Gun Pawn - Warning - Lots of Pictures - as requested

[smack]

That brings me back to the past when I lived in a gun friendly country, and owned a few myself.

[EDLT]

ErnestM said:

This is my "winter carry".

So it works best below 7°c?

[hornetrider]

Ernest - clearly a man to have on your side

Awesome collection, cheers for posting fella!

[Mr Sparkle]

ErnestM said:

Not a necessity. Just a right. Those that fear firearms shouldn't carry them. Just as those that fear chainsaws shouldn't use them. (MHO of course)

ETA:

Most of my firearms would be currently unsuitable for carry (at least for me). Take the Walther P22. Great target pistol, but I'm not betting my life on a .22 calibre gun. The 9mm 1911 Springfield Loaded? Too big. have you ever tried to sit down with a full sized 1911 concealed? Not happening. Besides that particular gun is slated for an IPSC/IDPA build. The collectibles I won't shoot much and if I don't shoot them, I don't carry them. Finally, the carbines are strictly for sport/fun/target and you can't conceal them anyway...

How many people in Florida carry guns as a status quo then? Does every road rage incident/robbery turn into a skirmish?

Love the 100 round mag and the Beretta.

[ErnestM]

EDLT said:

ErnestM said:

This is my "winter carry".

So it works best below 7°c?

Works best under a jacket/coat/sportcoat. I have a nice IWB (Inside the Waist Band) holster for it, but it would be very noticeable without a jacket or coat. It's too big for pocket carry. I have an ankle holster for it, but only resort to those if a have to. During warmer months, I carry the Kahr in a front pocket holster. It just disappears...

[ErnestM]

Mr Sparkle said:

How many people in Florida carry guns as a status quo then? Does every road rage incident/robbery turn into a skirmish?

Love the 100 round mag and the Beretta.

Florida has close to 700,000 concealed permit holders. Doesn't mean they are carrying every day, but they probably are. Additionally, Florida's CCW permit is honored in just about every State in the nation barring those that are squeamish about armed citizens.

In Florida, people are fairly polite. Road rage does not escalate to gunfire as a rule. In fact, more often than not, CCW permit holders will never have to use their right.

[Famous Graham]

ErnestM said:

Famous Graham said:

Blimey.

Obviously there's some UK "OMG they are guns!" bias to this, but still...

How come you mention "carrying"? Do you work in security/law enforcement, or is it really a necessity for regular citizens to have a gun on them in Florida?

Not a necessity. Just a right. Those that fear firearms shouldn't carry them. Just as those that fear chainsaws shouldn't use them. (MHO of course)

ETA:

Most of my firearms would be currently unsuitable for carry (at least for me). Take the Walther P22. Great target pistol, but I'm not betting my life on a .22 calibre gun. The 9mm 1911 Springfield Loaded? Too big. have you ever tried to sit down with a full sized 1911 concealed? Not happening. Besides that particular gun is slated for an IPSC/IDPA build. The collectibles I won't shoot much and if I don't shoot them, I don't carry them. Finally, the carbines are strictly for sport/fun/target and you can't conceal them anyway...

Edited by ErnestM on Monday 7th February 01:12

Cheers for the answer. Guess it's just a cultural thing then. Personally speaking, I can't fathom the desire to carry just because it's a right. For me, the act of carrying implies a feeling that one needs to. Same with carrying any kind of legal weapon here. Just never felt the need.

That said, I did used to shoot a bit of pistol a few years back, mostly at Bisley, and I do appreciate a good firearm. Bizarrely, I was a better shot (comparatively) with a pistol than a rifle. It's just shotguns I won't go near anymore (long story that I've recounted here before involving a bust clay-launcher, turning around, and breaking the gun with my finger still inside the trigger guard - no one was hurt)

[ErnestM]

Famous Graham said:

Cheers for the answer. Guess it's just a cultural thing then. Personally speaking, I can't fathom the desire to carry just because it's a right. For me, the act of carrying implies a feeling that one needs to. Same with carrying any kind of legal weapon here. Just never felt the need.

That said, I did used to shoot a bit of pistol a few years back, mostly at Bisley, and I do appreciate a good firearm. Bizarrely, I was a better shot (comparatively) with a pistol than a rifle. It's just shotguns I won't go near anymore (long story that I've recounted here before involving a bust clay-launcher, turning around, and breaking the gun with my finger still inside the trigger guard - no one was hurt)

It may not have been you. With rifles, the least little thing can be important for accuracy. The weight of the bullet. The lands and grooves in the barrel (controls the "spin" of the bullet so impacts trajectory) Maybe you were just shooting well contructed pistols but average rifles?

Regarding carrying. It does take some getting used to. It's like everyhting else. I'm at the point now that if I don't, I feel like there is something missing.

I mostly enjoy target shooting, though. It's relaxing. Cathartic. Zen like.

[Famous Graham]

ErnestM said:

Famous Graham said:

Cheers for the answer. Guess it's just a cultural thing then. Personally speaking, I can't fathom the desire to carry just because it's a right. For me, the act of carrying implies a feeling that one needs to. Same with carrying any kind of legal weapon here. Just never felt the need.

That said, I did used to shoot a bit of pistol a few years back, mostly at Bisley, and I do appreciate a good firearm. Bizarrely, I was a better shot (comparatively) with a pistol than a rifle. It's just shotguns I won't go near anymore (long story that I've recounted here before involving a bust clay-launcher, turning around, and breaking the gun with my finger still inside the trigger guard - no one was hurt)

It may not have been you. With rifles, the least little thing can be important for accuracy. The weight of the bullet. The lands and grooves in the barrel (controls the "spin" of the bullet so impacts trajectory) Maybe you were just shooting well contructed pistols but average rifles?

Regarding carrying. It does take some getting used to. It's like everyhting else. I'm at the point now that if I don't, I feel like there is something missing.

I mostly enjoy target shooting, though. It's relaxing. Cathartic. Zen like.

Very possibly - the rifles were bog-standard .22s in the main, from a wealth of manufacturers, with the occasional .308. But all cadet related, ie second hand and well worn. The pistols were relatively new Brownings. Ok, still .22, but tended to be newer.

Actually, I've just thought - irrespective of carrying laws, am I right in thinking no US states have gone the way of the UK in prohibiting pistol range shooting? I might be able to resurrect this old hobby when I move to Massachusetts in a few months \o/

[Famous Graham]

PS - WTF have you got a suppressor for the P22?

[ErnestM]

Famous Graham said:

Very possibly - the rifles were bog-standard .22s in the main, from a wealth of manufacturers, with the occasional .308. But all cadet related, ie second hand and well worn. The pistols were relatively new Brownings. Ok, still .22, but tended to be newer.

Actually, I've just thought - irrespective of carrying laws, am I right in thinking no US states have gone the way of the UK in prohibiting pistol range shooting? I might be able to resurrect this old hobby when I move to Massachusetts in a few months \o/

Range shooting allowed everywhere. Even in (what one of the online bloggers that I follow refers to as) the Volksrepublik of Massachusetts. IIRC there are some hoops to jump through to actually purchase a firearm, but you should be able to get through that if you wish. Other than that, most ranges usually have rentals.

I would say try rifles again. I would hazard a guess that if you are good with pistols you will be even better with a rifle of a tad higher quality than the ones that you are describing.

[Famous Graham]

ErnestM said:

Famous Graham said:

Very possibly - the rifles were bog-standard .22s in the main, from a wealth of manufacturers, with the occasional .308. But all cadet related, ie second hand and well worn. The pistols were relatively new Brownings. Ok, still .22, but tended to be newer.

Actually, I've just thought - irrespective of carrying laws, am I right in thinking no US states have gone the way of the UK in prohibiting pistol range shooting? I might be able to resurrect this old hobby when I move to Massachusetts in a few months \o/

Range shooting allowed everywhere. Even in (what one of the online bloggers that I follow refers to as) the Volksrepublik of Massachusetts. IIRC there are some hoops to jump through to actually purchase a firearm, but you should be able to get through that if you wish. Other than that, most ranges usually have rentals.

I would say try rifles again. I would hazard a guess that if you are good with pistols you will be even better with a rifle of a tad higher quality than the ones that you are describing.

Cheers And, yes, I'll definitely give the rifles another shot (arf). One of those things that one keeps meaning to do, but never gets around to.

[ErnestM]

Famous Graham said:

PS - WTF have you got a suppressor for the P22?

That one is a fake suppresor. The entire kit came with it (and the laser and the extra mags and the compensator).

I am planning on getting a real one (actually two or three) though. I have threaded barrels for the FiveseveN, Glock, USPc and even one for the 1911 in 9mm. The P22 comes threaded. Of course, the AR's are already threaded. The way I see it...

.22 suppressor for the Walther and any other small calibres in the future

9mm suppressor for all the ones referenced

Finally there is a company that makes a suppressor that will work on 5.56 and 5.7x28.

BATFE is overwhelmed with suppressor paperwork right now. It's a $200 tax stamp (per unit) and some paperwork which I just don't have time for at the moment. Soon, though. Or maybe the US will join the rest of the civilized world and realize that suppresors are not evil, they just help reduce noise while shooting (although they are NOT "movie silent")

[Famous Graham]

My point was more about the fact that, out of all the pistols, it was the little P22 that you had one for Seemed somewhat disproportionate.

(albeit fake, now you've mentioned that)

[ErnestM]

Famous Graham said:

My point was more about the fact that, out of all the pistols, it was the little P22 that you had one for

Believe it or not, a .22 is one of the best guns to suppress. Subsonic rounds in .22 are really easy to find. They are not that loud to begin with. You can ALMOST make a .22 "hollywood quiet" with a suppressor.

In fact, the rumour is that the P22 was developed for the West German (either Army or Govt - pick a rumour) expressly for suppressor use (hence why the P22 features a threaded barrel from the factory).

The quietest gun I ever heard was a Ruger Mk III .22 suppressed. You could lock the action on it (so you didn't get the mechanical clack during recoil) and it was more silent than any air rifle that I have ever heard. There was just the suggestion of noise.

[jimmyjimjim]

ErnestM said:

The walther is tons of fun. It's also cheap to shoot. The FiveseveN is fun but both initial cost and ammo are high (remember FN controls the 5.7x28mm market). The new 4th Gen Glocks have changed some things. Swappable backstraps to help you fit the size of your paws to the grip and also have a captive dual spring recoil mechanism (somewhat akin to the HK USPc and PPS)

If you tell me what you want to spend and your purposes, I will be happy to make some suggestions.

Plinking to begin with, hence the interest in .22, with the Ruger and the P22. I've got to get off my backside and find someplace 'ok' to do it first - from my limited reading a few years back when trying to determine where the 'third' category of people in the US came (the other 2 being citizens and resident aliens, not a word about anyone else), I recall that letting anything off in anything even resembling city limits was a big no-no. Rest assured, I'm not about to dive in without comprehensively working out all of the gotchas.

And as I said, plenty of other things to concentrate the spending on, but when it comes time to get something I'm not too bothered about cost - I'm well aware of the cost of the FN, for a start!

I'd draw the line at anything above the cost of the SCAR17S - no place to use it, bloody expensive for what it is, let alone the cost of the ammo. Tempting though it is. And the Colt 6920LE. Aaaargh, I'll be broke by the end of the year.

[ErnestM]

jimmyjimjim said:

Plinking to begin with, hence the interest in .22, with the Ruger and the P22. I've got to get off my backside and find someplace 'ok' to do it first - from my limited reading a few years back when trying to determine where the 'third' category of people in the US came (the other 2 being citizens and resident aliens, not a word about anyone else), I recall that letting anything off in anything even resembling city limits was a big no-no. Rest assured, I'm not about to dive in without comprehensively working out all of the gotchas.

And as I said, plenty of other things to concentrate the spending on, but when it comes time to get something I'm not too bothered about cost - I'm well aware of the cost of the FN, for a start!

I'd draw the line at anything above the cost of the SCAR17S - no place to use it, bloody expensive for what it is, let alone the cost of the ammo. Tempting though it is. And the Colt 6920LE. Aaaargh, I'll be broke by the end of the year.

I would say get the Walther P22. Get the kit with the 5 inch barrel. You can also buy the 3.4 incher and lose the compensator for more tactical type shooting. I don't think they sell the "whole kit" any more like I got (came with the extra barrel, mags, laser, etc)

Also - do you really want to be broke? Colt just brought out the SP901. Google it. It's the next generation in carbines. M4 style. comes in 7.62, BUT it also comes with a mag well adapter so that you can quickly replace the 7.62 upper with a 5.56 upper and use standard 5.56 mags. This is the civilian version of the CM901 that Colt is entering in the upcoming Army next gen carbine competition.

Oh, and forget the SCAR. You would be better off getting a Bushmaster/Remington ACR. Or better yet, LWRC or POF (like them a lot) piston AR. To further tempt you, you do know that HK has finally released the MR556A1? That's the civvie version of the HK416.

We are spoilt for choice over here in the land of the free.

ETA:

HK also has a .22 version of their 416 out...
http://www.hk22rimfire.com/index.php?page=416-d145...

Edited by ErnestM on Monday 7th February 02:59

[jimmyjimjim]

ErnestM said:

I mostly enjoy target shooting, though. It's relaxing. Cathartic. Zen like.

Absolutely. Been too long for me; 16 years or so, not counting various interludes in the US.

[Famous Graham]

Think we were at cross purposes there . I meant that out of all of them, the one *least* in need of suppression was the P22

Btw, have you used suppressors on the range? How's the accuracy affected at, say, 50 yards?

[WorAl]

There is so much want in this thread.

It's got to be the main reason I am jealous of someone that lives in the US.