dnewton3

There is another option brand now for a .22 conversion upper: Chiappa. http://store.chiappafirearms.com/product...ersion-kit.html right now, $299 for a full conversion upper, with mags. I read a decent write-up on the full gun version (it's available as both a full weapon and a conversion upper that fits on any AR lower). supposed to be pretty nice, but I've not ever shot one. My shootin' buddy has been so impressed with my M&P15-22 that he just got one for $450. Identical to mine. Except that he's probably 30k rounds behind me by now ... At this time of year, we shoot nearly every day! Going to be setting up an o-course with the steel targets as one station. I think no one would ever be disappointed with the S&W 15-22. It's a high quality piece, with a great trigger, and functions better than any .22 semi I've ever had, it's super easy to clean (can't say that about my Marlin or 10-22. The Chiappa might be worth a try for $150 less money. If it cycles and shoots well, it's a great conversion where those that already have a AR can reduce costs. My neighbor has a Ceiner .22 conversion for his AR, and frankly, it is not impressive.

I was "lucky" and got my ligtly used stainless steel mini-30, with 1800 rounds of misc brand ammo, from an estate clearance from the daughter, for $600. Yes, I paid cash and ran to the truck with the goods before she could change her mind. I have mine outfitted with an ATI folding stock.

The quality of build for a mini-30 is far above the typical AK for any given price range. I own one of each. They both shoot about the same as far as accuracy goes. Both are based upon very reliable action systems that are hard to foul, easy to clean, and simple to take down. There are some Ruger brand 20 rnd mags for the mini-30; I got some during one of their promotions last year. They work flawlessly. I've also got some mag-pull that work ok as well. It's true that mini-30 parts might be a bit hard to come by, but then again they are not prominent in the market because they simply don't fail often enough to warrant high stock levels with retailers. Same goes for the AK. If they don't break often, there isn't a high demand for replacement parts. That's both good and bad; good in that they are robust and bad that if you need a part immmediately, you may not find one "right now". Neither is a sniper's rifle; they are battle weapons that respond well to open sights and function well not only when the SHTF, but when the S falls into the breech and trys to foul the weapon. When the SHTF, it's not a competition; it's a battle of the fittest. You must select your weapon to suite your expected environment. If you live in the open prairie, and have 360 degrees of 500+ yard shots around your home, these are not the items for you. If you want a battle weapon that can take a beating, while full of crud, and still put Pb down range at moderate distances, then these will both fill the bill nicely.

Barry - I've got a little .22 suppressor as well. I've had bad luck with it not wanting to cycle the action well in semi-auto's (M&P-15-22, 10/22, S&W 422 pistol). Perhaps it's my ammo (bulk s/s Remington). That stuff is nasty dirty shooting. You got any secrets you'd like to share? Do I need to lighten the bolt?

At our SO, we are taught to lower weapon slightly, and do a "scan" with head, keeping weapon at former target. We are also taught a slow head turn; been this way for years. We probably spend a total of 2 seconds per action. Check left, Check center, Check right, Bact to center, all in a sweeping motion rather than head jerking. That gives us enough time to not only notice a threat, but actually analyze what we see. Been taught this since my days at our academy.

My dad just handed down a Remington 510 (so old it has no serial number) to my son. Nice little plinker. Darn accurate too (ought to be with such a long barrel). The Remington site has very little info on these, historically. Anyone know of issues/concerns to watch out for with this particular model?

And the story continues. Man - we shoot this gun more than any other, particularly because my son likes to handle a black-gun, and it's cheap. I've lost count, but we're easily over 25k rounds now. I do clean the weapon each time we're done, so there is no significant build up anywhere on it. I cannot find enough superlatives to say how impressed I am with this little .22.

I can attest that shooting a MAC/SWD/PowderSprings is f-u-n! I own two SMGs and the only downside is that they are HUNGRY little critters to feed ...

For comparison, I paid that same amount for a mini-30 in SS wood and it was gently used, but older. Sounds like a reasonably fair price. Here in IN, guns are worth more in private sales because there is no transfer paperwork between in-state parties (hence - no tracking of ownership past the original buyer). If that's not the case in WA, then that might alter the price.

I own a few Kel-tecs. sub-2k and a P3AT. Never had an issue with either. They are a lower cost product, so some of the "finish" items are not quite as nice. But, so far, they are very reliable. That does not discount issues that people have, but I for one have had nothing but good experiences. The folding carbine is really kind of a unique item, and it's really kind of neat. Very reliable (set up for Glock mags) and shoots well. The .380 in particular is a bit of a handful because it's so light. OTOH, I qualified 180/180 at my annual SO quals with it as a back-up gun. It's acurate and it goes bang every time, and feeds reliably.

When I first joined our SO back in 1995, our SWAT team had mdl 18s that were issued carry. Soon after, they got rid of them and got MP5s. I wish we could get the 18s again; what a ride!

Just finished my (6th) Glock Armorers recert this week. The gen 4 weapons (currently the 22 and 17) are pretty nice. Some upgrades that include backstrap options, etc. Most of the changes were due to issues with .40 cal. But, the changes will eventually cascade down the entire product line. Glock's position is that all the upgrades, while not needed on many models, will be standard eventually on all models, for a sake of consistency. Glocks are the small-block-Chevy of the pistol world. They are so prevelant that they are almost boring to talk about. But they are ultra-reliable and one of the best designed products in the market place. Personal preferences may lead you to choose a different weapon, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But from an engineering standpoint, you cannot beat the design and manufacture. I did learn something new in this class I was unaware of until now. Did you know that the Glock is designed to, and will, function properly, even if the trigger spring breaks during a shooting event? I didn't think it was true, but upon teardown and analysis, it is indeed true! And to PROVE this point, we literally took out the trigger spring, re-assembled the gun, hand cycled the action, and were able to repeatedly "fire" the weapon with every pull of the trigger from it's reset position. Try that with it's competitors!

Just recently got my Glock 20. I've had a model 29 for several years. Going to get the SP07557 6" barrel for the model 20 as well; heard it to be an excellent hunting option. Have not fired the mdl 20 yet; too cold to bother.

Prairie dogs are just squirrels that can't find a tree ...

I would like it very much to meet you and share some time, but I don't see myself getting from IN to WA anytime soon, unfortunately. There will be a day, in the distant future, when I'll likely pass through your area (although in a hurry) on my (four conrners) motorcycle trip. I'd like to meet and shake hands, although I doubt boar hunting will fit into the schedule. But, by gosh, I can live vicariously through you! Whack one for me. Boar are not in IN yet with any significant numbers. However, it's fairly common to whack a coyote at least once a month at my place. Shot one from my front porch right before Christmas.

Well, like most things, there are never any real guarantees. Caliber, shot placement, size of the animal all play into it. Any centerfire rifle .30 cal or greater with 2100+ or more fps would put down a hog, but there are some real beasts out there, so there is no assurance, if you know what I mean. I don't hunt them (not in my area) but I'd love to try it, but I've seen some photos of scary-big boars that I would not want to anger; put them down and put them down HARD, because if you don't, you'd be sorry. If a handgun is your preference, I'd go as big as you can handle. .44mag, a HOTLY loaded 10mm, .454 Cas, .460 or .500 S&W, etc.

I do send them in, but with limited info. I don't fill in anything other than name and my PO Box, and the model and serial number of the gun. That way, if there is a recall or other safety issue, they do have a way to contact me. They don't need to know about my hobbies, interests, income, age, mother's maiden name, dog's vasectomy, etc; that's for marketing and sales garbage.

Yes, I would think that any Mk II Savage is a nice gun. As for price, I can't tell you what's fair in your area. I got mine new, for $171 USD out the door, with a scope, at a local mass-market retailer (Dick's Sporting Goods).

Be very careful when swapping calibers. I'm a Glock certified armorer, and there in distince components that change in addition to the barrel. Off-hand, I can't tell you what they are, because some do interchagne and some do not. I don't have my Glock parts manual with me at work. If memory serves, there may be a difference in the ejector location; part of the drop in trigger housing assembly. But my point is that I'm not sure you can just "swap the barrel" and be good to go.

I used to be a big fan of the .40; I owned four different Glocks in that caliber. Now I'm down to one. 9mm is accurate, cheap and a good stopper when put on target. .45 is perhaps not quite as accurate, but a real manstopper. .40 is a compromise that solves no problems, and only asks more questions, in my mind.

You can legally transport the weapon per federal law in an unloaded locked case, presuming you are traveling from one state/municipality to another state/municipality where you can have the weapon. You cannot have extended stays in states/municipalities that restrict the weapon. For example, you can travel through IL with the weapons, but not stay overnight there with them. You may make "reasonable" stops for food, fuel, bathroom breaks, etc, but not extended duration stays. United States Code title 18, Article 1, Chapeter 44, section 926(a) "Interstate transportation of firearms". "Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle:Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console." NOTE: this is about transporting the weapon legally in a locked case, not CCW. Many states have reciprocity, but some key ones to not. There are many sites (as suggested) that cover those topics.

OK - I bought one. Many things to like about this gun; one thing to hate. Upside: It shoots VERY well, is comfortable, well made and accurate. Easy cleaning (almost modular the way a Glock is) and easily converted to south-paw (which I am not, but makes it easy for those who are). It will eat any kind of ammo with no problems whatsoever. The ejections are clean, clear and consistent. Working on the innards (next topic) is very easy. Downside: The factory trigger SUCKS! (By "SUCKS", I mean it really, truly, is horrible and worthless, and is a point of embarrassment for Beretta in an otherwise stellar gun). It's a bit of a bizzare design. Rather than the sear moving away from a fixed hammer pin location, the sear is fixed, and the hammer/pivot pin is pulled away when you pull the trigger. This is odd, and since the parts are plastic, and safety is paramount, the pull is HARD and the travel long. There is an aftermarket upgrade from a place called SieraPapa (also available through Brownells) that offers a new metal trigger, a new metal hammer, and new lighter spring. They are not cheap ($175 for the group shipped) but they work WONDERS for the trigger pull and release (also trigger reset is adjustable). It's a shame one has to spend that much more money on a carbine to get what should be the normal factory trigger ... Overall, I really like the gun now. But for the price I had to pay (gun plus upgrades), I could have almost got into a quality AR style 9mm for just a bit more.

I got a chance to shoot one over the weekend; in .40 cal. Very much liked it. Still looking for other input if anyone's shot/owned one. Want to know about reliability, etc.

Exactly the type feedback I was looking for. Thank you very much!

Well - I finally got around to sighting in this Savage with the suppressor attached and with .22lr s/s. Outstanding! I can hold quater-sized holes at 70 yards. (Why 70? Because that is the measurement from the closet tree to the POI ...) When you think of it, shooting sub-sonic .22lr ammo is not often a big quest. But I did this on a whim to see what it was capable of. I came away really impressed. Not bad performance at all for cheap s/s ammo and a total gun price (with scope) for $171. So, for a grand total of $700 (rifle, scope, threading of barrel, suppressor with tax stamp), I can pick off the little corn varmits and such with aplomb. I didn't "need" this, but I wanted it. And now I'm glad I got it!