molonlabetn

I usually wear my general purpose hiking/work shoes, Sketchers Blue-Ridge. Tough & comfortable. I have seen a few ladies wear sandals at the range. Saw one have a hot brass fall between her toes once, too... Just wear something that covers your whole foot (wear socks, too), is comfortable, and has at least some tread (not quite as improtant indoors). I don't see any reason why regular sneakers wouldn't work, as long as the mouth isn't so low or wide as to allow hot brass inside next to your foot.

My most comfortable 'IWB' pants are 32s... Otherwise I normally wear 31. The same belts work, just a notch looser. I second the Blackhawk SERPA... best kydex holster on the market IMHO.

Every cop I know has one on each of their personal vehicles... Seems to represent the "Thin, Blue Line". Kinda like an LEO 'flag'.

I don't have a regular subscription (yet), but SWAT is a good magazine which is put together by a great bunch of guys who are active on several forums, and stay on top of realistic interests. I also keep a few issues of Shotgun News (drool factor) and American Handgunner near the throne... And there are a few boxes of old NRA magazines in the closet (American's First Freedom, etc)... I would recycle them or give them away, but I do go digging thru to look up articles more often than I tend to admit. I personally don't care for Guns & Ammo... the hype within usually disappoints me, and causes me to doubt the information which I don't already know is true or exaggerated. But I do have a few lying around, usually those with articles which I like to compare with other reviewers' commentary.

Not that I would know... But some Jack-D in hot tea, sweetened with honey, does wonders (in proportions based on taste and severity of one's affliction). Best wishes for your recovery, pal! molonlabetn

Always one spare 7rd for the Sig P239... since it only holds 7+1 (.357sig) Always at least one spare Wilson 8rd for the 1911... and I used to always have 3-4 cheap 7rd factory mags loaded with ball in the vehicle. Rarely carry spares for the XDs, but when I do, I carry 2. When I used to carry a Beretta 92F, I usually carried 2 spare 15rd mags.

Hey Ryan. Welcome! I spent some of my best years in the Gray / Johnson City area, when I was going to ETSU... I've always called it my second home, and return every chance I get.

http://www.attorneygeneral.state.tn.us/op/2005/OP/OP154.pdf

I would be calling Mr. Harris (615-244-6670), as a member of the TFA, for a reference. I'd also likely get ahold of Nimmo, Hoehn & Nimmo (615-244-2244) http://www.nimmolaw.com/PracticeAreas/Firearms-Rights.asp Simply calling the NRA would probably be a good idea... I'm sure they have references. I also know, and have a few friends who are, lawyers in TN... even though their specialty is not defending self-defense with a firearm, I would trust them to be able to point me in a proactive direction, if other avenues failed (in which case I'd be in deep doo-doo anyways)

It would take alot more than powerful drugs and chiseling my teeth out of my skull to have THAT much of an adverse affect on my senses! All the gals in the office were real friendly when I came for my checkup...

MmmmmMmmm... I remember that quite well! Had mine out 5 years ago, they put me all the way under for some reason, and everyone said that I was funny as ____ while I was coming out of it (I'll spare the details, but I apparently had a major crush on one of the nurses...) Enjoy the rest, GlocKing... Our prayers are with you.

Agreed there My reference to the article was meant to illustrate how the mindset has changed from by-gone times, and how some of those reasons are flawed. But by all means, fight dirty to stay alive! I would... Certainly an interesting paradox. Being so, there are few points of view which could actually be considered wrong, primarily, to not be armed at all.

Nope, none of my XDs have broken or required return to SA. And I have only heard of a handful which did. However, I do hear about Glocks being worked-on by armorers for one reason or another, on a regular basis... Biggest difference is that the SA has a lifetime warranty, and fewer small parts inside to break.

Anyone know where to find the sales numbers of Glocks and/or Springfield XDs per year to the general public? The Smith & Wesson M&P sales won't be anywhere near either one, but I'd venture to say it is very likely that the OTC sales numbers (per year) between the XD and Glock are closing rapidly, or possibly already surpassed.

Always a good read.

The guy who is buying it is getting it for $850, which is about what I paid for it at the Franklin Gun Shop 3 years ago. It is bone stock, except for replacing the stock ghost-ring sights with Benelli factory G/R night-sights... I guess I'm technically losing out on the cost of those. I might miss it, but as little as I shoot it, and considering that there are much more modern and user-friendly versions out (M2, M4) which I should have held-out for if I wanted an uber-tactical shotgun... I doubt it. I'll enjoy something which I'll actually get use out of.

I've never specifically been to the theater in Bristol, but I went to the one in Johnson City a few times while attending ETSU... I'm not sure if the policies are the same. But, most of the theater's which I have visited in TN have had a small 'ghostbusters' decal in an in-conspicuous location, likely just for insurance purposes, but I have yet to see one which complies with TN code 39-17-1359. So, unless you see something substantially similar to this: You have no legal obligation to disarm. The only exceptions are places which are declared off-limits by TN law (which are few, but noteable... though you won't find a movie theater in one, so no worries), or if a responsible person for the property which you are on specifically requests that you leave. I always conceal when I go to the movies.

Mossburg 590A1 & Benelli M1S90 tactical here... I like 870s just fine, I simply haven't found one which struck my fancy yet. The Benelli is in the process of being sold... since there's little or no more market/accessory support for it. And I want something which I can get parts for easily, besides, I never shoot it.. and I'm no 'collector'. I've been wanting a .223 bolt gun for mid-range casual plinking... This oughta finance that, along with some good glass.

This is an excerpt from the CATO Institute talking about Open Carry in the early days of America. They are talking about the period before most conceal carry laws were passed. Cato Policy Analysis No. 284 "At the time the restrictions were enacted, then, people were generally free to carry firearms openly. Honest men engaged in lawful behavior had no reason to take pains to hide their weapons, for weapons were a part of everyday life. In a society in which open-carry was the norm, the natural presumption was that one was unarmed if his weapon was not in plain sight. In that context, concealment was regarded as an act of deception, an ignoble act designed to gain unfair or surprise advantage over others. Open-carry placed men in a position of equality with respect to one another by giving all fair warning whether any was armed. Since those who carried concealed weapons sought a deadly, unfair advantage, criminal or malicious intent was effectively presumed." The entire article can be read at http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-284.html Originally posted by cvc on OpenCarry.org (my comments below were also posted on packing.org): http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum6/1271.html In some situations it may be wise to 'hide your light under a bushel', so to speak. But in this day and age in which the majority of people are so dangerously oblivious to one of the basic rights and reasons which make this country unique; some choose to be an example, by claiming the rights which are still recognized, and fighting for them when they are threatened by regulation and restriction. When open-carry is banned, concealed-carry will follow shortly. The object right now is to make PROPER, RESPONSIBLE, and HONORABLE ownership, possession, and usage of firearms acceptable to the brain-washed masses who are fed propaganda about the evils of guns day-in and day-out, but are never exposed to the FACT that many reasonable people do recognize and exercise the right to be armed, and benefit those around them by doing so. These benefits to personal security are largely unseen because of the very nature of Concealed Carry. It is not about ego, or intimidation... if anything it is the opposite, to me, because this responsibility must be exercised with discipline and equanimity, in hopes that the adage: "An armed society is a polite society", can become a reality. In the event of a real life-or-death situation, the 'element of surprise' is over-rated... it makes no difference to a determined criminal, but may well deter faint-hearted scoundrels. In the event of a determined criminal, draw-speed is critical. Additionally, one would be hard-pressed to find many examples of an armed citizen being targetted primarily because he/she was obviously armed. With proper situational awareness and retention protocol, either method is suitable. I don't intend to disparage those who concealed-carry at all, I practice it often myself (when appropriate). But also want it to be known, by gun-owners especially, that a bit of positive 'exposure' (pardon the pun), can go a long way towards making firearms a mundane, purposeful and non-threatening matter in the public eye. Most of all, whether one chooses to conceal or expose (the gun, I mean) take the time to educate those around you of the importance of RKBA, which is one of many crucial rights we retain... But it is the one which gives the people the power to enforce all others.

Summertime open-carry consists of carrying the full-size pistols (I mean, if i'm going to open-carry anyways, why not carry a gun that is easier to shoot and is arguably more effective?). Usually it's the bi-tone XD-45LE 5" (.45 GAP ), in my favorite holster for the XD.... the Blackhawk SERPA. But, since I'll probably be ditching the .45 GAP this year, I'll likely get a .45 ACP XD Tactical (and hopefully a matching XD-45 Compact) to replace it, and be able to use the same holsters... I'll certainly be keeping the .357sig XD 4", but I forsee losing my trusty P239 to my wife, when she gets her permit (she's already claimed the Sig as hers , I just get to carry it for now)

Open is usually more convenient and comfortable in the summer. I make no special effort to carry open in the winter. Just depends on convenience and what is appropriate for the situation. I'm not bashful about OCing, but I'm not flagrant with it either.

Sometimes IWB @ 4 o'clock, but usually OWB @ 3 o'clock. Depends on gun/holster/attire.

I want an 10mm XD Compact! A conversion barrel for .40s&w would be easy then... But, from what I've read, 10mm is unlikely. That's sad too, I would much rather have had 10mm than this .45 GAP... Welcome Lonnie! Good to see you over here!

Now I wish I'd thought to take pictures of the targets, my groups were all well centered. The POI was low, compared to the POA, but I am pretty sure that it was a minor sight elevation issue since it stayed consistent. The shots were evenly distributed, and progressed from an approx 2" tall x 1 1/2" wide 10-shot group (after the first magazine), to a couple of 2" - 2 1/2" tall x 3" wide 5-shot groups, and then finally was barely holding a 6" circle during the last 10 rd after the gun was very, very hot. I fired each shot very slowly and methodically, every few seconds, concentrating on smooth and even trigger-pressure, and sight alignment. Normally when I do this, my groups get better with a gun I have never fired before, as I get used to it. I've fired pistols with heavy triggers before, such as a G17 with a NY2 trigger, etc... There was certainly something going on with the Sigma as it got hotter. I could visibly see the bullets striking the target well off of the point-of-aim. I wouldn't think that a Sigma would be worth the effort of putting any work into the barrel lockup, especially considering that the owner of the gun was also really turned off by the trigger, and wanted to get rid of it for something else after we were through shooting it. He liked the grip angle, which was reminiscent of a Glock, though shaped more ergonomically... Next time he comes with me I am going to suggest renting a Glock and a S&W M&P for him, he already took a liking to my Sig, but only for its trigger-pull. It was weird... No big deal though, my only concern is if this is common for Sigmas, or any particular barrel material/type/brand, so that I can avoid it!

I would have chalked it up to my shooting hand becoming fatigued, but my groups with my P239 were completely consistent during that same session. Besides that, I know that I tend to push a bit left when my trigger finger gets noticeably fatigued, but all groups stayed centered... I didn't fire the Sigma nearly enough for the heavy trigger to affect me like that. That's why I'm surprised, I don't know what to attribute this to... But, something was obviously loosening up as the gun got hot, or the barrel was expanding un-evenly. The rifling was not fouled, I checked that later when I was showing him how to disassemble it... besides, we were firing FMJ.