rlsbee

Can't miss this one! I'll be there.

Congrats. Enjoy every minute 'cause they grow up quick.

I love mine. I have a 4" 10 shot. My 11 year old grandson shoots it and in his words "that's one sweet revolver".

I spent 25 years building and working on Nukes. I still believe they are a viable source of energy. But.... boy did we screw up! There have been many years that have gone by since the last nuke was built. In that time span we have lost the opportunity to train and develop the very best work force for construction of these plants. Back when we were building nukes there were companies like Bechtel, United Engineers, Stone and Webster, Brown & Root, Catalytic Const. and others that had staffs to handle the massive amounts of paperwork, management, logistics, and engineering required. Also, there were many American companies that were licensed to produce nuclear related equipment. They had to possess what was called an "N' stamp. These were companies like GE, Westinghouse, and Babcock & Wilcox. Not to mention the scores of companies that produced cable, valves, pipe, pumps, etc. Some might still exist to produce nuclear components for the Navy, but on a much smaller scale. Will these companies jump back on the band wagon to produce these items again? Maybe, but I have doubts. My guess is that we'd be buying from foreign sources and, personally, I find that a bit intimidating. It's not that power companies gave up on nukes. It's that the business changed for all of the power companies. When they were de-regulated and power could be 'wheeled' across grids, it was far cheaper for them to buy power from plants that sat alongside a coal pit. De-regulation also let them expand their businesses to new and more profitable ventures that didn't require a huge capital investment, like a nuke. They re-structured the companies and it was a seperate part of the business after de-regulation so they didn't have to kick back to the ratepayers. I can tell you that one power company in New Jersey bought into leasing airliners, as an example. They would lease them from a foreign airline, and then lease them back to another foreign airline. Why? Tax breaks. Every time they did that they got a huge tax break for doing business with a foreign country. We still paid the same for power but they got richer. I have read that PSE&G is planning a new nuke in Salem County. Good luck. I hope they pull it off and can a build a quality plant. I agree with the others on Three Mile Island. Yes, there were mistakes but the plant worked the way it was supposed to. Same with other incidents that we've heard of. The nukes work with very strict regulations and that includes disclosure to the public. In all, I believe that nukes can be a viable source of energy but we got royally screwed with the de-regulation.

Thanks to all for the input. Very much appreciated.

Does anyone have any opinions on NRA training courses? I'm curious about taking training courses and I've never had a 'formal' training class. I suppose I'd have to start with the basics as a 'qualifier' course since most courses show a pre-requisite course. I'd be focusing on handgun use. I've also looked at training courses at this place: HarborSite USANA 224 Sand Bridge Road Elmer, NJ 08318 Anyone know anything about the place?

I bought a 226 as a .22. Didn't really go wild over it 'cause it jammed more than I liked (and I was using the Sig 'preferred' CCI Mini Mags). I was getting a jam where the round coming in was getting jammed under the slide and the spent round was stuck underneath. Didn't happen a whole lot but more than I liked. I sent it back to Sig and they put a new slide on it and it looked like a little work on the ramp. Afterward, it shoots great. I had considered selling it before that. I took it the range a few more times and liked it more every time I shot it. I originally bought it with the idea that someday I'd get a larger caliber 'X-change kit'. I found one locally in 9MM and bought it. I've always preferred revolvers but this Sig is just winning me over more and more. As a 9MM, it hasn't given me a bit of trouble and I really love shooting it. By the way, if ya buy it as a .22, then buy the larger caliber conversion it saves quite a bit over buying the larger caliber and then the .22. Don't know if you even considered that but it's a nice option 'cause the .22's are so much cheaper to practice with. Many have extolled the merits of doing this since it has the same 'feel' either way. I'm not so sure that I buy into that 100%. When I fire it in 9mm, to me, the feel is a little different. That's a reasonable expectation since the recoil is so much greater than the .22 and the slide and barrel are a little heavier. It's just enough that I don't quite buy the 'same feel' argument. I suppose the you can argue that the trigger pull and grip are the same, though. I know this was a little windy but I wanted to give you the bad and good of my experience. It's definitely a 'keeper' now.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. My wife's hobby is guns. She's the one with the .357 magnum.

Thanks to all of you. That was great info. I got curious after I wrote the post and went over to look at the Winchester again. It's a Model 94 and does have a serial number.

A friend asked me about some old rifles that she will be inheriting. I looked at them, briefly, and my guess is that the newest is a late 40's Mossberg 22. The other is a much older (I think) Winchester 30_30. Couldn't find any serial numbers on either one. They've been in her family for many years and nobody knows of any paperwork. I really didn't do much research for her, on these. She does have an FID, as does her husband. I didn't know what to tell her about possessing them legally. Can anyone give me an idea what she should do? (except shoot the heck out of 'em). I did advise her to have them checked before shooting either one. She would like to be able to take them to a range but she's afraid to do that unless she can prove that she owns them.

This was taken recently in Belle Plain. Not my photo. Not sure if there are two (the big 'un and a cub) or if that's two to the right. Could be a stump but I'm not sure.

sleep with the Kimber... but I'd definitely call the police. Just say the guy acted suspicious.

RIP Neal Parker. I knew Neal. Very sad day

Drag strips sell a plastic band with ear plugs. They're rubber or hard foam but they are fairly comfortable to wear. Very inexpensive. I can wear 'em when watching the Top fuel cars run and don't even notice 'em (except that I can hear afterwards). I've used 'em at the range and they work good for that too. Don't know where you'd buy 'em except maybe online or maybe if you know somebody going to a dragstrip they'd pick 'em up for you.

What always amazes me is the perception of children. I've seen it where children will talk very 'matter of factly' about someone who 'visits' them. I know many times these are 'imaginary friends' and lots of children have 'em. ( I still do but we won't go there ). I know of a case where a little boy started talkng about 'the guy' when he was only about three. He made references to 'the guy' many times but he never seemed to be afraid or anything. In fact he said 'the guy' made him laugh. Everyone assumed this was an imaginary friend. His grandmother had found a picture of her dad (deceased) in some old stuff, had it framed, and put it on a table. The next time her grandson came over, he spotted the picture and said "hey! Where'd you get a picture of the guy?" A number of family members were there and they were shocked at what he said. Everyone tried to be 'casual' and tried not seem alarmed. A few simple questions were asked and everything this little guy said was right on the money. As he got older he started to relate things 'the guy' said to him. They were often things that no one had ever told him about his great-grandfather, yet they were factual. I know of at least two other similar cases. Some kids accept it as 'normal' and some have difficulty dealing with it but it does seem to have some basis for believing.

Smith & Wesson 610 Sig 522 or S&W 15-22

Also, a note on the Sig .22's (not Mosquito) about the slide not locking back after the last round. Sigpower makes a replacement mag follower that will lock the slide back after the last round. I got 'em on both of my mags and they work good.

I like the Pachmayr Snap Cap 'cause they're bright orange. I don't need to use 'em much, though. The drywall anchors sound like a good idea.

I bought a Sig P226 22LR. I liked it better than the Sig Mosquito which is and felt smaller. The 226 is the full size 226 and can be converted to a larger caliber (9MM, .357 Sig, or 40S&W) with what Sig calls an 'xchange kit'. The gun, as a .22, runs about $500 and the xchange kits about $400. If you were to purchase a 226 in the larger caliber (although maybe you could find a good used one) and use an xchange kit to convert to the .22, it wll cost considerably more. You can buy a Sig 229 or 220 in the .22 version also. Now, to be honest, my 226 has had some jamming problems. In fact, it's back at Sig right now to see if they can correct the problem. It wasn't an overwhelming problem. Just enough that it got annoying. Maybe I should have been more patient but my S&W 617 fires every time and the Sig didn't. I would get anywhere from 2-3 jams per 100 rounds to as many as 10 jams in a hundred rounds. I used CCI Minimags which were supposed to be the best choice. I tried some Federal but it didn't help. It still is a very nice gun and, other than the jams, fun to shoot and accurate. I did try different mag followers and springs from Sigpower but they didn't seem to help. Judging by posts in other forums, I'm in the minority with these problems. Most people just shoot the heck out of 'em. I'm anxious to see what Sig does to it , if anything. I like it and I'll still keep it even with the occasional jams. Another possiblity is the conversions for the Glocks. A company named Advantage Arms makes a conversion that is very highly rated but they can be difficult to buy. I considered this option before I bought the Sig. Everyone was out of stock and the backorder was about four months. There are also some .22 conversions for the 1911's. I know they are available but it wasn't one of my considerations. I can't tell you much about 'em. Hope this helps a little. This video gives a pretty good review of the 226 (if he just didn't say 'dude' so many times) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqcTuE_3 ... L&index=19

CCR/John Fogerty, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy

Maksim - yep, I spent the extra money to buy the P226 because I read a lot of negative stuff about the Mosquito. In fairness, I know some who are pleased with Mosquito but after handling it and the 226, the 226 just felt better.The P226 had the advantage that I could convert it to a 9MM, .357 Sig, or 40S&W with one of their 'xchange' kits (about $400). If you buy the 226 as a .22, then convert to a larger caliber, it's much cheaper than buying the larger caliber first and then buying the .22 conversion. I talked to Sig today and they sent me a shipping label to send it in. Maybe it's the CCI Minimags. I've read a few comments lately about people noticing a 'waxy' build up when shooting them. We'll see what Sig says. I'm not ready to give up on it, yet.

I've purchased at Bob's Little Sport Shop, Butch's Gun World, And Cheyenne Mountain Outfitters. I was satified wth Cheyenne Mountain. They had a S&W 617, which is very hard to find, and they sold it a reasonable price. I was impressed with the number of guns in stock. It's a 1 1/2 - 2 hr drive for me but I'd go back. Butch's Gun World has a nice selection and a very good staff. they must be doing something right because the place is always busy. I frequently go to Bob's Little Sport Shop because that's the range where my wife and I shoot. We bought our first handgun there and we got great advice on selecting it. I've found that they have a good selection and a really great staff. If you're lucky, Mike ( the dog) will come to greet you. I like Bob's a lot.

1. FID/permit for handgun 2. Millville, NJ 3. Record Dept. clerk / Patrolman Herman 4.About 6 weeks 5. Drivers license 6. no unusual issues

My new S&W 617. Have had this for over a year now. This is my favorite gun. It will shoot any ammo and goes 'bang' every time. Very accurate and it's just plain fun. My Sig P226 22LR (not a Mosquito). I love the weight, feel, balance. A very nice .22. Had some jamming problems in the beginning. Sig replaced the slide and now with a lot of rounds through it, it's very reliable. Honestly though, I don't shoot it as a .22 very much. I did buy and install the Sigpower mods. It does need to be cleaned often. I put a 9MM conversion slide on it and that's what I shoot the most. It's a great 9MM.

I've purchased at Bob's Little Sport Shop in Glassboro and I enjoy shooting there regularly. They have a great staff who are always helpful. If they don't have something in stock they will try real hard to get it. They have a decent stock on hand. I've also purchased from Butch's Gun World in Vineland. They also have a decent stock on hand and a great staff.