Leaderboard

As I mentioned in another thread, we bought a condo in Florida a couple of years ago, and have started spending some time down here. We have not become residents yet, but still are able to enjoy a taste of life in a free state with Covid sanity and everyday concealed carry. Yesterday I purchased the Zastava Arms ZPAP M70 for which I have been lusting. Bought it online from Atlantic Firearms and had it shipped to a local dealer. When I went over to pick it up, he asked me for my DL and Florida CCW permit (if I had one). I filled out a 4473 and a few minutes later, he said, "You're all set." Holy crap! No waiting days for an "instant" background check requiring a return trip to the dealer. In just minutes I was able to walk out with my new beauty. While I was there, a fellow walked in and asked to look at a handgun. He checked it out for a few minutes, then said, "OK, I'll take it." Same deal for him: DL, Florida CCW, 4473, and out the door in a few minutes with the gun. I should note that with the ready availability of guns in Florida, contrary to the hysterical fears of legislators in states like New Jersey, not only do legal gun owners not run around shooting each other, one rarely (like, never) even sees a gun. All that aside, the weather here has been great, the people warm and welcoming. On days when it's a little cooler, with temperatures in the mid-60's, when we can't sit by the pool or go to the beach, the weather is perfect for golf, pickle ball, running and working out, or just hanging out. Unfortunately, we have to leave "The Matrix" next week to return to Jersey for six weeks in the middle of winter, for some weddings and other family events. But we get to look forward to returning in mid-March for another 6-8 weeks. If any of you are down this way, be sure to say hi!

Texas ain’t much different. The first time I walked into an Academy Sports, and saw TONS of guns and ammo (and the ammo was out openly so you could get it yourself…no clerk required). Rifles and shotguns were in racks where you could openly handle them too. Handguns, of course, were locked in a case, but it’s no problem to have a clerk hand one to you. Because I lived in Nj for 21 years, I almost felt like I was doing something WRONG when I handled them in the shop, with no ‘supervision’. It was kind of a surreal feeling. I guess living in the northeast, you get browbeaten that firearms are verboten, and those who own them are criminals. Texas is VERY different in that respect. Talk about firearms, and what you own, where you shoot/hunt like is very common, like it was people talking about what kind of golf clubs you have and what course you play. Now that I have my Texas DL…next step is CHL.

.380 has been around for quite awhile, though never used widely. I think the .40 S&W might be one of the more recent introductions. And there are rifle wildcats-gone-mainstream that are newer still.

DT, I also know that surreal feeling you mentioned. I did a lot of business travel to Texas back in 2015-2016. This was a few years after I got back into firearms and all things 2A related. So was acutely aware of, and felt daily, the oppression we live under here. Visiting Bass Pro and other gun shops in Dallas there provided a wonderful taste of freedom and respect for our rights. Actually got to browse and touch the boxes of ammo on the shelves! Wow! As an aside, on a short business trip there in 2017 which spanned a weekend, I managed to get fingerprinted and attend the CHL class and subsequently received my Texas non-resident permit. (With that permit I was able to conceal carry in PA for ONE glorious day in my life. Shortly after, PA stopped recognizing non-resident permits.).

FWIW, I have called USLS for non-urgent items and they always connect me with someone from Nappen's office (David I think) within a day or two, so from that perspective it has been good.

I have also been a USLS member for several years. Have not had to use it but does provide me some piece of mind. I am not aware of any other such services that provide protection for the various possession laws we must adhere to here in NJ. (As opposed to actual self-defense use.). Have you attended any of the USLS seminars with Evan Nappen? They are informative and you can address any questions or concerns (from reviews) you have with their rep. And yes, I hope to god they are responsive when I need them.

More primers on the way..... soon. https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/2022/jan/19/ammunition-plant-to-open-near-texarkana/

Interested too. Been a USLS member for several years now too.

That is really good news.

Glad I could help find your new candy store

I don’t wear a mask, if you need me to I won’t patronize you business. I totally respect your business your rules BTW.

Introduced in 1908 . . . .17 is only 20 years old but I don't think that gets much use either.

NOTHING is more annoying than .45 small primer brass!

I don't see much need for it. It's no great shakes ballistically, and as a reloader I have no interest in finding and stocking 8 mm bullets. I'm glad it's unlikely to see much use, since the cartridge case is the same length as a 9mm. It would be a huge pain in the butt to separate that from 9 mm brass when scooping up range brass. This might, barely, be more annoying than finding .45 small primer brass mixed in with your .45s.

You still need to purchase a license. A portion of your hunting and fishing license fees go to maintain the state ranges, WMAs, and public boat launching ramps at places like Round Valley.

Yeah, but most of that is contained in the 1A Lounge, which comes with a disclaimer, and requires a SECOND login to access. Nobody is forced to go there, and lurkers can't access it or even see it. So, if a reader takes the time to get in the 1A Lounge, after seeing all the disclaimers, they really don't have a leg to stand on and reason to complain.... They were warned.....

It's their loss. New members get treated very well here compared to the pummeling I've seen other sites. Questions are answered quickly by knowledgeable people. I wish a site like this existed when I first applied for my FID.

Advise me a hunting shop with low prices. I just don't have much money right now, but I want to buy some kind of gun.