Bassoneer

I only have S&W's, and plan to continue my collection. I think Colts are probably fantastic, but very expensive - I have never shot one, but have seen somebody else who was very accurate with a python. I would like to get a S&W 14, 27, 28, 66 (3" barrel) and maybe even one of the 8-shot .357 night guards (but it has an internal lock, which I find very annoying). I recall as a boy, my grandfather told me that Smith & Wesson made the best guns, although I don't think he ever owned one. It's amazing how much influence that had on me, and it was 40 years ago. B

Very cool gun...I have never fired any of these, so can't tell much about how to grip them and such, but I have been thinking about one of those ones that fold into the grip and then clip on your belt. It would be neat if they had this top break magnum in the fold-up version...B ps, anybody know what those feel like to shoot? Can you get very many fingers around them? What about with the wooden grips?

I would let somebody else adjust it or try different ammo but don't use a file on it. I've had three 686's and they have all been very accurate...good luck, B

We inherited a Doberman when my mother-in-law died...they are not like people think. Ours (Ben, 100 pounds) is the most gentle dog I've ever been around. We have three other dogs, including a Chihuahua, and the Doberman allows the Chihuahua to jump all over him. He is getting old, but is the sweetest dog ever. He is a "leaner"...he walks up and leans against you. He will come up and sit in your lap if you let him. Yours is a good looking dog! Great companions. B

post deleted...I mentioned some .38 Special I saw...then I noticed you were looking for .38 S&W...

You, sir are a wise individual. A smart man indeed. I like the way you think. B

I strongly advise AGAINST the purchase of a Windicator for any reason. I did, and I'm talking from my own first hand and personal experience...I didn't get through one box of shells before it froze up. The one I had was not safe. I would like to tell you more about it if you want to go off-line...it was purchased at the same store you're talking about and sold back to them at a huge loss. My experience was absolutely un-real. Now on the other hand, I recently purchased a like-new Model 82 Taurus .38+P revolver, blued with 4" barrel for $250 at Austin's Tennessee Firearms in Oak Ridge and gave to my 76-year-old mother and 80-year-old dad. They love it. I would strongly recommend getting them something reasonable like that - it is simple and it works. I would never consider a Windicator for anybody. Not even as a paperweight. Good luck, B

I love stuff like this. You took an old and tired looking rifle and made it look beautiful. I've done similar items several times and love the feeling of making something look great again. This rifle has some beautiful wood and you really made it look much better. You'll enjoy shooting this rifle for the rest of your life! And your son will cherish this for the rest of his life...hope he thinks of you every time he shoots it! Great Job!!! Later, B

One more interesting tidbit about this range...you can see the bullets going down range. As I was shooting, my son yelled "I CAN SEE YOUR BULLETS!" and I was thinking no waaaay. But when he shot, I could watch the bullets fly down range because of the black rubber back stop material. Weirdest thing I ever saw. We shot .38's and .45's...he doesn't shoot the .45, so I didn't watch any of those...it is easier to see if you watch somebody else. But if you can see a .38, then you should be able to see a big fat .45 going down the range. Very strange, but neat. B

My son and I tried out the range this afternoon. I have been to almost every range in East Tennessee and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. I was very impressed with the computer controlled targeting system on rails. You can have it go out and sit still, or have it turn at whatever timed intervals you want (giving only a second or two to aim and fire) or you can run one of the pre-set programs. Then you just wait to see where the target is going and it will stop, you will hear a beep and then it flips around for you to take a 1-second shot. In the dark, this system is supposed to shine a spotlight on the target each time it flips...should be interesting. Anyway, I found out that I suck at shooting moving/spinning/non-static targets. I did very good at a still target, taking aim at 7-yards. This is a whole new ball game. It was no doubt the most fun my son and I ever had shooting and I can't wait to go back again. I also found out that shooting a 1911 is hard to do (for me)...I am a revolver guy and did OK with the 686+, but not so good with the 1911. Actually, I didn't do so hot with the 686+ either...I really sucked. Other than not being able to shoot well I did great! All kidding aside, I can promise you will be challenged if you're used to shooting still targets. The guy in charge of the gun range was very nice and informative - he told me about some classes they offer and I definately will be looking into taking some of those. The store was very nicely stocked with guns, holsters and everything else. Overall a fantastic gun day! B

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I have experience with a couple of 1911's...one I don't like and one that is great. The newer 1911's have lowered and flared ejection ports which make them much more reliable in ejecting spent casings...that was a major problem with my first 1911 because it was an older model that didn't have the lowered and flared ejection port. So, I would leave the older guns for collectors or for occasional shooting with round ball ammo. I still had a craving for a solid 1911 that would fire a box of ammo reliably, so I purchased one of the modern guns (Springfield Armory Loaded). It has fired reliably since I got it. Most of these newer/high-end 1911's still don't have super-fantastic magazines, and the mags are a key element in reliable feeding of the ammo - I replaced my SA magazine with one from Wilson Combat, which I think is common amongst 1911 owners. It also adds one round to the overall ammo capacity (7 rounds to 8 rounds). Most of the new 1911's with lowered and flared ejection ports, properly ramped for hollow points, with a good extractor and ejector will do a good job. Good luck...if you get one of these newer guns you will really enjoy shooting it. B

EAA Windicator .357 Magnum. Had it less than a week, and I shot less than one box of shells. It was completely jammed up and wouldn't open when I sold it back to the store where I bought it. B

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Spyderco's are great knives. I just got my first one for father's day...not the exact same model, but similar. It has a good heavy blade and I use the heck out of it. As of this year, I am going to start picking up one or two Spyderco's a year...B

I think the stickers and the security alarm are fine. I have a security system but no stickers. Personally, I have a 100-pound Doberman and a 100-pound Husky that make a great "real time" security system. They are good family dogs and very gentle with kids (mine are) but they go Ape-S**t when somebody is outside. I want to be a friend of that Doberman...not somebody breaking into his house. He looks very scarry. But some folks don't like big dogs in the house...B

If you are concerned about the burn rings around the front of the cylinder, you can use a Birchwood-Casey lead removal cloth that they sell at gun stores and big outdoor stores...its about $5 and works great...it really makes the end of cylinder look like it's never been fired. I would be careful about what you use on the coated aluminum. I would probably go with Hoppes #9 and then some light gun oil. And of course, use the Hoppes with patches/brushes in the cylinder and barrel...toothbrush with Hoppes around the inside of the frame, forcing cone, etc. You can also use the Lead Removal cloth around the forcing cone and interior of the frame. I always finish up with light oil on patches through the cylinder and barrel. Good luck...I think you'll love carrying that gun. Probably won't be much fun to shoot with potent loads because it is so light, but that's the way they are. B

I've ordered from them multiple times...good store and no complaints. Good prices on most stuff too... B

I carried one in my front pocket just a few hours ago when we ran out for Subway sandwiches. Great gun, but it kicks very hard. That's the trade-off, light weight + powerful ammo = big recoil. But it is one of my favorite guns to conceal and carry...very convenient, light and small yet very powerful. If the recoil proves to be too much, you have several options including toning down the ammo and/or putting on bigger (more cushy) grips. Good luck, B

A friend and I rented a bunch of 9mm guns at CCA about a year ago to see which one we liked best since he was in the market. I'm more of a .38/.357 and .45 guy, but do have one 9mm. Anyway, we tried about five or six if I recall correctly. My favorite was the CW9 - it shot very well, no hang-ups or snags with function or ejecting brass, and in the lobby I was allowed to try the gun in a pocket holster and it fit well in my front pocket. So, it was small, light, held a fair amount of rounds, easy and fun to shoot, didn't kick too hard...it was my overall favorite of all the guns. My friend did some more research and ended up getting a PM9 which may be a fancier or smaller model, but I really did think the CW9 was a good gun. Do you know anything about the owner of this company? Later, B

There are all sorts of variations on this, but it depends on what I'm doing, what I'm wearing, where I'm going, and what time of day. I try to stay aware of my surroundings and plan for the worst...I try not to put myself in bad situations and I typically carry the 5-shot revolver. Just my thoughts. B

I've done that hundreds of times...I think that is OK and is proper protocol for places that are posted. Some of my holsters are hard to get off without taking my belt off. Anybody that gives me a hard time about a holster clearly doesn't understand I am trying to comply with the posting. I don't think that would be an issue unless you get somebody who is basically nuts (ha - after thinking about it, there are a lot of nuts out there...just don't let them see your holster). B

Gunny's prices have gone up. CCA seems friendlier than in the past, and it is convenient, but when does that fancy new range open up at Frontier Firearms? I've never been to Frontier, but understand they are opening a new range with some very nice target systems...anybody know when it will be up and running? B

Steaks - Ye Olde Steak House on Chapman Highway Hamburgers/Desserts - Litton's off Broadsay Italian - Altruda's on N. Peter's Mexican - Abuelo's in Turkey Creek Chinese - Mandarin House on Merchant's Drive Bar-b-que - Dead End Barbique on Sutherland Ave Seafood - Nick's Seafood Pavillion, Yorktown, VA Fast Food - Buddy's Bar-B-Que Pizza - Pizza Inn on Clinton Highway Deli - Pimento's in Turkey Creek Chicken Fingers - Parkside Grill or Lakeside Tavern (on Ft. Loudon) Salads - Rafferty's on Kingston Pike All-Around Good Sit-Down Restaurant - Aubrey's on Middlebrook Pike or Flatwater Grill in Oak Ridge