lunker

I see that you can shoot 22LR and pistols at the indoor range. How about pistol caliber carbines like my Marlin 357, Beretta 45, and Ruger PC-9?

The recoil impulse is so strong that it actually forces the hammer all the way back. If you still have the trigger pulled all the way back, there is nothing to stop the hammer from falling on the next round. I had that happen once. Needless to say, I backed down the load just a hair.

Triggers get expensive quickly. There are two I can vouch for that won't set you back quite as much as some others if you're not looking to compete in matches with the guns (in which case you'll probably want a two stage trigger, which I have little experience with). There is a guy named Bill Springfield in Colorado Springs who does a very inexpensive trigger job (i.e. $40 for a 4lb pull, $50 for a 3lb pull). He does a lot of work for law enforcement and does all the ARs for the Air Force Academy's shooting team in town. I have his 3lb trigger job on my Colt Match Target. I have his 4lb trigger job on my Spikes Tactical AR -22 (Spikes Lower with their dedicated 22 upper). Both are great, with my nod going to the 3lb job if you want to target shoot. Here is his website: http://www.triggerwork.net/. The best part is that he works on your stock hammer, trigger and disconnector. You just send him these three parts and he sends them back to you in a week. That's awesome turnaround for custom work. Look up "Bill Springfield Trigger" on Google and you will see a ton of positive comments on his work. I have also shot ARs with Timney triggers. They are high quality single stage one-piece units that replace your entire fire control group. It is literally a drop-in unit. I think they are a little smoother than Bill's trigger, but for $200 I guess they should be. Here is the link for them: http://www.timneytriggers.com/ Good luck!

No you don't. You just join up the NJGF group AR Lower buy. Spikes tactical sells the DPMS lower parts kit for $50. Voila! I am by no means an AR guru, but it is my understanding that a lower is not a contributor to the accuracy of the rifle. I don't know that I would stress too hard over which lower you will choose, unless you have some desire for it to be 100% milspec or built from a different material. The only major variability in the lower is what kind of trigger you install (crappy GI standard, single stage, double stage) and what kind of buttstock. I would focus more on the upper. That is where you really want to make sure you're getting quality. From what knowledgeable people tell me, you won't be going wrong with White Oak.

T&T Reloading - do not order from their website. They are IMPOSSIBLE to reach by phone (it won't let you leave a message and they don't pick up) or e-mail. I had an order sitting out there for four months with no way to find out anything about it. I eventually just decided to ignore it. I know my uncle swears by them and that the owner is a good guy, but shop in person at the store. Do not use the website.

They do but it's something that a trained armoror or their Custon shop would do. Their older handguns did not have the feature. I actually spoke with the head gunsmith at CZ, Mr Eagleshield, and he told me that only the alloy framed compacts can have this done. It won't work on the slides for the 9mm compact 75B. The parts to do it on the PCR and P01 9mm cost $88, and then there is the cost of having someone install and fit them. It was easier to just go with the 40S&W.

I neglected to mention the new plastic Sig 250. I have yet to shoot it yet, so it never made the list. You are correct about it having ambi controls. I don't think their steel framed pistols have that option, but maybe that's something new.

Thanks Mikey. Actually I forgot to mention it, but all the guns I listed have ambi mag releases.

I really like the look and feel of Sigs. It makes me wish I weren't a lefty. I like all steel guns and Sig makes a quality firearm but.... They are the least lefty-friendly pistols out there. I can normally operate the slide lock/release on a semi-auto pistol with my left index finger. On a Sig it is way too far to the rear of the slide for me to do it. It's tough to work the decocker too with my index finger. I know there are people who will chime in that I should be slingshotting the slide with my offhand. I rarely do that. It's just the way I am. In case any lefty's out there are feeling the same way, after lots of searching I can tell you the most lefty-friendly guns: 1) HK - P7/P7M8 - all steel and no side controls at all! 2) CZ 85 - ambi safety and slide release. And all steel. 3) HK everything else - ambi safety and slide release on all their new guns! They don't make all steel pistols any more though. 4) S&W M&P - ambi safety (if you decide to get one) and ambi slide lock. Only comes in plastic too. I will be sure to post pics of my new (all steel) CZ 75B Compact with ambi safety I am picking up Thursday. Don't get me wrong about tupperware firearms. I own a few Glocks and love 'em, just not as much as steel.

Try this link for Budsgunshop. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/adva ... st%5B0%5D= It seems like they have most of the combos in stock. I bought my Security combo from them (short HD barrel and 28" VR barrel for trap, hunting, etc). If not, Impact Guns has guns in stock too at good prices (but not as good as Buds usually) http://www.impactguns.com/store/mossber ... tguns.html

Hi Bill, The gas system determines how the gas impingement system is set up. The full length gas systems (think Viet Nam era M16) have the gas port further away from the chamber. The carbine length system (M4 in current military use) has the gas port closer to the chamber. It is my understanding that the full length gas system generates lower pressures on the bolt carrier group and is easier, wear-and-tear wise, than the carbine length. The mid-length gas system is, as you can probably guess, a compromise between the two. My suggestion is to get the longest gas system the rifle will allow for your intended purposes. If you are buying a paper-puncher, go with full length. If you are buying a SHTF rifle for close quarters, the carbine might be your only choice. Don't let a gas system stop you from getting the rifle you want. There are enough people using the carbine length system without a problem that you shouldn't give it that much thought.

Believe it or not... It gets easier with time, and not just because you are used to the procedure. The fitment of the pieces looens up after time and use. A brand new Ruger 22 is a bitch.

Maks, It's yours. I'm surprised nobody beat you to the punch.

I bought the Official Soviet AKM Manual a while back when I had my EAA Zastava PAP. I don't have it any more, so I want to give the book to a deserving AK clone owner. I will be at BA this upcoming Tuesday. The first person to reply to this post (who actually owns an AK clone too) can meet me to pick it up in person, then shoot and B.S. with some NJGF members. Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Official-Soviet-A ... 316&sr=8-1 P.S. I didn't want to wake the cat.

If you are not looking for new, call Shore Shot Pistol Range in Lakewood. Last time I was there, they had a nice Ruger in the used display.

Chad, I'm sorry to hear it. Whether it was a mistake or intentional by the cashier, you're still unjustifiably out a lot of money. I wouldn't go back somewhere either if that happened to me. I guess I'll see you at BA some Tuesday.

Chad, I am sure you're right, but I am trying to figure out how you could have a $175 bill. From my memory and assuming a most expensive case scenario (i.e. you and your wife are not members, you didn't bring a gun and rented one in the most expensive caliber and bought ammo for it there): 2 walk-ons is $40 1 gun rental is $10 2 boxes of the most expensive ammo (44mag) at the height of the shortage = $75 2 packs of tagets = $5

Im friendly with the guys at Shore Shot. I think all of the regulars there are friendly, with some being more knowledgeable than others (as is the case almost anywhere). I transfer my guns through them ($35 for members, plus $15 NICS of course), frequently using them to ship when the receiving FFL won't accept from an individual. I think they are top notch. The big guy (Tiny) can be a little gruff, but he is a really good dude. Kenny (usually there during the days) is as helpful as can be, and is my favorite to deal with. Andy, who works Tue/Fri nights, is knowledgeable and is quick to help with gun advice and even the occasional repair. The only individual there I have ever found to be less than pleasant is the guy who works weekends with the Neal Diamond haircut. I think he just fills in when they're busy. I have been going to Brick Armory over the last two months or so to meet up with NJGF members. I like the layout and especially that they have a bench in the back of the shooting room to place your gun cases, equipment, etc. It is also cleaner and brighter, although that doesn't matter to me. I know that there are people out there that don't care for Phil at BA, but he has never been anything but nice with me. Also, the tall thin guy (whose name I don't recall) that works evenings is very knowledgeable and helpful. With all that said, both places have their advantages. I have found Shore Shot to be really good when it came to helping me select a gun or fix one when I screwed something up. One downside to Shore Shot is that I sometimes find them to be crowded on a weekend or even sometimes a weeknight. I have yet to see that at BA, but it might just be because I go there less often. After all that blather, my advice is to go to each a few times. Try to make it apples-to-apples though. For example, don't compare a Saturday afternoon at BA to a Wednesday night at SS.

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Thanks for the advice. It was always my plan to see how my Colt shoots at the longer distances. Just from my reading I have gotten the impression that I may be disappointed, and my curiosity on new guns always wins out. Considering that the outdoor ranges in Jersey rarely seem to be more than 300 yards, maybe this topic is moot. After the Spike Tactical Lower group buy, I will have an extra AR lower laying around. It's just a matter of what to do with it, and whether buying an accurate upper for it relieves me of the need for the Colt. I am a shooter rather than a collector. I only keep guns I use. Everything else gets sold. If the Colt is a good shooter, then maybe I sell my non-NJGF Spikes Lower.

Yes. It has the detachable carry handle that can be removed to make a flattop (w/front sight post). I have been reading about the accuracy limitations of the chrome lined 16" barrel, having hand guards instead of free float tubes, etc. I regret not getting a heavy barrel target model instead. I think I was a little too swayed by some of the mall ninja types on ARF.com and similar sites who love the Colt LE 6920 and its Post-ban equivalent, the Match Target. This isn't a home protection weapon for me, so I would rather have the target accesories than the tactical ones. I have already swapped out the fixed M4 stock for a Rock River A2 stock.

Is me getting the White Oak upper like casting pearls before swine. Is the quality and accuracy noticeable over Rock River? Will my (currently meager) shooting skills ever be able to tell the difference at 300 yards? I was reading on the White Oak Precision site that the White Oak Armament barrels are handmade with a Wilson barrel. They are not customized the way the White Oak Precision barrels are. This keeps the cost near the Rock River, Armalite, etc.

This thread I started has got me thinking... My first AR was a Colt Match target that I transferred though PK90. I bought a Spike's Tactical 22LR upper for it and that's what I have mostly used in it since it's not that fun to shoot 223 at an indoor 25 yard range, and I don't belong to an outdoor range yet (soon though). Now that I am considering getting an A4 style upper, I wonder if it makes sense to keep the Colt. I will have a 22LR for short range plinking and a nice long range AR. I wouldn't use the Colt for home defense. I have a Mossberg 500 for that. Just thinking out loud...

Seeing as how I will have an extra AR lower sitting around after the NJGF group buy... Does anyone have any recommendations for a good 223/5.56 upper for shooting paper at several hundred yards. I want a flattop (A4 style) so I can put optics on it. I would probably get a 20" or 24" bull barrel for accuracy. I was looking at the Rock River and DPMS uppers. Are there any I should be looking at in addition to (or instead of) them? Unfortunately, like many of us I am not made of money so please don't recommend some super-custom upper that I can only afford to drool over. Thanks Rock River http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm? ... ory_id=269 DPMS http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/firearm.aspx?id=4

Me too and me neither. If I had to guess, I'd say it's because we represent the demographic that Defense Attorneys do not want on their jury. That said, I am libertarian-leaning, and wouldn't be prejudicial against anyone on trial if the evidence wasn't enough to prove their guilt.