Kaiser7

I like the mini-thirty, which you may be able to find around your price range. They're much lighter than the SKS, I like them quite a bit, and I've heard good stuff. I'd buy one, but I'm thinking of going for an AR build right now, although it's a pain saving up XD. I should have mentioned, the Mini-30 fires the same round as the AK (7.62x39.) There is also the Mini-14 model, which fires the 5.56.

I agree with you. Yet we have the worst gun crime in the nation (or, at least close to it.) I'm thinking of moving to Pennsylvania. My brother lives in Tennessee, and everyone else is here in NJ. I do NOT want to live in NJ, but I want to be close to my family. I figure PA at least has decent gun rights.

In Two rifles, no slings. I look to be getting an AR soon, so it's about time I get a dang sling.

But with things such as NDAA, it is possible for them to detain you indefinitely without trial. You don't NEED to actually prosecute someone if you can just keep them locked up for as long as you want.

We don't know the full details of what the kid did. If I saw someone jumping through yards, I'd assume they were trying to flee after doing something. I mean, that is VERY suspicious behavior. I can't blame Zimm for thinking the kid was up to something based on that. The other question is what happened to prompt the shots being fired. To me it seems like the situation was something like Zimm called the kid out, asked him what he was doing. What happened here is unknown. Based on the character of this Zimmerman guy, I'm assuming the kid said something rude to him, and he got pissed and shot. I'm rather surprised that no one has reported on whether there was evidence, or lack thereof, of a struggle. Where was the kid shot? If it was in the back, then it should be pretty obvious he was murdered. If he was shot from the front, it's possible that he may have confronted Zimmerman, or even charged at him. Whether this is threatening enough to warrant self defense, I do not know, but I feel like some stuff isn't being reported. I know this is really going to rile up the anti-gunners though. I'm sure some anti-carry legislation will be drafted with this kid's name.

Oh, of course. However, most of the stuff that they're doing now is being justified by citing terrorism. I mean NDRP is being pushed because of the "Crisis with Iran" . It should seem fairly apparent that Iran doesn't want a war with us. They threatened to block Hormuz once, but backed off. I think they're afraid of a war with us, I don't think they're much of a threat to us at all. I mean hell, the Patriot Act was passed under that guise. I just think it's a bit of a slippery slope really.

I do think that if the AR was never adopted for military use, it wouldn't be the civilian hit that it is today. A lot of Vets like having the rifle that guarded their life, and after all, when you're that experienced with a platform, it makes sense that people would want one when they got out. Since it served for so long, there are A LOT of vets who used the M16 out there. Of course, non vets want them too, but a lot of that initial interest in the platform probably is the result of seeing the guns the vets had. As for your point Shane, I agree with you to a point. However, the AR is either an anomoly, or shows that if there are enough companies producing good variants, it won't harm the reputation of the original. I mean, just about every company and their grandma makes AR parts, and some are definitely worse than others. However, on a whole, the AR has a pretty good reputation.

I just don't understand how this can truly be justified. I don't see how they can do this, and what is the purpose? I know the idea of "to prevent terrorism" comes up, but seriously, even I'm starting to believe that our government uses the specter of terrorism to get away with agregious violations against our civil rights and our constitution.

At least she's easy on the eyes. I'm pretty sure most guys are more willing to accept something like that from a cute girl than from an ugly one. Hell, I think I'd look twice as dumb if that were me on there.

Isn't collecting data on citizens technically unconstitutional, unless there is a warrant? I don't really see the difference between monitoring all of my email and other online communications, and reading my mail, or searching my house... It's different if it's something like a facebook status, but what about private messages and emails between individuals?

I've always considered myself a pretty good user of the English language. Perhaps I am missing something, but how the heck can something be both Mandatory, and "Voluntary"? Just goes to show you how bad the wording is in these laws...

That's what sort of confuses me about the whole situation. I know that we are switching to using more and more technology that requires fewer troops on the ground, but, as was pointed out before, we still need soldiers to hold ground. I'm still surprised that in 50 years, we still haven't come up with a better design. I think that we really need a new rifle for the troops. However, I would guess that the main reason that we haven't come up with a new rifle is mainly this, "Where do we go from here?" Though not fantastic, the AR family gets the job done, is accurate, and fulfills its role. Most importantly, the ease at which it can be modified, or changed to meet conditions (Switching uppers, allowing for people who train with the M16A4 to feel comfortable with the carbine) make it hard to beat. I've never fired it, but I've held a SCAR, it wasn't bad, but It felt bulky to me. I really don't know what our next gen rifle will look like. After the revolutions the AR brought in (aluminum and polymer parts, things like that) it's hard to predict what will be able to superceed it.

I don't know if that's a big enough improvement really, perhaps it would be more like the, "M4A3" or something. I mean switching to a piston M4 really isn't that big of a deal to really consider it the solution to all of the problems with the M4. However, with that being said, since a true replacement seems far away, this might be a good weapon in the mean time. After all, I believe that these piston M4s (and I could be wrong) were developed in response to complaints such as these. http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2010-07/what-really-happened-wanat http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-usas-m4-carbine-controversy-03289/ I read another article two or three years ago about this same incident, the article was sent to me by military.com (on their mailing list), and it was an interesting read that seemed to harken issues with the M4 of today, to the initial M16s back in '67. I think it's a good weapons platform, but there is still a lot that it leaves to desire. Most people claim it's soley the design of the AK that leads to its great reliability, but in fact, a lot of it has to with the rounds they use. The 7.62x39, from what I have read/seen, supposedly provides more power to the action for cycling the gun. Therefore, even if the system is dirtied up, the force blowing it back is enough to overcome the friction, and other resistant forces caused by the dirty system. Not that I'm a true gun expert, but I'd be interested to see if ARs, and other guns in that family, that fire more powerful rounds (6.5mm, 6.8, etc.) would produce enough pressure to overcome a dirty system. I'd be interested to run a test and compare how many rounds it takes each rifle until it fails.

Well, I'm not sure if I should really mention them, since most aren't about guns, but I love Podcasts. My subsription list is as follows. Kidd Chris podcast (former Philly shock jock, now based out of project 961 in Atlanta) Rooster Teeth Podcast ( creaters of a web series based on Halo, they don't really talk about games that much) Cheap a** Gamer Podcast- talk about videogame deals, and other things, pretty interesting/funny Truth about guns- Discusses the faults in the media's portrayal of gun crime, can be hard to listen to the guy's Minnesotta accent Gun for Hire radio- I doubt I need to discuss this one CQB radio- airsoft podcast I contribute to ocassionally Unfit for FM- local comedy podcast, not very PC, but hilarious, Painkiller Already- Comedy video game podcast Fast Karate for the Gentleman- Philly/NY based podcast on videogames, anime, nerdy crap like that, pretty funny Vomitus Prime- Another comedy podcast, they've stopped making episodes, but it's worth checking out the back catalogue The Awful Show- Another non-PC, but hilarious podcast that they don't make new episodes to, but is still worth checking out Preston & Steve- I don't really like them much, they're pretty much my last resort if I don't have enough podcasts to listen to. Most are Comedy, with the obvious exception of CQB radio, Truth about Guns, and Gun for Hire, although, I suppose in regards to Gun for Hire radio, NJ's gun laws are pretty much a joke. There actually is quite a bit of gun talk on Painkiller Already. The main host, Woodysgamertag moved from NJ to NC, so when the topic of guns comes up, he pokes fun at our laws. The other two hosts carry every day ( I believe) and they are all strong supporters of 2A rights. It's not, of course, their main topic of conversation, but I love when they talk about that stuff.

Ironic how much trouble the NJ gun community seems to have with their shops, I always see people post negative stuff. Bob's little has always been fantastic to me, even when I just come in to ask questions. My brother in law had a bad experience with Ed's, and though I like Winters from Winter's gunsmithing, he yells at me when I mention I'm buying a gun for shooting. (He thinks I'm wasting my money, and should allocate all funds towards nice collectable vault queens, still a very helpful, cool guy though, knows his stuff too.) As for Tips, you say they're opening up down south, where in South Jersey? If it's near me, I'll check them out.

What if the question is changed slightly? I assume we're all talking about direct impingement ARs. I mean, a piston driven short stroke AR may well make up, or at least perform well enough in the "takes a beating" category as the AK. I don't know as much about the Piston ARs to really judge. As for my previous opinions, perhaps I shouldn't be talking, since I'm more or less going only off what I hear about both platforms. Perhaps my information is slightly biased since the people I know who hate the AR were issued them during Vietnam. Then again, they had experience with both the M14, and the early M16s (and the improved M16s). Their judgements against the AR may be based off of their switch from the M14 to the then new M16. Though the one guy, a security guard at my mall liked the M16 enough, he made it clear that he kept the SKS he found for more than just a trophy. The other veteran, who is more or less the reason I'm looking into getting an AR after singing its praises, in terms of modularity and cheaper ammo, was quick to point out that he had trouble with his on the front, but believed that the system should be remedied by now. Personally, I love the G3, and M14 families the most. So I'm not sure if I'm totally biased. I'm not a huge fan of the AR or AK, but I will give credit where it is due. I will say this about the AR, I would never own one with the carry handle, I hate those sights.

I have to be honest, I come from a fairly anti-gun family, or rather, a family that's afraid of guns. I shot my first gun last march, my .22lr that I bought hours after getting my FID. In fact, a lot of my friends didn't grow up around guns, but want to get them for defense, or sport shooting. I hate my generation, but I will say they really are one that likes guns.

In the AR vs. AK debate, I usually side with the M14. I don't particularly like either of the previous rifles. That being said, I am currently about to get my first AR simply for the reasons that unlike the M1A the ammo is cheaper, and it's a more accurate platform. The AK does have its merits, but to me, the accuracy is the huge draw back. YES, the AK can hit a torso sized target at 200 yards I believe, but the AR's strength is that it can be set up to have a scope to pick targets out at longer ranges, and then quickly be re-purposed for closer engagements. The AR is crappy in that it needs to be babied, which is something that should never be required of a mil-spec weapon. You shouldn't have to worry that brass will be ripped in half, and another round seated within the previous brass, causing a catastrophic jam. That's a life taker right there. That being said, both weapons have their usefulness, both have some pretty good advantages, but honestly, in my opinion at least, there are other, less popular guns, that are much better in all regards, with the exception of maybe cost, things like that. For someone worried about SHTF, or whatever your need for a good semiauto rifle, it probably wouldn't hurt to have both an AR and AK, depending on what your needs are going to be.

Ammo sales have, from what I hear, been through the roof, I imagine that companies are moving faster, and probably cutting QC to meet the demand. Not to mention I'm sure they don't mind doing what they can to speed production, and cut costs... I've seen a lot of stuff on the boards in the past year regarding ammo being fouled up. I've been lurking the NJGF for a few years, and don't remember seeing anything like that before the past year or so, or at least, to a much smaller extent. Also.... maybe I'm just dumb, but what does having a SERPA have to do with danger?

I'm the exact opposite of you. I love shooting rifles, but handguns aren't quite my thing. Then again, firearms are tools, each is good for a different role. You don't use pliers to drive a nail, why use a handgun when you need range? I would say 5.56/.223 would be the way to go. Then again, you really don't hurt your shoulder that bad shooting rifles from my experience. Well, my friend's 30-06 has a pretty hefty recoil, but my 8mm barely kicks at all. I guess it really depends on what your looking for. For a semi-auto rifle, the mini14 is a good choice, particluarly the newer models which are more accurate. Best of all, they come in right around your price range.

The problem is the average joe-blow listens to these dummies. Not to mention that they have more funds at their disposal to give to groups like the Brady Bunch work actively work to limit our freedoms. I will never understand the mindset of those who seek to not only limit their own, but others freedoms as well...

I wouldn't even be able to drive to Wildwood on one charge though from where I live (Camco). And I doubt an electric car can recharge as quickly as a combustion engine can refuel. Again, it's Obama's fault, if he were more supportive of domestic energy production, drilling for oil really, instead of subsidizing electric cars that burst into flames, maybe I woldn't be spending a third of my modest paycheck to fill my car to drive to school.

I have a few hundred mini mag rounds just chilling in my basement. I haven't had any problem finding any.

There's another one of the same picture that says, "Quick! Grab a cactus! There's no time to explain!" That's my favorite one, I can't find it though.

Where in South Jersey?