nott

The FN SLP has two well-known issues. The carrier latch will attempt to eat your thumb during loading. Most people who use it for 3gun opt for a modification that renders the latch slightly less bloodthristy: http://www.c-rums.com/Carriers.html The second issue is with the gas system. The gas piston's spring has been known to crack or break during operation. Outfits like SureCycle (SRM Performance) offer a piston sealing service (runs something like $35), removing the piston spring entirely. Here's a good overview of the problem and the gas system's operation: http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/shotguns/32640-understanding-shotgun-gas-systems-fn-slp-winchester-sx2-sx3-browning-silver.html My gun functions just fine after the modifications above, but for $1000, I'd expect a bit better from FN. -

A maybe here.

An open dialogue of the issues is beneficial to both current members of the club and potential new ones. If you have facts to refute other people's claims, you're welcome to do so, but I certainly don't appreciate your attempts to stop the ongoing discussion.

You'll find a great divide on the matter of mechanical break-in and its effects in many hobbies - shooting, audio, auto; and depending on the hobby and whom you talk to, the imagined and real effects will range from significant and measurable to negligible and imperceptible. In this particular instance, I don't think it matters. Enjoy your Wilson, it's a fine gun, and post some good photos while you're at it. -

I've owned and shot more than a few Wilsons. Not a single one needed any sort of break-in. All were flawless with ball ammo. If you pistol is particularly tight, I suppose it's fathomable that you may experience some stoppages during your first few hundred rounds, but I've personally never seen a gun that's gone through a miraculous transformation at an arbitrary round count and somehow became reliable. To your question, you can safely disregard the recommendation and clean it. Or you can just take it to the range and shoot it - it will make no difference. -

Thanks. How do you find the cheek weld with that combination of the swept stock and the raised diopter rear? It seems like it could be compromised at that sight height, but it's difficult to judge from the picture. -

I'd be curious to know about the details on the Lux, as well, Urban Grunt. -

This depends entirely on your goal and the location of your adventures. I was only pointing out that gear creep will surely impact your ability to enjoy the outdoors. A honest, realistic assessment of what you want out of being on the trail will go a long way. Don't be that guy that carries an 8 person tent and the kitchen sink. When backpacking in the wilderness in a group of 4, we will normally have 2 stoves, 2 water filters, everyone carries headlamps and backup batteries, minimalistic medkits and the standard essentials. Day hiking on the east coast is a different affair, and we often take little else aside from the bare minimum (water, map, some bandaid). -

To reiterate the blindingly obvious - backpacking, camping and survival are completely different activities, and as such ideally require different gear. You're not going to enjoy backpacking with 60 lbs of survival/old school camping gear on your back - you want to go reasonably light while retaining the essentials. -

I've shouldered the following stocks: Magpul STR, CTR, ACS-L, LMT SOPMOD and a Vltor EMOD. The cheekweld of the SOPMOD, EMOD and the STR is fantastic, you could fall asleep on them. The ACS-L's cheekweld is generous and the CTR provides only a modest one. A lot depends on your rifle and how you intend to use it. I find cheekweld space more critical for prone shooting and would steer you toward SOPMOD/EMOD/STR for that. Rifle balance is another consideration. On a front light rifle a CTR could be perfectly adequate, while providing better balance than either of the other, heavier options. Another concern is stock length, which is going to affect your length of pull once it's pinned. Finally, you need to assess your need for a skittles storage compartment for taking your game at the range to the next level. I personally ended up going with an EMOD over a SOPMOD for my recent acquisition for its ergonomics and aesthetics, but I could be equally happy with either a SOPMOD or an STR. -

I jumped with the same outfit a few weeks ago - it's been on my list of personal greatest fears for a while now, so I had to do it. It's sheer unadulterated terror for the few seconds that it takes you and the instructor to stabilize and reach terminal velocity - and awesome from then on. Definitely doing it again and possibly considering AFF. -

Ah, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. One can dream. -

One certainly doesn't usually need an optic on a lever action rifle: it adds weight, it looks anachronistic; but if I absolutely wanted to scope one, it would be with the lowest profile optic I could find, something not unlike the Weaver. http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y354/Belt-Feeder/Guns%20and%20Stuff/thomaspics091.jpg Another, (period correct ) option is a tang peep sight. -

The Weaver, while a nice little optic, isn't a rimfire/level gun scope, and is parallax free at 100 yards. If your shooting takes place mostly at distances of 25-50 yards, you will potentially experience some parallax error, albeit a minimal one, considering the scope's small objective and low power. Just something to keep in mind. -

And it has the advantage of being ambidextrous. It's just a bit difficult to retrain oneself when shooting mainly 1911s -

That and eventual availability of aftermarket accessories. Truth be told, I've run about a thousand rounds through the PPS and still find myself less than efficient on mag changes. Granted, it isn't meant to be a game or a range gun, yet I find myself wishing for a more conventional mag release regardless. -

Nice pistol, I have one and take it to the range once in a while. It's a surpsisingly fast shooter in 9mm, the sights return to the POA quicker than I manage with some of my full size guns. In my opinion, it is the perfect form-factor for IWB carry. I'm surprised it took S&W that look to come out with the Shield. -

Elegant, as always, Paul. How does it shoulder compared to the McMillan A5? -

The 18" SLP is legal and is a fantastically fun shotgun. I believe you could also throw the 22" barrel on it, but it'll cost you. -

How does one get started in fishing, specifically trout fishing? I'm interested in picking it up for diversifying the dinner menu during my backpacking trips; but having no prior experience I'm not certain where to begin. -

Marlboro Township PD has an additional form that notifies your workplace (a person of your choice) of your permit application. -

I'd be interested, should enough people pull out due to weather. -

I'm currently considering the Frontier model with the octagon barrel, but having doubts as to its build quality (it can be had for a suspiciously low price of $300+ these days). Any comments? -

I've owned a CQB Elite in .45ACP, a CQB Elite in 9mm, a Tactical Elite and a Stealth. I still have the 9mm Elite and the Tac Elite. All four were fantastic guns and I've had zero issues with any of them. If I were in the market for another "semi-custom" 1911, I would undoubtedly go with another Wilson Combat, based on the positive prior experience - both with the quality of the product and their good (though not perfect) customer service. It's worth noting, however, that with the price increases in the recent few years, Wilson 1911s are becoming less attractive propositions, compared to, say, their counterparts in the Ed Brown lineup. And for the premium a Wilson Supergrade pistol commands, it is my opinion that one would be better off going with a top tier true custom shop instead. Word of a warning about Les Baer. They are generally good, functional guns, but in the department of aesthetics and finish - if that is at all important to you - are inferior to Wilson and Brown. Their customer service can be a nightmare, as well. -

I'd like to point out that not everyone is happy with the HK416. Here's an interesting post from m4c: http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=92876&page=2 It's all mostly anecdotal, but nonetheless valuable and notable.