JayWilling

We have a 686 7 round in stainless with 4" barrel and a Ruger 161 with 6" barrel. The 6" barrel is just a little heavy and we don't shoot it as much. The 686 with 4" (in my humble opinion) is the ideal configuration for that gun . The frame is heavy enough for .357 and you're not fighting the barrel all the time. Since it doesn't cost me a dime, I vote for the 4" 686 7 round. Plus when the bad guy counts your shots, he'll think you're empty at 6!!!

Shipping tracker says it's due in to my FFL tomorrow. Assuming they unpack it in time, and assuming the NICS check is up and running....

They're nearly exactly the same thing...the 27 is probably a little snappier, so if you can handle IT, you'll like the 26. Arnold says, " JUZZ DOOO ITTT".

NOPE!!! NOPE NOPE NOPE!!! I don't get it. 9mm is just NOT a revolver round. Gimme dat big fat double charge of powder in .357. REALLY close diameter, giant leap in whoopazz. Again, what's the point?

That is totally abnormal behavior. Why buy 6,000 rounds when you can make them yourself for half the price!

Two points...if a person is legal to carry, what anyone from PA thinks about them carrying is crap. It's like saying they hate NJ drivers. The "other" guy is always a yahoo, but the guys from PA talking trash on NJ CCW....who are they? Are they all certified for something? Come on this is personal defense, not SEAL training. Second, I have a hard time understanding why the forum would take ANY official stance on giving advice to out of state CCW people. That's just asking for liability problems. I'm not sure it would be worth joining in their discussion. Let them make all the rules they want about their mumbling about NJ CCW...I'm definitely staying out of it.

Just joined. THANKS for the reminder!

My wife and I are mostly handgun people, although we have a few long guns. Her first handgun was a stainless S&W 686+ 4" bbl and it's still her favorite, although she has added a laser grip. My first handgun was a Sig SP2022 9mm. I got it back when they were more than 600 bucks, and I love that thing. It is no longer my favorite, but I would never sell it. It has been 100% reliable and functional and I'm up to almost 8K rounds through it with no troubles. The only handguns we have ever gotten rid of were a Ruger Blackhawk, just 'cause we're not into cowboy stuff, I got rid of a Taurus 745 because it jammed up too much, and I got rid of a Ruger SR9 because after they did the recall repair (which they started calling an upgrade) the trigger was crap. Everything else we have kept and enjoyed. We love our first handguns.

Bob, You don't understand...Lead wipe away cloth be damned, (and used as hard as I can) it still ain't clean enough. But thanks for the thought...they work wonders on stainless.

By the way...we have a 686 Plus and I believe it to be one of the all-time classics...7 rounds, SOLID machine and a flawless mechanism...really nice gun. The only trouble is it's actually registered to my wife and I can never get it clean enough for her.

Nice to see some good advice for Scott. 38 Super is a different round than 38 Special and 38 Special +P- they make guns just FOR that round. On the other hand...just listen to me, him, and him is a little rough too. Hopefully someone would ask a question and let the thread play out taking the best advice. Anyway, there's a lot of BAD advice, a lot of wanna-be's, and a lot of people who just want to participate but don't know it all out there...so you have to take your time and research. The internet is a wonderful thing. I'm glad I found this Stalag NJ forum because we really have a special situation here. We are truly oppressed, and it's good to hear the local news. Thanks guys.

I just upped the ante by scoring a Bi-tone on Gunbroker. Should have it the middle of next week.

My SIL has a 26 for off duty carry and I have shot it four or five times. It's a really accurate, GREAT shooting gun. I can't imagine you would be disappointed even if you just run out and buy one. If I didn't have a couple of 9mm I'd get one.

I have an Excel spreadsheet I use to track ammo...I started out wanting to be able to say how many rounds I had through each pistol (I'm mostly a pistol guy). Then I started reloading and kept a ledger of the loads in different calibers. THEN I realized I'd like to track how many rounds I made and how much they were costing me. THEN I realized I wanted to keep an inventory of ammo, both reloads and factory. And that's how I turned into an ammo nerd.

What were they asking for the bi-tones?

It's only paranoia if nothing happens. If you end up shooting someone to protect your life or those of your loved ones, it's pure genius. Do you have a fire extinguisher in case you ever have a fire in your home? ..and is it strategically staged or up in the attic somewhere?

I agree on the selection...just a few brands, although I did pick up a really sweet little S&W Model 60 snubbie in nickel. They sold it as a "training gun" because it couldn't be loaded. I took a wood dowel, knocked the tube springs out of the cylinder and after a half hour with a buffing wheel on the dremel we had a sweet $500+ gun. It was about half price. Generally, though, the selection was pretty limited. But I also liked all the accessory gear. Now that it's a good hour and a half away, it doesn't really matter. Won't be going there much. Hague's has a much better selection. I used to belong to the range but got tired of being scared to death by the knuckleheads they let in there to shoot and the lack of range discipline. People would uncase and play with their weapons on the back table...no apparent restrictions on "muzzle down range", etc. Good selection though.

Does anyone know what happened to Lawmen's Supply on Rt. 30 in Egg Harbor? It's all closed up.

The Shield doesn't come in 45. If you want the big boy bullets you have to get the much bigger M&P 45 compact, which isn't all that compact. The XDS might be the thinnest 45 out there right now.

The one I handled in the shop was all black. I think they come both ways, the bi-tone being more expensive (ov course)

We have a K frame and an L frame (686) and I prefer the L frame because of weight. It's got a little more bulk than the K frame and so it feels more stable when shooting. They're both excellent revolvers, but IMHO the 686 is one of the nicest revolvers ever made. If you want one get it- it's worth it.

It's exactly ONE INCH thick.

Guitars?

I handled one in a shop the other day and it was AMAZINGLY comfortable. I was a little put-off by the 5+1, but I really want a small carry 45, I love 1911s (would really like a Colt Defender) but they're so expensive. Glocks are ok but I'm not 100% comfortable with no safety at all. M&Ps aren't small enough, nor Sigs. I've also been looking at the Bersa Ultra Compact 45- on the line as far as size but they get great reviews except for cheap mags and you can get one for just over $400 at Bud's, but it's an oddball gun and probably a little trouble to get parts, accessories, and repairs. The XD 45s aren't small enough either, but this XDS is so THIN it is really interesting. I saw on their website the 7 rd mag, and this gun is starting to look better and better.

IBD? Thanks for the quick answers...that was my take on it. If you're legal at both ends they can try and they'll give you a bad day (or few) but they can't make it stick.