High Exposure

Aren't the ejector and firing pin springs still leaf type?

Balderdash, FYI. I can clear a structure just as fast and more efficiently with an AR than a pistol or shotgun and I do so regularly. Additionally, the AR platform offer superior ballistics, both in regards to terminal ballistics on target and in reduced penetration of domestic construction material when compared to a pistol or shotgun. If ARs were so slow to clear corners why does every high speed direct action unit who has CQB/FISHing as a primary mission focus use an AR as a primary weapon? That said, based on the OPs statements I recommend buying a complete AR for the first one. Once you are comfortable with the platform - build away!

AR

Sounds like someone got a ticket for speeding....

Climbing. All over NRG and Summersville Lake. I was climbing professionally for a while, guiding and managing a gym. I spent a few summers driving down every Sunday and coming back every Saturday. Roger's campground was a second home for a while too. Then I got a real job after realizing sleeping in a tent 250 days a year was not gonna last forever. Then I got married and had a kid.... When the little guy gets older, I will start again. I miss it.

Disagree about the Izzy crap. Most of the CAA/Mako garbage you see out there is "made in Izzyland" or "used by real Israeli Commandos!" There is very little that the Isreali's do, either TTPs or with equipment, that is as good as they make it seem. Very over hyped. (Except for their enlisted women, they do seem to do that right ) Anyway....... if it is anything like the Trijicon Reflex sights from the SOPMOD kit issues in the '90s (which worked on the same principle) it will wash out in a low light environment if using a bright white light to illuminate your threat/target. Don't fear the batteries. With the right choice (Aimpoint) you can get a 50k-70k battery life. That's 5-7ish years of constant on with the same battery. I would take what our guys use and the way our guys do it over what the Israeli's use and do any day of the week.

I love WV. Spent a lot of time there for a few years, most of it in the Fayetteville/Summersville/Beckley area but some around Morgantown as well. Keep on mind Morgantown is a College Town, has a youngish scene. You will like it there. Bless your heart!

Throw it on the ground. Step on it. Tie it to a string and drag it behind your car down a gravel driveway. Slap it back on the lower and call it your working gun. It ain't supposed to be pretty, it's supposed to go bang when you press the trigger and hit what you are aiming at.

Glock 19

That's my experience with them as well. All from experienced shooters, that run guns hard, but also follow PM cycles and generally take care of their gear. Then there was that one time when half the guts of the gun followed the mag out of the mag well during q speed reload. This was after the second time it had been back to Springfield for repairs. They are in my NFE list, and for cause.

Well done Shawn. I am jealous. If you ever decide to go another way and want to sell that beauty off, let me know.

Good choice. How much?

The concealment/cover garment is the primary retention. If you are planning on OCing then the Safariland ALS is the answer. The Bianchi Carrylok is also a decent OWB rig with active retention, fast draw, and not as bulky as an ALS holster. As Lorenzo said, a belt designed to carry a gun is a must. I too use the Ares 1.5" Ranger belt (I have 2 of them). Great gear and makes carrying a gun a whole lot more comfortable. Also look for the new Ares Gear belt coming out in January, It is called the Aegis. It is just as sturdy but looks a little less "tactical" with a different buckle.

I covet the rail gun.... That and a S&W TR8 are on the short list. I wish I had the dough for one right now.

You get what you pay for, in both product and support. Trash it and buy a quality optic.

Like MWPX said, ask if they have mags available for student use. It is a Magpul class after all, they should have access to plenty of mags. If not, throw some extra mag pouches on your rig and bring extra mags to the line each evolution.

Shawn, you should definitely read these articles by Hilton Yam before buying anything. I know you aren't buying a "duty" gun per se, but I am sure you would want the same quality and reliability that you would find in a gun suitable for daily carry in defense of yourself and others. http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/Choosing-a-1911-for-Duty-Use.html http://m.policemag.com/blogpost/1059/tips-for-a-duty-ready-1911 http://www.10-8performance.com/pages/1911-User's-Guide.html

If you plan on running this gun hard and putting a lot of rounds through it don't get the Kimber. I have seen too many of them self-disassemble on the firing line in medium to high round count classes where the guns needed to be run hard.

If your CH is hanging up on your gear when you are hands free, roll the rifle 180 degrees clockwise. The sling traps the rifle better making it more secure and it places the CH outboard from your kit.

I use the medium CH as well, and I can guarantee that you are looking at changing the wrong part. Ditch the single point sling, and run a quick adjust 2 point like a BFG VCAS (my preferred sling) or a VTAC. Keep the CH. Other than having the ability to quickly switch shoulders - which is really debatable if that is a necessary or important feature, but that is a topic for a nother thread - single points do very little well. To put it bluntly, single point slings suck. A quick adjust 2 point also let's you switch shoulders quickly and most importantly, it does the primary job a sling is used for better than a single point sling, and that is the hands free carrying of a rifle.

ETA: keep in mind that these lists will vary greatly depending in the "lister's" intended use. A national match shooter will have a veeeery different list of mods than a 3 times a year plinker. A 3 gun competitor will have different criteria than someone planning to use the rifle for true defensive/social use. While I may also use them for plinking, training, or competitions, their primary intended use is work related and as such my ARs are all set up for social occasions. Assuming I am starting with a quality rifle with quality mags my list follows, in order of importance: 1) sling 2) white light 3) optic - Aimpoint I do have other upgrades on my rifles: BCM Gunfighter charging handles and pistol grips, vertical grips/handstops, upgraded stocks, Geissels triggers, etc... But the above three are the only mandatory accessories, in my opinion, for my use. Everything else is gravy

Ah, gotcha It's a little slower to reload than an AR, but with practice I think you could get pretty fast. There is no "speed reload" for this platform, it will all be a form of "reload with retention" as you will have to remove the mag from weapon (and either discard it or stow it) before you grab the fresh one.

The ergos are good. Comfy to hold and shoot, controls are well though out. You can not reload without taking your eyes off the sights, but why would you want to? Shoot when you are shooting, move when you are moving, manipulate when you are manipulating. Solve one problem at a time and do it efficiently. I don't know of a single weapon system that you should reload with your eyes on the sights and I don't know anyone reputable who is a proponent of that technique. Doesn't make sense.

Like it or not MOLLE and PALS were created at the behest of the US Military for the purpose of carrying the equipment a Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Sailor requires in battle. Ergo "Warfighting". Nothing to get your panties in a bunch about.