Maksim

This is not the same gun being marketed. This is the essentially mag less AR. The one being sold in the IG picture and as posted are the newer "Non-NFA" guns with a detachable mag. Interesting, the "Non-NFA" gun is only for CT or NJ... it is NOT legal in MA, NY, CA, or MD. Wonder the specific difference. https://www.dark-storm.com/dsi/variant-1/v1-firearms/dsi-variant-1-non-nfa-firearm-5.56/

Personally? I think it's a fad. (in the consumer segments). Optics have been used in various circles for quite a while already and are just getting popular with mainstream. In either case, talking to a few FFL's today, was told very few are actually coming in and asking for optics ready firearms. I think it is also a tad interesting that Smith & Wesson has not updated the M&P Core to the 2.0 treatment. I think there is also the fact of how many people will spend another $300 on top of the gun to add the optic?

I promise you it is only a matter of time.... I will see what my contact at PSA says. See, for $499, I can see this being a cheap bet. Spending $1,500 on something oh so in your face... I would not be able to justify. Honestly, knowing that Troy is making one of these... PSA is likely to have these within 30 days as all of these parts are readily available.

Are we talking the pistol brace thing? So that is not the central issue here... it is that this gun was made with the forward vertical grip, thus "Designed" to be fired two hands... much like that "Brace" was not designed to be fired off of the shoulder. For NJ, this non-AOW status basically tries to thread a very small hole where it is not a pistol, not a rifle, and not an AOW. So not subject to the pistol weight limit. Of course, what I think this will do is simply cause 1 of 2 things to happen... 1. NJ redefines these guns and sneaks it into the next set of bills. 2. Gets ATF off their ass and shut down the whole "pistol" thing... which would be bad. In any case, this will be a bigger issue in NJ than when NJSP said an M1 Carbine clone was okay... until it wasn't. Just a matter of time until an SBR with a vertical fore grip is seen as precisely as that. lol. But yes... I believe to own one of these... it needs to be purchased... rather than built....

So that's precisely the problem... what percentage of gun buyers are reloaders? Off the top of my head for the guns I own I would not buy these if I did not reload.... 1. Springfield XDm 45 GAP. 2. All of the 9mm Makarovs... 3. Swedish Mauser 6.5 Sweed 4. The two Swiss 7.5 Swiss 5. 41 Remington Mag revolvers 6. Jap Arisaka 7. All of the 8mm Mauser guns. And the new bolt guns in 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, and likely 6.5 CM. Factory ammo is avail but it is stupid expensive. 6.5 CM is gaining a lot of new buyers so ammo is basically on par with regular quality 308. There are simply more people who buy factory 9mm, 40 sw, 45 acp than folks who effectively now reload 10mm, 357 sig, FN 5.7. Fortunately, even in 9mm, due to rising popularity of gun games and suppressors, 147 grain 9mm is getting more and more available without having to be loaded. And let's be honest here... how many fans of 10mm are fans of 10mm cause it is different. lol. We all have those things. That is why I keep jokingly supporting 45 GAP. Commercially a FAILURE BUT... it is unique. lol. Humn, maybe I will go load up some.

I am just wondering how many of the people buying these will be 100% able to explain why it is not a rifle, not a pistol or an AOW. =P

So the company is from NY and makes "NY Compliant" guns. So from the the website... https://www.dark-storm.com/dsi/variant-1/v1-firearms/dsi-variant-1-non-nfa-firearm-5.56/ So will have to defer to the NJ people who are up on it... BUT... Certainly not a rifle... BUT isn't NJ defining pistols itself anyway? Personally, I would be quite concerned shooting it in NJ myself as you will certainly attract attention. With the Franklin Armory product at least it is more explainable, non-rifled barrel.

So if you want, here is a good option... a member here, is selling his M&P 9mm. @Underdog A great way to save money. Invest the other $150 into ammo/range/training. Or that Glock 19.

It's funny, I was talking to a few industry executives at a large manufacturer about 10mm and why they don't make more guns in 10mm. The 10mm cult is quite loud and has actually seen a rise in popularity as more states allowed straight walled cartridges for hunting. With it, the rise in 10mm guns we saw over the past few years. The issue is... the 10mm market is like a Chihuahua... it yaps yaps yaps... but doesn't go out there and buy guns in numbers to justify it. Commercially, 10mm today is nothing more than a cult. So will it die? No, I don't think so because since the 80's and Don Johnson Bren Ten, white ferrari days, it is already "dead." I just think we will see less marketing hype around it. As you pointed out, 10mm beats up a lot of guns fairly quick, especially those CZ clones from Tanfo that had cracked slides. Part of the issue is that much of the 10mm ammo is loaded hot as hell, +p or +p+. The other thing is that outside of reloaders... 10mm is expensive as hell. To a reloader, it will costs basically the same to reload 10mm as 40 sw... difference is the brass and once you have it, you have it. Only difference is the small increase in powder cost... even still, dirt cheap, less than $.01 differences. It is for non-reloaders where the problem is. 1. Can you go to Walmart and buy it? At mine... no. 2. Cost wise... cheapest 10mm at Cabelas is Herters, $18 per box. You can pick up 40 S&W for under $10 a box now. and BTW... I am still a proud carrying member of the 45 GAP club. lol. IT really is a nice round.... humn... I think I can run it on my ZEV or do a 80 build for it. And get it how I wanted it... with a suppressor.

Shane... SHHHHHH.... People need excuses to buy more shit.

Granted, I have not been involved in the management in the past few years, but looking nationally, Optics Carry seems to be well liked and growing in popularity. Agree on the rulebook and the new "gas pedals" being okay in Production is a total Shooting pistol caliber carbines... I do understand, but I think net net, USPSA needed to allow them, otherwise, we already saw 3 gun take away a lot of membership. I would think perhaps a separate event like steel challenge? But in any case, you are starting to sound like a USPSA old timer FUDD! =P

Newer Canik guns are quite good and a very cheap alternative to a quality, all around gun. The main issue I have seen pop up with numerous FFLs and other gun owners is that well, it is made in Turkey. There are a few issues that come up with this... 1. It was bad enough with "Made in Croatia" for Springfield XD, but "Made in Turkey," a country in Europe that is culturally NOT European and is an Islamic nation. I think Turkey is better than "Made in UAE" that was on Caracal guns, but they had their own issues.... leading to... 2. Canik is an experienced company but a new entrant to the United States gun market. There are of course ongoing issues with what happens if they decide to pull out. When Caracal had their recall, it was a clusterf that screwed many people. When you are dealing with a foreign, "second-world" nation, there are concerns. Of course, this is why the price is reflected as such. Hope that helps. Will say, two FFLs I spoke with today, NJGF Vendors, both commented that Canik makes a good pistol and represents a good value. The issue is of course as we discussed, NOT the pistol.

Done.

Why is Carry Optics so bad? Or should it all go back to 45 ACP 1911s?

What questions do you suggest I add or choices edited?

Thanks. So for "Optics Ready" I am not simply talking about a pistol with interchangeable plates, but pistols that are also milled deep for a specific optic, i.e. My ZEV OZ9 comes milled specifically for an RMR pattern. So generally mean, either or... plates like MOS type systems OR milled already for a specific optic. Versus going out and having the slide milled after the purchase of a pistol. I am also glad for your unique point of view from the LEO/Mil aspect and I think that is where it is going to differ from most of the consumers. Will edit the options but yes, I totally get it that it is a tool and makes you more capable. Thanks.

hehe yes... the equipment race... $10k in gear to get started. =P Although like any other games. Doug Koenig shoots PRS with a stock Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 CM and has no issues. I am tempted to play in PRS but all of the extra stuff required is just driving me bonkers... and I am not even talking about a simple Kestrel and a ballistics app.

What Cult do you want to belong to? As a gun universalist, I believe all firearms are cool, it would be tough to go wrong with any of the brands mentioned here so far. I do think for your first gun, buy something reasonably priced and main stream. Odds are you don't know WTF you want or what your preferences are... and they will all change anyway. There is no sense buying something super specific that you will have issues selling in the future, i.e. CZ 75 SP01, Sig P226, HK P30, 1911s, Springfield XDM, any FN, etc. They are great guns... but resale value on them blows... why? Not quite mainstream. For first gun, assuming you have one pistol permit? Around $300 - Ruger Security 9 $400 to $500 - M&P 9mm $500 to $550/$600 - CZ P10C, Glock 19, Sig P320 I would not spend more than that on a first gun. Sig P320 is nice that it is modular (big deal in NJ), but not sure of accessory prices. I am not crazy about the trigger, very plasticy feel. I do not recommend any HK for first gun as mags and accessories are STUPID EXPENSIVE, unless you are $$$$ bags or buying a gun to impress someone. Ruger Security 9 for around $300 is a great gun with a nice trigger. Very low cost investment to get you going and practicing. M&P 9 is a solid pistol with fairly cheap accessories (mags, holsters, etc) and won't hold you back. Again, cheap enough not to regret buying one (as long as it is not in 40 sw). CZ P10C, is unique as that it is cultish and mags are a bit expensive and you will have a hard time selling it... but it is a solid pistol and at the top end of what a striker fired pistol should be. Glock 19 is the Toyota Camry of the gun world. Solid, reliable. Gen 5 brings nice upgrades. Mags and accessories are really cheap. I would apply for more permits and at least pick up another 22 LR pistol so you can really practice, a lot.

Benchrest match? As far as I know there are no PRS matches in NJ?

Hey guys and gals. So we have had a number of optics ready discussions and writing an article on this. Would appreciate some responses to the poll and if you can share your opinions here. Thanks!

Many of you likely know that Apple just announced some new high end devices. What they are getting crap for is a $1,000 monitor stand... yep.

Will have to update the error message but it is there for a purpose, we want people to read the section rules before entering it.