Clod Stomper

When I went in and bought my hot chocolate and coffee cake this afternoon, I asked the young (and cute, btw) lady if they had been less busy than usual. She said "No, I wish!", So I assume that we made up for, or surpassed, any loss from a "boycott". This was in Bearden in Knoxville. I hadn't really expected for an anti-gun boycott to have an impact in this area, anyway. Will

AKA an M-38.

That's not bad. But if you want some inexpensive help with technique try to make it to an Appleseed class. http://appleseedinfo.org/ No shooting from benches or off bipods. Slings only. I recommend using iron sights until you are very good with them. You'd be surprised how well you can shoot with irons out to 400-500 yards. Then when you add an optic, you'll feel like you're cheating. You have to be able to shoot 4 MOA from prone to get a Rifleman patch. And many people do it with open sights. They have had classes in Kingsport, but I don't see any scheduled right now. But it's worth a few hours drive if you can afford it. Most shooting is done at 25 yards, but try to make it to one where there is a full-length range. That's where you can really test the technique that they teach. Not saying that your shooting wasn't good, but we can all improve. I've been to 4 Appleseeds and have improved immensely. Will

The people who would go to a place like that are not what I would consider "down on their luck". They, most likely, have consistently made poor choices and are making another one by stepping through the door of a loan shark company. I work with a company who coaches people who are in debt or have other financial troubles (usually debt, though). By the time they come to us, they have finally come to the realization that their habits must change if they ever want to be out of slavery. And make no mistake about it, DEBT IS SLAVERY. I've BTDT and I'm still working my own way out of it. But I AM working my way out. I don't remember this forum's policy about plugging a non gun-related business, so I won't post our company's website. But on it are testimonials of people who I have watched go from hopelessness and losing sleep at night to having a sense of hope simply by having a plan to deal with their financial troubles. There are not many better feelings, at least for me, than knowing that you've helped someone to that degree. And that's why I'll keep doing it. Yes, these loan co's are unscrupulous low-lifes that prey on people who make bad choices. I hope the best for the people who need help, but if they would rather take out a loan at 117% (!) than come to me or someone else who can help them build self-discipline and teach them how to deal with their situation, they will only dig themselves deeper. Will

This is not perfectly analogous, but Argentina was a developed country. Firearms were more controlled, but still available. And the economy collapsed because their politicians were doing the same things that ours are doing now. It's a blog, so you'll have to go to the last page for the first entry. I believe that I found the very first page of blog entries. The archive is listed on the left side if you scroll down a bit. You can also find a link for "Post Economic Collapse Stories". http://ferfal.blogsp...&max-results=50 Will

Exactly. As stated in this thread, even EMS will wait until a LEO arrives to secure the scene. I've seen this firsthand. My Dad accidentally shot himself in the leg a couple years ago. As I was speeding home to try to help him, I passed the ambulance parked in my Grandmother's driveway, about a quarter mile away. I stopped to ask if they couldn't find the address. They told me that it was policy that they couldn't arrive on scene to a gunshot wound until law enforcement had secured the scene. It infuriated me at the time, though I understand the reason behind the policy. Will

Yep. And they're always black. Even IF someone saw a panther in the wild here in E TN (a very, very rare transient), the odds of it being melanistic are astronomically against. Back on topic, OC in tourist areas will certainly draw more attention. Especially in the National Park, since it's a fairly new policy to allow such. Many of these people come from countries or states where only criminals and agents of the State carry weapons. Here is an interesting anecdote. I worked at Elkmont campground in the Smokies back in '98-'00. A camper came in who actually looked like a LEO in plain clothes. Don't remember why I thought that, but I remember guessing that he was off duty LE. And strapped in front of him was a huge black fanny pack. At that point, it was just too obvious what was in the pack. Being a gun nut, I asked what he was carrying. I just wanted to talk guns. But by the way the blood drained out of his face you would have thought I had just sprouted horns and fangs. Remember, most everyone in the NPS wears the same uniform. The only thing that distinguishes LE from everyone else is the utility belt and in recent years the badge. But back then the badges were the same. I was not LE, but he had no way of knowing that. He started stammering that he was, as I had guessed, an off-duty LE. I don't believe it was legal, at the time, for even off duty LE to carry in the park. He fumbled for his badge to show me, while his wife was going on saying, "I TOLD HIM NOT TO CARRY THAT!" By that time, I was feeling bad that I had "outed" him and I explained that I was just interested in what he was carrying. He just said, "9mm". No other description. So it turns out that he was from CHICAGO. Where, as I said, only criminals and agents of the State carry weapons. So he had no conception of what it is like to be in a (relatively) Free State. Even if he had been spotted by the LEO Rangers that worked there at the time, it really wouldn't have been a big deal. Most Rangers that I know are very gun-friendly. Even concerning non-LE individuals carrying weapons, if there was no other problem with the person, they would explain the law to them, unload their guns or sometimes take their ammunition and wave them a friendly goodbye. Of course, that's changed now that it's legal to carry in the park. The irony is that if I were spotted in HIS city (which is a much more dangerous place than the Smokies) carrying a firearm, I would be arrested and probably spend time in prison. But that's another thread, I guess. Will

This... And this... I have said the same thing to people that only want to have firearms that shoot military rounds or "something I can find at Walmart". First, guess what EVERYONE else is thinking. Second, if you're thinking about battlefield pickup of ammo, you can pick up the guns as well. Finally, one needs only to look back to November, 2008. Guess which rounds could NOT be found at Walmart or anywhere else. Yep, the "most common" rounds were nowhere to be found for MONTHS. The one advantage to having a 5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x51, 9mm, etc. is that you can buy it right now fairly cheaply. Of course if you handload, that advantage is reduced. Were I concerned about "stocking up", I would pick a round or rounds that had characteristics that I wanted and start buying it or handloading it now. If that happened to be a military round, awesome. Will

I have not used a Mo-Rod, but I have used a homemade barrel strut. It stopped the vertical stringing. My barrel was very bad. It would string several MOA both vertically and horizontally. The barrel strut definitely reduced the vertical stringing. I also had the barrel cryo'd, cut to 16.25", threaded and added a flash suppressor. After cryo, the barrel stopped stringing horizontally. I didn't put the strut back on after that. I haven't tried to shoot groups since the shortening. I'm hoping the shortening and adding the muzzle attachment, along with the cryo treatment, will cure the stringing problem. I also had the idea to add a light under the barrel at two attachment points in place of a barrel strut. Serves two purposes. But I haven't gotten to test that yet either. Good luck, Will

Come on. Come to the Dark Side.

What? You've never seen a black panther? Everyone else seems to have.

The Safety Smart store used to sell them, but they closed some time back. There is a dealer who sets up at some gun shows that sells Fenix. But after yesterday, I may well not attend any more shows unless I need something specific that I can only find there, which is unlikely. Will

I was standing about 20 feet away when it happened. Sounds like he brought in his loaded CCW and decided to take it out to show a dealer. Not sure about that. I never got the actual story before I left the show, but that's what Channel 8 says. Man accidentally shoots himself in the hand at Gun Show I've never witnessed a Negligent Discharge at a gun show before. I don't want to again. Will ETA: Moderators, if this is in the wrong forum, please accept my apologies and move it to the appropriate place.

I don't freakin' think so! Why not exempt yourselves from insider trading laws as well? This one better not pass. I was just starting to regain faith in our state legislators.

+1 for exercise and stretching. But only correct exercises and stretches. I'm 10 years older than you are, but the only time I have those aches and pains are when I get lazy and neglect my fitness routine. Sounds like you're already on the right path to recovery. When I do end up with pains due to restrictions or injury, I go see a sports chiropractor. The guy I see doesn't just make adjustments. He prescribes strengthening and stretches for the specific injury and also for restrictions that will lead to an eventual pain. So do ALL the exercises regularly. Maybe make time 3-4 days a week to get in a full workout. It doesn't have to be hours long. Short, very high-intensity workouts have been more effective for me. Good luck, Will

I'll be happy to help out. I'll send a PM with contact info. Will

I'm pretty sure that they do not. I wish they did. Will

I will reserve judgement about whether this lady is an idiot or not. Remember, we tend to look at things through our own prism. Most people on this forum are well aware of the gun laws of places like NY and CA. But not everyone who has a permit to carry is a "gun person". Perhaps she was under the mistaken impression that the Constitution of the U.S. still applies even in NYC. After all, her driver's license and marriage are recognized by NY, right? So why wouldn't her license to carry a handgun be recognized? I prefer to not call her an idiot without further proof of her mental incapacity. I also do not want to see her life ruined by evil, unConstitutional laws. Especially when she made a wholehearted effort to comply with the rules. She made a mistake. That's it. Will

I have the same problem with a Rossi .243. Except mine probably shoots worse. 25 yard groups look more like shotgun patterns. Rather than put a lot of energy into trying to make it shoot, I'm going to stub the barrel and install a .264 barrel and chamber it in 6.5 Grendel. That's a more appropriate round for a rifle that size anyway, in my opinion. Will

Redacted. Never mind. Will

Smiths. I've worn several different brands, but Smiths are the most scratch resistant I've used. Had a pair on top of my head a few weeks ago when a roofer accidentally (?) threw an old shingle on my head. Just a couple very light scratches. I've had several pairs of Bolles and Wiley-X. They usually were too scratched to be usable after a few months. As said above, I don't recommend wearing cheap sunglasses. I only have one good eye and I'll spare no expense to protect it. BTW, Smiths are a bit expensive retail. I watch for close outs of discontinued models. Will

Do you handload? If so, I would get the .45 Colt. In the Blackhawk, it can easily be loaded to a .44 Mag level. And you can shoot factory pressure ammo for fun. Of course, if you handload, you can also load .44 Mag lighter, too. But if you like the idea of having a .45 Colt for nostalgia, I'd get that. Plus, like others have said, you can get a .45 ACP cylinder for it. If you do not handload, your choice can be narrowed down by deciding if you're just going to be plinking or if you may have need for more terminal energy. .44 Mag for energy and .45 Colt for self-defense or plinking. I'm guessing that your range rule against anything over .44 Mag probably means anything over .44 Mag power. You should clarify that with them. They really shouldn't have any problem with you shooting a .45 Colt since it is generally much milder than .44 Mag. Will

Except that they can legally lie to you.

The $.10 tax has been there for many, many years. I can just barely remember when it was a 5 cent tax. It does go to TWRA. I could be mistaken, but I believe it may be a federal tax that comes back to state natural resource agencies. Do a search for the Pittman Robertson Act. I majored in wildlife and fisheries in college, but that was a long time ago. Will

Where did you get your barrel, if you don't mind me asking? Is it gas operated or blowback? Thanks, Will