A.J. Holst

A quick call to the manager on duty to advise I have been refused service and I was FORCED to take my business elsewhere. That is the best idea I have heard in years.

Now that's funny, wonder if the punk was thrice divorced...

Good stuff, had never considered the mechanicals of the hand when other "stuff" was happening. I too keep my finger north of the trigger/guard and don't even realize I'm doing it, thank goodness for 20 years of muscle memory. I just tried the un-recommended method; an involuntary clench of the hand would cause my finger to easily slip inside the guard. Thanks for posting!

I'm a CZ guy, so looked hard at the 82/83. For me, equivalent feel in the hand, but couldn't find an "old" one local and the "new" ones were more money than the Bersa. Wish I had researched the cost of .380 over 9mm because the Bersa is fun to shoot!

I just bought a Bersa Thunder Plus. 15 rounds, best feeling grip of any .380 I've ever shot.

What's an arsenal overhaul? And how many times through is one too many? You probably saw my earlier post where I was too was seeking info on the M1 Carbine. I actually plan on shooting mine (plinking / target shooting / maybe a little 3-gun?) (not trying to hijack the thread)

I just bought a 250 Rem UMC value pack of 115gr 9mm for 59.97+ at the Jeff City WM. I prefer the Fed Champ, my experience has been it shoots a little cleaner than the UMC. About 70% of the time I can find Fed Champ at the S Chapman WM for 12.97 and the .380 for 18.97 Word to the wise, don't buy a .380 you like to shoot, it gets a little pricey...

You could try US Gold and Guns on Clinton Hwy.They are a recently remodeled pawn shop, having added a pretty nice firearm showroom. I didn't look to see if they had .357sig, but I have bought 9mm from them for cash about $14.00/box for brand X brass, about $2.00 more than WM, pretty competitive and I would rather give Jerry and Jeff my money. As a side note: Handgun prices are fair, they let you handle any and all guns in the case and will provide snap caps for dry firing / trigger test. I paid $20 more than "average" on-line price for a handgun and did not negotiate price as I paying by credit (building points with AMEX for an anniversary trip) If I was paying cash, eliminating the transaction fee, I am sure the price would have been lower.

After what I felt was a great training seminar in June with Randy, we are looking to offer a fall course. In addition to the traditional 2-day course available, Randy and SI also offer 1-day High Intensity Training. I had some of my friends pass on the last opportunity due to either the 2-day commitment or the cost of training and supplies wasn't quite in the budget. So, if anyone does have an interest, please PM Randy @ cruel hand luke , visit the SI website for full catalogue of courses or make a post here. Thanks, AJ

This will be my next long gun purchase, unless I stumble across an AR/AK/Mini platform for a steal. I could go new / newish with the AO product, $800+ $800 - $900 is on the upper end of my budget. What do I look for in a used M1? is there a "pre-buy" checklist? The Universal brand is on the low end of the price range in the mid-$500s, but my internet research revealed they are "different" with different parts with some good, some bad; so do I rule out Universal? Thanks in advance, AJ

Close Range Gun-fighting, Randy Harris, Instructor, Suarez International As close to an un-biased review as possible. About Me: I am 44 year old male and have owned and shot handguns since I was 21. I in what most folks consider a nice, safe neighborhood. It mostly is, other than a recent auto break-in, but had my son actually LOCKED his car, based on what was stolen, the kids would not have risked the sound of smashing out a window, it was crime of convenience. We have a pretty effective alarm dog and I do not have an arsenal of weapons. I acquired a permit to legally carry a concealed handgun a little over 4 years ago. I became serious about every day carry June 2008. During my waking hours, I carry my handgun 90% of the time. The other 10% it is within arm’s reach. Thanks to the encouragement, mentoring and coaching from my best friend, I can shoot my preferred handguns pretty well out to 15 yards and hit the target out to 25. I have competed in one IDPA match and didn’t finish in last place. I enjoy shooting and have the advantage of a private outdoor range 10 minutes from the house. I have never taken any type of professional handgun training and realized I needed to do something / anything to improve my skills beyond where I was. Why and How I selected Suarez International: I participate on the TN Gun Owners Forum and Randy Harris had posted to establish interest for any of the SI courses in my area. As I had the place, I thought this may be a good deal for me. So I checked out Suarez and Randy. The internet has a lot of information, but I am pretty intelligent, can decipher fact from opinion and competent enough to make a sound decision. Facts: Gabe has a “pastâ€; SI is still in business; SI has repeat student business; Randy Harris has an excellent reputation; from my class – SI does train current and former military some of whom do or did special stuff in service as well as LE-types. My biggest concern was the teaching environment; while SI promotes the attitude of “we are always looking at new ways of doing things to get better†you can still get a closed-minded Type-A instructor When Randy and I communicated regarding when and where, if the property itself was suitable, etc, he seemed pretty low-key, so I committed and we set a date. Why Close Range Gun-fighting: Speaking with Randy, this is the course he recommended when I described my skill level. On-line reviews were favorable and what I wanted to learn was in the course syllabus: learn to shoot better and learn how to put rounds on target while moving. Pretty low expectations, but this was my first-ever professional training, if my instructor was insane and teaching stuff I would never do or use, I wanted to get something out of it. Randy is NOT insane, he’s a pretty cool dude. Gear I ran my EDC gun, a CZ 75B Omega. Flawless operation shooting 700 rounds of 115gr FMJ Sellier and Bellot / WWB / Federal Champion. Other handguns represented were S&W M&P, Glock, SA 1911 and Ruger. Calibers: 1 - .45, 2 - .40, 5 – 9mm Bonus: I brought an extra handgun on Day 2 and ran it through two drill strings (3 shots x 5 times) to function test (it’s new) and try my new skills on another platform. One of my classmates swapped between a 1911 and SR9. What I learned: bring a mag loader, you will have the opportunity to shoot a MINIMUM of 500 rounds; if you run a 1911 – bring a lot of mags and practice reloads. I used my 5.11 Tactical Casual Leather belt; do some research, find one you like in your budget and get a good quality belt if you don’t have one. My EDC holster is a N82 (Nate Squared) Tactical. For my body shape and carry position, this is an awesome holster YMMV. Holster has a leather body shield and could be made better with a combat cut. I used a Galco double mag pouch. For training, I do not recommend using mag pouches with Velcro flaps, it will slow you down. For the most part, my classmates used what appeared to be their primary rigs and wore “street†clothes. Common-sense tells me that’s what I want to train with. Bonus: If you have other carry holsters you want to “testâ€, go for it, I used an alternate on Day 2 as did some of my classmates ON TO TRAINING Here’s the deal, this is close range gun-fighting, meaning the threat is 5 yards or MUCH closer; this training focuses on the close threat. The BG needs to get close to you to get your stuff – money, jewelry, women, etc. It’s not likely he’ll gun you down from across the street and then take his time looting your bullet filled corpse. SI preaches MOVE – MOVE - MOVE and I like it! Trading rounds with a BG like in the Old West or exchanging blows like Rock’em-Sock’em Robots is probably not the best survival tactics to employ. Randy has put together an excellent article entitled “Pests Eat Fast†An easy acronym for avoiding and if it goes bad, a good way to survive an up-close personal attack. I suggest future students read it prior to class; once you see it in motion it makes perfect (and common) sense. So far into training, we have not fired a gun. We are spending a lot of time on how to be pro-active in recognizing a potential threat and learning multiple levels to prevent anyone from drawing / employing a weapon all from Pests Eat Fast. Then we did some shooting. The focus was on “back-to-basics†including proper grip, sight picture, alternative indexing, draw / ready position mechanics. After lunch we then applied what we learned to moving and shooting, both one handed and two handed drills. End of day recap and departed range. The gang met at a local restaurant for dinner, which I missed, thanks to an escaped dog... Day 2 started with review of what we learned on Day 1. Today’s goal is to put it all together. A lot more shooting… I want to say at this point Randy is a great instructor. I had two safety violations, one muzzle and one trigger. Randy quietly came up to me and said, “I know the gun is empty (which it was) but let’s not practice ANY bad habits.†If anyone else had a safety violation, I am not aware of it because Randy handled it the same way, without embarrassment or ridicule. Randy also broke the class into 2 groups of 4 which allowed him more time to provide individual and personalized instruction and observe who was doing what on the firing line. End of day recap and we all departed with new friends. So was it worth it? My expectations were met, here’s some stuff I learned… I can shoot better and I can shoot on the move My skill level shooting one handed with either hand has increased dramatically I am better prepared to identify and avoid potential attack I am more confident of surviving a close encounter of the bad kind I am better prepared to protect my family I liked my instructor and his teaching style / training methods The skills I gained has increased my confidence to participate in more IDPA matches I learned that cover is like a smelly friend, it’s better from 4 – 6 feet away. Knowing what I know now, I will lean towards carrying a hi-cap handgun whenever possible. Malfunctions can kill you; keep moving while you are trying to clear! An empty and/or jammed handgun can be very effective when smashed into an attacker’s face. The temps were in the low 90s with high humidity, future classes will be spring, fall or winter. I will take another SI training course with Randy Harris

1911 in 9mm, now that's going to be fun to shoot!

Having just bought a .380 and paid $19.99 at an LGS for 50 rounds of 95gr FMJ (price compare $17.99 at WM), it's going to get expensive if you convert and like to shoot...

I'm going to purchase one of these handguns, leaning towards the CZ. I like the ambi-safety on the CZ and own a 75. Both feel great in my hand...what say you?

Maybe a new issue CZ82/83? .32 or .380 Can be carried cocked and locked like a 1911 Bill's outpost has pink and purple in stock

Lefty, 10:30 - 11:00 using a N82 Tactical Holster

I was just down at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on non-dog related business. They have got some GREAT looking dogs in stock, right now, ready to go! If I was in the market, there were 2 or 3 that looked really promising, including a Malmutte. When you adopt from the OR Animal Shelter they: spay / neuter implant microchip thorough physical first does of heart worm medicine first treatment of frontline and a few other get ready stuff. Cost is $110.00 Cats also available, same type of services, same price Julie and her team really keep the facility clean for the animals and looking good for potential owners.

My first EDC was a SP101, so I have an emotional attachment to snubbies. It is still in rotation both as a primary and bug. I do have "miracle" grips, from Trausch. They best feeling grips I have tried and make the pistol enjoyable to shoot at the range. The downside to these grips is size, concealment with a jacket or loose cut overshirt is necessary. I am proficient to 3 yards with either hand, but my greatest weakness is I don't practice reloading. AND A SHAMELESS ADVERTISING PLUG FOR RANDY HARRIS Greenego - June 23/24 Randy is conducting his Close Range Gunfighting class that weekend in south Knoxville. Check out his schedule for course details --- don't see why you couldn't go to school with a snub-nose revolver.

My edc is a 75B Omega in 9mm, acquired used from a good friend. The first time I shot it I fell in love. Absolutely the best ergonomics for my hand. I have a set of Hakan Pek grips, but prefer the hard plastic factory grip. Looks like your grips are rubber-esque, what is the overall grip width?

welcome aboard, great bunch of folks here with deep experience!

18 guns in 4 months, plus the two new Pythons? Did you hit the lottery or sell a kidney? Is the action a smooth on those Pythons as I remember from years ago?

Calling all Gals and Guys looking to improve their skills and survivability in a bad situation. You've spent a few hundred bucks for your sidearm, spent a few hundred bucks on ammo, why wouldn't you invest a few hundred bucks in yourself for training??? Randy Harris of Suarez International is coming to Knoxville 6/23 and 6/24 for the Close Range Gunfighting course. As the host, I want to get a good turnout so he will consider future courses in the Knoxville area. Internet research reveals the cost of professional training ranges between $200 - $300 / per day for these kind of in-depth courses, so the price is right. The added benefits: meet some TGO'ers in person, impress your friends next time you're at the range and increase your confidence / comfort level if you carry a weapon. I am pretty excited about the opportunity to participate in my first formal, semi-private, semi-custom training session, so I hope you'll seriously consider checking out the SI website for additional info on CRG and sign up.

Since changing jobs and attire, during the week I am carrying my SP101 again in a High Noon Hidden Ally (AIWB) Weekends and casual wear it's a CZ75B in a N82 (nate squared) Tactical (also AIWB). I travel extensively throughout TN / AL, so I do have the CZ on hand with a few extra mags. I am in the hunt for the perfect compact semi to replace the SP, just more comfortable with more rounds and faster reload if necessary...

I'll plug the HP 9mm carbine. Mine has been flawless after the initial 200 rounds. I also "broke in" the mags which entails loading them with 8 rounds and letting them sit for 2 weeks. I did not have to tweak the mag lips, which is sometimes necessary. The only downside is limited capacity with 10 round mags...

Update: The original post was for the Knoxville area, but I do travel to middle TN every 3 - 4 weeks. Not really interested in buying on-line, I would like to actually touch and feel what I am buying. More importantly, while I may save a few bucks buying on-line, I prefer to establish a relationship with a brick and mortar for service after the sale, support a TN-based business and keep my dollars in the TN economy. Thanks! GtG