kristi

My vote would be to go to a range with rentals (Shore Shot has a nice program where you pay by caliber, which is good if you want to try out several... Pocono Pistol and several other PA ranges also have rentals) and shoot everything that interests you. Buy what feels right! That being said, IMO, a glock 34 is great for everything EXCEPT CCW (too big). The only other drawback is 10 round mags in NJ (the standard is 17 rounds, but in NJ they give you 10's, because Glock doesn't make 15's for that gun). A Glock 19 is a fantastic all around gun... 15 round mags, medium size, suitable for almost any purpose. They are VERY popular... I've seen a few weeks wait for them before (gen 3's, before the gen 4's came out... I don't have much interest in gen 4's myself, at least until someone shows me why they're better... gen 3's are more than field proven. I like the RTF grip, but I put AGrip on everything anyway). If you have no interest in CCW, and you don't mind the 10 round capacity (assuming you live in NJ) then a Glock 17 or 34 will give you a little more sight radius.

Purely out of curiousity, what shotgun will you be shooting and how are you setting it up? IIRC it was ten rounds to start, so I figured there was no point in (me) trying it with 6+1... I will be shooting stock auto on friday afternoon

It's easy to swap out barrels, but I am not sure how the factory magazine extension on the 870 Express Tactical (thats one of the 7+1 models right?) is going to factor into the swap. You might have to take the extension off? I don't have much experience with the extensions, so hopefully someone who does will comment on this. Also, if you get the model with the Ghost Ring sights (which I believe the current production Express Tacticals have) the rear sight is on the reciever itself, and would still be present after a barrel swap. Remington makes a 7+1 round HD model that is similar (and cheaper!) without the ghost ring sights too, but I believe it has a cylinder bore, not the door breaching choke (or any remchokes). Cabela's sells a special (Cabela's only) HD/field combo that is 4+1, and comes with an 18.5" barrel with the door breaching choke, and a 26" VR barrel. If you're interested in tactical 870's, check out this website: http://aiptactical.com/Build_Your_Weapon.html Yes, they build custom 870's, but somewhere on the website (which I can't find at the moment) they explain the exact differences between an 870P (police model) and an Express (besides being built in a dedicated part of the factory, there are several kep differences, but most are parts you can swap out yourself). A Wingmaster is a little different than an 870P, but it might help with figuring out what you want to change/improve on your 870. They also tell you flat out that while they build great custom stuff, an 870 Express HD is a great, durable shotgun that will serve you well if you can't or don't want to buy a custom gun. I appreciated their honestly

Welcome! If you move north, you will be closer to Cherry Ridge (http://www.anjrpc.org/?cherry_ridge). Not right around the corner, but it's a nice drive, a very friendly, family oriented range, and a tremendous value (about $140/year, or $200 for a family, and they are open every day of the year from sunrise to sundown, except for 2 or 3 holidays and 2 work weekends. They have ranges for nearly any type of firearm too...

Thanks Ray Ray! Like father like daughter I guess

Glock magazines are extremely common... you can buy them in just about any gun shop or catalog. Stick with factory mags for now (some people do use Korean made (KCI) mags for practice... YMMV. I'd stick with OEM/factory mags to start). Shop around for a good price ($25 is average to good), factoring in any shipping, where you need to buy other stuff from (combining shipping), and any coupons you may have (MidwayUSA.com usually has some promo codes available). While I'm not a huge fan of the standard plastic Glock factory sights, I don't think you need to replace them right away either... shoot your new aquisition for a while, get comfortable with it, look at what sights others are using (and what you like and can see well), and then decide. The sight that came on your gun will work fine, are plenty durable for the average person, and are not any less accurate than aftermarket sights. You CAN install your own sights... but for best results you need a tool that costs about $100 (whether you COULD do it without the tool depends on the sights, but I wouldn't try it, especially with tritium sights that could break), as well as some odds and ends (smaller tools, loctight, etc). How easy it is depends on the sights. I installed my XS Big Dots myself and it was fast and easy. My father installed my Heinie Slant Pro rear sight (different pistol) and it required some fitting and filing to get it in place. Both sets came out great, but we already have the tools to do it, and my father is experienced with these things (I just borrowed the tool and followed the directions, but I chose the easier sights to install). Many places that sell sights (gun shops, some catalogs or websites, such as CPWSA.COM) also offer an installation service. This may be well worth the cost unless you plan on changing a lot of sights or you can easily borrow the tools needed. You may also be able to get someone from the board to help you or do it for you if you ask. Clean is good, but you don't want to over lubricate your Glock, or put anything, ever, in the firing pin channel. Glocks like to be run relatively dry, and while dirty isn't great, you'd have to practically soak it in mud to get one to fail. Just field strip it, clean it up, and sparingly lubricate a few key points. Here's a video that shows where to lube... DO make sure the magazines are firmly seated and locked into the pistol, no need to be gentle with them. When you rack the slide, let it slam closed. If the slide is locked open, you can either use the slide release or rack it closed. Either way, let it slam closed, don't ease it closed. You will not harm the pistol. My 19's slide once took a flight downrange at Cherry Ridge (I was not shooting it, it was empty and I believe being disassembled at the time, not by me, but anyway...). It bounced a few times, and suffered no ill effects. It's fired thousands of rounds since and it's 110% reliable, with barely a nick on it. Where do you usually shoot? If you're having problems with your pistol, see if you can meet up with some more experienced shooters from the board or make friends with a range master at your range when it's not too busy. Glocks should (and usually do) shoot great straight out of the box, so a few tips and some practice will probably have it running great in no time!

+1 And just wanted to add... on any given day many/most people will be using the target stand bases at closer distances... you certainly won't be the only one! CR is a great range... I've been shooting there for as long as I can remember (really... I was probably 6 or 7 when Dad started taking me to the plinking range there!) The RO's are very nice, it's a very friendly range for everyone, but especially for women (since you mentioned your wife) and families. Welcome to the forum, and to Sussex County

If you want to get started in IDPA, the M&P 9 would be my choice (of the choices listed For myself I'd choose a Glock 34, which is pretty similar). Good gun for SSP, or USPSA Production. You could use a 1911, but 9mm is cheaper (to buy or reload) so practice and matches will be more affordable. If you want a nice 1911 under $700, check out the STI Spartans as well. Very nice, reasonable price, and good shooters. They look plain (parkerized, plain but nice wood grips), but come with some nice features and good sights.

from http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/sbillint/sb0036.pdf : 37 (ii) In addition to meeting the other qualifications for the issuance of a concealed 38 firearm permit under this section, a nonresident applicant shall: 39 (A) hold a current concealed firearm or concealed weapon permit issued by the 40 appropriate permitting authority of the nonresident applicant's state of residency that recognizes 41 the validity of the Utah permit in that state or has reciprocity with Utah's concealed firearm 42 permit law; and (iv) Beginning January 1, 2012, Subsection (1)(a)(ii) also applies to an application for 49 renewal of a concealed firearm permit by a nonresident. Looks to me like after 2012 you will not be eligible for renewal. Why, as a Utah nonresident holding a CCW permit from your own state "that recognizes the validity of the Utah permit in that state or has reciprocity with Utah's concealed firearm permit law" would you bother paying Utah for a non-resident permit? If your state's permit has reciprocity in UT, why not just save the money and use your existing (reciprocal) permit? They're going to lose a LOT of revenue on this one...

quote name='PK90' timestamp='1296395044' post='288030'] I would like to see a firearm and gun rights theme. How about sponsoring a "Friends of NRA" event and open it up to everybody? Good way to get recognition and bolster membership. +1 Even if seperate from the NJGF dinner/picnic idea, it would be great to have a NJGF table (or many!) at an Friends of the NRA dinner. The next one in NJ is THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 6:00 PM in Mountain Lakes, which is easy to get to from Rts 80 and 287, not too bad from the GSP or NJTP either. It's 8 weeks away... plenty of time to plan, and if you want NJGF shirts made up (as I've seen other groups do at these dinners) or pins or something (this would be my pick, as I wear dressy clothes to these dinners) there's time for that too. If it works out well, maybe it will spark an NJGF organized dinner in the future. I'd imagine it takes >6 months to plan one and get it on the calendar...

Really really fun and challenging, even bigger than Speed on Steel at OB. Bring lots of ammo, and lots of mags, and something with wheels to carry it all

Pocono Pistol in Stroudsburg, PA also has rentals (mostly $10/pistol + ammo I think) if you're closer to Rt.80 or in northwest NJ. Nice people... they had at least 2 Kimber 1911's and a S&W last I checked... maybe others, but I know they had those for rent, as well as a full line of Glocks, M&P's, some 22's, some revolvers, etc.

www.njeyesurgeons.com Offices in Dover and Bellville... Dr. D'Amato is a sportsman and will know what you're talking about regarding the sights, what you're trying to acomplish, etc. Good Luck

Hackettstown Guns & Ammo 147 Main Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840-1956 (908) 852-5260 I am not sure of the price for a GunBroker transfer... I want to say $30-35, but please don't quote me, my memory ain't that good :roll:

I don't see much benefit to a 17 over a 19 personally... slightly more sight radius, sure... but I don't find it makes a difference in my shooting, and it certainly wouldn't at SD distances. I actually shoot a 19 and a 34 with basically the same results... I don't find the 34 to be consistiently more accurate or faster. YMMV The 10 round mags are just a pain. The Glock 19 is an all around favorite. I can't think of any reason I'd buy a 17 myself... not living in NJ anyway. Have you shot a Glock 21sf yet? Some people are great with them... I have a few LEO friends who have them as duty guns and are very happy with them. Other people either find them too large (even the sf models have largish grips) or just don't like the feel of them (they're light compared to a full size 1911... and I find the weight of the heavier pistol balances out the power of the .45ACP nicely... and of course the ergonomics are different). If you like the gun, and shoot it well, go for it. If you shoot the 9mm better than that particular .45, then get a 9mm... shot placement over caliber IMO.