BarryinIN

I realized I put my own question out there. Why buy an LCR when an SP-101 is only a (relatively) little bit more money? Good question, self. Weight and trigger. The SP-101 is a tank and built accordingly. That would be a plus if this gun was only to be used at the range, but mine will not be. The triggers are no comparison. I admit it hurt to choose the ugly, nasty LCR over the beast of an SP-101, but practicality made it no contest.

Or, Forgive Me S&W, For I Have Sinned. That same sad story: A friend has one. I shot it. I liked it. I went to Gunbroker. It took a few weeks, but I made the right deal. The obvious question many people would have is “Why?” You could ask that about a few points in this case. Why a 9mm revolver? That’s kind of a two part question. Why a revolver, and why a 9mm revolver? For the first, I always have a revolver for pocket/ankle/etc carry. They deal with the crud and lint better that these locations always force into guns. But why one in 9mm? There are a few reasons, but MY best reason is because I always have 9mm ammo with me at the range. At the very least, I keep some reloaded cast bullet 9mm all the time. If I’m shooting anything at all, I can take a few practice shots with my carry gun. With a 9mm revolver, I can do the same. The only time I have .38 Spl or any other revolver ammo with me is when I am making a planned effort to shoot revolvers. Regular practice is a requirement with any gun, but it’s imperative with snubbies. Now, I can practice with the LCR anytime. At least, that’s the plan. Why an LCR? I’ve always been an S&W-first guy for revolvers. I don’t have any tattoos, but if I got one, the first would be the S&W logo. I probably have more of the little J-frames than any other size S&W. Over the years, I’ve had more J-Frames than I can think of right now. Even though I’m primarily an auto shooter I always have a J-frame on me if I have a gun at all. But I’ve never liked two things about them- the trigger pull and the sights. Just like everyone else. The LCR has a very nice trigger. Yes, it’s heavier than most people would like, but it’s about 3/4 the weight of J-frames. Even better, the pull is a lot smoother. The sights still aren’t great, but they are better. The Downsides. The biggest negative is that LCRs are expensive, and I can’t explain it. MSRP is a whopping $859. Real-world prices are still right at $700. Comparing prices while staying with Ruger, the all-steel, relatively premium, SP-101 is only $60 more than an LCR at $919. MSRP on S&W J-Frames starts at $539. No comparison there. Granted, S&W currently doesn’t offer their 9mm model 940. If you can find one, they tend to top $1000 pretty easy. Commonly named as a 9mm revolver disadvantage is the need and expense of moon clips. Big deal, I’d be buying magazines for autos and speedloaders for revolvers anyway. A real negative is recoil. One might expect a 9mm revolver, even a small one, to be on the mild side of recoil levels. If so, one would then be surprised. It’s not near the brutality of .357 Mag in a Scandium 340, but it does give you a smack. More than .38 or .38 +P. Rationally, this is to be expected since 9mm revolver performance falls somewhere between .38 Spl and .357 Magnum. Even mild 9mm factory “practice” ammo was a bit stiff. To the plus side, it seems to me that 9mm LCR muzzle flash and blast is less than even .38 Spl. I am guessing some of that is from 9mm ammo getting more attention from ammo companies in the way of low-flash powders than revolver rounds get these days. I’ve read a lot about bullets in 9mm jumping the taper crimp in revolvers but didn’t see any of it when shooting my buddy’s LCR-9. I was checking, too, shooting four then opening the cylinder to inspect the remaining round. I also shot some of my 140 grain lead bullet reloads just to test this since I use a very light taper crimp (a key to accuracy with cast in the 9mm, I have found) and saw none of it. So there I am. I will give it a fair shake and see what I have. Perhaps my attention span will last long enough. Also… The local gun shop has not one, but two, used .22 LCRs in the case. Just sayin’.

I have ran it through a class now. It was only a one-day class where I used 148 rounds, but still a class. There were only three students in the class, including me, so it may not mean a lot that it was the only shotgun to get through the day without a malfunction. The fact they were sharing Buffalo brand (?) shells didn’t help them any. I wasn’t planning on using it because I didn’t have a stock yet that fit me. I was going to use my Benelli M1 Super 90, then maybe switch to the M4 late in the day to see how much different it felt. But I guess the “new gun” factor was too much to resist. Naturally, my new stock arrived the following afternoon. Nothing exciting to report about the gun. Keep shells in it and shoot. This instructor was a proponent of reloading the gun with what you shot ASAP (Shoot one, load one; shoot two, load two, etc) so I got a lot of practice stuffing the tube full. The magazine spring and the shell latch spring are stronger than my M1 or any other shotgun I have, so it was my LEFT arm that was feeling it from shoving shells in all day. So far, I recommend it.

I’ve now had it a few days, but haven’t shot it yet. Oddly, I had never handled an M4 before buying one. I kept reading how much heavier they were than their competition, including Benelli’s own M1, M2, and M3, but it feels close to my Benelli M1. Part of that could be the old Surefire forend light on the M1, which isn’t heavy but probably has enough weight to effect the feel. Just looking it over, and IMO, the M4 is a tiny step down in quality from my old M1. The M4 is also 20 years newer (2001 vs 2021) which may have something to do with it. Two parts caught my attention right off. One part that always impressed me on the M1 is the “rat tail” of the bolt- the link pinned on the back of the bolt that runs to the recoil spring in the stock. It’s much beefier than on most semiauto shotguns I’ve seen. It’s a different part on the M4. It’s made of flat stampings stacked and riveted together. It’s probably fine, but it doesn’t look as impressive as the M1. The M4 also has a plastic trigger guard/trigger group housing while the M1’s is aluminum. That may save a minute amount of weight, but not much. I’m not opposed to some trigger guards being plastic, but for guns like this, the housing supports several pivoting and spring-loaded parts. Most of these parts get banged around pretty well in cycling and are on pins supported by this housing. I’ve never heard or read of a problem here, but I’d sure feel better with metal. They are available on the aftermarket. I might splurge. Then again, Marines have been using the M4 (as the M1014) for over 20 years now. They don’t seem to be destroying them, so there’s that. One thing I really like on the M4 is the pin that retains the trigger group. The trigger assembly is attached similar to most other pump or semiauto shotguns; with a pin through the receiver. Only THIS one is captive. It pushes through from right to left, stops when the assembly is freed, and stays there. I always seem to put these pins where I can easily find them later, then forget where that place is. I will know where this one is. Small thing maybe, but to me it’s worth a lot in actual use.

Because I didn’t have one, I guess. I wanted one of the current heavy hitters; the M4, Beretta 1301, or the new Beretta M300 Ultra Patrol. Maybe a Benelli M2. Actually I started out shopping for Mossberg 590s, but they are running in the upper $500s up to well into the $600 range. I thought I might as well go ahead and buy Italian. It turns out none of my wants are any too abundant right now, and when found they bring every penny they can get. I went back and forth between all of them as my favorite, but when I cleaned up my Benelli M1 it was decided. I was reminded how simple Benellis are, how beefy some parts are, and how clean they stay. I was tempted to get a Benelli M2 because they are so close to the M1 Super 90 I have and like. Then I threw a lowball bid at a used M4 on Gunbroker and won. It should be here tomorrow. Since I already have a Benelli M1, why another shotgun so similar? For one reason, I want a spare. I don’t have a similar backup for any shotgun. In classes, shotguns tend to fail a lot. They simply don’t withstand the heat and constant use as well as other types of guns. Switching to a spare gun is a very common necessity, and all of my shotguns are different from the rest. That kind of change can screw up the learning curve. Shotgun classes are held less often than others. I’ll make a greater effort to get to one, so it sucks even more if and when I can’t use the intended gun throughout the entire class. Another reason is I’ve expanded my shotgun use, for lack of a better description. I never used to keep a shotgun handy for defensive use except in the home. Then during the “Summer of Love” with all the riots two years ago, I started taking my Benelli M1 in the SUV whenever I went very far from home. Moving it out of its comfy house bedding spot to the SUV with all the casing up, stashing it in its spot in the SUV, and little things like unscrewing the light lens a little so it can’t be switched on in transport running the batts down, carrying a bag of ammo back and forth, etc, etc- then reversing the process when I got home- was enough of a nuisance that I probably left it home sometimes when I shouldn’t have. So I will now have two guns that operate the same, with similar controls, and the same sights, so one can get comfortable in the SUV and one can stay home. I can use them in classes without worry of having to switch to something completely different if one goes down. I can even switch back and forth, which might make it easier on the guns. That’s it! It’s a money saving purchase!

From the blog NRA in Danger https://nraindanger.wordpress.com/2023/06/08/ny-lawsuit-court-ruling/ “Here is today’s main ruling. The court strikes 13 of NRAs affirmative defenses, plus several by the individual defendants. In separate rulings, the court denied Josh Powell and Woody Phillips’ motions to dismiss. Looking at NRA’s Answer, the defenses that the court struck included: All claims relating to the First Amendment and the NY Attorney General’s bias, selective enforcement of the law, and an attack on appointment of a financial monitor. The ruling ends with, “ORDERED that, as soon as reasonably possible, the parties submit a joint letter proposing a trial plan and schedule so that the Court can reserve the necessary dates.” To make a long story short, it was a disastrous day in court for NRA and its former officials. Again.”

No, not everything, but they have more than they had maybe a month ago. If you've been waiting for something, you might take a look. www.starlinebrass.com/pistol-

Very good point.

I know some like to use #1 Buck or #4 Buck or even smaller for defensive use. I never liked the idea of anything smaller than 00 Buck. Here is but one example why. https://civiliandefender.com/2023/04/21/12-gauge-4-buckshot-to-the-face/

I posted it in the 2023 NRA Annual Meetings thread, but the lightweight K6 is definitely coming. Kimber rep said July delivery. MSRP $679

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2023 NRA Reelects Charles Cotton as President, Wayne LaPierre as CEO/EVP at Indianapolis Board of Directors Meeting 77,246 people gather for NRA Annual Convention Indianapolis, IN – The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announces the election results from its Board of Directors Meeting held in Indianapolis, IN. Charles Cotton was reelected NRA President, former Congressman Bob Barr was elected as First Vice President, and David Coy reelected Second Vice President. Wayne LaPierre was again elected CEO and Executive Vice President. In recognition of his extraordinary leadership these past two years, the NRA Board of Directors voted unanimously to amend its bylaws to allow Cotton to succeed himself for a third term. In addition to his responsibilities as NRA President, Cotton is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a transformational leader. LaPierre was re-elected by the NRA Board of Directors, who annually elect the CEO/EVP. The Board of Directors are elected by NRA members. This followed a vote at the NRA Members Meeting on April 15, 2023, where members expressed confidence in Mr. LaPierre. The weekend festivities were proceeded by the NRA-Institute for Legislative Action on April 14, 2023 – a gathering of thousands of pro-Second Amendment elected officials, presidential candidates, and grassroots supporters.

Next year’s Annual Meetings will be in Dallas. Winchester has had a… let’s say entry level…semiauto .22 called the Wildcat for a few years now. It’s not bad looking, and retail starts at $289.95. It comes with useful peep sights and a pic rail, which might save you a few bucks. Made in Turkey. It may not be new, but new to me, is a bolt action counterpart called the Xpert. The trigger is actually pretty decent as it comes, and is adjustable. Also made in Turkey Both the Winchester .22s can use 10/22 magazines.

The fun stuff, what I’ve seen the first two days. The alleged new Army rifle, the SigSauer XM7, has been criticized for being heavy. I can attest that thing is every ounce as heavy as it looks. The Sig booth was close to the Ohio Ordnance booth. I handled their semiauto 1918A3 after the XM7, and while the BAR is a fair amount heavier, its better balance made the difference feel slight. That describes the XM7’s feel better than anything I can think of. Granted, the XM7 on display had the optic and suppressor mounted, adding to the bulk. But since that is how it is to be used, that is how it should be judged. Plus, the suppressor is almost a necessity because of the short barrel and high pressure cartridge. The new revolver from Henry is not quite as ugly as it appears in pictures, but it’s no beauty. The cylinder latch thumpiece is small. The sights are standard fixed revolver sights (rear trough), not bad but not good. The DA trigger pull is not terrible but not S&W or Colt Cobra level by any means. SA trigger pull is excellent, like most revolvers. I can’t see that it does anything different or better than what is currently out there. To be fair, the Henry rep said their intention was to create a companion gun to the Big Boy rifles rather than create a defense or hunting gun, and I will admit it would seem to do that very well. Henry’s Homesteader 9mm semiauto carbine reminds me of the old Marlin Camp 9 when viewed up close. The receiver top is a similar profile, and the bolt appears very similar, which must be what does it. I got to handle four new-to-me Springfield Armory guns. The Prodigy is their 2011/Staccato competitor, and they seem pretty nice. I would like try one. The SA Hellion bullpup rifle did not overwhelm me. The quality and finish appear very nice, but I did not like the ergonomics. The thumb safety is a flip lever that rotates approximately 45 degrees. I want to say it is located under the thumb, but that isn’t quite right. It sits a little high up on the frame, so the thumb doesn’t really rest on it when in the fire position. It seems best to rotate it, then roll the thumb off and below it. The ambi cocking handle is a bit odd and maybe a little cramped within its grooved area. The trigger is truly awful. I tried three, and none were any better than the others. The SA-35 HiPower reintroduction looks pretty nice. Attendees complained of the trigger feel, but I found it very true to originals. I probably tried a half dozen of them, and all were about the same. I always found Browning triggers to vary from gun to gun. Based on them feeling much like originals, I’m guessing the same smiths can tune them up nicely. Their 2020 bolt action seemed nice. Smooth action. Good triggers. Approx 60 degree bolt lift, like most are going to now. Kimber had what was the highlight of the show for me. For at least a couple of years, they have teased a lightweight version of the K6s revolver in .38 Spl +P instead of .357 Mag. Everyone who has handled or shot my K6s loved it but disliked the weight. The new lightweight was there, called the K6XS, for what the rep called their “soft release”. Availability is expected in July. MSRP is $679. Marlin (Maruger?) recently added the 336 to the returning rifles list The pistol caliber model 1894 is scheduled for this summer Ruger had the Super Wrangler, a .22 Magnum version of the Wrangler. The standard Wrangler is now made in a variety of barrel lengths. Barrett’s MRAD won the last army sniper rifle competition. They now have a new MRAD SMR that swaps bolt heads and magazines to adapt to magnum or .338 Lapua calibers. The Tippmann Arms booth is a fascinating place. Do I want the 9mm Gatling gun that uses Glock magazines, or the .22 Gatling gun that feeds from a belt? Lots of dry fire attachments; both laser muzzle tracing devices and mechanical ones to reset the trigger so you don’t have to run the slide for each “shot”. If I get through tomorrow without buying a Mantis, I will have done well. (P.S. I made it.)

This is going to be a heavy post. 2023 NRA Member’s Meeting, April 15, 2023, Indianapolis There were three resolutions presented to the membership for voting I don’t remember the first one, but the other two were both proposals to dismiss Wayne LaPierre. I’ll cut to the chase: They both failed. As many know, that was not due to love of ol’ Wayne by the general membership or gun owners in general, but rather because so many NRA members have quit in disgust there was nobody present to vote for his ouster. Jeff Knox, Rob Pincus, and several others tried, backed by people like myself cheering them on, but we were greatly outnumbered. His supporters claim he is the only person who can carry the fight. I doubt that. I think any number of people can do it without the distraction and effect on membership and revenue. They deny there is any distraction, yet we spent two thirds of our own meeting talking about him. They claim the loss in membership and donations comes from Covid, which had the same effect on every business. They can’t explain why Gun Owners of America and the Second Amendment Foundation are doing better than ever. Every single person I’ve talked to about joining or returning to the NRA has asked the same question first: “Is Wayne still in charge?” That’s all they need to know to decide. But he stayed. The current decline in membership and revenue has been approved. I talked to Jeff Knox after the meeting. The gist of it: He thinks the NRA will be bankrupt within two months. There is a LOT going on behind the scenes. I can’t even begin to remember all of it. There are still people suing Ollie North (for exposing them). Monday, the board will re-elect Wayne LaPierre as Exec VP, Charles Cotton as president, and appoint the temp head of the ILA as permanent (the head of it resigned a couple of months ago, and long-time ILA head Chris Cox was ousted after being accused of joining a coup against Wayne). The office of president of the NRA is limited to a single one year term. This was only belayed by a special vote once, during the Charlton Heston era. It happened last year, and look for it to happen Monday so Charles Cotton can serve a third term and continue his sterling leadership. What? You’ve never heard the name before? Yeah, that’s what I thought. He and Wayne protect each other. He “must” stay. Money is tight, and the NRA is hemorrhaging it. The NRA is trying to surreptitiously sell the Headquarters building in Fairfax VA right now to generate funds. They deny this, but they have been washing the exterior, repairing the elevators, fixing the roof that has been leaking for over two years, etc. all the while they complain about lack of revenue. They are selling it to generate some cash to hang on a little while longer. The NY lawsuit judge will possibly, if not likely force Wayne out this year, but the heavy damage will be done. Defending Wayne personally (not just defending the NRA) is costing a fortune. Knox thinks if the NRA goes bankrupt, it will of course reconstitute and continue to exist. I hope so. The ILA should survive OK. The Friends of the NRA should be OK. Both organizations have been trying to separate themselves from the mother ship for the last couple of years. Perhaps restarting from the ground up would be best. Other than that, things are fine; just fine! Oh yes… More scoop from Jeff Knox. Attendance this weekend is way down, and it’s causing a panic. The recent Great American Outdoor Show did really well, and that only makes it look worse. And the missing exhibitors DOES appear due to them being tired of the general BS that makes up the NRA “leadership”.

I am sitting in the Annual Members Meeting right now… …staring down Wayne La P, but I digress. Notable absentees in the Exhibit Hall this year include: Kahles Optics Leica Optics Swaworvski Optics Steyr Arms Pyramyd Air Berger Bullets RCBS and a little company known as- Smith and Wesson All had been exhibitors at the last three NRAAMs I have attended. I find that curious. Why aren’t they here? Economics? If people making knives in their garage can afford a spot, I think S&W can swing it. Nothing new to show? I know that isn’t the case for some of these listed. Protest? Don’t like ol’ Wayne? Could be.

One again, your intrepid reporter from Practically Shooting will be in attendance, browsing around, asking questions, and touching lots of guns. For a change, I plan to attend the actual annual meeting. This will be at least my fifth NRAAM and I’ve never come close to going. If there is any mud (or worse) slung at Wayne, I intend to see it. The other Wayne. Not you, Wayne W.

I heard he passed away yesterday evening. He was known for his custom handguns and the cartridges bearing his name, the .475 Linebaugh and .500 Linebaugh. I can’t say I have a need for a .475 or .500 Linebaugh, but his website has some interesting info on revolvers. https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com

Or… “I only carry when I go to _________ (big city, bad places, etc).” Or… ”I carry _______ (little gun) unless I’m expecting trouble.” I might as well add in “I am not out late”, “I avoid those kind of people”, and “I avoid those kinds of places”. The following are my very strong opinions on this. I feel the decision to carry a gun is a major decision that effects your entire life from that day forward. If you choose to carry a gun, then carry a gun. Switching on and off from carrying a gun usually causes problems. I realize there are times when you simply can’t carry one due to nonpermissive environments. I’m not talking about these times. I’m talking about when one choose when to carry and when not to carry based on perceived “need”. How do you know? You can’t know. A common attitude is that bad things happen in other places. If you don’t think serious crime happens in your area, talk to a local law enforcement officer right after they come off shift. Or better yet, listen in on a conversation between two or more after their shift. Eating breakfast where they do is a good way. The stories from an average night in even a small town would be a surprise to a lot of people. There are several other reasons to stay in the habit of carrying. For one thing, if it’s a regular habit, the gun won’t feel odd or uncomfortable (assuming there isn’t an effort made to be uncomfortable like carrying an AR pistol). This is only a guess, but I truly think many or most cases of guns being left places like public toilets are done by those who don’t carry regularly. It should feel odd when it’s NOT there. When you carry a gun sometimes and not others, you can get complacent about it, carrying less and less. If you choose to carry a gun, then carry a gun. If you do carry a gun, carry the same gun(s). I suppose carrying a different type of gun based on perceived need is better than using that criteria for choosing whether to carry anything, but it is still a big guessing game. I think a lot of people who carry a small gun just to have “something” when they feel there is low risk are using it as a good luck charm. Not to mention the possible trouble coming from using guns that are different in feel or even operating systems. I’ll close with one more comment on the “I live in a good neighborhood” thing: It was a “good neighborhood”, plus it was the middle of the afternoon, the first time i needed a gun that way. I walked in on a break-in, and they weren’t happy about that. Nobody can possibly know when they might need one. If you choose to carry a gun, then carry a gun.

I ordered this barrel just over seven years ago, and received it just under six years ago. The project is the same place it was then. Getting an Accuracy International in 6.5 Creedmoor last year did not help my interest in this project.

It folds to the side, so you can mount a red dot or scope and leave it there. Uses M&P 9mm magazines. https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/fpc?trk_msg=JDIUNE19P52KPFFSVGLEK5NUPK&trk_contact=8P3BEMOELMQJLCP4AGTEONTIEO&trk_sid=CV3PTB53DG13RDVJDKLSQBSNLO&trk_link=DT6B8PFCOIR4D022EH0TUC3GEC&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=CHECK+IT+OUT&utm_campaign=NEW%3a+M%26P+FPC+Folding+Carbine This was announced yesterday. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but today I got an email from KelTec offering $100 rebates on their Sub 2000.

At the very least, I hope to handle one at the NRA convention in April.

Today I got an In-stock Notice for SA-35s from Osage County Guns. Yes, today, 51 weeks after the first post in this thread. They have two left. $849.99 No, I did not order one. Not yet. https://osagecountyguns.com/springfield-armory-hp9201.html

New at Dillon Precision https://www.dillonprecision.com/88887

Ten years now with the AUG. I still like it. It stays ready in the house, and it goes with me on most trips, riding in an Eberlestock backpack. https://eberlestock.com/collections/packs/products/cherry-bomb-pack Its been carried in and out of hotels and relative’s homes in that pack without notice, or at least without comment. I’ve used it in numerous classes and some matches. I’ve shot mostly handloaded ammunition, with bullets ranging from 40 to 77 grains. Most have been 55 FMJBT, as one would expect. Favorite bullets include the Nosler 64 grain bonded SP (Which I think is now discontinued), Sierra 65 Game King BTSP, and the Sierra 69 MK. The only changes or modifications have been a sight, a light, and a sling. I’m still using the Trijicon 1-4X Accupoint scope in Larue mount, a Magpul sling mounting loop, VTAC sling, and a Surefire light in an offset mount. I have a buis sight for a SCAR I’m going to mount, in order to have the same sights as my SCAR. That’s it. No trigger mods like I keep reading about. I simply don’t see the need on this rifle. Compared to an AR-15? Accuracy is not quite as good as a good AR, but it’s close and I’ve definitely seen worse shooting ARs. More importantly, it weighs more than an equivalent barreled AR. On the plus side, I like the bullpup configuration for a number of reasons. One of those is that although heavier than it probably needs to be, it puts the weight closer to my body so it feels easier to hold at the ready than an AR or other conventional rifle in similar or even less weight. Reliability is excellent. I love the magazines. I wish a .22 conversion was made, or even better- a lightweight .22 model like the various .22 ARs. I also wish the Steyr 9mm conversion was readily available, but the government has chosen to protect us from imported gun barrels. More caliber options in general might be nice. Word is that Steyr sells them in .300 BLK elsewhere, but won’t sell it here for some reason. I have spare pieces-parts for about anything I can imagine. Mostly, I want to protect against foolishly losing something like a spring. Everything was easy to get and reasonably priced. The SCAR is still my first choice as my do-all rifle, but the AUG misses out due only to the cartridge that won’t cover as much. The AUG is my do-almost-all rifle, or perhaps better put: My realistic do-all rifle.

Ten years have passed since I got the SCAR. Not much to add; it keeps plugging along. It’s had a strong challenge from my newest precision rifle, but the SCAR remains my favorite rifle. It’s still my choice as a do-all rifle. My pick if I can only take one.