Jamie Jackson

    There is a thread about this on TGO I believe...It looks to be an internet rumor. :cool:   I e-mailed Hodgdon and here was the reply:   "I have heard nothing that would make me believe we are on the verge of losing W231/HP-38, but I do think that availability will continue to be an issue. I can assure you W231/ HP-38 will continue to be in the Hodgdon / Winchester product lines.  Dave Campbell Customer Service Representative Hodgdon Powder Company"   I've seen each online over the past few weeks...but they still sell out fast...but at least they are intermittently available for the first times in months.

I'd have to second TN-popo's recommendation. FMJ and frequent practice. Doc Robert's compilation of data on handgun rounds and their actual use is an outstanding resource.   Doc Robert's keeps a running thread and interaction on another site. Here's a link to his discussion and info on .380 vs .38 spl...I know that's not what you asked, but his info on .380 in that discussion also recommends FMJ loads. It appears there just isn't any .380 rounds in current production that consistently render adequate penetration and expansion. Like Doc Roberts said:       " We all want expansion, we need penetration"...and reliability. very redundant link LOL :https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4336-BUG-s-380-ACP-vs-38-Sp

    Considerations on weapons retention and fighting in a clinch are what brought me to carrying a small fixed blade towards my centerline.   OhShoot offered some sound suggestions imho.   I currently carry one of the TDI knives in an NSR Tactical horizontal sheath. It's easily accessible by either hand and very easy to conceal underneath any untucked shirt. John Benner at TDI designed this knife specifically for use in a weapons retention role. Our little "group" back down south actually had the opportunity to field test the prototype back in '04.   http://nsrtactical.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=43     I had a patient back in New Orleans (East) that was worked over by a push dagger. They are damn devastating, especially in a close-in fight. The guy didn't even realize at first he was being stabbed...he just thought he was being punched. (This seemed to be quite common in a lot of the folks I gave care to fwiw). And a small short bladed knife will penetrate much deeper than their blade length due to the elasticity and compressibility of human flesh...just things to consider.     JAB, The SPEW looks intriguing. And for $21.88 on Amazon I might just have to pick one up.   http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-2388/dp/B006SK0SP8

The only time I've run into something akin to what Jeff is asking about were some RN bullets without a good crimping groove. They were some oddball rounds that I had on hand and needed to use up.   I use a roll crimp on mine and I have no issue...as long as I pay attention to that groove . :pleased:

These are in the Knoxville area:   ORSA in Oak Ridge....membership is required for the various ranges, but not to shoot in the Action Pistol events like USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge and Cowboy Action matches. http://orsaonline.org/   Windrock Shooting Range in Oliver Springs Fairly new and growing. Excellent place to shoot. Lots of steel Rental Guns available. And Eric is a good guy. $10.00 per person fee for the day or yearly memberships available for $99.00 individual or $149.00 individual + one. http://www.windrockshootingrange.com/home.html   https://www.facebook.com/windrockshootingrange     Tac or now TacSOG indoor range Knoxville http://www.windrockshootingrange.com/home.html   Frontier Firearms in Kingston http://www.frontierfirearms.us/#!two-shooting-ranges/c1pve       There is also a range at Norris...but I don't have a link. I believe the local Moose Lodge also has a range....someone on here should have details on these two.   Hope this helps. I know I would have appreciated the info when I first moved into the area.

I'm about halfway through "Enforcing Home" by A.American....pretty darn good thus far. It's book 6 of the series and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.   http://www.amazon.com/Enforcing-Home-Survivalist-6-American/dp/0996696008/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441278061&sr=1-1&keywords=a.american       And just a couple of weeks until "One Year After" arrives! :up:   http://www.amazon.com/One-Year-After-William-Forstchen/dp/0765376709/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441278302&sr=1-1&keywords=one+year+after     And hipower is right. This is the most focused thread on the forum. :pleased:

Man, like many of you...I hate trimming and prepping brass. I love handloading...just hate the brass prep work.   I trimmed about 1500 pieces of 5.56/.223 using the Lee, wooden handle and my drill. I found it most time efficient to chamfer and deburr while I still had the brass in the shell holder.   From what I can tell looking at vids on the WFT it only trims the brass (but so pretty darn quickly). So (insert dumb question music) I make the bold assumption the deburring and chamfering is done using old fashioned handwork. So...considering this, is the WFT still more time efficient than the way I rambled on about above?   I have several thousand pieces of brass I need to prep. $70.00 is, well, $70.00...would it ease my hate? :cool:

Yeah...mine will say it's photoshopped... :squint:

Omega,   I hadn't seen the 3 jaw chuck before. Thank you.   Question though? How secure, as related to any wobbling, is the chuck? I ask because of some of the reviews.

Great post Gordon. I appreciate your insight on this and totally agree.   We witnessed this in a microcosm following Katrina back home. Society has a very thin veneer...very thin. Face it, our J.I.T. or Just In Time 3 day inventory system is simply too fragile. We've all seen it fall apart locally here in TN at the mere prediction of bad weather.   I'm not calling Gloom & Doom...but reality is difficult to ignore. We are responsible for ourselves and those whose care is entrusted to us... to protect, provide food and shelter, and we best know how to provide emergency medical attention to them, and ourselves as well.   I don't know what tomorrow or the next few years will bring...but chances are it won't be friggin' rainbows & unicorns...   I am familiar with Selco's writings as well as FerFal's. I believe I still have Fernando's book on my shelf...if I haven't loaned it out already. They both offer valuable insight into our collective potential future.   But whatever comes down the pike, efforts at improving your self-sufficiency and ability to care for yourself and loved ones is never wasted time and resources. :2cents:

  LOL. Ain't it the truth? :pleased:       Excellent advice. Yes...and No...But there is inherent danger in carrying a firearm period. I've carried appendix daily for 15+ years. I am very cognizant of what I am am doing when reholstering. But that holds true whether appendix, strong side, or crossdraw. How does that saying go? "We should be fast to draw, but hesitant in reholstering". I've seen several gunshot wounds to lower extremities (legs) from careless reholstering....fingers on trigger, clothing caught up in the trigger guard. Inattentive "speed reholstering", no matter position carried, can lead to disastrous results. When I am reholstering my Glock 19 I tend to somewhat lean back averting the muzzle away from my manberries. It's not an exaggerated motion or anything, and is ingrained into what I do.   In my experience in ECQC, FOF, and weapon retention training and classes, I've found the appendix position to work best for me.   As far as comfort goes, I've found a purpose designed holster to work best. I am wearing a Dale Fricke Archangel at the moment and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. I also have a Phlster holster for my 9mm Shield. Both of these were designed with appendix carry in mind. They allow a small amount of movement laterally when sitting which helps where comfort is concerned, yet the grip remains constant and readily accessible. I carry between the 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock position. It works well for me and my body-type.   Some will argue that a double action mechanism handgun is preferred for safety reasons. I can't fault their position. It's a choice we each have to make. I'm good with mine.   btw...there's several of us in the Knoxville area that carry appendix. :cool:         http://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/archangel-appendix-carry/   http://www.phlster.com/#!store/c2271

Welcome aboard and Thank you for your service Sir.

Welcome aboard Amir. Glad to have you here.

Excellent AAR Randy.   Proud of you brother! 115 is an incredible accomplishment.   There's a lot of folks within the training community that wouldn't even step up and give it a go.  So... :up:

I totally agree Greg. And greatly appreciate Campbell responding so quickly.   Man...I don't know who Mike Daly is but I wouldn't won't to be in his shoes right now. :ugh:   Still...it good to have options these days. I know this shortage has certainly expanded my powder reserve. LOL

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" wrote Mark Twain....seems likely the above was as well.   +1 to Dave Campbell and Hodgdon for a timely response.     "I have heard nothing that would make me believe we are on the verge of losing W231/HP-38, but I do think that availability will continue to be an issue. I can assure you W231/ HP-38 will continue to be in the Hodgdon / Winchester product lines.   Mike Daly was mistaken."   Dave Campbell Customer Service Representative Hodgdon Powder Company 6430 Vista Drive Shawnee, KS 66218 913-362-9455 Ext. 117

I like AA#2 as well musicman and will have to try some AA#5 when I run across some. Thank you.   Options are a good thing. :pleased:

Are you going to be prone to vehicle search?   Did your new HR make mention of firearms in POV's?

    I finally made it over to Prone Shooter. Very nice folks as Major mentioned. :up:   I picked up 5 pounds of powder, 3 different types, that I had been looking for...for some time now actually. Very good prices. They have a decent selection of powders, good selection of primers, and a decent selection of ammo.   I even got to handle a Glock 43. I still haven't fired one yet...but all in time.   I think it's great having good folks like this running such a nice place so close at hand....but you gotta do some recon to find them the first time LOL.

+1 Patton.  My Safariland speed strips are well over a decade old and still running great. Still affordable as well. No complaints here.

I like it here too. Enlightening isn't it?  :pleased:

Welcome aboard Viking.   It is an unnerving book isn't it? Very plausible.   In case you are interested, there is a thread on SHTF books in this sub-forum. "Day of Wrath" is discussed around page 14 of it. There's quite a few good suggestions for reading material along this line.   Again, Glad to have you here.       http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/58536-good-shtf-survival-fiction-books/

  Opening the discussion for alternatives was actually one of my motivations for posting this thread...guess I should've mentioned that... :squint: ....sorry...     Trekbike, I've been using AA#2, especially for wadcutters with good results. It's also working well for 130 gr cast powder coated bullets we make.   I too use W231 for 158 gr .38's, as well as Unique.   From what I read...again, it's the interweb... but it sounds like flake powders won't be affected. I hope that's true anyway because I am down right addicted to Unique.     Anybody using Titegroup or the newer powder Clean Shot for .38's?

Anyone else reading this?   I first ran across it on Brian Enos forums. Then searched it and found it on several different forums.   But...alas..it is the interwebs...so a grain of salt is always advisable...   I did e-mail Hodgdon customer service about it and await their reply...       What I read:   "Winchester 231 certainly has been hard to get. The plant that makes Winchester powders does not want to make 231 as well as a few other powders. These older technology powders have different chemistry than the new powders and this older chemistry makes it much slower to make powder: basically, you can make about 2.5 times as many pounds of new chemistry powder in the time it takes to make 1 pound of old chemistry powder. During the process of making the old powders, the waste stream created is huge compared to the waste stream of the new chemistry powders. Chemical waste is very expensive to get rid of. So, the plant wants to phase out the old chemistry powders and replace them with new chemistry powders. While they are still making 231, the amount is being reduced and the amount of new powder such as Titegroup and Longshot is being increased. Now, we are kind of stuck in the middle. The market is demanding 231 but the maker is not wanting to produce the powder. The result is, over time, 231 is going to go away. Shooters should begin using other powders as they can."     W231/HP 38 is not my all time favorite powder...but it has been my go-to powder for 45 acp for a long, long time. These days I primarily shoot 9mm.   So, I'm just checking to see if anyone else is hearing/reading this.

  Yes it was Cirillo. Unfortunately he died in an auto accident in 2007 iirc. What a loss to the firearms and self defense community. And then Gomez in 2012...a huge loss...Great guy and one of the most firearm/self defense knowledgeable people I've known.   I can certainly appreciate what you are saying, and we all have to live by our decisions in life...but I carry my own version of the Safe Stop loads (I knew Fuzzy) and I'm comfortable with it. I know others caution against it, for the very reasons you mentioned...and that's sound advice... But I'm good with my choice...I would never recommend another do so, just mentioning it's an option...