Gun Thread: Final July Edition!

Howdy, Y'all! Welcome to the wondrously fabulous Gun Thread! As always, I want to thank all of our regulars for being here week in and week out, and also offer a bigly Gun Thread welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us tonight. Howdy and thank you for stopping by! I hope you find our wacky conversation on the subject of guns 'n shooting both enjoyable and informative. You are always welcome to lurk in the shadows of shame, but I'd like to invite you to jump into the conversation, say howdy, and tell us what kind of shooting you like to do!

Holy Shitballs! How in the ever-loving Hell did it get to be the Final July Edition? Coming soon: August Editions!

Programming Note: I have a bunch of great content from you guys and gals in the ol' inbox and promise I will get to it soon. Like starting after next Sunday soon. Pinky swear! This has really turned out to be a wacky summer for us, schedule-wise, and I invariably find myself putting them together at the last minute. Apologies to those who have taken the time to send stuff in, and thank you for your patience!

With that, step into the dojo and let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?

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FUNdamentals

Are you practicing your fundamentals? Hmmm? Every single time you shoot, people. Every single time you shoot.

With luck, noted shooting video critic GWB will be here to give us his thoughts on the following.

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More Pimp Guns

Gotta say, I am not a fan of the polished finish. Do you like it?

and...

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CMP News!

Get your M14 from the CMP! Courtesy of our pal RedMindBlueState. I mean the link is courtesy of RMBS. He's not buying everyone an M14, that I know of.

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US&S M1911A1

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So F'n Cool

Who thinks SpaceX will attempt to tow the ship to Australia?

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Our Pal Plutonium

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Musical Interlude

Brushy One String and Ganga Wata.

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Highway Patrol!

This week's episode: Motorcycle A. Recognize anyone familiar?

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The Head!

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Here are some different online cigar vendors. You will find they not only carry different brands and different lines from those brands, but also varying selections of vitolas (sizes/shapes) of given lines. It's good to have options, especially if you're looking for a specific cigar.

Cigarsinternational.com
Cigarpage.com
Famous-smoke.com
Cigarsdaily.com
Neptunecigar.com
Smallbatchcigar.com
Bobalu Cigar Company
Cigarbid.com
Nicks Cigar World New!

A note about sources. The brick & mortar/online divide exists with cigars, as with guns, and most consumer products, with respect to price. As with guns - since both are "persecuted industries", basically - I make a conscious effort to source at least some of my cigars from my local store(s). It's a small thing, but the brick & mortar segment for both guns and tobacco are precious, and worth supporting where you can. And if you're lucky enough to have a good cigar store/lounge available, they're often a good social event with many dangerous people of the sort who own scary gunz, or read smart military blogs like this one. -rhomboid

Anyone have others to include? Perhaps a small local roller who makes a cigar you like? Send me your recommendation and a link to the site!

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Ammo Link-O-Rama
I'm really very seriously not kidding around anymore. Buy Ammo
AmmoSeek - online ammo search tool
GunBot - online ammo search tool
SG Ammo
Palmetto State Armory
Georgia Arms
AmmoMan
Target Sports USA
Bud's Gun Shop
American Elite Ammo
Lucky Gunner Ammo NEW!

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Please note the new and improved protonmail account gunthread at protonmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. Future expansion plans are in the works for the site Weasel Gun Thread. If you have a question you would like to ask Gun Thread Staff offline, just send us a note and we'll do our best to answer. If you care to share the story of your favorite firearm, send a picture with your nic and tell us what you sadly lost in the tragic canoe accident. If you would like to remain completely anonymous, just say so. Lurkers are always welcome!

That's it for this week - have you been to the range?

Posted by: Weasel at 07:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 first.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 07:00 PM (0N4FZ)

2 st!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:00 PM (Wnv9h)

3 Bango tango mango

Posted by: Eromero at July 26, 2026 07:00 PM (LHPAg)

4 First!

Posted by: Dr_No at July 26, 2026 07:00 PM (ayRl+)

5 *kicks rock*

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:01 PM (Wnv9h)

6 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at July 26, 2026 07:01 PM (Ia/+0)

7 Good Sunday evening, gub 'ettes and 'rons, and a special full-to-the-brim-email-inbox greeting to our host Weasel!

Little over two months to Corsicana ... can you feel the excitement?

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:02 PM (xVpNO)

8 Hello, Weasel!

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 07:02 PM (BCwQW)

9 "According to the CMP, the rifles will be sold under a special authorization that allows the organization to modify and transfer surplus M14 rifles in compliance with federal law. The rifles offered for sale will not be machine guns. Instead, they will be permanently converted to semi-automatic operation prior to transfer."

I might have to put my name on the list to get one.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 07:03 PM (0N4FZ)

10 Little over two months to Corsicana ... can you feel the excitement?
Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:02 PM

Booked my flight yesterday.

Soon....

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:03 PM (Wnv9h)

11 I guess you didn't get my email about the spawn and her Nationals results.

Posted by: lin-duh in Texas at July 26, 2026 07:04 PM (VCgbV)

12 S'puppy, YES, I can !

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:05 PM (abScH)

13 I guess you didn't get my email about the spawn and her Nationals results.
Posted by: lin-duh in Texas at July 26, 2026 07:04 PM (VCgbV)
----
I did. Will add it for next week.

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 07:06 PM (lTr5A)

14 I guess you didn't get my email about the spawn and her Nationals results.

Posted by: lin-duh in Texas at July 26, 2026 07:04 PM (VCgbV)

Tell...TELL!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 26, 2026 07:06 PM (l4RKn)

15 Content: noun -- readable data and opinion that is always promised by AoSHQ cobloggers, but rarely appears.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 26, 2026 07:08 PM (l4RKn)

16 Congratulations to Spawn!

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:08 PM (abScH)

17 Weasel will post it next week.

Posted by: lin-duh in Texas at July 26, 2026 07:09 PM (VCgbV)

18 Howdy!

🍻

Posted by: Puddleglum, lurking about at July 26, 2026 07:10 PM (sAmhv)

19 Be advised that if any of Weasel's comments this evening are a little 'off' or 'out there', or seem like unplanned lateral excursions, he has consumed mass quantities of Peanut M&Ms within the last couple of hours, including the now-forbidden blue, and worse, brown ones.

Like acid, you want to avoid brown M&Ms.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 26, 2026 07:11 PM (0sNs1)

20 Content: noun -- readable data and opinion that is always promised by AoSHQ cobloggers, but rarely appears.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 26, 2026 07:08 PM

To be fair, MisHum seems to do a pretty good job regarding this.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 26, 2026 07:13 PM (0sNs1)

21 "According to the CMP, the rifles will be sold under a special authorization that allows the organization to modify and transfer surplus M14 rifles in compliance with federal law. The rifles offered for sale will not be machine guns. Instead, they will be permanently converted to semi-automatic operation prior to transfer."

I might have to put my name on the list to get one.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 07:03 PM (0N4FZ)

Better start saving your pennies, then. Battlefield Curator said that prices would be between $2,500 and $4,000 depending on manufacturer and condition.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 07:14 PM (BCwQW)

22 Booked my flight yesterday.

Soon....
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:03 PM (Wnv9h)

Hell yeah, brother. Looking forward to seeing you!

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:15 PM (xVpNO)

23 I look forward to seeing all of you.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:16 PM (abScH)

24 Evening all.

Short one for me. Spending the next couple weekends cleaning out my apartment as my landlord has sold the house and the new owners do not want a tenant.
So looking for a new place and going through 11 years of accumulation.
Of course my toys and the ammo are not being thrown out so no dumpster diving for you folks!!! LOL

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:17 PM (LGZQv)

25 23 I look forward to seeing all of you.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:16 PM (abScH)

Right back at'cha, ma'am.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:17 PM (xVpNO)

26 24 Evening all.

Short one for me. Spending the next couple weekends cleaning out my apartment as my landlord has sold the house and the new owners do not want a tenant.
So looking for a new place and going through 11 years of accumulation.
Of course my toys and the ammo are not being thrown out so no dumpster diving for you folks!!! LOL
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:17 PM (LGZQv)

Oh, that sucks, sir. Best wishes for finding a new place!

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:18 PM (xVpNO)

27 7 Little over two months to Corsicana ... can you feel the excitement?

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:02 PM

Yep, might be the highlight of my year. :-)
Just hope to be ensconced in a new apartment before Corsicana.

Will keep you appraised S'nore!!

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:19 PM (LGZQv)

28 I look forward to seeing all of you.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:16 PM

{{{Ben Had}}}

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:21 PM (Wnv9h)

29 RMBS, hugs to you and Mom.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:22 PM (abScH)

30 Short one for me. Spending the next couple weekends cleaning out my apartment as my landlord has sold the house and the new owners do not want a tenant.
So looking for a new place and going through 11 years of accumulation.
Of course my toys and the ammo are not being thrown out so no dumpster diving for you folks!!! LOL
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:17 PM

Doing the moving thing myself in a couple of weeks. Moving ammo was a task.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:22 PM (Wnv9h)

31 Just hope to be ensconced in a new apartment before Corsicana.

Will keep you appraised S'nore!!
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:19 PM (LGZQv)

I have a vacant rental you can look at -- might be a bit of a commute for you, though...

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:22 PM (xVpNO)

32 Ben Had, because I was making pizza dough and Kuchen batter: I used coriander and fennel instead of cumin in my link sausage, to go with the onion and apple.

Posted by: Kindltot at July 26, 2026 07:23 PM (rbvCR)

33 Kindltot, thank you.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:24 PM (abScH)

34 I'd like to file a complaint* about last week's movie. The Amazing Colossal Man ended so lame and without resolution (what about the wife? what happened to his body? what about justice for that guy he killed?), if I had snuck into the theater in 1957 and seen that, I would have asked for my quarter back.

Well, at least it probably lowered my expectations for entertainment value of The Head!

*Not complaining about Weasel. Just complaining about the lame-ass 1950s SF junk. Or, slop, as the kids call it nowadays.

Posted by: mindful webworker - film connasewer at July 26, 2026 07:25 PM (jrd4M)

35 A little more than 2 months til Corsicana...wow.
No worries, have our reservation and the reservations before and after TX, as ours will be a 16 day driving trip. Looking forward to seeing everyone...And relaxing a bit.
Scube, I feel your pain as I am doing the same thing. Just think of it as getting you ready to move to FL.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:26 PM (XfIK1)

36 The Grateful, how is the house progressing,?

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:27 PM (abScH)

37 Using the M-14 as a bottle opener

(X link)

https://tinyurl.com/y9ap2hnv

(XCancel link)

https://tinyurl.com/y4twmt75

Posted by: Kindltot at July 26, 2026 07:28 PM (rbvCR)

38 CMP M-14s? Wowza! I wonder if they will get flooded with orders and will have to use a lottery system to allocate them, like they did with the surplus 1911s a few years ago?

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 26, 2026 07:29 PM (1viUA)

39 whig: Thank you for your tips last week about my Mossberg Patriot bolt not feeding. I tried cycling the bolt at home more carefully, and there were no failures (despite several at the range last Saturday). So either I was going too fast or not pulling it back far enough. I'll call it operator error.

I also want to work on pulling the trigger more smoothly, so I got a couple snapcaps to practice at home. . . .

Posted by: frammish at July 26, 2026 07:29 PM (rcENI)

40 Doing the moving thing myself in a couple of weeks. Moving ammo was a task.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState
**************
Wait, what? NH bound?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM (XfIK1)

41 OK...soliciting Hordethoughts.

I'm looking at a house in NH that's about 15 miles further out than my ideal commuting radius. Otherwise, the listing looks very good, and very affordable. I work in Boston twice a week. It's about a 65 mile commute, but I don't really mind driving. Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM (Wnv9h)

42 Just complaining about the lame-ass 1950s SF junk. Or, slop, as the kids call it nowadays."

The 60s were no better...

"Panic in Year Zero"

Posted by: man at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM (cGjQu)

43 Having done it once, firing a M-14 full-auto is not for the faint-of-heart.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 26, 2026 07:31 PM (0sNs1)

44 31 I have a vacant rental you can look at -- might be a bit of a commute for you, though...

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 07:22 PM

Yeah, a 17 hour commute can take some getting used to ;-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:31 PM (LGZQv)

45 RMBS, if the property is everything you want, go for it.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:32 PM (abScH)

46 Wait, what? NH bound?
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM

Not just yet. See, me, at 41. I'm taking the RMBS Mom's advice to stay with her for a bit when my lease ends so I don't have to worry about breaking a lease when I find a house.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:33 PM (Wnv9h)

47 35 Scube, I feel your pain as I am doing the same thing. Just think of it as getting you ready to move to FL.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:26 PM

I am. Already have given 3 bags of clothes and a bunch of sweaters and winter coats to my SIL to donate to her church.
And in September I have some very expensive suits I will be donating as well.

I want to take as little with me to Florida as possible

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:33 PM (LGZQv)

48 The Grateful, how is the house progressing,?
Posted by: Ben Had
**********
We have progress! Land has been tested and soil passes and no rock! First hurdle passed. Need to get the rains to stop there and move north to VA. Footers are supposed to happen next week. Permit for the long driveway has been approved and is underway. Hope to go down in a couple weeks when they start framing.
I am smiling just thinking about it.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:33 PM (XfIK1)

49 41 Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM

No, but take a look at it anyway. It just might be what you want.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:34 PM (LGZQv)

50 Not just yet. See, me, at 41. I'm taking the RMBS Mom's advice to stay with her for a bit when my lease ends so I don't have to worry about breaking a lease when I find a house.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState
************
Very sound advice. Your mother is a wise woman.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:35 PM (XfIK1)

51 If CMP M-14s appear, is there any chance for CMP M-16A1s/A2s to follow? I doubt it because M-16s of all kinds are still in service (even if they aren't in front line use anymore), but it's a nice dream, isn't it?

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 07:35 PM (BCwQW)

52 RMBS, if the property is everything you want, go for it.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:32 PM

I have yet to put eyes on it, but it does look good. 1810 farmhouse, 2 acres, and very well modernized while keeping the original character. I plan to look at it next weekend.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:36 PM (Wnv9h)

53 48 Hope to go down in a couple weeks when they start framing.
I am smiling just thinking about it.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:33 PM

Fingers crossed for a nice stress free build. Happy for you making the move. :-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:36 PM (LGZQv)

54 I'm looking at a house in NH that's about 15 miles further out than my ideal commuting radius. Otherwise, the listing looks very good, and very affordable. I work in Boston twice a week. It's about a 65 mile commute, but I don't really mind driving. Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState
***********
Go look at it. Don't regret not doing so.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:36 PM (XfIK1)

55 RMBS, you know the most important room in a new house is the kitchen, right !

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:38 PM (abScH)

56 Very sound advice. Your mother is a wise woman.
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:35 PM

*nods* She is. I've just been too used to my independence.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:38 PM (Wnv9h)

57 I'm looking at a house in NH that's about 15 miles further out than my ideal commuting radius. Otherwise, the listing looks very good, and very affordable. I work in Boston twice a week. It's about a 65 mile commute, but I don't really mind driving. Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM (Wnv9h)

If you hesitate, I don't think it'll be due to the location.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 07:38 PM (BCwQW)

58 RMBS, you know the most important room in a new house is the kitchen, right !
Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:38 PM

Looking at the listing pics, the kitchen is great. Gas stove, real vent hood...all the right goodies.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:39 PM (Wnv9h)

59 52 I plan to look at it next weekend.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:36 PM

Do it, and do not have regrets like me.

To think I had a chance to buy a 2 bedroom walk up in Hoboken in the early 90's for around 250k and passed on it because I did not think I could afford it.
It would have been paid off by now and worth close to a million now. *bangs head against wall*

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:40 PM (LGZQv)

60 Do it, and do not have regrets like me.

To think I had a chance to buy a 2 bedroom walk up in Hoboken in the early 90's for around 250k and passed on it because I did not think I could afford it.
It would have been paid off by now and worth close to a million now. *bangs head against wall*
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:40 PM

*fistbump*

Looking at it next weekend.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:41 PM (Wnv9h)

61 CMP M-14s? Wowza! I wonder if they will get flooded with orders and will have to use a lottery system to allocate them, like they did with the surplus 1911s a few years ago?

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 26, 2026 07:29 PM

Pretty sure that is what is going to happen. There were only a little over 1 million M-14's made and I doubt that the Army has a tenth of that number left that they can turn over to the CMP. Out of those about half are not gong to be serviceable and will most likely be used for parts.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 07:42 PM (0N4FZ)

62 Evening, Weasel, and Gun Thread Horde! Sipping on a well-earned Caesar after spending the last 6 hours in the Sun, rehanging the hayloft door to my barn. Got 'er done.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 07:46 PM (1z8ji)

63 I saw the video about the CMBS M-14's yesterday. I still want an M1 Garand but might check out the M-14 instead. ;-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:48 PM (LGZQv)

64 Pretty sure that is what is going to happen. There were only a little over 1 million M-14's made and I doubt that the Army has a tenth of that number left that they can turn over to the CMP. Out of those about half are not gong to be serviceable and will most likely be used for parts.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 07:42 PM (0N4FZ)

Don't forget that Uncle Bill sent several hundred thousand M-14s to their end with "Captain Crunch" in the late 1990s. Supposedly, that was about a third of the total production run right there. M-14s were brought out of retirement for the GWOT in Iraq and Afghanistan as "temporary" DMRs. Although the M110 variants were supposed to replace them, nowhere near enough were procured from KAC and H&K to replace all of the M14s fielded.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 07:49 PM (BCwQW)

65 60 Looking at it next weekend.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:41 PM

Good luck, let us know what you think about it.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:49 PM (LGZQv)

66
For me, this thread is like walking into a bar when you don't drink.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 26, 2026 07:49 PM (O0L8i)

67 Short one for me. Spending the next couple weekends cleaning out my apartment as my landlord has sold the house and the new owners do not want a tenant.
So looking for a new place and going through 11 years of accumulation.
Of course my toys and the ammo are not being thrown out so no dumpster diving for you folks!!! LOL
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:17 PM (LGZQv)

It's a real mystery why a new NYC landlord would not want paying tenants...

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 07:50 PM (1z8ji)

68 Hadrian, I'll be looking for you this year.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 07:52 PM (abScH)

69 67 It's a real mystery why a new NYC landlord would not want paying tenants...

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 07:50 PM

I think because they are something that starts with the letter M and end with the letter M.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:52 PM (LGZQv)

70 I'm looking at a house in NH that's about 15 miles further out than my ideal commuting radius. Otherwise, the listing looks very good, and very affordable. I work in Boston twice a week. It's about a 65 mile commute, but I don't really mind driving. Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:30 PM (Wnv9h)

Would you have to drive the entire 65 miles, or might there be a train station with free Park&Ride somewhere in between?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 07:53 PM (1z8ji)

71 Good luck, let us know what you think about it.
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:49 PM

Will do.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:54 PM (Wnv9h)

72 51 If CMP M-14s appear, is there any chance for CMP M-16A1s/A2s to follow? I doubt it because M-16s of all kinds are still in service (even if they aren't in front line use anymore), but it's a nice dream, isn't it?
Posted by: Ed L
========
CMP is required to do some permanent modifications to the M-14 receivers before allowing their sale to prevent them from being made select fire again. And those are forged steel, so I doubt that anondized aluminum receivers of the M-16 will allow the same leeway--easier just to build with GI parts on a CMP marked receiver lower that has no drilling and machining for select fire.

Also if people want a shooter instead of a collectible M-14, just get an M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only. Probably be cheaper than the CMP ones.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 07:55 PM (E4rtv)

73 Calling it a night.

Good luck with the house hunting RMBS and the build The Grateful.

Look forward to chatting with you folks next weekend!!

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:56 PM (LGZQv)

74 Would you have to drive the entire 65 miles, or might there be a train station with free Park&Ride somewhere in between?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 07:53 PM

I could pick up a train or a nice commuter bus, but I really prefer the flexibility of driving.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:56 PM (Wnv9h)

75 Peace out, Scoob. Have a great week.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:56 PM (Wnv9h)

76 >>I could pick up a train or a nice commuter bus, but I really prefer the flexibility of driving.

You'll have lots of company. For a number of years I did the opposite, lived in Boston and had an office in NH. You get used to the drive, it's not that bad.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 07:59 PM (viF8m)

77 We have progress! Land has been tested and soil passes and no rock! First hurdle passed. Need to get the rains to stop there and move north to VA. Footers are supposed to happen next week. Permit for the long driveway has been approved and is underway. Hope to go down in a couple weeks when they start framing.
I am smiling just thinking about it.
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 07:33 PM (XfIK1)

Excited for y'all, ma'am!

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 08:00 PM (xVpNO)

78 Have a great week Scube, enjoy the purge!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:00 PM (XfIK1)

79 I could pick up a train or a nice commuter bus, but I really prefer the flexibility of driving.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:56 PM (Wnv9h)

I expect that parking in downtown Boston is very expensive, unless your employer offers free parking. But if you could find a free park&ride 15-20 miles out, you could sort of have your cake and eat it, too. You want to go to an evening ball game? Ride the train out to your park&ride, hop in the car, head back downtown (counter to the rush hour traffic flow), park near Fenway, go to the game.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 08:01 PM (1z8ji)

80 Also if people want a shooter instead of a collectible M-14, just get an M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only. Probably be cheaper than the CMP ones.
Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 07:55 PM

This is the way.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 26, 2026 08:01 PM (0sNs1)

81 For me, this thread is like walking into a bar when you don't drink.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 26, 2026 07:49 PM (O0L8i)

I can't remember, since I've slept since last year -- but will we see you in Corsicana?

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 08:02 PM (xVpNO)

82 Thanks S'puppy, looking forward to hosting either/or a TN MoMe or travelers on their way to/from the TX MoMe

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:02 PM (XfIK1)

83 I could pick up a train or a nice commuter bus, but I really prefer the flexibility of driving.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:56 PM (Wnv9h)

Nice bus? Is there such a thing?

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 08:03 PM (xVpNO)

84 82 Thanks S'puppy, looking forward to hosting either/or a TN MoMe or travelers on their way to/from the TX MoMe
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:02 PM (XfIK1)

Imma hold you to both of those either/or conditionals, because that's what I do.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 08:05 PM (xVpNO)

85 39 whig: Thank you for your tips last week about my Mossberg Patriot bolt not feeding. I tried cycling the bolt at home more carefully, and there were no failures (despite several at the range last Saturday). So either I was going too fast or not pulling it back far enough. I'll call it operator error.

I also want to work on pulling the trigger more smoothly, so I got a couple snapcaps to practice at home. . . .
Posted by: frammish
--
Glad to hear. And repeated use of snap caps to dry fire is actually a good way to break in trigger mechanism surfaces. Easiest way, for example, to do a 'trigger' job on a revolver is simply snap firing it with snap caps over and over again.

I use snap caps (or sometimes dummy rounds if I don't want to worry about trigger issues) to diagnose problems on feeding without worrying about a live round problem.

Eventually as your action slicks up by repeated use of the bolt which does the same as dry firing a pistol/revolver, you learn both the manual of arms by heart and can develop a feel for when feeding goes smoothly or you moved too fast and have an empty chamber.

A good gunsmith can speed breaking in an action but a bad one can do damage.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:06 PM (E4rtv)

86 >>Nice bus? Is there such a thing?

It's theoretical. Like parking near Fenway.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 08:07 PM (viF8m)

87 You'll have lots of company. For a number of years I did the opposite, lived in Boston and had an office in NH. You get used to the drive, it's not that bad.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 07:59 PM

You had a good reverse commute. We have a few team members who live in NH. It works.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:07 PM (Wnv9h)

88 Nice bus? Is there such a thing?
Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 08:03 PM (xVpNO)

There are several charter outfits that provide long haul buses to and from the suburbs well beyond the Washington DC Beltway (approximately 40 miles outside of DC) to places like the Pentagon.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 08:07 PM (BCwQW)

89 >>Nice bus? Is there such a thing?

It's theoretical. Like parking near Fenway.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 08:07 PM

From what my friends tell me, it's a good ride. Clean, quiet tour bus with free WiFi. But it's still subject to traffic. I can do that in my own car.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:09 PM (Wnv9h)

90 I expect that parking in downtown Boston is very expensive, unless your employer offers free parking. But if you could find a free park&ride 15-20 miles out, you could sort of have your cake and eat it, too. You want to go to an evening ball game? Ride the train out to your park&ride, hop in the car, head back downtown (counter to the rush hour traffic flow), park near Fenway, go to the game.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 08:01 PM

It's pricey, but it's a job perk, so I'm good.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:10 PM (Wnv9h)

91 >>You had a good reverse commute. We have a few team members who live in NH. It works.

Had an office on Summer Street for a few years. It seemed like half the office lived in NH or the Cape believe it or not. Even had one guy who lived in Newport.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 08:10 PM (viF8m)

92 80 Also if people want a shooter instead of a collectible M-14, just get an M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only. Probably be cheaper than the CMP ones.
Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 07:55 PM

This is the way.
Posted by: Duncanthrax
======
I have other more worn shooter grade rifles that I can shoot and frankly I did get more of a kick firing older bolt action milsurps than the pristine WWII era CMP Garand.

That is why I am glad CMP is making replica Garand receivers (or were the last time I checked so you can shoot the replica until you wear the finish off.

If I can ever fire heavier centerfire rifles again, I might eventually want a replica Garand from the ground up in 308.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:11 PM (E4rtv)

93 >>From what my friends tell me, it's a good ride. Clean, quiet tour bus with free WiFi. But it's still subject to traffic. I can do that in my own car.

Good luck. House sounds nice, I hope it works out for you.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 08:11 PM (viF8m)

94 RMBS - get a helicopter!

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:12 PM (lTr5A)

95 81 For me, this thread is like walking into a bar when you don't drink.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
-----
You are never too old to pick up a new vice and guns are better than most.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:12 PM (E4rtv)

96 Also if people want a shooter instead of a collectible M-14, just get an M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only. Probably be cheaper than the CMP ones.
Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 07:55 PM (E4rtv)
Word.

Posted by: Eromero at July 26, 2026 08:12 PM (LHPAg)

97 With luck, noted shooting video critic GWB will be here to give us his thoughts on the following.
Hey now! LOL.

Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:13 PM (VuBLp)

98 Had an office on Summer Street for a few years. It seemed like half the office lived in NH or the Cape believe it or not. Even had one guy who lived in Newport.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 26, 2026 08:10 PM

My office is a few buildings over from City Hall. One of my people comes in from Portsmouth, RI. He gets the commute award.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:13 PM (Wnv9h)

99 Hi All!!

Continuing the adventure of using ChatGPT to provide analysis of my shooting, suggestions for training and drills for improvement. I don't believe it is anything different I have heard some of you advise before - it seems interesting it can look at the pictures of the targets and then develop analysis of what is going on compared to the weeks before and then tie it into a training package and documentation. Went to the range yesterday - continued working with the S&W M&P 2.0 Compact Carry Comp particularly working on grip controls and making improvements. I was also shooting a S&W Victory 22lr - I like the pistol but haven't found good ammunition for it. I used Winchester / Remington bulk ammo which was not a problem for my Marlin 22 rifle but the pistol could barely get through a magazine without jamming the outgoing casing before loading the next round. The Federal I tried was better this time but out of 60 rounds still had 5 faults - 2 were the failed to eject and the other 3 were the slide not returning all the way to home, and not firing. Having a lot of fun though.

Posted by: Lurking in Garland at July 26, 2026 08:14 PM (j9Bn5)

100 If I ever need to grab a rifle fast for general around-the-neighborhood work, it'll be my Springfield M1A.

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:14 PM (lTr5A)

101 RMBS - get a helicopter!
Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:12 PM

*sigh*

Sadly, that's out of my tax bracket.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:14 PM (Wnv9h)

102 Also if people want a shooter instead of a collectible M-14, just get an M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only. Probably be cheaper than the CMP ones.
Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 07:55 PM (E4rtv)

This being the M1 carbine, in .30 cal, as opposed to the M1 Garand in 30-06?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 08:16 PM (1z8ji)

103 With luck, noted shooting video critic GWB will be here to give us his thoughts on the following.
Hey now! LOL.
Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:13 PM (VuBLp)
----
Been waiting all week to say that!

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:16 PM (lTr5A)

104 RMBS - get a helicopter!
Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:12 PM

*sigh*

Sadly, that's out of my tax bracket.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:14 PM (Wnv9h)
-----
Steal a helicopter?

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:17 PM (lTr5A)

105 I was also shooting a S&W Victory 22lr - I like the pistol but haven't found good ammunition for it.
Posted by: Lurking in Garland
------
Try CCI-Mini Mags unless your owner's manual forbid them. Start with the 40gr, CCI has better quality control for their 22 LR than the plinking Winchester or Remington or even Federal bulk packages do in 22 LR.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:18 PM (E4rtv)

106 Good evening gubthreaders and all the ships at sea!

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 26, 2026 08:18 PM (NlEaG)

107 It's pricey, but it's a job perk, so I'm good.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:10 PM (Wnv9h)

I find myself once again in the job market, and I will consider paid parking as one of my negotiating conditions thanks to this conversation. (I've never paid for parking --except temporarily as a traveling consultant -- and at my age, I'm not excited about doing so.)

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 26, 2026 08:18 PM (xVpNO)

108 Posted by: Lurking in Garland at July 26, 2026 08:14 PM (j9Bn5)
----
Keep up the good work!

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:18 PM (lTr5A)

109 RMBS - get a helicopter!
Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:12 PM
*sigh*
Sadly, that's out of my tax bracket.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:14 PM (Wnv9h)
-----
Steal a helicopter?
Posted by: Weasel
***********
Autocorrect is evil...I'm sure what Weasel meant was "borrow" a helicopter....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:21 PM (XfIK1)

110 This being the M1 carbine, in .30 cal, as opposed to the M1 Garand in 30-06?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon

No, there really was never a military M1A as Springfield Armory (company not the federal arsenal), made it up as a tradename. Springfield (the company) at first used surplus M-14 GI parts with (IIRC) M-14 receivers until the Hughes Amendment passed in 1986, then developed their own ( cannot honestly remember whether forged or cast) receivers to replace the GI ones. Since then, I don't think Springfield uses any GI parts anymore. And they have different variants like the Tanker version with a short barrel, and so on. That the real M-14 did not.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:21 PM (E4rtv)

111 Well, my Caesar has inexplicably evaporated. I am going to head out and do a few orbits on the mower, now that I have cooled off.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 26, 2026 08:22 PM (1z8ji)

112 Lurking in Garland, there is this thing called the TXMoMe where you can come and shoot under the best tutelage around.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 26, 2026 08:22 PM (abScH)

113 What’s burning Weasel?

Finishing a Romeo y Julieta No. 2 (Hecho en Cuba) I picked up sort of by mistake in St Bart’s more than a year ago. It’s fine but nothing special for my (barbarian, pedestrian) palate.

Posted by: rhomboid at July 26, 2026 08:23 PM (QPjUO)

114 @ 30 Short one for me. Spending the next couple weekends cleaning out my apartment as my landlord has sold the house and the new owners do not want a tenant.
So looking for a new place and going through 11 years of accumulation. Of course my toys and the ammo are not being thrown out so no dumpster diving for you folks!!! LOL
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 26, 2026 07:17 PM
__________________________
Doing the moving thing myself in a couple of weeks. Moving ammo was a task. Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 07:22 PM (Wnv9h)
__________________________

Guess I'm in the club, too. Just found out my apt. complex won't renew my lease 'cos I don't make 3X the monthly rent. WTF? At least I have time to look, 'cos the lease isn't done 'til 06012026. Small favors, yes … ? I hate these goddamn people.

Posted by: Dr_No at July 26, 2026 08:24 PM (ayRl+)

115 The M-14 replaced the Garand as the main battle rifle and the 308 aka 7.62x51 NATO (in the M-14) replaced the 30-06. But due to production problems, the M-14 lagged in replacing the Garand with a lot of Army units years later still having Garands instead of M-14s like in Berlin.

So with a hot war in Vietnam and M-16's being used by the USAF to replace the M1 Carbine, MacNamara, Sec of Def, replaced the M-14 with the M-16 and shortly after the M-16 was altered into the M-16A1 from lessons in combat in Vietnam.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:24 PM (E4rtv)

116 Kindltot, saw earlier you made three gallons of Apple juice. Was that with the new barrel press?

Posted by: From about That Time at July 26, 2026 08:25 PM (sl73Y)

117 For me, this thread is like walking into a bar when you don't drink.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Where the patrons seem a tad odd, but not unfriendly?

Posted by: mindful webworker - keep 'em holstered inside at July 26, 2026 08:25 PM (jrd4M)

118 Rumor has it that RI Red may be writing a novel?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:26 PM (XfIK1)

119 Super awesome weekend!

Saturday morning was range time with MAE and LazyMessenger. Gentlemen both. I shot my Springfield Armory EMP Ronin and my Ruger Mark IV. And Mark’s shotty. Because shotguns make me happy.

Today was spent with son #1 at the National Hot Rod Association PNW NAationals. American flags waving, a prayer of thanks and safety to begin, the Star Spangled Banner and Top Fuel. These hot rods go 335 mph in 3.5 seconds. They are loud. They burn jet fuel. They are not green.

Any time you wear hearing protection twice in one weekend for different activities, it’s a win.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 26, 2026 08:27 PM (yEz+x)

120 The high level polish looks gay to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

My shit is all banged up in a holster or bag. I'm certainly not putting my unpolished firearm in a display case.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 26, 2026 08:28 PM (3oLiU)

121 Both the M-14 and the Krag were ill starred replacements that served as a bridge to newer and longer lasting variants. The M-14 gave way to the M-16 which is still in broad use sixty years later in the military, the Krag gave way to the Springfield 1903 which likewise had decades long service.

The M-14 was the first general issue select fire (and it showed) for the US military, but the M-16 did that better and cheaper. The Krag was the first bolt action repeater but again, the Springfield with stripper clips did it better and faster than you could reload a Krag.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:28 PM (E4rtv)

122 Range this past week was an instructional trip, mostly, hockey buddy’s sister in law and grown spawn needed some basic introductory help with handguns. SiL had a Sig 360 she’d never shot. It’s first time i touched one too, was impressed with mild recoil for the small size and weight.

Racking and controls were challenging as the thing is so small. But can see why they’re popular carry pieces.

Posted by: rhomboid at July 26, 2026 08:28 PM (QPjUO)

123 sra blaster and I had an interesting adventure in flying with firearms.

So we flew to Atlanta Thursday night. But not on the airline we had intended to. We had tickets on Frontier, and had a case with 2 carry pistols in it in the checked bag.

First - Frontier at IAD totally takes your word for it that you are following FAA regulations. I did give them the magic words - unloaded, in a locked case, ammo separate in original box They do not open the case. They only wanted me to open the bag to see that there were locks on the case. They give you the card to lay on top of the case. That was interesting.

But then that flight got delayed. And delayed again. Like probably not going to fly this flight delayed (Narrator: it did end up flying 4 and a half hours late).

So we talked to the Frontier agent to ensure we could get our bag before canceling the flight to get another. He said he could.

Then we checked in with United which always takes a ton of time with firearms at IAD. But we made that flight. Hooray.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 26, 2026 08:28 PM (NlEaG)

124 Holy Shitballs, indeed!
It’s Sunday night!

My poor Permanent Record - forever stained.

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM (LMRVO)

125 120 The high level polish looks gay to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

My shit is all banged up in a holster or bag. I'm certainly not putting my unpolished firearm in a display case.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone
=======
BBQ guns are a custom in some parts of the country----the civilized part. So guns at such a party are a fashion accessory just as clothing is.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM (E4rtv)

126 Why did they switch to 7.62 over 30.06 and was it a good choice?

Posted by: fd at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM (MWfyi)

127 M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only"

Nicely made, but... it's a kick.

Posted by: man at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM (XuXeR)

128 Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at J

Consider how many years longer on that commute. After 25 years, my Providence to Boston commute grew by half again from traffic changes.

Posted by: From about That Time at July 26, 2026 08:30 PM (sl73Y)

129 Autocorrect is evil...I'm sure what Weasel meant was "borrow" a helicopter....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:21 PM

He had it right. Strategically Transfer Equipment to an Alternate Location. Checks out.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:30 PM (Wnv9h)

130 Continuing the adventure of using ChatGPT to provide analysis of my shooting, suggestions for training and drills for improvement.

I'm a skeptic of the current "AI ALL THE THINGS!!" mindset but I'm interesting in hearing how that goes for you. A friend tells me that he used some LLM for ballistic analysis and it felt the need to append little messages about gun violence to its replies.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 26, 2026 08:31 PM (vTZFs)

131 Speaking of pimp guns - if I got a Desert Eagle, it would have to be gold tiger stripe.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 26, 2026 08:31 PM (NlEaG)

132 Autocorrect is evil...I'm sure what Weasel meant was "borrow" a helicopter....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 26, 2026 08:21 PM

He had it right. Strategically Transfer Equipment to an Alternate Location. Checks out.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:30 PM (Wnv9h)
----
Just bring it back with a full tank...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 26, 2026 08:31 PM (FZ29D)

133 Consider how many years longer on that commute. After 25 years, my Providence to Boston commute grew by half again from traffic changes.
Posted by: From about That Time at July 26, 2026 08:30 PM

Maybe 10. After that I'm on my time.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:32 PM (Wnv9h)

134 I got snap caps to learn how to load and such my two guns. Took some time to realize I was holding the charging handle (?) and not letting it go to properly reload.
Wednesday is pony penning and my road gets closed about 5am. I leave for work about 6:30. I think they will let me out.
Despite the injunction, no one will sell me an AR pistol online. My local FFL says Radical might have one 4-6 weeks.

Posted by: Accomack at July 26, 2026 08:32 PM (T8bqm)

135 I'm a little confused on M14s being NFA. Wikipedia tells me the M14 was semi-auto (except for some variants). Why would it be NFA?

Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:33 PM (2MQZy)

136 Racking and controls were challenging as the thing is so small. But can see why they’re popular carry pieces.
Posted by: rhomboid
------
There are push-pull techniques for the heavier, often doubled recoil springs on compacts that work ok for people with less hand strength--you just have to orient properly in the safe direction while doing it.

Controls are stiff on a lot of new production nowadays--in part I think due to casting rather than forged parts. Best way to break those in is by operating the slide and dry firing over and over again and using the controls. A small dot of light machine oil, remoil, etc. on the control surface mechanism can also help when working out.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:33 PM (E4rtv)

137 Good evening all.
No gun stuff to report except I'm getting serious about the S&W Bodyguard 2. Checked prices and with the factory installed Viridian optic it is $600. Seems reasonable.
Good luck to Scubs, RMBS, Grateful and TRex on your Real Estate endeavors. Streasful, but so rewarding in the end. I found shedding years and years of unnecessary stuff very cathartic.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at July 26, 2026 08:33 PM (kJmSS)

138 I did hold a Glock and SD40. The SD felt much better in my hand.

Posted by: Accomack at July 26, 2026 08:33 PM (T8bqm)

139 My one airline firearms experience was very easy. Just showed the locked case and signed a form affirming that I am not an idiot - well in this specific context anyway (unloaded etc). But it was Alaska Jetways, in Alaska, so. Luggage area up there on the way in had lots of rifle cases of course.

Posted by: rhomboid at July 26, 2026 08:35 PM (QPjUO)

140 135 I'm a little confused on M14s being NFA. Wikipedia tells me the M14 was semi-auto (except for some variants). Why would it be NFA?
Posted by: GWB

M-14's started as select fire as they were designed to replace both the Garand AND the BAR--a floor wax and dessert topping approach. Unfortunately, they were not that controllable (as the design was a modified Garand) in select fire so the military issued orders to only shoot them semi auto and pulled the components for select fire. That being said, the receiver is still set up to run full auto and under the ruling by BATF, once a machine gun, always a machine gun, required either welding and machining the ability to convert the receiver to full auto, or making a new semi auto only receiver that is incapable of fitting select fire parts in the trigger mechanism.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:36 PM (E4rtv)

141 What pistol is the Army guy using?

Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:36 PM (kU0PQ)

142 Thanks Whig I will try the CCI.

Hi Ben Had - I missed last years TX MO ME but I made it to the previous 3. Looking forward to it this year!

Posted by: Lurking in Garland at July 26, 2026 08:37 PM (j9Bn5)

143 If you dig around and use the words M-14 and full automatic or select fire for videos from the trials, I think you can see why the military put in semi auto trigger kits. And why the Soviets and Germans used intermediate power cartridges for their AK-47 or the STG-44 so that full auto did not result in controllability issues with conscript troops.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:38 PM (E4rtv)

144 Thanks whig, I mentioned some of this to the 360 owner, and actually noted the gun loosening up a bit even from the 100+ rounds we put through it that day.

I urged her to take a basic handgun class, get a snake for routine cleaning, and not over-clean it, while following the manual re lubrication.

Posted by: rhomboid at July 26, 2026 08:40 PM (QPjUO)

145 No gun stuff to report except I'm getting serious about the S&W Bodyguard 2. Checked prices and with the factory installed Viridian optic it is $600. Seems reasonable.
Good luck to Scubs, RMBS, Grateful and TRex on your Real Estate endeavors. Streasful, but so rewarding in the end. I found shedding years and years of unnecessary stuff very cathartic.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at July 26, 2026 08:33 PM

I can recommend the S&W bodyguard 2.0 without reservation. It is what the Glock 42 and the bodyguard 1.0 should have been. Mine has plain iron sights and shot fine for me before cataract surgery.

I am still waiting for glock to come out with a modified 42 to accept larger capacity magazines and the folks over at shield arms to make a 15 round one like they did for the 43X.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 08:41 PM (0N4FZ)

146 Also if people want a shooter instead of a collectible M-14, just get an M1A from Springfield with all new parts and designed from the get go for semi auto only. Probably be cheaper than the CMP ones.
Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 07:55 PM

(Sputters with rage)

But it won't have gen-u-wine GI parts! And some of those new parts will have been made with modern manufacturing methods!

Not to mention the old world craftsmanship that the master gunsmiths at TRW used!

Posted by: Chubby Guy in a Camo T-shirt at July 26, 2026 08:42 PM (1viUA)

147 Why did they switch to 7.62 over 30.06 and was it a good choice?
Posted by: fd at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM (MWfyi)

Because 7.62mm X 51 was a compromise round to make a NATO standard small arms cartridge. The US really wanted to retain .30-06, but the Brits wanted the .276 round for their EM-2 bullpup. FN (IIRC) put forward an 8mm round similar to the 7.92mm Kurz used in the German StG 44. But because the US was the biggest spender on the block for NATO in the early 1950s, the US had the most influence at the time. Therefore, NATO adopted the 7.62mm X 51 round as NATO standard. As you might expect out of a compromise, it's a decent round, but it's not the "best" in any particular application. As a result, everyone felt a bit cheated (some more so than others (i.e. the Brits)), but learned to live with the round.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 08:42 PM (BCwQW)

148 RMBS. Do it. Don’t worry about the drive. I commuted to Boston from southern RI for a while. No biggy.

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:43 PM (LMRVO)

149 They are loud. They burn jet fuel. They are not green.

Sounds like an upgrade. Link?

Posted by: WNBA players at July 26, 2026 08:44 PM (0sNs1)

150 But it won't have gen-u-wine GI parts! And some of those new parts will have been made with modern manufacturing methods!

Not to mention the old world craftsmanship that the master gunsmiths at TRW used!

I think most of us can appreciate the historical value of something without needing to disparage more recent things.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 26, 2026 08:46 PM (vTZFs)

151 Scoobs, I know you’ve checked out, but life sends you signs.
Like, get out of NYC now.

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:46 PM (LMRVO)

152 I own two M1 Carbines, Three M1 Garands, one with a 7.62x 51 NATO barrel, but only one M14 clone. I bought a Chinese Norinco M14 copy with a forged receiver. I upgraded everything but the receiver with USGI parts about 1991 which is no longer feasible. I would like to buy an M1A or a CMP M14 but probably can't justify the cost. I am retired, no longer working as an oil refinery chemical engineer. If I buy a gun this year I will pay for it by selling a nice M-1917 US rifle.

No range report because I am still waiting for my leg to heal.

"According to the CMP, the rifles will be sold under a special authorization that allows the organization to modify and transfer surplus M14 rifles in compliance with federal law. The rifles offered for sale will not be machine guns. Instead, they will be permanently converted to semi-automatic operation prior to transfer."

I might have to put my name on the list to get one.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 07:03 PM (0N4FZ)

Better start saving your pennies, then. Battlefield Curator said that prices would be between $2,500 and $4,000 depending on manufacturer and condition.

Posted by: Bond in Michigan at July 26, 2026 08:46 PM (yJcPp)

153 Despite the injunction, no one will sell me an AR pistol online. My local FFL says Radical might have one 4-6 weeks.
Posted by: Accomack
=======
Build your own. Easy enough to do. You can buy finished uppers, do your lower yourself with minimum of tools, and an arm brace or even simpler, a recoil tube with foam over it.

Just don't have a loose stock and the AR pistol recoil tube is designed to prevent placing a stock on it--too short to hold it.

It will take less than one hour. My build took slightly longer in Obammy years because FU to that bastard, as I built the upper as well but I did not fret about the hoopla over braces as I installed the pistol recoil tube with only foam over it.

Fine for what it is intended for, a car gun for extraction situations in riots and civil disorder and using a push pull sling, you can get respectable accuracy up to 100 yards of so.

If I had not given a damn about having two cartridges with that could accidentally be loaded into the wrong gun (a 300 Blackout CAN be forced into a 223 chamber with Kaboom results), I would build it in 300 Blackout. About as efficient as the older M1 Carbine and even really short barrels can work.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:46 PM (E4rtv)

154 Better start saving your pennies, then. Battlefield Curator said that prices would be between $2,500 and $4,000 depending on manufacturer and condition.

Posted by: Bond in Michigan at July 26, 2026 08:46 PM

Not a problem, I will just skip hookers and blow for a week.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 26, 2026 08:48 PM (0N4FZ)

155 Thank you Ed. It seems to me we let NATO have too much say about it but I really don't know what's a better round.

Posted by: fd at July 26, 2026 08:48 PM (MWfyi)

156 What pistol is the Army guy using?
Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:36 PM (kU0PQ)

I think it's a dark finished M17.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 08:50 PM (BCwQW)

157 My poor Permanent Record - forever stained. Yet again!
Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM

FIFY.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 26, 2026 08:50 PM (0sNs1)

158 Late Range Report:
We have a great Long Range Chair. He just finished a complete makeover of the upper shooting area. Much bigger, flatter, and lots of obstacles.
I shot 100+ rounds of .308 and 6.5 with average results. Average day shooting beats best day of work. Even when retired.

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:51 PM (LMRVO)

159 Not to mention the old world craftsmanship that the master gunsmiths at TRW used!

TRW used computerized machining to finish those receivers because they got a bonus for early completion and voila, problem solved.

The problem all along with Springfield Armory (the federal one) doing okay as a prototyping machine works but not so good at mass production compared with modern manufacturers after WWII. And arguably, the fixation on Springfield Armory's Not Invented Here syndrome prevented the better battle rifle, the FAL from being chosen instead of the homebrewed Garand update that Springfield Armory and its supporters were pushing.

No one was sure exactly how the Armalite AR-10 would do on longevity with a 308 so I can forgive the Armory for that.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:51 PM (E4rtv)

160 Better start saving your pennies, then. Battlefield Curator said that prices would be between $2,500 and $4,000 depending on manufacturer and condition.
Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026
------
A Springfield M1A is going for $1800 on Palmetto. If they're only releasing a couple of hundred, yeah, but over 1.3M were produced. It all depends on how many they going to release. I don't see why they'd be more expensive than the M1s.

Posted by: Tom Lehrer at July 26, 2026 08:52 PM (EYbNS)

161 DThrax, right again, as usual.

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:54 PM (LMRVO)

162 RMBS. Do it. Don’t worry about the drive. I commuted to Boston from southern RI for a while. No biggy.
Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:43 PM

The Horde seems to have spoken.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 26, 2026 08:54 PM (Wnv9h)

163 RMBS, Live Free or Drive!

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:55 PM (LMRVO)

164 M-14's started as select fire as they were designed to replace both the Garand AND the BAR--
Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:36 PM (E4rtv)

I am NOT doubting folks like whig or Ed L - ever.
But, the Wikipedia entry makes it sound like they were designed as semi-auto to replace the M-1, then later modified (some number of them) to replace the BAR, and they didn't like the results so they stopped converting them.

That seems like a significant bass-ackwards in the history. Or that I missed something in all the Wiki words.

Thanks, whig.

Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:56 PM (kU0PQ)

165 Posted by: rhomboid at July 26, 2026 08:23 PM (QPjUO)
----
Brick House! I'm hooked!

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 08:58 PM (lTr5A)

166 “41 OK...soliciting Hordethoughts.

I'm looking at a house in NH that's about 15 miles further out than my ideal commuting radius. Otherwise, the listing looks very good, and very affordable. I work in Boston twice a week. It's about a 65 mile commute, but I don't really mind driving. Am I being stupid hesitating to look into this property seriously?”

So, from someone who has commuted for 50+ miles each day, currently 63, one way…(for 35+ years)
QUALITY OF LIFE IS EVERYTHING!
It is seriously understated. When you get home from work and spending the weekends in a place that is awesome, calm, and serene, your mental health is sooo much better. If there is something other than the commute that gives you reservation, then please reflect a little more. If it’s simply the long drive, do it! You’ll get used to it with no regrets!

Posted by: Gunslinger at July 26, 2026 08:58 PM (N91F8)

167 163 RMBS, Live Free or Drive!
Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 08:55 PM (LMRVO)

That sounds like a threat!

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 26, 2026 08:58 PM (NlEaG)

168 Why did they switch to 7.62 over 30.06 and was it a good choice?
Posted by: fd at July 26, 2026 08:29 PM

The 7.62x51mm is very similar ballistically to the 30.06.

The 30.06 has an edge with a bit more powder, and is able to utilize heavier (220 gr) bullets.

The 7.62 can fit in smaller (short-action) bolt rifle actions, while the 30.06 requires a slightly larger long-action.

With the possible exception of a Kodiak bear, a 30.06 can take any game on the North American continent. I wouldn't feel quite that confident with a 7.62/.308

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 26, 2026 08:58 PM (0sNs1)

169 144 Thanks whig, I mentioned some of this to the 360 owner, and actually noted the gun loosening up a bit even from the 100+ rounds we put through it that day.

I urged her to take a basic handgun class, get a snake for routine cleaning, and not over-clean it, while following the manual re lubrication.
Posted by: rhomboid

People selling their barely used firearms often because they can't manipulate the new version like the broken in version they may have tried is a real thing. And I think modern manufacturing is partly to blame--MIM, castings, etc. are all fine to reduce costs but they often have quite rough finishes that require more breaking in or a delicate touch with a stone.

Older forged parts are expensive nowadays but incredibly smooth and break in even smoother like glass when broken in fully. I have bolt raceways on old military rifles that are like glass and the Brits did that in Lee Enfields even using nickel steel since about 1906 or so. Germans and Mauser did it with case hardening as did the first edition of the 1903 Springfield and Krags.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 08:59 PM (E4rtv)

170 Oh no! Not ... motorcycles!

Posted by: GWB at July 26, 2026 08:59 PM (kU0PQ)

171 Thank you Ed. It seems to me we let NATO have too much say about it but I really don't know what's a better round.
Posted by: fd at July 26, 2026 08:48 PM (MWfyi)

"Better" is often very situation dependent. Remember that the US Army back then (even more so than today) really emphasized individual marksmanship at longer ranges. 7.62mm NATO is a good round if you have lots of open space to engage targets at 500-800 meters. But if you take that same rifle to the jungles of Vietnam where your typical engagement range with small arms is 100 meters or less, you're better served with an intermediate power round that you can carry more of and shoot faster in a firefight (i.e. 5.56mm NATO). And finally, don't think that round performance and technical characteristics were the determining factor in the selection of 7.62mm NATO. It was economics and politics. The US had the biggest economy in the mid-50s, and was (by far) the big kid on the block in the NATO alliance, even more so than today. Therefore, whatever was selected would play to the US manufacturing base and the US's place in geopolitics.

Posted by: Ed L at July 26, 2026 08:59 PM (BCwQW)

172 The M-14 was the greatest individual Anti-Aircraft rifle ever built.

Posted by: DBCooper at July 26, 2026 09:01 PM (Osy+7)

173 "With the possible exception of a Kodiak bear, a 30.06 can take any game on the North American continent. "

That seems adequate.

Posted by: fd at July 26, 2026 09:01 PM (MWfyi)

174 Shouldn't it be Live Free AND drive?

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at July 26, 2026 09:01 PM (kJmSS)

175 GWB, use this instead of wiki
https://armyhistory.org/m14-rifle/

Money quote,
"The rifle was also equipped with a modified M4 bayonet originally used on the M1 carbine and featured selective semi and full-automatic fire with a lightweight twenty-round box magazine. After further tests and minor modifications, the T44E4 earned the final designation as the Rifle, 7.62mm, M14, in June 1957."

FWIW, When the military uses selective, that means you can fire either semi auto or full auto with manipulating a switch.

Posted by: whig at July 26, 2026 09:02 PM (E4rtv)

176 Live Free and Fly.

Posted by: Weasel at July 26, 2026 09:02 PM (lTr5A)

177 I know, Sharon. I thought about that, but …

Posted by: RI Red - at July 26, 2026 09:04 PM (LMRVO)

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