A Discussion of The 2nd Amendment, Weapons, and Cool Gun Stuff!

[rgalex]

I finally bought my first gun back in July.  Before that, I haven't touched one since I was in the Boy Scouts back in the 90s. 

It's a small 9mm handgun, Springfield Armory XDS2.  It's not fancy but I liked the way it felt in my hand.  A lot of the others I looked at felt too large.  Apparently I have small stubby fingers.

It took 2 months before I could get into a CCW class and almost that long before I could find ammo.  I've found a place online now that regularly gets ammo in at a reasonable, but still not cheap, price.  Locally, yeah, good luck.  Most places I've been will only sell you ammo if you are also buying the gun, and only a single box.

I've been to the range 2-3 times a month since I bought it and come to find out I'm not a bad shot.  Not going to win any marksmanship competitions, but my grouping is solid.

Last week I managed to sneak in an appointment with a county sheriff for my CCW license.  They've been booked all over out through April of 2021 but I guess someone cancelled and I snagged it.  Now it's just a 1-4 week wait for processing.

[The Spaniard]

I finally bought my first gun back in July.  Before that, I haven't touched one since I was in the Boy Scouts back in the 90s. 

It's a small 9mm handgun, Springfield Armory XDS2.  It's not fancy but I liked the way it felt in my hand.  A lot of the others I looked at felt too large.  Apparently I have small stubby fingers.

It took 2 months before I could get into a CCW class and almost that long before I could find ammo.  I've found a place online now that regularly gets ammo in at a reasonable, but still not cheap, price.  Locally, yeah, good luck.  Most places I've been will only sell you ammo if you are also buying the gun, and only a single box.

I've been to the range 2-3 times a month since I bought it and come to find out I'm not a bad shot.  Not going to win any marksmanship competitions, but my grouping is solid.

Last week I managed to sneak in an appointment with a county sheriff for my CCW license.  They've been booked all over out through April of 2021 but I guess someone cancelled and I snagged it.  Now it's just a 1-4 week wait for processing.

That's all good news.  I know ammo is super hard to find, and pricey when you can find it.  $ .80/round is not out of the question for 9mm, which is ridiculous.  I had to settle for steel jacketed last time I bought some.

[Ghostmaker]

I finally bought my first gun back in July.  Before that, I haven't touched one since I was in the Boy Scouts back in the 90s. 

It's a small 9mm handgun, Springfield Armory XDS2.  It's not fancy but I liked the way it felt in my hand.  A lot of the others I looked at felt too large.  Apparently I have small stubby fingers.

It took 2 months before I could get into a CCW class and almost that long before I could find ammo.  I've found a place online now that regularly gets ammo in at a reasonable, but still not cheap, price.  Locally, yeah, good luck.  Most places I've been will only sell you ammo if you are also buying the gun, and only a single box.

I've been to the range 2-3 times a month since I bought it and come to find out I'm not a bad shot.  Not going to win any marksmanship competitions, but my grouping is solid.

Last week I managed to sneak in an appointment with a county sheriff for my CCW license.  They've been booked all over out through April of 2021 but I guess someone cancelled and I snagged it.  Now it's just a 1-4 week wait for processing.

Pick the gun that fits right for you. And despite the occasional caliber arguments (they're worse than edition warring, I swear), 9mm is a perfectly serviceable round.

[RandyB]

I finally bought my first gun back in July.  Before that, I haven't touched one since I was in the Boy Scouts back in the 90s. 

It's a small 9mm handgun, Springfield Armory XDS2.  It's not fancy but I liked the way it felt in my hand.  A lot of the others I looked at felt too large.  Apparently I have small stubby fingers.

It took 2 months before I could get into a CCW class and almost that long before I could find ammo.  I've found a place online now that regularly gets ammo in at a reasonable, but still not cheap, price.  Locally, yeah, good luck.  Most places I've been will only sell you ammo if you are also buying the gun, and only a single box.

I've been to the range 2-3 times a month since I bought it and come to find out I'm not a bad shot.  Not going to win any marksmanship competitions, but my grouping is solid.

Last week I managed to sneak in an appointment with a county sheriff for my CCW license.  They've been booked all over out through April of 2021 but I guess someone cancelled and I snagged it.  Now it's just a 1-4 week wait for processing.

Pick the gun that fits right for you. And despite the occasional caliber arguments (they're worse than edition warring, I swear), 9mm is a perfectly serviceable round.

Especially with the relatively recent changes in ammo loadings. Hell, even .380 ACP is a decent round in recently introduced loads.

.25 ACP is still right out.

[SHARK]

I finally bought my first gun back in July.  Before that, I haven't touched one since I was in the Boy Scouts back in the 90s. 

It's a small 9mm handgun, Springfield Armory XDS2.  It's not fancy but I liked the way it felt in my hand.  A lot of the others I looked at felt too large.  Apparently I have small stubby fingers.

It took 2 months before I could get into a CCW class and almost that long before I could find ammo.  I've found a place online now that regularly gets ammo in at a reasonable, but still not cheap, price.  Locally, yeah, good luck.  Most places I've been will only sell you ammo if you are also buying the gun, and only a single box.

I've been to the range 2-3 times a month since I bought it and come to find out I'm not a bad shot.  Not going to win any marksmanship competitions, but my grouping is solid.

Last week I managed to sneak in an appointment with a county sheriff for my CCW license.  They've been booked all over out through April of 2021 but I guess someone cancelled and I snagged it.  Now it's just a 1-4 week wait for processing.

Pick the gun that fits right for you. And despite the occasional caliber arguments (they're worse than edition warring, I swear), 9mm is a perfectly serviceable round.

Greetings!

*Laughing* I have several *years* of subscriptions of Guns & Ammo magazine saved up. Yes, of course I have read all of them, from back in the day now, when the Colonel was still with us, and writing his column for them. In issue after issue, the debates raged back and forth, 45 vs 9MM, 45 vs 40, and on and on. With many letters to the editors as well, arguing and critiquing the main people arguing in the articles. *Laughing*

Yeah, my friend. D&D "Edition Wars" are nothing compared to GUNS and gun calibers and performance.

But you know....45 is really the best, right? You know that's the truth!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

[myleftnut]

I have a Walther P99.  It's fun as hell on the range since the trigger eases up after the first pull.  Unloading the magazine is a breeze.  I'm wanting to get something more suitable for societal collapse but I'm not sure what to look for.

[moonsweeper]

AR in 5.56 or else AK (7.62x39)
societal collapse is about ammo, parts, and reliability and nothing else is even close.  6.5, etc. is a nice round but if you have to scrounge, it is a glorified club.

If you want something heavier you could go 7.62x51 (.308), although you want to get the LR 308 pattern, not the AR-10, which is proprietary (mags and such)

[HappyDaze]

I have a Walther P99.  It's fun as hell on the range since the trigger eases up after the first pull.  Unloading the magazine is a breeze.  I'm wanting to get something more suitable for societal collapse but I'm not sure what to look for.

Fallout taught me that, early on, weapon selection is something the other guy does. You just use what you loot, at least for a time. Could work...

[Kyle Aaron]

Yeah, my friend. D&D "Edition Wars" are nothing compared to GUNS and gun calibers and performance.

I heard a rumour that when the ADF changed from the 7.62mm SLR to the 5.56mm Austeyr, some soldiers expressed the view that the 5.56 was woefully underpowered and harmless. The instructing sergeant then said, "If you think it's harmless, stand over there and I'll shoot you with it, then you will have better grounds for your opinions." There were no volunteers, and this effectively ended the discussion, and the Austeyr familiarisation course went on.

[SHARK]

Yeah, my friend. D&D "Edition Wars" are nothing compared to GUNS and gun calibers and performance.

I heard a rumour that when the ADF changed from the 7.62mm SLR to the 5.56mm Austeyr, some soldiers expressed the view that the 5.56 was woefully underpowered and harmless. The instructing sergeant then said, "If you think it's harmless, stand over there and I'll shoot you with it, then you will have better grounds for your opinions." There were no volunteers, and this effectively ended the discussion, and the Austeyr familiarisation course went on.

Greetings!

*HILARIOUS*!!! I imagine there weren't! That's a cool story there, Kyle.

You know, I love the 7.62mm--it's a great round. I also love the 5.56mm as well. A friend of mine who also has both kinds of rifles, went hunting with his .308 and later on shooting with his 5.56mm, and he complained, saying, "Goddamn, the 7.62mm is fucking heavy! Those rounds are expensive, and they are heavy as fuck when you walk more than a bit with them. They wear on you hard." The 5.56mm, though, yeah. It's much lighter ammo and the rifle itself to carry. That means a lot, whether in combat, or just crawling around in the back country.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

[Ghostmaker]

Greetings!

*Laughing* I have several *years* of subscriptions of Guns & Ammo magazine saved up. Yes, of course I have read all of them, from back in the day now, when the Colonel was still with us, and writing his column for them. In issue after issue, the debates raged back and forth, 45 vs 9MM, 45 vs 40, and on and on. With many letters to the editors as well, arguing and critiquing the main people arguing in the articles. *Laughing*

Yeah, my friend. D&D "Edition Wars" are nothing compared to GUNS and gun calibers and performance.

But you know....45 is really the best, right? You know that's the truth!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Having been active on several gunblogs, I can believe it. I have heard that early iterations of the 9mm had some issues with actual stopping power, though modern rounds have solved that problem.

Now, the problem with .40 and 10mm, as I understand it, was that the round was actually a little overpowered for the pistol designs it was used in, resulting in greater stresses and shortened lifespan of the components. Take with a grain of salt, though -- that's just what I'd heard. Eventually the feds moved to the 9mm as it was easier for female agents and personnel to manage rather than those heavier pistols.

Honestly, the .45 is not a bad round, though I think the worship of the 1911 is a little overblown. We need a pistol that holds more than 7+1 of the buggers.

Speaking of big authoritative rounds, ever shot .45 Colt? Dad picked up a replica SAA, and shooting that is fun. Oh, it's got some kick, but not THAT much, and what's more it has the feel of a serious weapon. Every time I shoot it, it feels like shaking the hand of some rough-handed cowboy or gunslinger from the late 19th century. Good times.

[RandyB]

Greetings!

*Laughing* I have several *years* of subscriptions of Guns & Ammo magazine saved up. Yes, of course I have read all of them, from back in the day now, when the Colonel was still with us, and writing his column for them. In issue after issue, the debates raged back and forth, 45 vs 9MM, 45 vs 40, and on and on. With many letters to the editors as well, arguing and critiquing the main people arguing in the articles. *Laughing*

Yeah, my friend. D&D "Edition Wars" are nothing compared to GUNS and gun calibers and performance.

But you know....45 is really the best, right? You know that's the truth!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Having been active on several gunblogs, I can believe it. I have heard that early iterations of the 9mm had some issues with actual stopping power, though modern rounds have solved that problem.

Now, the problem with .40 and 10mm, as I understand it, was that the round was actually a little overpowered for the pistol designs it was used in, resulting in greater stresses and shortened lifespan of the components. Take with a grain of salt, though -- that's just what I'd heard. Eventually the feds moved to the 9mm as it was easier for female agents and personnel to manage rather than those heavier pistols.

.40 is fine in a 9mm frame. 10mm is a beast in any frame, though a metal .45-sized frame like the 1911 makes it tolerable.

Another reason for going back to the 9mm is ammo capacity. The FBI in particular has an obsession with their agents' magazine capacity.

Honestly, the .45 is not a bad round, though I think the worship of the 1911 is a little overblown. We need a pistol that holds more than 7+1 of the buggers.

Speaking of big authoritative rounds, ever shot .45 Colt? Dad picked up a replica SAA, and shooting that is fun. Oh, it's got some kick, but not THAT much, and what's more it has the feel of a serious weapon. Every time I shoot it, it feels like shaking the hand of some rough-handed cowboy or gunslinger from the late 19th century. Good times.

The 1911 and the .45 ACP have stood the test of time, for one.

The 1911 has not been surpassed, except maybe by the Browning High Power, and that was a relative latecomer compared to the 1911.* And you can get a 1911 in other calibers than .45 - 10mm, .40, even 9mm. It's a workhorse.

The .45 ACP has gotten the job done for a century and continues to do so. As for magazine capacity... as a member of a private citizen's battery of guns, any handgun is best seen as a way to stay alive long enough to get to your long gun. Law enforcement, of course, has a completely different paradigm to operate in. And there are .45s in other frames that have larger magazines, etc. You can even get magazine extensions for a 1911.

There is no "one handgun to rule them all", of course. The Cult of the New and the Cult of the Old will never go away. But our discussions here will help us all to see past the obsessives and make the right choice for ourselves.

And then we can argue about our choices among ourselves.

*Both of them designed by the legendary John Moses Browning. Talk about cult status - however well deserved!

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Geesus! I was just checking some online prices for 5.56mm Nato rounds for my AR-15, and the prices seem to be close to $1.00 US/round! Not that long ago, I think I was paying about .30 cents US/round.

Crazy prices!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

[SHARK]

Greetings!

*Laughing* I have several *years* of subscriptions of Guns & Ammo magazine saved up. Yes, of course I have read all of them, from back in the day now, when the Colonel was still with us, and writing his column for them. In issue after issue, the debates raged back and forth, 45 vs 9MM, 45 vs 40, and on and on. With many letters to the editors as well, arguing and critiquing the main people arguing in the articles. *Laughing*

Yeah, my friend. D&D "Edition Wars" are nothing compared to GUNS and gun calibers and performance.

But you know....45 is really the best, right? You know that's the truth!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Having been active on several gunblogs, I can believe it. I have heard that early iterations of the 9mm had some issues with actual stopping power, though modern rounds have solved that problem.

Now, the problem with .40 and 10mm, as I understand it, was that the round was actually a little overpowered for the pistol designs it was used in, resulting in greater stresses and shortened lifespan of the components. Take with a grain of salt, though -- that's just what I'd heard. Eventually the feds moved to the 9mm as it was easier for female agents and personnel to manage rather than those heavier pistols.

Honestly, the .45 is not a bad round, though I think the worship of the 1911 is a little overblown. We need a pistol that holds more than 7+1 of the buggers.

Speaking of big authoritative rounds, ever shot .45 Colt? Dad picked up a replica SAA, and shooting that is fun. Oh, it's got some kick, but not THAT much, and what's more it has the feel of a serious weapon. Every time I shoot it, it feels like shaking the hand of some rough-handed cowboy or gunslinger from the late 19th century. Good times.

Greetings!

.45 Colt is awesome, my friend! I have had the opportunity to shoot them over the years. I definitely like them!

As for .45 round capacity, my Glock 21, 4th Generation pistol comes with standard factory magazines which hold 13 rounds. So, 13+1 rounds ready to go.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

[shuddemell]

Though I still love my 1911 7+1, and as a bonus, that pistol is heavy enough to beat you to death with if 8 rounds doesn't do it.... :O

Hell even my CCP holds 6+1 in 45 ACP.... (Springfield Arms XDS)