Richard

And they still require spousal permission. OTOH, I had my ID and Permits in less than a month after all papers were submitted (which took about two weeks).

59 Been shooting for seven weeks.

I grew up in Pennsauken. When I was dating in HS Vitos was a Hardee's, and the shopping center at the corner of Brace and Haddonfield-Berlin -where the Burger King is now - was the Cherry Hill Arena, home of the Eastern Hockey League "Jersey Devils"! Now THAT was hockey!!!! If you don't remember those things, we probably didn't go to school together. I graduated HS in '71. My group of friends from Pennsauken used to hang out with a couple groups of guys from East and West.

King of Pizza is most certainly back, has been for years. Only left for about a year after it burned to the ground. In the greater Cherry Hill metropolitan area Vito's (I live two blocks from there) makes a good pie and so does Bruno's. BUT, the best pie going, especially for a sausage pie, has to be King of Pizza. Hands down the best there is. Thin crispy crust, good sauce and LOADED with shredded, spicy sausage. Been going there since I was a little kid. Took dates there in high school. The new building doesn't have the uniqueness of the original, but the pizza is as good as ever.

I'll try the mainspring trick. Thanks. As far as the barrel goes, I pushed on it for all I was worth. Wouldn't budge. Then again, I'm just a weak old guy.

I just got the long barreled Hunter a few weeks ago from Arms N Ammo at a very good price. It's also my first firearm of any kind. I love it. It's eaten about 500 rounds of the Mini-Mags w/o any problems whatsoever. Fired 30 rounds of Federal Auto Match w/o problems. I tried 50 rounds of Federal Champion in the middle of all the CCI and had four malfunctions: 2 FTE, 1 FTFire and 1 FT Feed. I'll stick with the Mini-Mags. Didn't clean it until it had 580 rounds through it. Stripping and re-assembly were really not a problem. I also needed the rubber mallet to remove and install the barrel. Two or three sharp whacks did the job. Oddly, I needed to use a pliers (jaws wrapped in rubber) to swing out the mainspring housing. I flipped out that little unlocking lever and pulled on it but the housing wouldn't budge. Once it was clear of the frame it swung freely. Pulled it out of the gun w/o any tools. Gun functions perfectly though, so I'll assume it will loosen up with time. I don't mind the V-notch rear sight and like using the smallest green fiber optic front sight. Looking forward to using it again this week at the range. Good luck with yours. Richard

Finally got a chance to go to the range yesterday for the first time with my new Hunter. Put 140 rounds of CCI Mini Mags through it (with the help of Pizza Bob.... thanks PB!) and not a single FTE or FTF. The gun ran perfectly! The only negative: I couldn't pick up the red fiber optic front sight in the dim light, so switched to the green. It helped but still wasn't ideal in the indoor range. Couldn't be my 58 y/o eyes could it? Naah.... Should be much better at the outdoor range. This pistol is definitely a keeper.

I don't mind the way it looks and I really don't care that it's there at all. I'm thinking in terms of it causing extraction or ejection problems. I've read of others online that have had some problems due to the pressure on the casing. If mine doesn't cause any problems I'll leave it in place. If it does cause problems, or I think it may be causing problems, I'll disable it and see if it is actually the problem. If it is, then I'd decide whether to leave it disabled or remove it and insert a plastic or stainless steel plug. I would never just leave it empty. Stainless Steel Plug: http://gallery.me.com/sgtlmj/100169/IMG_2567.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12907322530001 http://gallery.me.com/sgtlmj/100169/IMG_2571/web.jpg

What makes you so sure he didn't really mean the first one??

To paraphrase Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood): A man's got to read his owners manuals.

As I said, I considered upgrading the action. I'm also thinking about deleting the magazine disconnect. Don't remember where I saw it, but there is a delete kit for the loaded chamber indicator also. I think it consisted of a plastic snap-in "cover" plate that installs in the groove after the indicator is removed. I'll see as time progresses how I get along with each of those items. I love to tinker with stuff -- it's a curse!

The Ruger Mark III's have a pin in the bolt that goes through an oval cut-out in the firing pin to prevent it from hitting the breach. Check out the exploded diagram in the owners manual. You'll be able to pick it out. Part of the procedure for field stripping the Mark III involves dry firing the pistol. And Ruger does make a point about making sure that pin doesn't fall out when removing or re-installing the bolt. I bought a couple hundred rounds each of the CCI mini mags and the Federal Auto Match ammo to try out. Figured I'd use the CCI first and then try the Federal.

It's good to hear you all having a good experience with the Hunter. I just bought mine (my first firearm of any sort) last Thursday. Planning to go to the range this Wednesday and try it out. Can't wait! Aside from how accurate it's said to be, it just plain looks nasty! Since I've got nothing to compare it with, the trigger feels just fine to me. I thought about putting a Volquartsen trigger kit into it right away, but decided I should get a good feel for it first and see how I do with it. If at some point I get better than the gun, I can always upgrade the action. What kind of ammo have you all been using? I've heard it can be a "picky eater".

David, I just got my FID/P2P today. It looks like you submitted your paperwork about two weeks after I did. So....

Just got my initial FID and P2P from Cherry Hill P.D. today. About 37 days from submission of application and 26 days from when they received references. Everyone I talked to during the entire process was nothing but friendly, polite and professional. Thank You CHPD!!

Welcome, David! I'm in the Woodcrest section of Cherry Hill and also a noob. Interested more in pistols, though. I filed my paperwork about two weeks ago after waiting two weeks to get FP'd. My wife and both of my references were sent forms from CHPD which had to be notorized. It took the CHPD a few days to send out the forms. When I dropped off my paperwork the woman behind the big glass windows said it would take "about a month" to be processed and that they would call me. We'll see. Once I've got my permits maybe we can meet up and go shooting somewhere. Good luck. Richard

Pizza Bob, When you're right, you're right. Somehow I got the model 41 mixed up with the 22A. Just a little difference there, huh! AFA which type of competition(s) I'll wind up doing is still up in the air. I'm still trying to figure out what they all are. Every time I think I've got it i find out another piece of information. Like I said, I've got tons to learn. Do you prefer the Mark III's to the Buck Mark's? Why? Non of my business, but.... do you wear orthotics??? If PF has been a long standing problem that you haven't been able to get a handle on PM me and I may be able to help you out. Thanks for pointing out my mistake. Richard

Would the S&W Model 41 be a good pistol to start out with? I've read good and bad about it - although I've read good and bad about every pistol I've checked out. Its list price is significantly lower than any of my short list choices. I can't remember his name, but there's a guy with a really big bug up his butt for S&W - writing reviews really trashing their business model and their product. Maybe I'm mis-interpreting what he's saying. I've still got tons to learn about this sport. Thanks, Richard

Gerry, I haven't been able to find much info about Square Circle Sportman Club. Could you fill me in? That location is only ten minutes from my house. Doesn't get much more convinient than that! I use Covered Bridge Road frequently. George, My sister-in-law's husband grew up in Ashland on Pelham Ave.right off Burnt Mill Road - across from the PATCO station. What part of C.H. are you in now? Seems there's a bunch of us locally. Richard

Wow! Thanks for all the replies and information. Maksim, I'm sure I haven't found all of the different types of competitive shooting yet. But from what I have seen so far, Bullseye and the Rim Fire look pretty cool. I'll need to be more of a static shooter. I had both knees replaced last year and although they are finally beginning to feel better there is no way I'm as mobile as I used to be. I have lateral movement, but not quickly. Kneeling is something I'd like to avoid. I can do it, but it's got to be well padded and not for extended periods of time. As far as my shoulders go it's not as bad as I may have made it seem. My right shoulder has some rotator cuff issues which are mild and my left shoulder is fine. I just need to keep up with the weight training I started a couple weeks ago. I'm seeing progress already. I read somewhere to hold up a weight about equal to your gun outstretched in your shooting hand for 90 seconds. I thought... no problem... and tried it. Big surprise! That's when I started with the weight training. I briefly checked out a couple of videos on the M&P 22. Could be a contender. I'll check them both out this weekend. Thanks! John, Good point about them being MSRP's. I was just trying to get a feel of relative costs among the pistols on the list. The more I learn about these guns, the more I'm leaning toward the Browning's. They seem to be very similar in quality and accuracy to the Ruger's and weigh a bit less. If I go with a 5.5" barrel they weigh a lot less hanging off the end of an outstretched arm. Which barrel lengths do you and your son use? Is there really a big difference with group size? I read one guys opinion that the longer barrel could be a detriment if you're not steady because there is more time for you to "pull' the bullet off the target since it's in the barrel longer. Thanks! Tommy3rd, Thanks for the info. If I'm doing it correctly it looks like I'm one of those mixed up cross-eye dominant folks! I was standing with my right foot back, leg almost straight leaning forward with my left leg more bent at the knee which had me standing at about a 45 degree angle to the target. I pointed a pen at something about eight feet away and did the "eye thing". Sure enough I stayed on target with my right eye and not with the left., Thanks! Stephanie, I understand your thinking about the .22 -- and I didn't know you could alter the caliber of a weapon. Something to consider. However, the cost of ammunition is a big factor right now. Between my other "hobbies" and the fact I've got two kids in college I'd like to keep this as reasonably cheap as possible. I does appear that if I shoot bullseye I'll need other weapons of larger caliber in addition to the .22. Do I need my FID to go to a range and fire a weapon? Thanks for your help. M4BGRINGO, Thanks, I haven't ruled out the possibility of a revolver. On the one hand I think they're cool. On the other they only hold five or six shots. Eliminates feed problems though!! nascar, Which Hunter are you referring to? The Ruger or the Browning? I just love the look of those two guns. I know there is much more to be considered than looks of course, but they don't get much more "Dirty Harry" looking than those. How do you feel about the balance of those guns - and the weight? What cartridges work well with your Hunter? If it's a Ruger, is the field strip as big a problem as some say it is? I can't imagine banging away on my new gun with any type of hammer! Thanks. Harry, My older son used to race karts at Englishtown Raceway. That's "up" for us! Only about an hour though. Like I mentioned above, I think I'd be more suited for events with less "action" due to my new titanium/polymer knees. Other than the bullseye, I don't know what the other competitions you mentioned involve. I'll do some more research over the weekend. I'm thinking more stand/sit and shoot or move "quickly" but not running between shooting areas. The single hand shooting sounds like it would be both challenging and fun. I've really been feeling the need for some competition. Need an outlet for the stress of everyday life. This sounds like it could be just the ticket. Thanks for the reply. Again, thanks to all for your help! Richard

George, I'm in the original Woodcrest section. Bought it as a "starter" house 30 years ago and just never got around to moving! Now that the kids are grown and close to moving out it's the perfect size house again... not to mention paid off!!! My sister-in-law married a guy who grew up in Ashland. Not sure what the section is called. Small world. I see there are a few of us from this area. I assume you wrench on cars as another form of recreation? My older son road races Miata's in SCCA. He drives, I do ALL the rest. Thanks for all the welcomes!

Hey guys and gals. As I said in my first post in the introduction section, I'm just getting started. I shot some in camp as a kid (more years ago than I care to admit) and feel the calling again. I've been doing a lot of internet reading trying to learn as much as possible - and I've gathered a bunch of useful information. I tried to get more info at a couple area gun shops but once they learned I didn't have my FID I was pretty much dismissed. Oh, well. I've kinda settled on pistol target shooting in .22 mostly because of cost and because I don't think my wrists and shoulders can take the pounding of the higher caliber ammunition. Once I know what I'm doing I'd like to start shooting competitively. I think it will be easier to learn and progress with the smaller caliber also. I'm a southpaw w/ medium size hands. I've narrowed down a list of possible pistols but I'm open to other suggestions Make/Model...................................................................List Price..................Weight Ruger Mark III Hunter 6-7/8” barrel.............................638.00....................41.0 oz Ruger Mark III Target 5.5”.............................................430.00....................42.0 oz Sig Mosquito Sport 4.9”...............................................465.00....................27.8 oz S&W 22A – HI-VIZ Green Dot – Soft touch grips......319.00....................35.3 oz Browning Buck Mark standard URX...........................459.99....................34.0 oz Browning Buck Mark Practical URX........................... 429.99....................34.0 oz Browning Buck Mark Contour 5.5 URX.......................539.99....................36.0 oz Browning Buck Mark Contour 7.5 URX.......................549.99....................39.0 oz Browning Buck Mark Hunter 7.25 Wood....................479.99....................38.0 oz Possibly a revolver??? I'm leaning toward the Browning's with Ruger close behind, and trying to decide between the 5" and 7" barrels. My price range is pretty much what's in the list. The Ruger Hunter is stretching that range a bit. Any advice, comments, suggestions would be welcome. Oh, one other thing. I've searched but can't seem to find anything on how to determine which is your dominant eye. I'm a southpaw, and every time I lift an imaginary gun in my left hand as if to aim at a target, I find myself wanting to use my right eye!!! I shoot, throw, kick and write left; but I bat and golf right. I'd like to establish a relationship with a reasonably local shop. I like the idea of one stop shopping. I want a place where they know me and I know them. Who do you like dealing with? If you're not comfortable saying it on-line just PM or Email me. It will remain between us. Looking forward to meeting some of you on the range in the future. As I said earlier, any constructive input is welcome. I've got tons more questions but this is enough to chew on for now. Thanks, Richard

Hi, all. My name is Richard and I want to introduce myself. I've got all my paperwork filled out and I'm just waiting for my fingerprint appointment which is scheduled for next week. Had to wait two weeks for an opening! I happened to be talking to someone in my office a month or two back and he was telling me about how he shoots and how much he enjoys it. Got me thinking about how much I enjoyed shooting a .22 bolt action rifle as a kid at summer camp - at the time I had an NRA Sharpshooter rating. So after kicking it around for a few weeks I decided to take the plunge and get myself another hobby. I started another thread in the rimfire section of the fourm going into more specifics. Hope to meet some of you in the future. Richard