lunker

Wow, sounds like I got lucky. I think picking VKT instead of Sako may have helped me with the condition since they seem to be less popular. I had no idea of the drama behind the scenes. I never did get a chance this weekend to shoot it, so I will wait another week. Where do you read about all this stuff, which forum?

Hey Drez. I got mine. Picked it up Thursday night. The wood is pretty good and there was only minor bluing loss on the receiver and muzzle. It was difficult to tell the bore condition in the store because of the goop in the barrel. After cleaning it, I am very happy with it. I used bore foam and everything came out. Very strong rifling. I hope to take it out this weekend and see if it shoots straight. I haven't checked to see if it was counter-bored, but considering how nice the rifling is, I assume it isn't.

Thanks Drez. It seems like Classic Arms' reputation has fallen off since I was last reading about them on the AK Files. It looks like I will need to keep my fingers crossed. That, and bring a critical eye and a bore light with me when I see the gun at the FFL. I won't hesitate to refuse the transfer on inspection if the gun is crap. I give enough business to the FFL that I don't think he'd mind the hassle too much.

Hey Drez, I never knew any of the backstory. What exactly did Classic do that is unsavory? I do remember that Classic was well thought of on the AK forums I used to frequent a few years back. I was mainly looking for a shooter rather than a collector, which is why I went for better condition condition rather than Sako. And I never, ever see M39's at gun shows any more. My original plan was to get a 1903 Springfield again, but this is the cheaper option in terms of rifle and ammo. I am hoping the accuracy is on a par.

Classic Arms is a well regarded company. And I paid the extra $20 for hand-picked VKT. It seemed like a good gamble. And everyone wants the Sako rifles, maybe just because they know the name. From everything I read, there isn't a difference in quality and there were actually more Sako made than VKT. So who knows.

Want a Mosin that will actually shoot straight? The Finns stripped down Russin Mosins and rebarreled them to be accurate rifles. $349 at Classic Firearms. I got the hand-picked VKT. They are sold out of hand-picked Sako manufactured. https://www.classicfirearms.com/finnish-m39-mosin-nagant-rifle-762x54r?utm_source=Classic+Firearms&utm_campaign=b145dc31b5-Mailchimp_2015-09-11_m39_80&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_afe48e03d8-b145dc31b5-238456289

Anything that doesn't feed in the autoloader goes in the O/U. I did buy the faster ammo in 12 gauge since I got 1 ounce instead of 1 1/8. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Remington 870 Express isn't a shotgun I would recommend any more, and I used to be a big Remington fan. They are really rough around the edges and poorly finished. Guns with rough edges, burrs, poor bluing like this would never have left the factory 15 years ago. In my opinion, Mossberg 500 is the better value. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Nick. I picked up a few flats. I am curious to see how they feed in autoloaders.

Blue Dot + 10mm = Fireball! I loved loading blue dot for 10mm. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He is right. You'd be better off bringing a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. Either one gives you a better chance at a humane kill. With 223 you need a headshot on a big pig. A body shot is not going to do it, at least in a quick and sporting way. If you are going to use an AR, you want the heaviest bullet your rifle will chamber. Usually that is 68 grains. Higher than that and they don't fit in magazines and/or feed well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Sierra Papa is night-and-day improvement over stock. The aluminum trigger alone removes a lot of the awful trigger flex. Well worth the money.

Take a look at the Rossi and Henry rifles before you go back to Marlin. The Marlin has the stiffest action and is my least favorite of the three in handgun calibers (I do have one in 45-70 that I really like). The Henry has a glass smooth action. I got the Rossi because they had a 16" barrel large loop gun and they smooth out really well with some shooting. Steve'z Gunz makes videos and parts for Rossi's to slick them up for action shooting too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Slayer was a great band. I have seen them a few times. I saw Danzig open up for them at the old Felt Forum underneath the Garden. The fans must not have been searched at the door for weapons. I remember seats being cut open and hundreds of foam seat cushions flying on stage. One of my fraternity brothers got Tom Arraya from Slayer and one of the guys from Overkill (guitarist I think) to come to our fraternity at Rutgers after a show they did in Jersey. I have no idea how they ever left in the morning. They drank themselves to stupification. I hope they didn't have to play a show the next night. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What are you waiting for? 357 is a hell of a round. And everyone knows wheelguns are the coolest.

+1 I use middle-of-the-road pistol loads now that I have gotten over my 10mm obsession. And magnum primers work fine. I don't have a chrono, but I do not see evidence of high pressures (i.e. flattened or pierced primers) when using small magnum pistol primers in 9mm.

For IDPA, that Wiley Clapp GP100 sure looks sweet. 3" barrel and Novak rear sight with fiber optic or brass bead front. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice. I wAs shooting some heavy stuff (3" shells, etc) through my 20gauge for breakin , and my shoulder was more than a wee bit sore the next day. I think you'll be happy with the kick off.

By the way, the more I shoot my Beretta A400 Xcel, the more I want to leave my Beretta 682 in the closet. I remember asking Anthony Matarese jr for advice on what gun to buy for sporting clays. He told me the A400, but at the time I had my heart set on an Over Under. Wheels in my brain are turning now...

You can get the non-adjustable comb for under $2600 all day long on GunBroker. You can get adjustable for around $2800.

Is it possible the $2400 was for the adjustable comb version? That is what they go for at Etchen guns.

Me either. It was a three block walk from my old office at 43rd and Madison. Moot point now that I am up in the woods in New Hampshire.

Etchen is possibly the top Beretta dealer in the mid-Atlantic region, and maybe more. He gets the good stuff. That is the standard wood. It's just that some is nicer than others. I am sure he gets pick of the litter. I have bought two Berettas from Etchen guns. Great service, fast shipping, and prices usually within $50-100 of the big sellers. You talk to a live person and can be sure you are getting exactly the gun you want. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thse Berettas are LIGHT. My 20 gauge kicks as much as the 12 guage. Except for the length (30"), I could walk around all day ith this thing. It is like a feather. So much so that I am thinking about putting some weight in the stock channel and on the forend. You can buy heavier end cap weights from Briley.