Buying an AR-15

I got some great info from Jay (if you're there and want me to link to you, just comment with your site or blog) about buying an AR-15, well, really guns in general.  He knows I've been thinking about getting an AR and he offered up some wisdom.  I thought I would share it with you all because I found it helpful!

From Jay: 

A rule of thumb: don't buy your firearms at a gunshop. They will rip you off.

Check online store prices before buying from a local gunshop.

BudsGunShop.com. They are 0%-10% higher then fair price value but you don't have to pay for taxes or shipping. Use this online store as a price benchmark.

CDNN have one of the lowest gun price around. Download their catalog.

CDNN Sports

If you want to order from an online shop you have to find an FFL dealer for transfer. Any gunshop that charge over $15 is a ripoff.

To find the cheapest FFL transfer fee go to this site and enter your zipcode.

GunBroker.com

You're in the military? If so you can join the Quantico gun club. I'm not sure what their policy for non-military. They got the best range in northmen VA. You can get a lot of excellent free training from them. They also hold competitions.

Quantico Shooting Club

***

Once again, thanks Jay for the info, I'll be looking over all of this stuff and bookmarking them as well.  Hope it helps all you others out there!

AR-15 Builder

Over at the Firearm Blog I saw a link about an interactive AR-15 builder. How cool! You can customize it any way you want. So I thought I'd try it out last night. I made a few examples, from sand colored Iraq ready AR's to full automatic with 100 round drum SAW style AR's. Check it out, and build your own!

"Tactical Sniper"

"SWAT"

"Standard Iraq"

"Special Ops"

"AR-Sniper"

"SAW Mod"

"Old School"

"Lightweight"

"Iraq Marksman"

[Brownells AR-15 Builder]

[TheFirearmBlog]

Range Time

I love coming to the inlaws because I can shoot my air rifle as much as I want out back. I got a pellet trap too so I wanted to give it a shot. It can take paper targets and hanging metal animals. I decided to go with the biggest and the smallest metal targets.

I started with the big horn sheep and hit that a good number of times so feeling confident I switched to the duck. It's pretty small.

On my first attempt, I hit it. I also hit it so hard a few times after that the hanger piece came off. Yeah, so I can't use that one anymore.

Oh, but yesterday I tried the paper target and had a pretty decent grouping. All shots were fired from a standing unsupported position about 96 feet away. I feel pretty good!

First gun, seriously.

Ok, so a while ago, I told you my first gun was going to be the Ruger MKIII.  Cheap to buy, cheap to shoot, great beginner gun.  We'll, even though I've never owned a gun (other than my new air rifle), I'm not really a beginner.  I'm not an expert but I'm learning.

So after shooting shotguns with my brother in law, I fell way in love with the shotgun.  "That is a much better first gun; still cheap and true home protection."  I said.  

Then in one of my gun magazines, they were advertising Yugo SKS's for $150.  WHA?!  I've shot that exact rifle before and loved it!  And for that price, why not!  So the wife said that it would be fine.

BUT, a few guys from the office are going to the Dulles/Chantilly Gun Show and one friend said he knew a guy at a booth that sells Rock River AR-15's for $500-600 complete.  Whoa!  Isn't Rock River a pretty decent brand?!  

So, the wife said THAT was ok too!  Oh, I'm not getting all of these, this is just the progression.  How awesome is that!?  My first real gun is going to be an AR-15.  Dude, blows my mind.

I don't think they sell magazines there though, so if you know a good company that makes quality (semi-inexpensive) mags, do tell.  I'm not rough with my stuff so I won't be dropping them but I understand that accidents happen and they may get gently abused, hopefully not by me though.

Shoot the Baddies

Shoot the Baddies - 05 / 01 / 09
Originally uploaded by Olly Moss

Awesome! I found this on Flickr and this is just hilarious. I guess you gotta be ready for anything. Very well done.

I bought a gun!

Sort of. It's a pellet gun. Technically it's not a firearm but this thing would give you a hurtin! It's a Remington Summit and I got it at Dicks Sporting Goods. Also, it looks the price went back up already so get yours soon before it goes up again!

Why did I get one? Well, I really want a gun, and I've always wanted a "bb gun" and since my wife gave me half of her shopping spree winnings and told me to blow it on whatever, I did!

It's a really nice one without getting too too expensive and it's super cheap to shoot and you can even shoot it indoors (be mindful of doors). I saw a guy online kill a turkey with one!

Shooting is just a blast (no pun intended) but it really is fun. And this thing is accurate. I haven't really gotten the scope sighted in 100% but it's very close. I need a good gun rest (which I'll just build with random stuff) to really test it out.

It's really hefty too. It's about 8 pounds and feels comfortable. Also feels very "quality." I'm not worried about it having problems. It's a break barrel and single shot at a time but that's fine with me. Also, with it being a one pumper, it's super fast and keeps good velocity, up to 1,000 feet per second! Real guns, .22 cal zoom by at just about 1280 fps.

So anyway, that was a little gift to myself, courtesy of my wife really. I love it! Now if she'll only let me hang it over the fireplace...

I scream you scream everyone screams for guns.

Hah, not ice cream.  Gun sales are up, they are.  That's interested.  I thought it was just a urban legend statistic or something, but they really are up!  People seem to be worried about Obama messing with the 2nd amendment, not that I'm not worried either, I just haven't bought an M16 yet.

I am thinking about buying a gun though, and have been for a few weeks.  It has come down to a Ruger MK III 22/45.  I found one new for $235 with a case and two magazines.

The main thing I want to worry about is just to make sure that I have some place to shoot it.  No good buying a gun and never being able to use it!  But I found a place, maybe 20-30 minutes away.  And if I bun the gun from them and sign up for $100/yr membership I get the gun at their cost and I get 12 free range visits.

The reason I picked the Ruger is from a number of recommendations and the fact that its inexpensive to buy and shoot.  A box of .22 rounds is super cheap!  Also, the Rugers are known to be accurate, so that's a much added bonus. 

I'll let you know when I buy it, but nothing yet.

First Gun

Ok, I haven't decided yet, but once I make sure I have enough money for both the gun and some range time I think I found my first gun.  The Ruger MK III.  It's the 22/45 with a 5.5 inch barrel.  

I got a lot of recommendations about this gun and being  .22 it's super cheap to shoot.  Also, this one has some adjustable sights so thats a plus.  I think eventually I'd want to upgrade the barrel, trigger, and grip, but I don't think you really have to.  

I'll keep you updated on the process but if you have any thoughts, feel free to share.

SKS Pic 2

DSCF2801
Originally uploaded by mikejulietpapa

SKS Pic 1

DSCF2800
Originally uploaded by mikejulietpapa

Yugoslavian SKS * 7.62mm * 10 rounds * Grenade launcher * Bayonet

AR-15 Pic 2

DSCF2799
Originally uploaded by mikejulietpapa

Olympic Arms AR-15 * 5.56 mm * 20 rounds * Collapsible stock

AR-15 Pic 1

DSCF2798
Originally uploaded by mikejulietpapa

Olympic Arms AR-15 * 5.56 mm * 20 rounds * Collapsible stock

A friend of mine took me shooting the other day. It was a blast! These are the only pics I got though... we did trap first (shotgun & clay pigeons) then pistol at 25m and 10m (with a Sig Sauer P226) then the AR-15 and SKS at 75m. I'm going again next weekend, will get to use an M14!

AK 47 vs M16

This video clearly shows some interesting things about each weapon. It looks a lot like the AK is more of a machine gun than a rifle, being semi-spray and pray and the M16 is a surgeons rifle, but I have seen some AK's pull some really tight groupings. I guess it depends on how well you keep it clean, your own accuracy, and proper sights. But still a very interesting video.

One round or two?

This is probably one of the coolest things I've seen all year!  I have to get these for Christmas and for only $13, heck, I'll probably buy them myself!  The picture does show them in a super cool crystal clear look, but I bet you won't get the same results.  

I read something online that if you double boil some water, then add that to your ice trays you won't get cloudy ice cubes.  I've never tried it but I guess boiling it twice gets rid of the minerals or something.

[uncrate]

Look for black GMC's with a circle on their roof...

I live in DC so I would expect that I see one of these sometime. I'll just check for their roofs.

New Army Rifle

Behold, the M18.  Yeah, it's overkill.  Read more.

Barack Obama's Ten Point Plan To "Change" The Second Amendment

* From NRA's "America's 1st Freedom" magazine

1. Ban use of firearms for home defense.

2. Pass Federal laws eliminating your Right-to-Carry.

3. Ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.

4. Close down 90% of the gun shops in America.

5. Ban rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.

6. Increase federal taxes on guns and ammunition by 500 percent.

7. Restore voting rights for five million criminals including those who have been convicted of using a gun to commit a violent crime.

8. Expand the Clinton semi-auto ban to include millions more firearms.

9. Mandate a government-issued license to purchase a firearm.

10. Appoint judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal judiciary who share his views on the Second Amendment.

__________________________________________

NRA

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1-877-672-4680

To Receive An Introductory NRA Membership

Includes:

- Your choice of NRA's award winning magazines.

- NRA membership card and official decal

- NRA ArmsCare insurance coverage and more!

Special Offer Expires December 1, 2008.

Wow.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

M4... Yah Fuired.

[photo by swearrr]

[the title was my Donald Trump impression... lame, I know...]

The military is looking for an M4 replacement.  Many of you probably already know about this though.  So, many companies are presenting what they think would be the next great carbine.

I've been seeing many different options and my general opinion on the ones that I saw is that they all feel very "Starship Troopery."  They look more like Nerf guns than a legit battle rifle.  Now, that's just based on the design and I have never held, fired, or even seen one of them in person.  But they do all look bulky.

I wonder what it was like to see the transition to the M16... Did people think it looked too modern?

Something about the M4 makes me really, really like it.  It feels solid, but not heavy, it's black, which is beautiful, and it just looks tough, edgy almost.  

You can read one mans recommendation on Kit Up here: [Kit Up!]

To read more about the Military M4 replacement: [Military.com]

Gun Free Zones

I don't really think that gun free zones are a great idea.  Well, sort of.  I mean, it sounds like a good idea on paper but I don't think it's that practical.  Well, certain places like bars or other places but some of the places they are banned should be allowed.  

It varies from state to state but I think schools and churches are always gun free zones. Though, to me be those appear to be the places that need them the most.  What if an armed teacher or parishioner could have stopped the evil people that came in to those places before they could any damage?

I think proper training, permits, and qualifications are all key and that not just having a gun in your briefcase isn't necessarily going to help.  In fact, that may actually make things worse.

But when there is the possibility of evil attacking us at the places we feel comfortable, I think that we owe it to those around us to act as a protecting force.

End rant.

Read more with a post by "Lady, Your Gun Is Loaded!"

Finally about to get some range time

I just met up with an old friend that used to go to my parents church a long time ago.  He is a big gun nut and he invited me to go shooting whenever I am in the area.  That's great because I'm only 2 hours away and visit now and then.

He has a ton of pistols, rifles, and shotguns.  I am dying to fire an AR15, which he has.  I'll have to get some pics and videos of it.  

Maybe I'll make a list of questions so I can do an impromptu interview.  Probably just "noob" related stuff.  He already recommend a first timers gun, the Ruger MK II.  It's .22 and pretty reliable, plus being .22 its super cheap to shoot.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Sllllooooooowwwwww Mmmoooootttttiiiioooooonnnnn.

Sarah Palin, Armed to the hilt!

I love this photo!  Read the original article on ArmsVault

Coke is It

coke is it
Originally uploaded by whirlingmcdervish

Just a neat photo I found on Flickr.

M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle

I just watched a video about the M110 Sniper Rifle (see video below).  This thing is pretty amazing!  Now, it's not .50 but that doesn't bother me.  800 - 1000 meters is some decent range.  The most popular .50 that I can think of is the Barrett M82 or M107.  That has a range of around 1800 meters.

But the M110 has some tricks.  It is around 15 pounds (versus the Barretts almost 30), can support a silencer, and has some trick optics.

It's also magazine fed but so is the Barrett.  Look,  I don't really want to compare them though, I want to compare the M110 to other snipers out there.  The magazine makes  a big difference.  More time pulling the trigger than reloading is the main thing.  Also, keeping your eyes on the prize is a bonus.

I think I would choose this over many rifles just because of it's accuracy and stealth.  15 pounds and silenced?  If you get discovered you can make a run for it and not be too weighed down.  But as long as you hole up in a good spot you should be fine.