owners/ poodle owners, etc...go for it! 3: The right to own a firearm is spelled out in the foundational documents of our country. A lot of gun owners see our right to have firearms as "more equal" than my right to determine how my property is used. Harsh, but true. Overall, I really don't care what that lady does. This entire thing reeks of a publicity stunt to me, it's designed to get a handful of people in the doors because it's "YeehawNascarbarbecuefourwheeldrive'Murica!! They're gonna show them there Muslims! Yeah!" I seriously doubt there's a large Muslim community in the area that will be affected by this, and if there is I would suggest they take their business to a range that actually wants them as customers. I'm not a fan of using the law to force myself in where I'm not wanted just because I can.

I finally got the prints done at the Madison precinct of Metro Nashville pd. They provided the cards and charged me $10 for both cards. Actually very easy once I found them. Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions though!! 

Here are some handy links to keep around.  I've ordered all of my forms directly from the ATF in the past.  I will continue to do so until e-forms is the only way.       List of common forms and links to their PDF versions.   https://www.atf.gov/content/library/firearms-forms     This is where you can order forms.  Notice the drop down for step 2 "Please choose a document."  Here is where you will select what forms you need.  If you need Fingerprint cards, you will select the FBI FD-258LE.   https://www.atf.gov/forms/dcof       PDF version of 5320.1.  Application to Make and Register a Firearm.  Also known as Form 1.     https://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-5320-1.pdf       PDF version of 5320.4.  Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm.  Also known as Form 4. https://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-5320-4.pdf       PDF version of 5320.5.  Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of Firearm.  Also known as Form 5.  This is what your kids will use to inherit your items if you are not using a trust.  https://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/Library/Forms/Firearms/f_5320_5_application_for_tax_exempt_transfer_and_registration_of_firearm.pdf       PDF version of 5320.20.  Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain NFA Firearms.  This is the form you submit when traveling.   https://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf-files/atf-f-5320-20.pdf       PDF version of 5330.20.  Certificate of Compliance.  This certifies that you are a citizen.  It must be submitted with your Form 1 or Form 4.     https://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/Firearms/FirearmsIndustry/f_5330._20_certification_of_compliance_with_18_u.s.c._922g5b.pdf           I hope that you all find this a handy resource.  Maybe someday, I will go back through and add in help or hints on how to complete each one and the processes you can use to get your stuff back error free.   Thanks 

You've got that right. The LG 101 I have listed in the trading post now is probably one of the finest knives I've ever handled, I'm excited to see more folks getting to try these really great knives.

  A running clock can do funny things to a shooter.  I've spent the last couple of decades learning that.  :rofl:

    I've read a number of comments that said it was better to let them be hungry rather than clean up the mess left from those.  :shrug:    Having someone come over and feed them a couple times shouldn't be a big deal. 

Some of you may or may not remember that a couple of months ago I posted about a project I did in which I re-purposed a blade from an Old Hickory I had that was losing its wooden scales by giving it a handle made from a deer leg bone. I liked the way it turned out but it mostly 'looks nice' and might not be practical for frequent carry and use. I decided that I want to do a couple of knives that could spend time on my belt. This post is about the first (and only) one, so far. I have a Russell Green River Dadley style knife that I bought at a historical day and was impressed by the carbon steel used so I thought that for my first one I would order a kit that included one of their blades of a different style. I ordered this kit from Track of the Wolf and this is what came with it: One thing that concerned me was the complete and total lack of a finger guard or any, other 'grip assisting' features of the blade. Even the Dadley style blade they make has a little of what I guess you could call 'proto-jimping'. I realize that settlers, trappers, pioneers and mountain men used knives like that for years but I also know me - I'd cut the crap out of my hand if I tried to use such a knife on a regular basis, especially with wet, slick hands or so on. To hopefully help prevent such personal injury, I modded it by adding a finger groove (using the Dremel and grinding stone) and some jimping (with the Dremel and a cut-off wheel): The wood for the scales that came with the kit was, as you can see in the first pic some nice curly maple with lots of figure. So, I marked and drilled holes for the pins, glued the wood to the blade handle and got to work shaping the handle, mostly by hand with just a little help from the Dremel and a sanding wheel. After several hours of work with a pocket knife and sandpaper, I had what I felt was a nice looking handle. It was then time to put the pins in - unfortunately. The first pin went in smoothly. The second one got about halfway in and bent. I couldn't get it to go all the way in and I couldn't get it out. After prying, pulling and a lot of cussing, I decided that my only choice was to cut the head off of the pin with the Dremel and a cut-off wheel. Unfortunately, there was not enough space between the head of the pin and the handle so that meant cutting a gouge out of the side of the handle scale, effectively ruining it. The sad thing was that by that point I had realized that the pins weren't even necessary as the small amount of 527 glue I had used to temporarily hold the scales on had held up through the entire shaping process and would have been enough. Oh, well, at least I learned a valuable lesson. From now on if I order a kit and it comes with those pins I plan to carefully but immediately remove them from the kit, gently open the back door and proceed to sling the damned things just as far as I can. If I feel I need extra support for a future handle I will use Chicago screws. Otherwise, I will go with just the glue or maybe some thin, decorative pins like a lot of folks use. So, it was back to the start. I have a strip of wood that I bought (at Home Depot, iirc) to make knife scales. It is also maple but is much more plain and isn't as nice as the curly maple that came with the kit but it was what I had so I cut a couple of pieces off of it, glued them on to the handle and began, again. This time, however, rather than spending hours whittling away at the scales, I decided to set up and use my 1 inch Harbor Freight belt sander for the first time. That was one of the best ideas I have had as it took about twenty minutes with it to do what it had taken hours to do with my pocket knife - and the end results looked better. Honestly, being a fan of wood grain/pattern I think I prefer the smooth, unblemished look of the scales unbroken by pins, anyhow. Yet another reason not to use them in the future as long as the glue, alone, holds up over time (and I suspect it will.) So, after shaping with the sander, cutting out the finger groove with the Dremel and smoothing with various grits of sandpaper, I rubbed the handle with a little olive oil. This is how it looked at that point: Now it was time to turn a little more attention to the blade, itself. It was pretty sharp out of the box but as you can probably see in the above pic the edge was fairly 'shallow'. I reprofiled it to give it a more 'beveled' edge and now have a couple of bald spots on my arms from testing to see if it was shaving sharp. I also decided that the bright, shiny finish had to go so I forced a patina. I wanted something different than just an even patina, though. I wanted the blade to have kind of a 'mottled' look like some of my older carbon steel knives. I used mustard to force the patina and thought, "I wonder what adding salt would do." So after putting a thin coating of mustard on the blade I then put on a solid layer of salt (table salt, right out of the shaker.) I let that sit for about half an hour and then, just out of curiosity, I passed the flame of a disposable lighter under each side of the blade until all the salt 'charred' and turned black. Not enough to really heat the blade (and mess with the tempering), just enough to char the salt. I let that sit a few, more minutes then rinsed it off with apple cider vinegar. I then washed it with dish soap and water and I am really pleased with the results. When the patina was done, I ran the edge over my whetstone a few times so that it would stand out. I also rubbed a little more olive oil into the handle and, once that was absorbed and pretty much dried, I rubbed it with a little beeswax and buffed it out with a paper towel. Finally, I decided that if it was going to be a belt knife then I really needed a way to carry it on my belt. To that end, I banged out a quick, simple sheath. The sheath isn't perfect and I might end up having to make a new, slightly re-designed one but I did carry the knife in it all weekend and it works okay, for now. I'll just have to see how it works long term. So, here are a few pics showing the reprofiled edge, the patina and the sheath. Some of the dark spots on the blade look like pitting in the pictures but they are not, the surfaces of the sides of the blade are smooth: While this certainly isn't up to the 'professional grade' quality of Gran Torino's work and doesn't have the coolness factor of having forged the blade, myself like Spots and some others do, I am overall very happy with the resutls, especially being this is really my first effort with wood scales. I think I will enjoy carrying and using this knife. I don't think this will be my last, especially as I already have a few, other knife kits that have been languishing away waiting for me to get around to them. There is one thing I am wondering and would like to have some opinions, just for curiosity's sake. I wouldn't really call this a custom knife but as I modded the blade, made the handle and made the sheath do y'all think it would be fair to say that I now have created myself a 'semi-custom' setup or is that going too far?

Don't over think it. Like Mike said Stevie Wonder could pass the test.

You'll do fine. You are already ahead of most of the people seen in most classes.

The KAK is just a funnel and the Noveske is a single baffle suppressor. The gasses get caught up inside the Noveske while the gasses just get trumpeted out of the KAK. If all you are looking for is the look of a KX3 then go ahead and get the KAK but if you want performance get the KX3 or one of the clones I linked above. The KAK and the Noveske are not even in the same ball park when it comes to performance. The cone is inside the outer tube but there is a gap between the outer tube and the cone so gasses go into the area between the cone and outer tube and are held there temporarily. This is what reduces the flash, noise and recoil. The KAK is just a cone, like a trumpet, and does nothing but make the gun louder and does not reduce flash at all. Here is a video showing the KX3 performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAr2h6zMcWc

The fact is that these killers are not getting their ideas through selective reading of the koran. There are a large number of clerics and institutions which condone the literal implementation of shariah laws. For example, Please explain how The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America are nuts and are misinterpreting their faith. This is a mainstream group. In a q&a section a man asks about his recent trip to a strip club and if it counted as adultery - the answer: "The act you have committed – as you appear to know – is an offensive sin, and it is a form of fornication, as the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) indicated that the eyes comit fornication by looking…etc. Yet, it is not the absolute zina punishable by al-hadd. (the prescribed punishment of zina, which is stoning in the case of a married man). The later must involve intercourse. May Allah protect you, and save your deen and honor. Allah knows best. - See more at: http://www.amjaonline.com/en_f_details.php?fid=22905#sthash.9F3954n1.dpuf Screenshot in case it gets pulled: More info on AMJA "With regard to the Sharia, specifically, AMJA’s stated purpose is to “clarify the rulings of the sharia which are relevant for those who live in America.” AMJA is well-accepted by the mainstream American Muslim community. The Islamic scholars affiliated with this group maintain influential positions in universities, Islamic centers, and mosques throughout the United States. Notwithstanding this mainstream acceptance, including uncritical endorsement of its annual American conferences to train American imams, AMJA openly sanctions the stoning to death of adulterers, albeit with the “caveat” that the adultery involves intercourse. AMJA has also issued rulings which sanction the killing of apostates (here), “blasphemers” (including non-Muslims guilty of this “crime”; here), and condone marital rape. Even more ominously, another Arabic-language fatwa from AMJA’s Dr. Salah Al-Sawy leaves open the possibility for offensive jihad against America and the West, as soon as Muslims are strong enough to do so. When asked whether “the Islamic missionary effort in the West … [was] to the point where it could take advantage of offensive jihad,” Al-Sawy ruled: The Islamic community does not possess the strength to engage in offensive jihad at this time. With our current capabilities, we are aspiring toward defensive jihad, and to improve our position with regards to jurisprudence at this stage. But there is a different discussion for each situation. Allah Almighty knows best. It is also of grave concern that AMJA, as an American organization, offers only grudging and conditional support to the fundamental notions of acquiring citizenship in, and swearing allegiance to, the U.S. and our Sharia-antithetical governing legal system. Responding to the query: “Is acquiring an American citizenship lawful or prohibited?” AMJA issued fatwa #77223: As for optionally obtaining citizenship of a non-Muslim country it is definitely prohibited without a doubt, moreover it could be a form of apostasy or main means leading to apostasy because willingly accepting the laws of disbelievers and obeying it without any valid excuse or enforcement, or ignorance is considered a nullifier to Tawheed and Islam, as long as the proof has been established upon this person and the matter and its consequences are as I clarified. As for obtaining citizenships in light of circumstances of Muslims today who are residing outside the lands of Islam — on the condition that they do not accept indefinitely the law and legislation of that country and being indefinite belonging to the nation of the non-Muslim country so that they become loyal to all their allies and an enemy to all their enemies — and obtaining the citizenship is considered a required means in order to organize the affairs of Muslims who already live there while ensuring fulfilling vows and agreements between them and host countries, and exists due to urgent necessities and needs and this Muslim kept his loyalty to Allaah and His Messenger, then it would not be farfetched to say that it would be permissible." Link: http://www.andrewbostom.org/blog/2014/09/27/like-ok-beheader-mainstream-assembly-of-muslim-jurists-of-america-condones-stoning-adulterers-and-sharia-supremacism/

I'll send the money for #16 today.

I would suggest that if your friend wants to keep any type of decent relationship with his neighbors that you don't hunt deer in a subdivision. There are easy ways to deter deer from eating his flowers. an acre is very little area, bow or not. My advice, stick to the woods if you want to deer hunt. I go back to, just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you should. This is a very bad idea in my opinion. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The only voices I see in this thread are white ones.

Hey...don't apologize Dirtshooter, I've enjoyed all the input and stories!  LOL....I used to think I had too many hobbies, but now may have room for a few more. I enjoy skeet and sporting clay shooting, got a CZ 22 for some rifle competition, a really nice boat for fishing, motorcycle, I've been getting into bicycle riding and I play billiards a LOT and thinking of expanding that too a couple more nights a week. Oh...and enough yard work to fill in the rest of the days I suppose. I now have time to do all the maintenance on our cars so that will save me money and keep me busy also. I also have a camper at a nice campground to enjoy.  I've heard others say they just don't do retirement very well....I can't imagine. LOL   Thanks for all the well wishes and the advice and stories. I'm really enjoying hearing from others that have retired.  Now...where is that fishing calendar...?  haha.

Congrats, I did it 42 days ago and it is nice. I tell folks I have 6 Saturdays and 1 Sunday every week. No more M-F. I was going to hold out until January, but it wasn't any fun anymore and a fellow told me years ago that was when it was time to hang it up. I don't even think about the crap that used to be on my mind in the middle of the night or when I was hunting or fishing. I had some people tell me prior to retiring that it wasn't what is was cut out to be. Well I say BS!! I know that I have to stay busy, but heck I got 2-3 years worth of honey do's to do, espescially when I keep putting them off. LOL  Sorry to jack your thread Randall

I've worked for the .gov for about 20 years (military and local LE).   What drives me crazy is "We're equal opportunity!"  But then, there's a block on a job application about race. Why? If you're an EOE, and want to hire the best person for the job, why do you give a damn about what color they are?   Race questions on job apps should be removed if you're really wanting equal opportunity.

Panera's has food? All I got there was stale bread and canned soup. I haven't been back.

I wouldn't throw it away if it was given to me but I have zero interest in owning the gun simply on the basis that it was used in a mass shooting.  IMO anyone who would want to own a gun simply because it was used to kill people is sick in the head.  I would have no issue owning a gun that was used to take a life, but the fact that it did so would not add any appeal for me.

I have actually seen reports like this for the past few years, with ballistic gel comparisons and everything.  I for one like my .40 and am glad it was developed but have no dilutions that I am carrying any magic bullets.  I try and shoot 9mm, .40, and .45 when I can to make sure I can hit the target.  Heck I even shoot my .22 target pistol as much as I can.  Modern ammunition has leveled the field when it come to handguns, and it falls back to what ever you are more proficient in and what can be comfortably carry.  I am highly proficient in .45 but don't like carrying my 1911 so I go with my .40s since they are compact enough.  If I get a compact .45 in the future that I can carry, I'll add it to the rotation. 

Swim - I built my 9mm DDLES AR as a pistol with a 7" barrel. I run it with an AFG and a saddle on the buffer tube. Can't say enough good stuff about it, did I mention it uses Glock "Happy Sticks"? It has been flawless through about 600 rds. If you're interested here is a link for the stripped lower http://www.riflegear.com/p-1647-double-diamond-ar-15-9mm-glock-magazine-lower-receiver.aspx, I bought mine from the mfg but they were not very CS savvy. It uses the ramped bolt for the glock mags, other than that everything else is the same. I'll post a pic from when I finished the build in a few, it's on my phone.

  That would be pretty boring, watch CSPAN to see all the walking dead you can stand. DC has been overrun with zombies for decades now.

Oh, no. It's going to be like all the other cop and CSI shows on TV now, where one show becomes popular so they fire up another one with a similar name but in a different city. It'll be Walking Dead - New York, and Walking Dead - L.A.   I'm putting in my order now for Walking Dead - D.C.  :up:

  The AK ones sure seem to, but firing one of the original SlideFire stocks that my uncle has, I was able to keep it on target just fine.  The cyclic is probably 100rpm slower than an M4 on full auto (if I had to guess) and it makes it much more manageable.  Kinda like the slow cycle on a M45/Swedish K on full auto versus an MP5.  As for the video, they put a 100 pound girl in yoga pants who can't even hold the rifle properly to demonstrate their product.  If they wanted to show how it could be accurately fired with stability, they would have put a dude on there.   I feel pretty insulted by that marketing ploy.  If we're going to objectify women to sell men products, at least put them in something low cut so we can see their boobs jiggle. 

Yeah, makes it almost worth it. But the saving on the stock will quickly be eaten up in additional ammunition costs. :)

I'll worry more about things like cancer.    I realize that it is good to be prepared, but the chances of being the victim of an armed siege which I am single handedly defending, then surviving armed siege (regardless of defenses or what my house is made out of) are about the same as the same as having Jennifer Anniston show up at my front door to give me a BJ and make me a sammich.