MexicanDragon

Yeah... I said "Crap" there and I got a warning from the mods that stayed with me for a few months... that was my first post. ****in' A. **BRENT**

Reading through this, most everyone has said the same things I was thinking. When you said "Low End", I think most of us were thinking RIA Tactical and Taurus PT1911B (and I think most of us would go with the RIA). Both around 500$, give or take a few, both really well received by the community. I had a High Standard GI-spec (same as the standard RIA, a step below), and it felt GREAT in my hands. Naturally, the RIA Tactical felt just as nice, if not a little better, and to me feels better than the Taurus. Then I saw your "low end" comment and "1000$" in the same sentence, and was thinking that you just opened up a whole new world. I saw Dan mention the Sig 1911 lineup. I hear those are pretty much the best in that price range right now. There is also the Dan Wesson line, interesting if you're looking at the Commander Bobtail, especially (is it the least expensive bob on the market? I think it may be). Have you gotten to handle some of the three that you mentioned? I know it all comes down to personal ergonomics at times when choosing. I know for me, I prefered the feel of the Springfields and Kimbers I've held over the S&W's. I've always had a soft spot in my heart of the Kimber Raptor II, aesthetically, but after getting my hand's on a Grand Raptor II for a little while, I just don't care for the grip... the "scales" if you will. If you're serious about 1911 aquisition though, you probably would do well to take a day out of your life and make a trip to TN's 1911 Mecca... Hero Gear. Last I read they have about 40-45 in stock. If you wind up liking the S&W, they're the TN Law Enforcement distributor and they offer some nice deals (there's a thread in the Vendor Midway if you haven't checked it out, but I'm sure you have). I also noticed that someone mentioned both 1911forums.com and m1911.org, both sites I frequent and have found informative. M1911.org also has an e-zine you may want to check out if you haven't yet. **BRENT**

Hey man... I love that pistol. I've heard really good things about the diamond black, and I think I'd talked to you about wanting to get a coating on my SS Les Baer. I was thinking about the Wilson Armor-Tuff, but the DB just looks so hot, it's something I'd consider. So, how does it shoot? I'd been thinking about a DW CBOB before I got my LB, and that looks like it'd be a great carry piece! Great pics, guys! **BRENT**

I thought of this and thought of you... <g> You can pick up the shirt from here **BRENT**

It's tied, by my count... **BRENT**

I noticed you were in Cookeville... I went to school up there at TTU for a while, still have a few friends up there... maybe I could trek up there and lay my hands on your EB one of these days, no? My LB is Stainless... but I'm toying with the idea of sending it off for a Wilson Armor-Tuff treatment (I think I'd have to go all black). I love the finish on the Wilsons I've fondled, and I've seen it done in black/OD with Nighthawk's coating... I think it looks great on this particular model. Mine is an Extreme Tactical, which is pretty much a hopped up Concept VI. I picked it up slightly used, so I didn't have mine custom ordered... but as it's only my second gun ever (1st one, a High Standard 1911 left my hands to fund the Baer), I didn't have an exact grasp of what I'd want. When I picked this one up, I chose it over about 10 other 1911's, and it just felt perfect to me. With the 30 lpi checkering on the front strap and MSH, along with the particular grips on it, it's the grippiest gun I've held... and fits my big hands perfectly. It also has their tactical package, so it's dehorned and ready to go. Now I just have to get my permit... I guess unless you go to somewhere like Pro-Load, it's hard to really feel all the different Baer models. It WAS helpful that I got to hold a PII for a few minutes at a range, when I inquired about a very nice looking pistol from a guy who'd brought 2-3 1911's to the range. I think I wound up with mine about 2 months later (I went in looking to get a DW Commander Bobtail... I'm still kinda torn on the BOB front myself... case by case, I guess). I dig your TR, btw... couldn't tell if it was blued or had their black coating though. I'm sure you'll enjoy it sans FCS... **BRENT**

heh... so I have to give pics, give YOU my Baer, or be banned... hmmm... http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=19163&postcount=17 There's a "Show us your 1911's!" thread in Show and Tell... check it out! Going back over that thread, I've noticed that I need better pix. I just have one gun, I gotta make it look prettier than that! **BRENT**

Sorry... Former postal worker... **BRENT**

A fine pair you have there. It makes me want to go take some better pictures of my Les Baer put them up against your EB's and maybe some of Joe's Wilsons and just be like... "Ahhhh... 1911 goodness... ahhhhh" BTW, how do you like the Snakeskin treatment on the gun? I haven't fondled an EB yet, but it reminds me a bit of what Kimber does with their Raptor line... and as much as I like the look of it, the feel of it isn't as solid and grippy as standard checkering (to me, at least). Again, a wonderful pair of 1911's... **BRENT**

DPMS LR-308B with a Magpul PRS stock, Harris Bi-Pod, and some Zeiss glass... "Gotta Have" something to keep it quiet too... maybe something off the Class 3 shelf @ HG... maybe. **BRENT**

I dig the pic, Phantom. You know... I think it's time that Joe dole out the cash to bring the Gunny into the HG family. I'm sure Glock wouldn't mind. **BRENT**

My Pez collection is at about 1500 pieces... my Glock collection is holding steady at 0. Funny thing... Glocks are cheaper. **BRENT**

Dead of the Day: http://www.woot.com has a Microsoft Zune (an iPod competitor) for 99.99$ plus 5$ shipping. @Rabbi, if your daughter doesn't mind something a little different (or if she embraces diversity), maybe she might be willing to take a look at these. Real quick, woot.com has a deal a day, and when they're sold out, they're sold out. It's a haven/nightmare for people with a propensity for impulse buys. Just a heads up... **BRENT**

For PC, there is a program called DVD Shrink that is freeware that seems to be good (I've used it once, but it was to make a high quality rip to fit on a DVD-r). It takes a while (maybe a couple hours?) to do the movies, longer or shorter depending on how powerful the computer is (PC wise, at least... macs idk). For such a small screen, 700 mb (What would fit on a blank CD-r) would be easily possible. BTW, if you do mail order from a few places ( http://www.macmall.com ), many offer free accessories after mail in rebate, and you can probably avoid taxes ( 25-35$ would get a number of the pairs of headphones I was talking about). I know macmall has a 19.99$ - 19.99$MIR FM Transmitter, which allows you to play the iPod through your car stereo over your FM Radio). If its something you think she would want to upgrade later, go ahead with the (free) engraving, but if you think she would sell it down the road for a newer one, skip the engraving... it will bring down the resale value. Also, I would recommend getting a case for it. Personally, I've had tremendous luck with the Speck Products Tough Skin. It's survived multiple tumbles off a 3 foot table at work with my 4th gen 60 gig, (I wanted to do a little torture testing... I got bored). I looked it up, and it's backordered from the website (maybe not even out yet), but they sell this company's warez occassionally at Walmart, Best Buy, and Circuit City. (Being in Nashville, you'd have more choices than we do in rural TN where I'm at... or even 35 miles away in Chattanooga). http://www.speckproducts.com/products/toughskin/ipod-classic/106 There are companies offering a products such as "Invisible Shield", a high quality clear, unintrusive protective barrier (from scratches, fingerprints, etc, but not drops like the Tough Skin) which is a virtual must have if you want to keep the piece looking pretty. (I've kept my 5th gen 30 gig in great shape for 10 months keeping it in the supplied slip case, but that was only being uber anal about it, not something I may have done as a teen). Hope this is some more information to mull over... (Heh... just think of how I am when I'm looking at gun stuff... these toys are going to drive me CRAZY!) **BRENT**

Normally, I would agree with creeky 100% here, but I quickly scanned the refurb 80 gig prices, and they're only 30$ less than the new iPod Classic 80 gig, and the 5.5 gen 30 gig is 199.99$ refurbed, so that's out (value wise. It's what I have, however). If she's wanting full size, consider budget. 80 gig for 249.99$ is reasonable, 160 for 349.99$ is very tempting. Here are a few questions that would help us out. 1) How into music/sound quality is she? 2) Does she want to watch videos/movies/tv shows on it? If 1), there are two options to consider. She should DEFINATELY budget some cash for a good pair of headphones. Depending on her tastes in music and style of headphones, a good to great pair of headphones can be had for 20$ up to 1000$ or so... (my favorite budget headphones run 20-50$). If she's into sound quality (maybe with a good pair of headphones she might find she is, and never knew it... the stock headphones are rubbish, at best). There is also the quality of the files she rips from the CD's (mp3's or "lossless"). Many people think 128kbps (what a lot of the music you'll buy) is "CD Quality", when in actuality you're missing quite a bit of information, and musicality, at that level. 2), as was previously stated, movies take up a lot of space. I have just one on mine, and it's about 1.5 gigs. All it takes is about 25 movies (or about 50-100 tv episodes) to fill up half of the 80 gig iPod. No big deal if you move 'em around, but I like to carry my entire collection with me music wise, and have a variety of things to watch as well. FYI, the new iPod classic has supposedly VERY good sound quality. In the portable audio community (from which I have been entrenched for a number of years), it is catching up. There have been some modified versions of previous generations of iPods which would greatly help with sound quality, but the designer of the mods (Vinnie Rossi from Red Wine Audio), after spending a number of hours with the new model (the iPod Classic), decided that it wasn't worth modding, as it was a large step up from the previous stock version, and that it came close to his own modified 5.5 gen (the new one is the 6th generation). This was a big revelation, as it will cost him considerable business. If I didn't mentioned it, with the refurbs from apple, you WILL be charged sales tax in TN. For a little light reading, check out http://www.head-fi.org/ There is a wealth of knowledge there in the portable audio section. For budget headphones, some I recommend are the Koss KSC-75 (clip on style) for 20$, the Koss Porta Pro (50$) or Porta Pro2 (if you can find it) for about 35$ (same drivers, fewer extras), Sennheiser PX-100 (50-60$ list), Grado Labs iGrado (49.99$) (not found in many stores, but can be found through many online dealers. http://www.ttvj.com will carry some of these, and there is a 10$ off coupon for first time buyers), Grado Labs SR-60 69.99$ (same drivers as the iGrado, different enclosure... think "retro". Alessandro MS-1 (99$) http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html . For Ear-buds/canal phones/IEM's. Check out V-Moda headphones (49.99-100$), JVC Marshmellows (19.99-24.99$ at local stores). I'm sure that's more information than any of you actually read, so I'll stop now. **BRENT**

Hey... great choice! That was one of my top choices (though for my second 1911), I just fell into an LB instead... I take it you got to fondle about 8-10 other 1911's that day, didn't u? Definately one of the best toy stores in the area. Again, congrats! **BRENT**

Personally, I think many people will see the guy as an extremist. IMO, it was decidedly the wrong way to go about things. He very easily could have gone in to the store, and asked to see the manager or owner of the store and at that point figured out whether or not this was intentional or just a simple misunderstanding. Instead, it turned out to be a small fiasco (which just so happened to have taken place when a television crew from (I believe) an NBC affiliate) was across the street. Convenient, maybe? The guy did steal something (1-3 items... not sure about the Mexican flag, but the US one and at least some rope, but the rope is nit-picky). I don't believe he, by definition, "brandished" a weapon, but the knife I guess would be illegal to carry, no? The first thing that this reminded me of was someone in the Chattanooga area, a woman by the name of June Griffin, who stole a Mexican flag out of a Hispanic grocery store in Dayton, TN last year. (If interested, an article can be found at http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_90690.asp) I understand being supportive of your country, and I understand that the shop owner was in violation of the Flag Code (I was in charge of the flag duties when I was in school at one point). I'm also not sure that it is illegal to violate the Flag Code. I believe on a National level, it is not (thousands of people do it every day, including the sitting President himself). I believe there may be state laws which put the acts as punishable, but I'm not sure about the particular state in which this occur, or any, for that matter (as of now). I do feel that this was an over the top gesture, and out of line. Now, comes the question of theft. He did in fact steal the flag, the property of the store. I DOUBT charges will be filed, as there would be a small uproar, and I'm sure (as in the June Griffin case, albeit a little different) that the charges would be dropped. I don't think that the guy is necessarily a racist (juding solely from this act), but definately one who loves his country. I also don't think this was a hate crime (my opinion differs with the Griffin case). Just some of my thoughts on this matter... **BRENT** Edit: I'll keep all edits down here to keep the original text intact. Upon further inquiry into the illegal knife part, after realizing that the 4" law is a TN law and that this incident happened outside of these borders, I have found no apparent length limit for a knife in the state of Nevada, so his "Iraqi Freedom" Ka-bar seems to be a legal carry piece.

That's awesome Joe... yeah, the gun looks fun and all, but HOW did you get the Army to issue Hero-Gear hats as issue gear!?!?!? Talk about growing FAST! **BRENT**

Hi there Tim, and welcome to the forum. I'm from Jasper (about 35 miles away from you), but lived in the Chattanooga area for the past 5 years (plus my mom and brother live in Hixson, so I know that area a bit too). There is a range/shop pretty close to you that I've never been to... it's on Hixson Pike, close to the Krystal that is right at 153... I can't think of the name of it, but I believe they offer handgun carry permits taught, and I'm sure they may have guns to rent there... but you can always probably get a feel for some of them just by handling the selection of new/used. There is another shop a little farther away, on Hwy 58 (almost to Harrison) called "Carter's Shooting Supply." They also have a shooting range, and will let you rent any of their used stock for 10$/piece. They also have a selection of Glocks that they rent out at, I believe, the same price. I know 1911 wise, they carry Kimbers almost exclusivly. They also have quite a few Taurus pieces. This is the range I went to when I lived in Chattanooga (closest one to me). They also have fairly reasonable prices on range ammo. These guys also offer a handgun carry permit class. (I believe you get a discount off a range membership if you take the course, possibly the same with the other one I mentioned). If you're up for a bit more of a drive, there is a great shop about an hour away called "Hero-Gear" (www.hero-gear.com) that is in Winchester, TN. They have a huge selection of 1911's and other pistols, and are quite knowledgeable about their products. That's enough typing for now... welcome to the forums... **BRENT** Edit: I see Mike.357 recommends the 1911, and it's by far my favorite style pistol. I don't know what caliber you're looking at, but you'll find tons in .45ACP, quite a few in 9mm (I don't know how big your hands are or what would feel right to you, but if you're looking for something smaller, I think it's the Springfield Armory EMP 9mm that is fairly new is a 1911 style pistol designed around the caliber), and there are always the Para-Ordinance double stacks which will hold a good 14+1 rounds of .45ACP, if you're so inclined (who needs to worry about reloading with 15 rounds of some Hornady TAP ammo?) There is also the 10mm option (talk to dcloudy77 (i think is his handle here) at Hero-Gear on this one). As you're familiar with Google, you should be able to find all these shops using a search fairly easily. Hope this helps!

There is a reason my computer desk is up against a corner of two brick walls... with only one window (with shut blinds... can't see in, but there are some peep holes I can see out with... no random cable TV trucks are gonna sneak by ME and park 2 doors down! If it's an ice cream truck though... they got me. I have two kids (and come on... it's ice cream). Hey... what was this thread about again? OT oft times goes tangental... **BRENT** **BRENT**

Heh... maybe, maybe not. The thoughts in my head and the opinions I have are truly all over the place, depending. I enjoy a good conspiracy theory (many I believe should be labled "Conspiracy Hypotheses" as they may not be, by definition, solidly enough based in fact to be a theory.) Who knows... they may be right (or at least on to something)... Or not. **BRENT**

Link? **BRENT**

WHOA! You're the other guy from jasper! Hey, Brent here, in Jasper (from Chattanooga). Where are you at in town? Most people are either in Gamble or Nickajack cir... (Gamble myself). Maybe we can meet up (I think there is one more Jasperite around here), and have an UBER mini-meet. Or take the drive up the mtn to go visit Hero-Gear and get you into a proper handgun... *cough* MCMXI *cough* **BRENT** P.S. I like Roman Numerals... <g>

Slushee anonymous, anyone? It's a disease people, it's not something to be taken lightly. Anyone have the number to the show "Intervention"? **BRENT**

Yeah... I know Joe was out of the shop, talked to 'em last night... but there were 7 Joe-filled days in the early part of Septiembre that the cloudy one had to whip up this trademarked question of zee month. Heh... and especially on a Saturday morning... I doubt he'll even see this thread til 9pm tonight. For those of you who've been to Hero-Gear on a Saturday know that it's well... ahem... really bloody busy. And that's with 2-4 people working! Just dan by himself... I feel for the guy... (even if he does carry 10mm... wacky!) Hang in there Danny boy... just 6.3 more business days til Joe returns! <g> **BRENT**