SgtToadette

Simplicity mostly.

I need to add a 1-point sling to my AR setup and I'd like your opinions on who makes the best sling. Only requirement is that it be QD compatible. I've seen offerings from Blue Force Gear, BLACKHAWK, and so on but I'm having trouble deciphering what exactly the pros and cons of one brand over another are.

So it's similar to carry permits in that it's not technically illegal, but is never going to get past your local chief. Got it. Thanks for the replies everyone. My curiosity has been satiated.

I was wondering because SBRs are banned by overall length in NJ law. I don't know of a NJ statute that prohibits me from having a registered lower so long as I meet other NJ firearm legalities.

Hey guys, quick question: Can I get an SBR tax stamp on a lower receiver that I currently own, then simply keep it NJ legal until such a time that I live in an area that permits me to own an SBR? It would be largely a time/ headache saving measure. Thanks.

I think there's a disparity here that has citizens upset. Fact: We're all human. When a citizen commits a mistake, in the workplace or in their daily lives, they are legally liable for those actions regardless of how small the offense. This is the way it should be because we can't have a functioning legal system otherwise. On the other hand, there's an impression that when a law enforcement officer commits a mistake, even one in which major harm was inflicted like many of the cited no-knock warrants, they seem to receive little more than a slap on the wrist. Some of these mistakes are, indeed, understandable and probably shouldn't receive major punishments. Others are not so forgivable, and it needs to be admitted that the unwavering Thin Blue Line hinders the removal of the bad apples. I encourage open dialog between LEOs and other citizens. We largely have the same goals and morals, but there are going to be times where both LEOs and citizens need to admit that they are part of the problem. Cops are not the oppressors of the people that many here are making them out to be, and sometimes that perception makes encounters with police worse. At the same time, many LEOs here seem to believe that simply because they are capable of mistakes, they should be immune from responsibility of said mistakes. Neither idea is correct and we should try our best to be introspective and rectify them.

Very well stated posts, Vlad.

I've been reading about this topic and seen a few interviews with the author of the book in question. I have also avoided posting it here because anytime the topic comes up is devolves into ad hominems and disrespectful banter. That said, I think a lot of the complaining about "warrior cops" is superficial and at the end of the day hypocritical. For example: We want our police to be better trained to avoid situations exemplified by the LAPD with Chris Dorner and the NYPD near the Empire State Building. We want our police to remain on the cutting edge of small arms technology to avoid situations like the West Hollywood shootout. Who are we to complain when they start adopting training and equipment from the best source available: the military? Now, with that said, I think that police need to be...I'll reluctantly use the word...humbled. I have seen too many examples of police overstepping their bounds. I understand the concept of bad apples spoiling the bunch. With YouTube and the like, it's going to be easier for isolated cases to spread virally and create false impressions. I get it. However, police are not infallible. I have heard many justifications from LEOs here and elsewhere that they have been numbed by the dregs of society. That because they deal with the worst everyday they lose sight of the good. Well, identifying the problem is certainly the first step in fixing it, so I am grateful for the self-reflection. But, to take a quote from Quantum of Solace: "When you can't tell your friends from your enemies, it's time to go." The police exist for the purpose of protecting the public and enforcing the laws. When I see examples of police trying to circumvent restrictions deigned to protect the rights of the citizenry it strikes a nerve. Policing isn't a game. It's serious business. You sign up knowing the dangers. It is acknowledged and accepted. That is your problem and not mine as a citizen. The job is inherently difficult, as it should be. Intentionally abusing drug dogs by creating false positives so as to override the need for consent is wrong. Intimidating clearly innocent people into surrendering their rights is wrong. Arresting people for 'resisting arrest' is wrong. I hope people don't read this thinking I am in any way against police. That is hardly the case. I am a Criminal Justice major looking to become a cop myself. I am simply for increased responsibility, integrity, and oversight. I will continue to support giving police the resources the need to do their jobs the best they can, but I will also continue to support efforts to ensure that police do no exceed their bounds. I would hope that when a bad apple rears its ugly head, that LEOs and citizens alike will seek to be rid of them (beyond a few weeks paid leave).

I would hope that defending myself is not a task I expect to do everyday :derisive:

I realized this when I woke up this morning and read through my content. I was half asleep and had no idea what I was typing. lol!

I wouldn't really get bogged down in buying a "NJ safe" knife. Buy what works best for you. Just remember that EDC stands for 'everyday carry' so you use it for everyday cutting tasks. It's not illegal and any LEO that gives you trouble about it has no legal ground to stand on.

I'd be down if they're fine accommodating a newbie to the rifle platform. I've been wanting to take a class.

Here's the best explanation I've come across: "As someone who has studied the NJ Constitution and the jurisprudence of the NJ Supreme Court, this does not come as any kind of surprise. It was an unsettled question, but anyone familiar with State v. Hunt shouldn't be surprised. (Ruling back in 1994 that telephone billing records could not be searched without a warrant). This decision limits the admissibility of evidence collected by officers of the NJ government and has no bearing on federal rules of evidence or federal officers. NJ has a lot of search and seizure protections that go beyond the protections offered by the 4th Amendment. Examples: No warrantless searches of garbage. No "good faith exception" to exclusionary rule. No warrantless searches of automobile incident to arrest. For a consent search to be valid the state must prove that the suspect knew at the time that they had the right to refuse consent (which, realistically can only be proven by having them sign a waiver in advance of the search). Police officers may not ask for consent to search you or your car or your home for no reason -- they must have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and that the search requested will uncover evidence thereof. There are others. If you are really interested in NJ Search and Seizure, or other individual liberties jurisprudence, feel free to get in touch with me. I have access to long papers and law review articles at that would bore most people to tears but I find endlessly fascinating." Source: http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1ilv5j/new_jersey_supreme_court_rules_that_cellphone/cb5rw1x

Not sure how many of you are following the Edward Snowden situation and the NSA's domestic spying activities that he revealed, but this is a related topic that is important to us New Jersey Folk. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/19/nyregion/new-jersey-supreme-court-restricts-police-searches-of-phone-data.html?_r=0 While the US media has largely ignored the importance of the Snowden leaks and instead chosen to focus on Mr. Snowden himself, it has become increasingly obvious how much the NSA knows about every American. Fortunately, it seems that the NJ Supreme court has taken a step in the right direction.

Hey guys, This initial review starts off with a sad story. I've been carrying Benchmades for a long time and been a huge fan. It seems to be the case that I lose my EDC about once every 2 years or so. For the last two years, I have been carrying a 581 Barrage. It served me well and was a great proving ground for M390 as a superb blade steel. Sadly, it went missing at work after falling out of my back pocket at some point. I was sad to see it go, but I'm excited to try new knives. I've been eying the Contego for a while now, but never had a reason to bite the bullet since I had no real need. It carried a hefty $210 MSRP and in the heat of the post-Newtown panic, most of my disposable income has been going towards over-paying for ammo, not fine cutlery. So, without further adieu, here she is (pardon the quality of the pictures, I'm using a 5mp potato cam)! So with the first picture out of the way, here's the specs of the Benchmade 810 Contego, courtesy of Benchmade's website: Weight: 5.92 ounces. Blade Length: 3.98 inches. Blade Material: CPM-M4 Locking Mechanism: AXIS Lock. Opened Length: 9.28 inches. Closed Length: 5.3 inches This is my first venture into Benchmade's Black class line of knives, which is their line geared towards military and law enforcement. I've only ever owned Blue class knives which are their more general use knives. When I opened the box and handled the Contego for the first time, this difference in classes became more understood and is, at least in this example, more than marketing semantics. The Contego feels like a user's kind of knife. It isn't going to be a collectors piece, which is just how I like it. This leads me into talking about the grip: I've tried my best to capture the roughness of the texture with this picture. If anyone has ever handled one of the newer Cold Steel Recon 1's, the texture on the 810 is very comparable, but the execution is far more pleasing to the eye. The grip is made of G10 which is pretty much the standard for most knives carrying the butterfly insignia. If you look closely, you'll notice several grooves on the top and bottom the handle. The backspacer is also lined with rather deep grooves as well. It's clear this knife was designed to stay in your hand until you willingly let go of it. The ergonomics are solid, if a bit abrasive. Whether or not that level of grip is a good or a bad thing is going to be a matter of personal preference. I will note that this added grip makes re-clipping the knife back into my pocket more difficult. I personally prefer to have the added grip. One of the big selling points about this knife is the blade, both its shape and its steel. I have a lot of respect for tanto style blade in terms of their durability, but I never buy them for two reasons: First, the blade is harder to sharpen and second, I find them hideous looking. The 810 uses a "reverse tanto" style which maintains the more organic blade shape of a drop-point or similar style knife, while also keeping the tip strength of the tanto style. It has proven rather hard to demonstrate the exact geometry of this knife in pictures. If you look in the picture above, you'll see that the top of the blade is at it's thickest point when it is closest to the handle. It is then contoured, but as it nears the tip, thickens back to full thickness and then completes the tip. This is very similar to the top of a tanto blade, give or take a few contours and tapers. This knife also has one of the sharpest factory edges I've had on a knife from Benchmade. I'm going to attribute this to continuing improvement on Benchmade's part, but also to the blade steel (CPM-M4). This isn't a stainless steel unlike my 581, so I opted to have the black cerakoted variant. (Quick note: This knife comes in 4 variants: Black plain-edge, black combo-edge, satin plain-edge, and satin combo-edge. While this is traditional for Benchmades, it is important to note that the satin variety of knives are also cerakoted. This was done with the intention of providing options for those who prefer the look of a satin blade.) The Contego also comes with Benchmade's new "deep-carry" pocket clip. This design allows for the knife to remain clipped to your pocket while riding lower in your pocket. This is a cool thing for a New Jersey resident looking to be discreet, but I like to have a bit more handle exposed so I can have more purchase on the knife when I'm extracting it from my pocket. Again, this is a matter of personal preference. Here's a profile of the clip for clarity: You'll also see in this picture the glass-breaker. It's cool to have, I guess. I'd personally rather not have it since it tends to spend more time poking me more when I grab it out of my pocket than breaking glass. For a Black class knife it makes sense, but I'd rather it not be there. You're not going to see me ground it down or anything, though. That's pretty much all there is to report. I've only had the knife for about a week now, so I don't have anything of value to add in terms of edge retention or durability. If the blade steel and typical Benchmade quality are any indication, however, I expect great things from this knife. P.S. I bought this knife from BladeHQ.com for $139.00 shipped, which is a steal.

I keep the appropriate statues on my phone for reference to cover my ass. I also have a hard copy of Title 2C in my glovebox. I haven't had any issues personally, but I also don't tend to attract police attention. I'd just recommend to know the appropriate laws and try to avoid a doing anything that would result in you being confronted. I don't bury my knives in my pockets, but they're usually clipped so you can see it if you happen to be looking at my ass or thighs (so, as you can imagine, I don't get many lookers).

I just lost my Benchmade 581 Barrage. It has since been replaced by an 810 Contego. I'll post about it here shortly.

I gotcha. 1911 is a fine platform. I would never say it's a bad gun. It's certainly got the track record.

I when it comes to capacity, I don't like to bet my life on averages and I want to squeeze as many rounds into my firearm as I can while still remaining effective. While I can certainly modify a 1911 and train to accommodate anything I can't modify, it seems like a lot of work just to get to a point of proficiency that is standard for an ambi gun. Not to mention that my weak-hand manual of arms will be symmetrical with an ambi-gun. I don't have a problem with safeties per se, but if I can get away with not having one I see that as a plus.

I've always seen the 1911 as a high performance target and competition gun. It is designed well and the tight tolerances and great trigger lead to some fantastic accuracy. I would not, however, trust my life to it: The capacity is damning. I can have twice the capacity in a double-stack 9mm without too much loss in "knock-down power" (whatever that means). I like the simplicity that Glocks and the several other "Glock-offs" have in the safety-less striker trigger mechanism. I pull the trigger and it goes boom. No safeties or hard first-pulls to deal with. 1911s are not lefty friendly, which is a deal-breaker for me for a "fighting" pistol. The tight tolerances do not allow for high levels of reliability. That's not to say that the 1911 isn't reliable, but when you start introducing debris into the equation I trust modern service pistols more. You simply cannot put the 1911 through the same amount of abuse that a modern service pistol can take and expect 100% reliability. I would throw out the USP line from HK, Sig P226s, P229s, Beretta M9s (though I don't really care for them aesthetically), and various Glocks. Newer contenders include the HK45/P30, FNX-45, and the Walther PPQ. All the pistols I mentioned above are pistols that I would trust my life with above a 1911. I don't have trigger time behind all or even most of the pistols above, so take that into consideration when evaluating my opinion.

I just dumped $140 on a 810 Contego so I won't be buying anything edged for a while. I'll be posting about it when it comes on Monday. A chest rig is definitely on my to-get list so I'll probably buy the SOCP in the not to distant future.

I was just browsing the Benchmade website looking for a knife and I ran across the SOCP. It's a cool dagger, but is largely a novelty that most people will never actually use. I might buy it as part of some SHTF kit, but that's mostly for the fun of collecting anyway.

Sounds about right. I've read this type of stuff before and it's a scary misconception that a lot of people have about police.

Where do you find this stuff!? You always seem to have the inside scoop, lol.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Mayflower UW Chest Rig Gen IV. The only thing I wish it had was more dedicated magazine compartments, but four mags seems to be the industry standard. It's a bit pricey but it seems to give a lot of capability considering the size. EDIT: It's also available in the new Kryptek patterns that all the cool kids use.