Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Jared, I've heard the same on the smaller 1911s as well. Mostly people posting about it on alot of the gun forums.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I will do some research.....I really wanted a warthog too, might have to scratch it.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Heard great things about warthogs, I would probably get one if it weren't for the price tag

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Jared, I first saw articles about small frame .45s in general about 10 years ago on Gunbroker.com, Oddly enough I had just bought made by STAR and was experiencing these exact same problems. Changed my load out from 220gr golden saber to 180gr gold dots and never had another problem. I have since moved to a mid size Springfield XD in .45

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

1) Me. Several years experience of range-officering and competing with handguns.
2) Friends, who have seen the same things over their many years of owning carrying and competing with handguns.
3) Local and big name gunsmiths.

Like I said the companies like Springfield, Kimber and Colt have been making the smaller-than-Commander sized 1911s for a good while now, and generally speaking they have figured out the problems with chopping down Mr. Browning's design so much.

Again, if you get one that runs well, don't peddle it off frivilously, next time may be a different story.

For the record I have a Springfield Compact (4") and a pair of Springfield Armory EMPs (3") and they run just fine. One of the EMP's took just a bit of extractor work to get up to snuff but that's not unheard of with even a new 5" 1911 once in a great while.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Mac, you should have said something at EPIC. I had my XDM on me the whole time. I know of at least 3 other people there that all were armed but names aren't necessary. And all of us carry different weapons.

Water over the dam, right?

When you go to look for your first handgun, you MUST give the Springfield XDM a serious look.

Some highlights of the XDM

Capacity: 9MM (19+1), .40 (16+1) .45 (13+1)
Tactile loaded chamber and striker position indicators
Ambidextrous mag release
Match grade barrel comes stock
Adjustable backstraps for different sized/ shaped hands
VERY easy to field strip and clean
And the BEST PART!!!!
Lasermax Guide Rod Laser for XD(M)

Not to mention, she's just a damb sexy, dangerous looking b!tch...

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/pictur...pictureid=3119

Right now for $650-ish you can get them with:

3 mags
lock
2 mag holder
skeleton holster
mag loader
cleaning brush
3 backstraps
locking case

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Well i got some of my goodies in over the past couple days. Tuesday I got n 3 gen3 Ar-15 Pmags and 400rds of Prvi Partizan .223. Yesterday I got in 100rds Of M193 but I ordered 140. Contacted the company about their error.

Worked OT last night, means I'll have about $225 to spend next week on more ammo and mags :D Hope they have some good Black Friday sales...

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I have the XD in .45 and love it nearly as much as my sig 226 in .357sig. @ kelmac07 you should give the XD some serious consideration its a great weapon. However, before you buy go to a range and try it and the others out make sure they fit before you spend a days pay on one.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Where can you get this deal from? I like the idea of 16+1 in the 40 cal. And 650 is pretty good for all that comes with it...considering the SS SP2022 is around 475.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

First place I would look is slickguns.com

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

It might be the standard "XD Gear," it comes with all that stuff.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Thanks!

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Gun shows. I got mine for $630. The co. I bought it from said in an official email response to an inquiry that the best that could do now was $675. I received a personal email from the salesman saying if I showed up with cash he'd do $650. One thing I know about gun shows: They do NOT want to take back what they brought. You show up with cash and a reasonable offer, they're going to take it.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Thanks for the info David! I'll keep it in mind.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

The guide rod laser is going to increase the price substantially but it's no different than any other choice.

But man, oh man is it worth it!

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I am checking into the guide rod laser or a trigger strap laser for mine this week.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I have a two tone hog. Nice little piece.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Colored the engraving in on the lower for my wife's AR15 :D


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8...62d3c733_c.jpg
color by emopunker2004, on Flickr

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Looks good, did you use crayon?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

No. Acrylic paint

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Just changed my SIG around a little and installed my Aimpoint patrol rifle optic, seem to like it better then the Eotech I had on it.

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...c5d0b624ba.jpg

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...82088bb29a.jpg

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

what model is that sig? I like the hinged stock.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

It's the 556 classic swat, it uses the original swiss 550 stock

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/...3893fcb671.jpg

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

That is a hot looking lower!

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Took this video this weekend of my wife shooting my friends Mosin Nagant (7.62x54R)
Can't figure out how to embed so here's the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/thestemens16/8223385305/

She had a blast and that lead me to buy two of these, one for me and one for her :D

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8...c72abe90_c.jpg
Untitled by emopunker2004, on Flickr

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Those are fun shooters. Reloading supplies are pretty inexpensive for them too.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Yeh. I doubt I'll reload for it with Russian Surplus being so cheap. $70 for 440 rounds.

I am looking at picking up an Enfield Bolt Action though and might get into reloading for that and my Ar-15

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I used to collect Nagants if yout to see somthing, fire the M44 carbine at low light! It looks like pics of a WW2 battle ship firing those 9" guns haha

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

:r I bet Dennis. Unfortunately the M44 has been hard to come by lately.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Just make sure you are very diligent about cleaning after shooting as most of the Russian Surplus ammo is corrosive primer ammo. But that is really cheap for 400+ rounds

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

:tu

Just disassembled her and sprayed the stock down with stripper.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

To think I may have owned 25-30 of them till I found the nicest for my collection :bh (now down to 6)

I remember when the old FAC Corp had a 5 pack of M44's for around $150
You got a Polish, Russian, Romanian, and Hungarian & Yugoslavian. They weren’t perfect condition but got you off to a good start.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Oh no, your not refinishing are you? You can get shellac from Home Depot - reapply with your fingers for the correct commie look

You can actually just scrape it off with a razor blade; or mineral spirits will wipe off the shellac

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Yeh I'm refinishing. The finish was crap on mine

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

My wife's had a pretty good finish. Mine sucked. It's stripped now. Gonna sand it a lil bit then hit it with Red Mahogany Stain then Shellac.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

I am still waiting for my S&W E series 1911. I guess it'll come in someday.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Well get to it G!

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Mosin stock is stripped and stained. Tried to shellac a small part and it clouded because of our humidity. Removed Shellac. Gonna go get some boiled linseed oil to rub into the wood and call it done :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Just got back from my first time at a range with a bunch of friends and it was a blast. They brought along a few guns for me to try out. Shot a few 9mm's (Glock 19, USP, MMP), two .45s (a HK & Kimber 1911, and a shotgun. Liked the Glock the best. I think I may have to get one of my own...

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

:tu

But first move to a free state so you an enjoy the full magazine capacity that they have to offer :D

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

So....I've never had much experience with guns. Was thinking about getting into shooting. I've got a couple buddies who shoot several times a week and I'd like to join them. They've been letting me borrow rifles, shotguns, handguns but I'd like to have my own.

I'm looking for a rifle. I'm interested in varmint type shooting. Don't really need massive ammo ability, mainly looking for accuracy at a relative distance. I like the "reach out and touch something" feeling. With borrowed rifles, I'm not bad. I can consistently do a 1 1/2 inch 5 round group at 250 yards after a few test shots.

I've shot 22 long, 223, 30-06, 30-30, and 308. I was the most accurate at the longest distance with the 308, but I'm open to suggestions.

What do you guys like/recommend?

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

.223 or .220 swift would probably work well for you

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

.223 is a very popular varmint round. They even make varmint ar-15's lol. .223 will reach out to the distance you want. I think a .308 is a bit much for varmint shooting. You can always look into 300 blackout. Do you own an Ar-15 or plan on it in the near future? If so then the plus to getting something in .223 would be ammo interchangeability.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

17 HRM :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Don't have any long rifles at the moment. As for the AR-15, yeah, they look cool and all, but I really don't see a need or desire to own one.

Remo, what is a 17 HRM?

I don't hunt, so this will be more of a target rifle. Mostly interested in seeing how far I can shoot and maintain accuracy. I'm kind of a math/stats geek so ballistics tables and striving for "perfect" is what I'm trying to accomplish. I realize that an "off the shelf" gun will never be able to do that for me, but I need something to start with.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

If its all about ditance and accuracy check out .338 Lapua :D

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

The .17 HMR round is similar to rounds developed by dedicated rimfire wildcatters who worked to create a rimfire cartridge with an exceptionally flat trajectory. These wildcatters were seeking to match the ballistics of the obsolete 5mm Remington Magnum Rimfire, which was made from 1970 to 1974, and was to that point the fastest rimfire cartridge ever produced.[4] With 5mm (.20 caliber) diameter barrels and bullets being virtually unavailable at the time (the 5mm RMR was the last commercial 5mm round until the 2004 release of the centerfire .204 Ruger), the commercially available .17 caliber became their bullet of choice. The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire was the logical parent case, rather than 5mm RMR (with its unique case head size, which requires a significantly different bolt and magazine), because it was commonly available, and it is a far larger and stronger case than the next largest .22 Long Rifle. The .17 caliber wildcats not only met, but far exceeded the 5 mm RMR's velocities and flat trajectory. The accuracy of these cartridges was also quite good. However, the downrange energy of the 5mm RMR is superior to both .22 WMR and .17 HMR, so there is still potential in the 5mm rimfire for wildcatters.[5]

Hornady, in conjunction with Marlin Firearms and Sturm, Ruger (manufacturers in the rimfire rifle market), followed much the same path. With the .22 WMR case as the starting point, a simple barrel change was sufficient for most .22 WMR firearms to chamber the new cartridge. In 2002 the first rifles and ammunition began appearing on the market. While the ammunition was relatively expensive due to the high-performance .17 caliber bullets used, it was still cheaper than most centerfire ammunition. By 2004 CCI, Federal Cartridge and Remington had each introduced .17 HMR ammunition offerings.[3]

[edit] Availability





A .17 HMR round (left) compared with a .22 Long Rifle round (right)
Cartridges for .17 HMR come with bullets that weigh 15.5-grain (1.00 g), 17-grain (1.1 g), and 20-grain (1.3 g), and come in designs such as polymer (ballistic) tipped, hollow points, soft points, and FMJ. The terminal ballistics of the lightweight expanding bullets limit the .17 HMR to small game animals and varmints. .17 HMR ammunition is less common and more expensive than the .22 caliber rimfire rounds, but this is changing as the popularity of .17 HMR rifles gathers momentum.[6] 17 HMR rifles and ammo have continued to sell briskly. It may be interesting to note that large retailer Wal-Mart sells CCI .17 HMR in some of their suburban locations. The same cannot be said for similar special purpose cartridges such as the 6.8 SPC that are rising in popularity because of their ballistic properties.

Following the success of the .17 HMR, the .17 Hornady Mach 2 (.17 HM2), was introduced in early 2004. The .17 HM2 is based on the .22 LR (slightly longer in case dimensions) case necked down to .17 caliber using the same bullet as the HMR but at a velocity of approximately 2,100 feet per second (640 m/s) in the 17-grain (1.1 g) polymer tip loading.

A growing number of companies offer .17 HMR ammunition. CCI Ammunition loads all of the .17 HMR ammunition for the CCI, Federal Cartridge, Hornady, and Remington brands. However, the ammunition is loaded with different bullets to different specifications.[7] Ammunition is also available from Winchester, PMC and Sellier & Bellot.

Citing safety concerns about the round's use in semi-automatic firearms, Remington issued a product safety warning and recall notice.[8][9]

[edit] Comparison with .22 LR Ammunition

[edit] Advantages
■Faster flight: 2350-2550fps compared to the popular ≈1255fps .22LR High Velocity. (.22LR Hyper Velocity can reach ≈1700fps)
■Flatter trajectory. This means that the user will not have to adjust for the projectile's drop as much as with the .22 LR
■Longer range
■As the round is smaller there is less chance of ricochet
■More accurate, 1 MOA or better
■More powerful
■Less susceptible to cross winds due to high ballistic co-efficient
■More effective on larger game.

[edit] Disadvantages
■Much more expensive
■Too powerful at close distance for small game, although soft point bullets are available
■The cartridge is louder and there are no subsonic bullets available




[edit] Comparison with .22 WMR Ammunition

[edit] Advantages
■Faster flight: 2350-2550fps compared to the 1910fps 22Wmr 40gr rounds
■Flatter trajectory and better ballistic co-efficient
■Longer range. Bullets expand better especially at long range e.g. 150 yards
■As the round is smaller there is less chance of ricochet
■More accurate, 1 MOA or better
■Less susceptible to cross winds due to high ballistic co-efficient

[edit] Disadvantages
■Less kinetic energy
■Slightly more expensive



Look into them :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

.204 Ruger.

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

So I think I'm going to apply to get my 03 FFL (C&R). This way I can buy some C&R guns and have the shipped direct to me with no transfer. The fee is only $30 for the application :tu

Re: First Firearm Thread.
 

Justin, if you proceed with trying to get your FFL, please keep us posted. I have toyed with that idea myself but hear it is a real pain in the ass. Seems almost to good to be true.