Bully

Mama got her new shoes!!! Caspian "Trik Trigger" and a new (to me) thumb safety should hopefully be here next week.

Did a touch more work to the pistol. I got some sandpaper and started smoothing out the edges. I also added a full length guide rod. Now, I know that the reasons to have one are as many as the reasons to not but I happen to like them. Yup, I ise a bushing wrench to break the pistol down. That doesn't bother me. So, it's in there. I took the pistol to the range yesterday. Ran about 200 rounds thru it. The gun will, when I do my part, hit steel at 50 pretty consistently. I'd love to say that it ran flawlessly but that would be a fib. I had some issues with the pistol. However I was shooting ammo that I originally made up for my 45acp revolver and they are fairly light loads. So, I'll load some full house loads and give it another whirl in the next couple of weeks. All in all, I really like this guy. I think I'll like it even better when I get it where I want it functionally and cosmetically.

I'm reminded of the Smoky and the Bandit song: We've got a looooooooong way to go... But, it's a start. And I'm learning. I'm certainly learning more than if I sat on the couch or spent even more time staring at my computer. So, I'm gonna keep learning. My way for now. Hopefully Mr. Marvel doesn't have too many bad habits to break. I'm going to clamp it in my vise tonight and start working on it with some sandpaper to hopefully smooth it pretty well.

MSH is in but needs some attention for sure. I have grips on the way as well. A pair of Derwood's I picked up from a member on a different forum. Hopefully they'll be here by Monday. And I can run some rounds thru this.[/color

I went and bought a parkerized Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 45ACP. It looks just like the stock picture from the interwebs that I will include here. The pistol is very nice but on the rough side once it's opened up which is fine as it's a project pistol for me. The plan, such as it is, is to "upgrade" it over time(the upgrades are to my taste, no one else's). I'm not going to go crazy but I do want to try my hand at putting something together that I will enjoy tinkering with and shooting a good bit. I am going to try and do everything myself on this. Planned mods: Replace arched MSH with magwell and blend Checker front strap at 15 or 20 lpi Replace short "GI" trigger with a flat Cut frame tangs and install "Beavertail" grip safety Modify hammer to fit GS Replace thumb safety Cut slide for Novak style sights, fiber optic front and rear Flush cut and crown barrel Smooth out machining marks internally to include the trigger channel and slide This is going to be a very slow progression. I'll start on the relatively easy stuff first. I'll tackle the harder stuff as my skill level progresses both with files and on my new to me mill. I'm sure this will start off with some decent progression pics and then slow down as life takes over. Additionally I am saving for a trip to N.C. next year to take a Bob Marvel class so my funds are even more limited. Let's see how this goes...

This article pretty much sums it up: https://medium.com/@jonst0kes/why-i-need-an-ar-15-832e05ae801c#.ttu4jcmld

Yeah. I've seen several threads by this guy. He does cool things to stuff most would toss. C

I'll add a "pretty please" to the don't change the finish. Wipe it down with some oil and keep it as is. It's beautiful like that. Congratulations.

Davis has the RCBS Rock Chucker kits for sale. Roughly 300 bucks. You should get a rebate from RCBS as well. I just went from a Lyman turrett to a single stage. I love it. I'm not in any kind of rush as I don't shoot enough unfortunately.

The threads get re-cut, single point, on a lathe. All indicated off the centerline of your bolt raceway (God I hope I'm saying this correctly so I don't look like a complete ass) If you simply re-tap them it's a waste as the barrel will go in crooked in relation to the squared up faces of the receiver and bolt. It takes a good bit of training to make it right. It's a beautiful thing when done correctly.

Alchemy Customs Evolution Armory Busniess End Customs Greg Derr Jim Garthwaite Pretty much in that order for me. I've used Alchemy and spoken with Lou, Greg, and Jim a time or two. Good luck.

There are other upgrades. The problem becomes is it worth it to do them without doing a full house work up. Why upgrade the barrel if it's going to go on a receiver with an out of true face? Why true the face and threads to put a crooked barrel on it? Get an SPS. Shoot it. Figure out how far down the rabbit hole you would like to go. Change out the trigger for a nice, light trigger of your choice. Change the stock to a fiberglass stock or chassis system. You will begin to see accuracy improvements. If you go the stock route (and possibly even the chassis route) get it bedded. That's a chunk of change right there ($150+ trigger/$700-1000 for a stock or chassis/$200 for bedding) but if you do it in stages it becomes manageable. Shoot it some more. Figure out if you want to make a caliber change. Hand the barreled action over to a qualified 'smith and have them go to town. A trued action should be somewhere around $800+ depending on barrel choice. Now, really go shoot. And start saving for the next. It's very addictive. C

Not sure where you're located but you can take your NJ license to a place in NY that sells licenses and you should be fine. It cannot be done online or in NJ to the best of my knowledge. You have to physically go to place that issues them. Good luck.

Just an update: I have more than half my total cost for the hunt sent in to my guide. He's been thoroughly helpful to me and answered all my questions promptly and professionally. I have a couple of small things to buy to up my chances of success but for the most part I have everything already. I'll be breaking the bow out next week to start doing some shooting to get my back back in shape for the fall. Again, if anyone else in interested PM me. I'll happily give you the guide's number if you would ever want to book with him. He is currently getting licensed to hunt mule deer and elk in Colorado as well. C

Uhhhh, yup. Nothing more to add, honestly. Me, I like the McMillan's but they run a bit high priced (for what you get) for my taste. The Manners with the "Mini-Chassis" is the way I would go personally if I was looking for something along those lines. I do like chassis' tho. Start researching glass. Since you have most of what you will need, that is gonna be your big expense that is gonna need bought pretty quickly. Mike doesn't fuss around with time frames. Good luck.

Hey Rob. It's all a gunsmith fit. So, it all needs fitting. The Rodgers class is amazing from everything I read and hear. Unfortunately it's a bit out of my budget right now. Good luck with it and definitely let me/us know how it goes. C

Back at it...

I kinda am a sucky shooter but would love to have you put some time in behind my rifle if you like. I don't have any problem letting others shoot it. Just be warned, the trigger inspires a bit of "WOW" most times. PM me if you're interested. One glitch, I shoot on Monday mornings most of the time. Saturdays I work and Sundays I spend with the wife/family.

Again, they get great reviews. That said, I haven't handled one. C

I've been hearing really good things about 6x45. Might be worth a look-see. In an AR (which I'm assuming you are building) it's a barrel swap and neck the brass from 5.56 to 6 and go shoot. Not like 300BO with the cutting and stuff. Apparently works really well it of shorter barrels. 223AI will most likely be my next out of a 700. It's an easy fireform using factory ammo. So 2 calibers from 1 rifle.

I love my folder and I love my PRS. I happened into one used which helped. I also grabbed a stock on sale, got lucky with the timing. Thanks for the kind words. It's a great rifle that I'm learning to shoot ok.

My McRee's:

It's a supposedly very nice chassis. That said, I don't own one nor have i handled one. I have a McRee's. If you ever find yourself up this way, drop me a PM and you can take a look at it. I have a PRS stock on it. I'm very happy with it. I also have an MDT/LSS with a Minimalist stock on it. I like it for it's intended purpose. Honestly, from what I've seen, they all work well. It comes down to aesthetics. Kinda like AR lowers where they all do the same thing, but what roll mark do you want on it. That's chassis systems. They all get the job done. Some are heavy, some light but they all do the same thing, hold your action in a place, consistently, so you can make a good shot. Not much to it. Good luck in the search. C

This is kind of how I feel on this topic. I think we are our own worst enemies (on other fronts as well) when it comes to the "legality" of stuff. Sometimes I think we, as a group, should STFU and just keep moving on. Don't ask SOOOOOOOOOOO many questions. At DMV one time, the reason I was able to secure a title as quickly as I was for something that was outside the box... Not illegal at all, just somewhat more complex that what i wanted to explain. When the person behind the counter asked a question, I answered in one word. And those are the only questions I answered. I was in and out in 20 minutes. I had a buddy that had a similar situation. He didn't follow my advice. His paperwork was jammed up for over a month. Meh, just a rant, really. I feel better now. http://www.alloutdoor.com/2015/08/29/wondering-if-something-is-atf-legal-dont-ask/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=2016-04-16&utm_campaign=Weekly+Newsletter

I didn't realize that folks could be so passionate about routers. Bane of my existence personally. Good luck in your search.