lunker

No problem. I just wanted people to know it wasn't one of those "I heard it on the Interweb" stories.

I thought that front site was a little off. That looks good to me. Would the skeletonized trigger come out in an engraving that small? I like it better than the Para LDA trigger from earlier designs. Maybe the regular GI solid trigger would come out best. Take my suggestions with a shaker of salt though. As Archie Bunker might say, "I'm artistically declined."

I learned first hand about this practice at Costco. I had been looking for a big screen TV and knew the exact model I was looking for. A friend belonged to Costco and told me they had just what I was looking for. Visually it was identical in size and form to what I wanted. The model number was just a bit different. I went home and went to the manufacturer's web site, and the model number did not show up. I figured that maybe it was a prior year's model number, so I googled it. I was instantly awash in a s***storm of posts explaining why not to get the model I saw. It was a special version just for certain retailers. There were several fetaures missing or downgraded from the model I really wanted (most of which I don't remember now). One of them had to do with a substandard picture-in-picture tuner. While this may not always be the case, it certainly does not hurt to look at the fine print when buying at one of these chains.

I can't speak for Dick's, but I know that manufacturers make slightly lower-end electronics for big box stores like Costco and Price Club. You get there and see the TV you want for much less than anywhere else you've looked, but the model number is just a little bit different than the one you want (i.e. like an extra digit at the end or two digits in reverse order). Unfortunately, this version is missing some feature or has some lesser quality component that allows the store to sell it at a "miraculously lower" price. It is really just classic bait-and-switch, and I consider it to be fairly underhanded. I will not buy a TV or major home appliance at a big box store unless I am very sure I am getting just what I am looking for. Does Dicks do the same thing with rifles? I have no idea. Now Back to your regularly scheduled program...

As a long time Mets fan, I fall into the same conundrum. Who to root for? I am a National League fan, so I am going with the Phillies. Truth be told, they have the kind of team that I wish the Mets would field. Even their star slugger runs hard to first base on groundouts. The Mets haven't won anything in twenty plus years and they dog it half the time. Philly has a lot of heart, and they play really hard for their manager. The Mets have gotten a decent manager (Willie Randolph) fired, and looks like they're setting up to repeat that act next year. Also, the Mets and Phils never seem to be good at the same time, so their rivalry is pretty recent. I have had a lifetime to develop my Yankees hatred.

I know NJGunForums.com is a lot of letters spelled out and you need some width, but can we just shrink the font and ditch the tacti-cool compensator and go with a standard 1911 profile? The current gun is a little too Mall Ninja-ish for me.

Seeing as how I just picked up my non-NJGF Spike tactical lower last night, here are some higher-res pics for you guys...

Maks, You timing stinks. Just last night I picked up my Spike Tactical lower and DPMS lower parts kit because they were on sale (50% off on the lower). I figured it would go nicely with my Spike's 22LR Upper and I wouldn't have to be swapping out uppers all the time. You can sign me up for one anyway. Chris

Fire Control Group. Tapco and Redstar Arms make replacements.

Thanks. It sure is. Now I have do start doing some research on optics and pick up some ammo. I knew this was going to start getting expensive. I better order those reloading dies for .308 soon

It looks like I have made my decision. I am buying Tiny's Remmy 700P. Yee haw!

Whether I use my Winchester (by way of Toz in Russia) bolt action Wildcat or my Spike Tactical 22LR upper, I hope I can keep up. There are some good shooters here.

Clearly I have some catching up to do.

PM Sent

I have been thinking about picking up a rifle for longer distance shooting and have settled on getting a 308. There are many options for me in terms of bullets (I reload, although only pistol calibers at the moment) and platforms. I am a bit up in the air about which one to buy though. I have a budget unfortunately and can't break the bank on this purchase (i.e. > $1500). My recent HK P7 sale is helping me get closer. It seems to me that I have a few main options. There is the AR route. I can get a really nice DPMS LR-308 for a few hundred under my budget. I like the AR platform, but since I already have a Colt Match Target, it doesn't excite me as much as the other options. I can go the M14 route. I have read some not that great things about Springfield M1A rifles. It seems as though you may have to throw a decent amount of money at one to get it to shoot really accurately. This option intrigues me since I do have an appreciation for military firearm history. Lastly there is the bolt action rifle route. The only bolt rifle I have is the Winchester (by way ot Toz in Russia) Bearcat 22LR. This also intrigues me, mostly because of the accuracy potential of many bolt actions. I might use less of the expensive 308 ammo than in a semi-auto, which is a plus. I know there are others out there. PTR makes HK clones that look nice, but I have no experience with them or really any knowledge about them. Anyway, what would you think I should go with? I am not a hunter, so this is strictly for target purposes (unless someone invites me hunting, at which it's a hunting rifle too. ).

Since you already have a 357 revolver, I'd say you should go and get one. No need to wait for a stupid pistol permit and you don't have to start buying different ammo. The only change I have made to mine was to throw peep sights on it. The semi-buckhorns it comes with are very accurate, but a little slow to get on target.

Sign me up.

OK. I'll bite. What is your favorite factory action and factory rifle?

I have a Marlin 1894C in 357 mag. I had owned a Marlin 1894 in 44mag, but sold it on this forum. The Marlins are excellent levergun rifles, and lots of fun to shoot. I prefer putting 357 through it rather than 38 special just because I want to feel a hint of recoil. With 38 specials, there is practically none. It's nice to have a rifle in calibers you also own pistols in. I know a lot of rifle people who would disagree, but I'm not using the Marlin for hunting and (most importantly) it makes my reloading life easier. If you are near Central Jersey, I usually shoot at Shore Shot on Tuesdays (but occasionally at Brick Armory) on Tuesdays. Let me know, and I'll bring it and let you shoot it.

Thanks Jon. That's awesone. I will need it some time next week after the parts arive.

Thanks Ted. I should be OK. I have an assembled upper already. I just need to put together a lower.

I have a Spike tactical upper in 22LR, in addition to the standard 223 that came with my rifle. I was wondering how much wear I put on the detent pins and locking holes in the upper and lower by frequently swapping between my uppers. I found out that Spike's Tactical has a special and is selling their lowers for $89.95 (50% off) and Lower parts kits from DPMS for $49.95 (25% off). All I need besides that is a stock and buffer tube (the 22LR upper doesn't require a buffer or buffer spring). I can have a new complete AR for under $200. I went for it and ordered the parts yesterday. The AR lower isn't too complex, and I have a book on building ARs. I'll post on how the build goes. Here are the links: Spikes Tactical Specials http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.p ... e=specials Rock River Arms ButtStock Assembly http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm? ... ory_id=296 Rock River Buffer Tube, Spacer, and Buttplate screw (I chose Rock River. I know there are probably other vendors out there with better prices/quality). http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm? ... ory_id=287

Hill Road in Farmingdale, I think. The official site only lists a PO box there. I found the location by searching on the net on other sites.

True enough. I don't know much about them either. Old Bridge and Monmouth are the closest to me, although $384 a year for Old Bridge is more than I would be happy paying. And from Melgamatic's post, it sounds like CJRPC doesn't have the monopoly on grumpy old men.

I live in Atlantic Highlands. None of the ranges I listed are super close, although Monmouth isn't too bad in Farmingdale. I would really like an outdoor range to be able to bring my rifles to. The whole NJGF CJRPC visit thread makes me question whether it's worth it to join there, although the facilities are supposedly excellent. I know a few forum members who belong to CJRPC. Does anyone here belong to Monmouth County RPC? Does anyone have any pros/cons for all of them? Recoomedations for me? Thanks in advance.