DAdams

EDC update. At least I don't have to break in a new folder and flashlight. Seecamp LWS .380 DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster, Spyderco Native, 4Sevens Preon II S2 120 Lumens OTF running on 2XAAA.

Spyderco C41PBK Native, Black FRN Handle, Plain I don't have too many bladed instruments. I have been EDCing a Gerber with FAST mech for a couple of years now and it has served me well. For $39 it is a darn good tool. Here it is with the PM9. I decided to get something a bit lighter though and after some suggestions and research I bought a Spyderco Native. I like the light weight and it certainly is sharp out of the box. Totally manual, no lock and no metal in the frame. I guess I will never get into knives like I have handguns, rifles, LED flashlights and inflatable boats but at $60 it is going to be tough to make the jump to $100. I'm just having a hard time with the margin of utility. I'm looking at some Benchmades.

Awesome. I like it. That has some real bad ass appeal.

Third time he has gone through this and 7 years in the Iraq Army so he "is trained for this". Think he needs a Benelli scattergun.

I have a Mini 14 also so if I got one that would be ok. I don't have that many mags for the Ruger. I don't recall them being that difficult to load by hand.

Mike- Thanks. Once in awhile I see stuff on SC and wonder why I would bother with them now I see why I might consider them.

OUTSTANDING!! That is definitely a must have. I just got my first AR a month or so ago or I would have had one along time ago, but that is the first time I have seen it in action. So if I have the opportunity I should buy the 5.56 on stripper clips to really save time, if and when available?

Yes, the Uplula is great, I definitely need to get one for AR magazines. When I thought it had failed or I had broken it yesterday (my luck) and had to load fifty rounds by hand I was already grieving what I thought was the loss for the day.....until I was shown the latch/catch. Didn't have my up close glasses on while using it on the bench at the range. Bravo Company hat. Got two, one for buying the upper one for the lower. I like ripstop and this is my first ripstop hat. I haven't had my 9Pro out yet. Two new handguns in a couple hours is about all I can contend with in one session. That said, I did a couple a couple dry fires with the 9Pro and it seemed to me based on descriptions by others of stock triggers, the crunchy, gritty stacking description, that is what it felt like. It's not as good as the stock 40c at least that is my initial impression. I found that quite dissapointing. I had ordered an Apex kit for the 40c but it may ultimately end up in the Pro....but I will give it a couple hundred first and see how it smooths out. Apex kits are pretty reasonable, life's too short for crappy triggers when there is stuff like Apex around at a reasonable price.

90% of the time.

I have a few revolvers and three subcompact (7 round) semi-autos. One in 9mm and two in .380. I have come to the conclusion one needs at least two handguns in each caliber to make sense. I don't think I am going to go the .45 route. Recently I purchased a Walther P99AS .40, a S&W M&P 40c and a S&W M&P Pro 5 inch in 9mm. These are my first full sized and compact semi-autos. Today I took the two .40 calibers on their maiden voyages. I have five magazines for the Walther and 3 standard and one full sized magazine with X-Grip for the compact, effectively making it a compact with 15 round capacity. I will be able to use the full size 9mm magazines from the 9Pro in the 40c with XGrip once the Storm Lake 40 to 9mm barrel arrives. Both were cleaned with Slip 2000 Gun Cleaner and Degreaser (water based, biodegradable and made in the USA) and lubricated with Slip 2000 EWL (Extreme Weapons Lubricant) synthetic. The product came with an EAG AR upper. EAG, Pat Rogers uses it on their School ARs and is the lubricant that was used on the Filthy 14, a BCM shot over 30K rounds without cleaning. Pat Rogers has a Colt with over 15K rounds rounds through it and purportedly never cleaned. SLiP2000™ - Home Page No affiliation with the Company. Just trying the free samples. Another new product (to me) I used for the first time now that I have to deal with these relatively high capacity magazines is an UpLULA universal pistol magazine loader. Great product and reduces the wear and tear on your fingers and hands, makes short work of 15 round magazines. Definitely going to get one for the AR. maglula, Ltd. | Magazine Loaders & UnLoaders No affiliation with the Company. Specifications: Walther Model: P99AS Caliber: .40 Barrel Length: 4" / 10.2 cm Dimensions, L/H/W: 7.1"/5.3"/1.3" Weight (without Mag): 21.2 oz. Sights: 3-dot adj. Magazine Capacity: 12 Rounds Trigger: TDA Trigger Weight: 11 lbs./5 lbs. DA/SA S&W M&P 40c Caliber .40S&W Capacity 10 Rounds 10+1 Rounds Action Striker Fire Action Trijicon Night Sights Finish Black Melonite®, 68 HRc Barrel Length 3.5" Overall Length 6.7" Weight 21.9 oz. Grip 3 Interchangeable Palmswell Grip Sizes Trips to the range are always interesting and I learn something new each time I go. This new store (east TN) and range is very nice. I had to go through the perfunctory document signatures (hold harmless etc), and watch a short safety film, which never hurts. Since the range is new they have an interesting policy of no exposed lead, that means the two JHP rounds I was going to shoot were not permitted and ball was the order of the day. I told the "range officer" I had two new handguns I wanted to get some rounds through and qualify with some PD ammunition after the ball aka JHP. He told me something I never knew....that the ball ammo characteristics I was (going to be) shooting wouldn't vary enough compared to the JHP when it came to making holes in paper. I begged to differ but then I knew this was larger than me having a "lead free" range. Operationally then I couldn't shoot any thing I had with the exception of the American Eagle (50 rounds). Hence, John the Ranger was happy to sell me ball ammo, which I mistakenly selected the Atlanta Arms & Ammo 180 gr, him not telling me they were reloads. Until I came out and told him that about 2 out of 10 would fail to feed. It was consistant though (the FTF), in both guns and equally distributed over all 8 magazines where upon he told me that that was common with the reloads. Guess he didn't hear me when I told him I was qualifying two new handguns.....oh well, as the rounds played out I figured it out (crap ammo), and tried the rest of the 25 American Eagles left which ran fine in both guns. They had other Manufacturer's products and I went cheap, not knowing nor being told the Atlanta's were reloads. My bad for not asking. The good news at the range was the lighting was great, the place was immaculate. It has a state of the art rail system so no settling down time on the targets. Best of all, I had five lanes to myelf. I found the .40 recoil not a problem and easily managed. The 4 inch Walther and the 3.5 inch M&P were virtually identical in muzzle rise characterstic. I went through about 75 rounds in each and was just starting to get comfortable after about fifty rounds into each. Everything stayed on the paper and 95% were in the COM with a few wingers. The trigger setup on the AS is after decock long DA first anti stress pull, then shorter SA follow-ups. If you don't decock, then they are all the shorter pull. By the time I started attempting to do some double taps, the curse of the reloads started screwing up my rhythm. Next time. I was very pleased with the M&P, I actually did better with it than the Walther and I guess I was lucky and didn't get a "crunchy" trigger and for PD it should smooth out fine. I don't know for now if I am going to bother with the Apex I have on order. I may have to save it for the 9Pro. The M&P with the FS magazine and the X Grip/medium swell was a good fit. For those shooting M&Ps and maybe this is pertinant to the .40c, even with ear plugs and headset, I could hear a mechanical "clank" when it cycled. Not so on the Walther. Well, as they say, a bad day at the range (and this wasn't bad by any stretch).....I'm looking forward to more quality time with both these fine semi-autos, and going back to my dark, funky range Coal Creek where you can shoot lead exposed JHPs and try some 165 grainers and see how those feel compared with the 180s. Let's see, I also learned there is a "lock or latch" on an Uplula. Loading 6 magazines and 75 rounds or more by the old hand method wasn't any fun and I couldn't figure out why it was "locked up". Nothing astounding here. It was the first date with both so I surmise things will get better as the triggers improve and so do as time goes on. New kydex DeSantis holster for the S&W was waiting when I got home. M&P 40c with XGrip and FS Magazine. This handled very nicely and with night sights after I get a couple hundred trouble free rounds through may become the home PD dog. P99AS This is what I was going to shoot, but it wasn't to be. If you plan on shooting exposed lead anything at Frontier Firearms range....it ain't going to happen.

Following the recent purchase of a 9Pro (first M&P semi) I was sufficiently satisfied with the fit and finish of the M&Ps. I thought I would work on a 40c. After reading many posts on M&P sites I came up with this 40/9c Convertible idea. The platform is based on: *M&P 40c from Code 4, 107703, Trijicon Night Sights and 3 magazines. *40 and 9mm full size magazines and X Grip from Greg Cote LLC. *Apex DCAEK and 9mm Storm Lake Barrel, from Midway USA. The trigger on the stock .40 was quite a surprise with an impressively crisp break, minimal take up, no stack and no "crunch". It actually feels better than the supposed better trigger on the Pro. I may have to try the Apex in the Pro and leave the .40 stock. For around the house 15 rounds of .40 works. Option to go to the standard 10 magazines or 17round 9mm full. The X Grip is very comfortable. The mid-size swell fits me best. Standard Set-up These things are backorderd by a month or better. I also ordered a Viridian green laser and light. I can always put it on anything with a rail.

The price drop/residual inventory cost/price makes sense. I had heard that S&W incentives of $50 or two magazines was successfull but when they expired sales would drop in expected anticipation of the next incentive plan. That has been going on for a couple of years at least. The last incentive plan expired in 12/10. S&W then did a price reduction of about $50 across many lines, including some M&Ps. Take a look at Bud's prices lately. I just bought a 9Pro for $564 (Buds'cash price). I also just bought a 40c with Trijicon Night Sights and 3 magazines for $530 cash price from a west coast dealer. Did both transfers at Bill's Oupost in Alcoa. Since Tucson, M&P magazines are far and few between. In addition those who took advantage of the free two magazines are still cooling their heels months later.

I'm working on transaction transfer number 4 with Bill. Three semi-autos and a AR lower.

I'm about to transact my third transfer with Bill's Outpost. $20 transfers plus $10 TIC. Friendly guys behind the counter. I have had two Bud's and a WA State retailer work with Bill. So far so good.

Oh well, maybe next time.

Bud's. No shipping, find an FFL that will do a transfer for 25 or less. Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop I would not purchase a used gun on line though.

Can't speak to the Bodyguard but I really like my M&P 340 and 642. The 642 was a bit heavy for the pocket so I went with the 340. 16 ounces vs 13.3 empty and includes night sights. It is also .357 capable. I carry it with Speer Gold Dot for Short Barrels, 135 gr. Plus P. I have CT 405 grips on both. A) for the laser for the recoil mitigation. Turning on the laser is as simple as gripping the revolver...it's on. There is an on off switch as-well. Since these are point and shoot revolvers the laser is a great training aid and works well unto itself. It's nice to shoot without going to the sights.

This is my second M&P the first a revolver and the first semi-auto. M&P 9 Pro Series *26 ounces *18 rounds total *5 inch barrel • 4-5-1/2 lb. Smooth Trigger Pull • Novak® Fiber Optic Green Front Sight • Novak® Designed Reduced Glare Rear Sight • Increased Sight Radius Nice feel and short take up a crisp break on the Pro Trigger. A couple reviews Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro Tactical-Life.com » Smith & Wesson M&P Pro 9mm Purchased from Bud's, transfered to Bill's Outpost, Alcoa. Yeah I know, range report etc. I'll report back. Off to San Diego.

tarheel- Are you glad you have the CT on the C9? If you were going to buy it again would you get with or without the CT? I see you didn't get it on your .40 any reason?

In addition to the Apex parts which seem to be highly rated, you may also consider the Dawson Precision sights. On the M&P Forum they seem to be a popular addition. DP Rear Sight Smith and Wesson M&P Black Serrated Adjustable Rear Sight, Match with .265 Tall Front 034-004 Detail Page I just ordered an M&P 9Pro which should be in next week. 5 inch barrel and light pipe sight. I am hoping to use it for an entry level stock competition handgun.

Wow you have your work cut out for you. Hope you are a speed learner. I researched for about 8 months....by then I kind of had a grip. Get over to AR15.com quick. I'm not in a position to make a recommendation although S&W is ok good warranty and service if you need it Spikes, Noveske, BCM, Stag, Daniel Defense, LWRC, POF, LMT Defense, Colt are all quality ARs. Then you have Bushmaster, DPMS, Rock River Arms in the lower to middle price ranges. You will pretty much have to decide how much you want to spend and go from there. You can get something that shoots well for maybe the $850 some may say less. Me I didn't find anything that really appealed to me until something in the 1300 range. Nothing wrong with a $1000 5.56/.223 though.

I have used Bud's twice once for a handgun and once for a rifle and BCM (Bravo Company) for an AR upper and lower. I would use either again and will soon be back to Bud's as soon as S&W does their $50 off deal on M&Ps.

Prior to developing my first AR a couple of weeks ago, my M14 was my high capacity choice for rifle HD. I didn't have a Mini until Ruger came out with the NRA edition a couple three years ago. With the Hogue stock, improved barrel and increased magazine capacity it became my first semi-auto rifle. I now have two rifles feeding from the same ammo supply in time of need. I bought all my mags from Ruger since that was the first place available and they were occassionally doing promos. I have kept it simple for grab n' go.

No, just finished it up last week. Now I am just waiting for a day over 50 degrees. BTW is there anywhere in East TN that has an indoor range? 50 yards would be great for now. What is the nearest OD range to Lenoir City/Loudon?

This is my first AR. I researched the topical matter for a number of months including numerous Forums and the opinions of many. This included the pros and cons of DI and Piston, and including even caliber consideration of 5.56 vs 7.62. The caliber part I justified with the versatility of the 5.56 lower being able to accomodate a 6.8 upper at some point, maybe. I looked at virtually every Manufacturer's products and models from entry level to off my budget radar. Here's what I ended up with and and I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. Main criterie were accurracy (for the money) length, weight and balance. BCM was great to do business with. Upper BCM 14.5 midlength and this is where most of the money went. I think I could have done well for less, but this is what I wanted. E.A.G. Tactical Upper Half Package Includes: BCM® 14.5" Mid Length Gas BFH (Cold Hammer Forged) Barrel (w/ perm A2X™ Flash Hider) BCM® HPT/MPI Bolt Carrier Group (auto profile) BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Mod 3 Charging Handle LaRue Tactical 9" Tactical Free Float Handguards TangoDown SCAR Panel Covers Troy Ind/BCM Rear Folding Battle Sight 1:7 Twist Slip2000 EWL & 725 Cleaner BCM4 Lower Receiver Group Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6 Hardcoat Anodizing: MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2 Chrome Bore and Chamber BCM® Milspec 7075-T6 Receiver Extention Vltor Stock Staked M4 Lock Nut USGI H Buffer (1 USGI Tungsten, 2 Steel) Magpul MOE Enhanced Trigger Guard Low Shelf for RDIAS installation Low Shelf for Accuwedge use Un-notched Hammer compatible with 9mm use Fire Controls marked SAFE and SEMI The upper a lower are extremely well crafted and fit together like they both came from BCM and were made for each other. $1625. I bought 6 MagPul magazines with Ranger bases.