PackinMama

Definitely let her pick what she likes the feel of the best. Make sure you let her know that you can put a CT Laser grip on just about any gun she wants. If she likes thar Beretta, make sure the reason isn't just because of the CT Grips. I have a Glock 27 subcompact .40 which is the same exact sixe as the Glock 26 9mm and I put a set of CT's on it and I love it. I also really love my Springfield EMP 9mm, although they are finicky and need to be broken in with about 300-500 rds. before being reliable. The Glock will be completely dependable right out of the box. The M&P's have a great rep and seem to be nice guns as well. I'm sure the Beretta is a fine weapon also if that's what she really wants. Like I said, just make sure she really likes the gun itself and not just the laser grips. Please try to sway her away from purse carry if she's planning on doing that. That's the absolute worst place for a woman to carry their gun! (Trust me, I know from experience) Good Luck! Be sure to let us know how everything works out for you!

Yeah, these hollow points I have here have a super big hole in them. I thought about that as well. I'm going to experiment a little bit and see what I can do. I still think I'll send it back to Springfield just so they can polish the feed ramp and tune it up nice for me. It's not my EDC, so I don't really mind it being away for a bit.

Esmeralda does AWESOME work! I had her do these for my EMP: http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/firearm-accessories/20958-custom-grips-my-emp-esmeralda.html Her website can be seen HERE The original picture in this thread is not working.....just seeing the old "Red X."

Ok, I just tried a different mag. I have seven mags total and four are brand new, never used. The original three that the gun came with are the ones I've shot it with. When I grabbed a different mag just now and loaded it with the same hollow points that I loaded it with yesterday, it worked. I kept trying and it failed on about the fifth try....then worked again a few more times after that. I'm thinking it might be the mags. Some of the mags seem to be holding that last cartridge a a funny angle. Should I load up all of them and let them sit for a while? Maybe that will soften up the spring a little? I will also try that milspec oil that was suggested. I've been wanting to try that stuff anyway. I'll probably send it back to Springfield eventually no matter what happens and let them polish the feed ramp and check it all out. Hopefully it will come back better than new.

They're all stock EMP mags, but they're actually made by Mec-Gar for Springfield Armory. I have never seen any EMP mags that are made by anyone else. I really love this gun, but I sure don't want to be limited to a certain type of H.P. like Powerballs. It shoots so unbelievably sweet with FMJ's.......and is as accurate as the day is long.

My Springfield Armory EMP 9mm won't feed hollow points. Anyone know what I should do? I bought this gun new and had numerous feeding issues with FMJ's until I got to around 200 rds. Then it magically started running perfectly...at least with FMJ's. During those first couple hundered rounds, it would jam at least once, and usually 2-3 times with each magazine. It was also hitting me in the head with the spent casings. Then, at right around the 200 mark, it began running flawlessly. It even stopped throwing the spent casings at my head. During break in, I would shoot three mags full, then run a bore snake down the barrel and oil the slide grooves with Rem Oil. This was done all the way up to 300 rds. After shooting 100 flawless rounds, I figured she was good and broke in and ready for carry. I put the gun up, as I was waiting to receive my K&D holster before I started carrying it. I got my K&D holster last week, so yesterday, since I was dressing nice to go out to Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I decided to carry the EMP for the first time. I loaded up three mags with Federal H.P.'s......these we in my "loose" pile, so I don't remember exactly what kind of Feds they are. They appear to be 124 gr., and they're either Hydra's or maybe HST's. I put the mag into the gun with the slide locked back and then attempted to "slingshot" the slide, and the cartridge just stuck on the feed ramp and wouldn't feed into the chamber. So, I took that mag out and tried a different mag. This time I had the slide forward, inserted mag, then racked the slide back and let go. Same thing happened. I tried with all three mags numerous times. I even oiled the feed ramp. Same thing kept happening. The bullet would just stick on the feed ramp. I was intent on carrying my EMP in my new holster, so I loaded up with FMJ's which fed just fine and went on my way. Of course, throughout dinner, all I could think about was the fact that my awesome and beautiful little EMP would not feed hollow points! :hyper: So what should I do? I've heard of polishing the feed ramp and have read of several ways to go about this myself. However, I don't know if I should attempt it or not. I don't want to mess up the factory warranty with Springfield by doing something to the gun myself. Should I just send it back to Springfield and let them go over it? Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Hello Ladies! Ok, so are there any ladies here (besides myself) that enjoy hunting? I've been out deer hunting every day since Saturday. I haven't got to spend a lot of time in the woods, but I've hunted every evening and one afternoon as well. Saturday evening I had a trophy size buck, probably 10-14 points, cross the field I was overlooking THREE times. He was running full speed chasing a little doe that did not want to be caught! I had my crosshairs on him all three times, waiting for him to slow or pause for a shot.....he did not cooperate needless to say. I didn't feel comfortable taking a shot while he was running. I didn't want to wound him....I wanted to make sure the shot was going to hit home. If I'd have taken a risky shot, I may have just clipped him, only to have him go miles away and bleed to death. I didn't want to take a chance on never finding him. So....I went to Wally World Sunday and picked up a grunt call and a canned doe bleat call, along with some Tink's 69. I'm going to wait until next week when I have more time to hunt before I try the Tink's 69, along with the calls. I'm hoping to call him to me.....if someone else hasn't gotten him yet. My little boy was home sick Monday and Tuesday, and he's off school the rest of this week. So next week I should have some more time to dedicate to hunting. Right now, I can only hunt for about an hour and a half every evening while Mamaw watches my son for me. That doesn't really give me enough time to put out the Tink's and try to call him in. But....if he runs across the field again, I might be able to stop him with a bleat or a grunt....hopefully long enough to take a shot. This is the first year I've tried hunting with a scoped rifle. I usually use a shotgun with bead sights loaded with rifled slugs. I'm so used to a shotgun that I can take a running shot looking down the barrel.....I have done it many times in the past. Using a scope is so much different! I was following that buck and had him in the crosshairs, but I just didn't feel confident enough to take a shot. I just couldn't get it steady enough as I was following him. I'm starting to think that maybe a scope isn't for me. It'll be nice for a still shot, or even walking, but running just doesn't seem to work! If I hadn't gotten a case of "Buck Fever" when I saw that monster I might have tried to use the iron sights to take him down as he was running. I installed my scope with see thru mounts, so I can see the regular iron sights under the scope. I actually just didn't even think about that at the time. I think I could have made the shot with the iron sights. Oh well. It sure does motivate me to keep trying!!! So do we have any more lady hunters here?

Darn it! I wish you were closer....I'd take it and have my brother fix it for me. I want a flat top range BAD! If I could only stop spending my extra money on gun stuff.......

Very cool! Thanks for sharing that!

PM Replied.

Collin, I'm sorry you couldn't get one for your Sig. I'm in the same boat with my EMP for now too. Hopefully Jimmy will add some more molds very soon so we can all "get covered!"

I have the "crescent moon" for my Glock 27 and even though I get hot and perspire very easily, I have yet to sweat under my Kholster. I wear a belly band rig a lot around my house especially when I'm mowing or working outside, and it's usually soaking wet at the end of the day.....but not my Kholster. I've heard a couple members of the forum in the past say that they've trimmed some leather off their Kholster with some heavy duty shears to make it more of a custom fit for them.......I personally don't think I'd ever do that. I'm getting ready to order a "full moon" for my Glock 23 and I'll let you guys know how the extra leather on that one feels.

Yeah, unfortunately that's the case with my EMP too. Hopefully he'll have some more options available soon.

PM replied Collinp2! I can give the code to as many people as I want....so anyone else that would like it, just shoot me a pm.

I can't help you with that one since I've never tried an Mtac. I have looked at them and they seem to be close to the same as far as being able to adjust the cant and depth....they're just a little prettier and a lot more expensive. Maybe someone can chime in that has actually tried both of them. I can tell you that for the money, you just can't go wrong with a Kholster. Jimmy stands behind his product too. You can try it out and if you don't like it, just send it back within 90 days and he'll gladly refund your money with no questions asked. Plus it has a Lifetime Warranty. I carried a G27 in my Kholster at a big church function yesterday...probably about 300-400 people around for about 4 hours. No one "made" me and I was comfortable all day, even with bending down and playing with the kids. I am super happy with mine.

I learned how to shoot when I was four years old on a Winchester mod. 94 lever action .22 lr. My dad would kneel down and have me stand behind him. He'd put the gun over his right shoulder and hold onto the fore end while keeping it pointed towards the target, and I would look through the scope, aim and pull the trigger. That's how I got hooked! I don't think there's anything wrong with starting a young child out with optics or lasers/red dots. As a matter of fact, I think it will actually improve your chances of gaining their attention and getting them interested faster than if you were having them use iron sights. Let me explain. Getting the correct sight picture and learning how to use iron sights properly (where you can actually hit a can or something that you're aiming at) is a little difficult for a young child. If they can't actually hit something and make it fall over or do something pretty quick.....they completely lose interest. Now, if all they have to do is put the little red dot or the crosshairs where they want the bullet to go, that's easy and fun and they will stay interested. Be sure to use targets that do something.....fall over, blow up, make a "ting" noise, whatever....interactive targets are the key to keeping them interested. Punching holes in a piece of paper just isn't any fun for a kid. I say go ahead and start with lasers, red dots, or scopes when first teaching them how to shoot. After they're hooked on shooting and have learned how to safely handle a gun, then break out the iron sights. I moved from that old model 94 with a scope, to revolvers and rifles with iron sights and shotguns with bead sights with no problems at all. Regarding the right age to teach a child how to shoot.....I think that completely differs from child to child. It depends on their attention span, ability to listen and follow directions, and most of all, their interest in learning how to shoot. I learned when I was four and picked it up right away. My son is almost five and he still isn't quite ready. I got him an airsoft P-22 this summer and he could care less about it. I play with it more than he does! I need to put a laser on it for him......I think that will make a world of difference. Good luck with teaching your daughter Harold! A pretty pink .22 bolt action, 10-22, or Sig Mosquito would be a cool thing for her to find under the Christmas tree this year!

For occasions like this, or any time that you have to "dress up," you might want to consider a belly band type carry rig. They can be worn against your bare skin under anything, high or low. They can even be found in a light beige skin color instead of black. I'd recommend a 4" wide one (with a lightweight gun)....they're more comfortable than the 5" or 6" varieties. Another thing that might help is to have a very small & slim gun, just for deep concealment purposes (can also double as a BUG). Something along the lines of a Ruger LCP or a Kel-Tec .380. Personally, I really don't like anything smaller than a .38, but I'd take a .380 (or even a .22 for that matter) over nothing anyday. Now if you combine the small & thin .380 with a belly band (especially a beige 4" wide one)......there would be no printing and no one would ever know you're packin'

I grew up in Northern IL and hunted Southern IL for many many deer seasons. I've traveled, hunted and visited there many times since moving here over 15 years ago. I always take my handgun. I just unload it, put it in a case in the trunk and put the ammo in the glove box. I always thought it was legal as long as it's done that way. I would call the IL State Police and ask them about it if I were you. Don't take anyone's word here....find out for yourself straight from the ones that will be arresting you if you're doing it wrong. Have fun hunting in IL! Pm me if you're hunting in Williamson co. I can tell you of a wonderful public hunting area there that borders Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. They issue a good amount of special Refuge Only permits and when all the hunters move in there, the deer move out....and I know one of the less hunted places where they cross the fence to get out of the refuge. I actually lived in Williamson co. for several years after leaving Northern IL and before moving here.

I was confused about your post.....as I'm sure others that read it will be also. I had to go back to the first page to understand what you were talking about. I took the liberty of quoting the post you are commenting on so others will understand what you're saying without having to reread the entire thread. Welcome to TGO btw tyguy! I love the German Shepherd in your avatar! Is he yours?

For little $ I'd look into a Kholster. Comfortable, secure, cant and depth adjustable, good quality, great warranty, excellent value. If you want to spend more $ I'd check into K&D holsters....their Thunderbird Defender gets awesome reviews and has all the same features I mentioned above, but is IWB/OWB convertible and much prettier! (I'm waiting impatiently to get mine ) If she doesn't/can't wear a belt, I'd recommend a belly band or a Smart Holster for something that's super concealable and can be worn with any kind of clothing. I take it you're a bit upset with this guy?

You're right, it might just take some time. Once she gets comfortable with carrying a gun in her purse, then she may be open to trying a holster on her person. What you might want to do, after a while, is order her a really really nice custom holster (it would be a plus if you could use it just in case she doesn't like it ). Maybe one that can double as an OWB or IWB like a K&D Thunderbird Defender with some exotic sharkskin or Ostrich trim.....or just something super nice (and expensive) that you think she'd really like. Get her a matching belt to go with it too.....not too wide, stay with about 1.25" and you should be good. Maybe, just MAYBE, that could persuade her to at least try carrying the gun on her person. Just give her enough time that you know that she's very comfortable with just having a loaded gun with her all the time. And take her to the range (or somewhere) A LOT for practice. The more comfortable we are with our gun, the better and safer we feel (and are) when carrying it.

Yeah, I guess you have to take what you can get. It's a good start anyway. If she ever has her purse stolen with her gun in it (like I did) or someone grabs her purse and then tries to do her harm......she'll change her mind.

I recently purchased a Kholster for my Glock 23 and I LOVE it!!! They're very well made, super comfortable, and very inexpensive compared to many others ($45 shipped). They're IWB, dual clip, adjustable cant and depth, and made of leather and kydex. Check them out HERE. Along with my order, I received a REBATE code for a "buddy" to get 10% back when they order a Kholster. If anyone would like to order one, just pm me and I'll give you the rebate code. That means you'd only pay $40.50 shipped. The holsters have a 90 day unconditional no strings guarantee and a limited lifetime warranty. They may not be the prettiest holsters around.....but they're extremely comfortable, quality made, function perfectly, and well worth the money. The way I look at it is they don't need to be pretty when no one else sees them but you!

I tried a Glaco plastic paddle holster for my Glock 23 for about a week and I hated it. I also thought that they might be a good choice if I didn't have a belt on.....wrong. It wasn't stable at all and it stuck out too much from my body....at least the Galco I tried which is about the same as the Fobus ones. I had a friend that had a .45 Glock that bought the Fobus paddle holster. It broke on him twice in six months. He was also out in the woods a lot, riding 4x4s and using a chainsaw. If I were going to be doing a lot of active stuff like riding a 4 wheeler, I'd consider a belly band. If you're worried about the gun falling out, they can be had with a velcro thumb retention strap. I use one and I could get turned upside down and shaken and the gun still wouldn't move. I've never tried the leather paddles....but they do look nice.