mustang69

When I first applied years ago I was politely asked to provide two different references, since the ones I originally used were the Chief of Police and the Lieutenant that oversees the permitting process...

Don't know if it qualifies as being purchased this year since I paid for it last year, but I was finally able to pick up my FNH FNS-40. All black without manual safety.

My recent experience with the same handgun is in this thread... http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/71370-bought-a-new-range-gun-looking-for-experiences/

Check out the Raptor Trust while you're in the area. Only about 5 minutes from where you're staying. theraptortrust.org/

Update on the problems - for various reasons it took a while for my local LGS to return the firearm to Ruger and for me to get it back. Ruger replaced the barrel and rear sight at no charge, and my FFL didn't charge anything to send it back and return it. Everything fixed. Ruger customer service was excellent.

I was at my preferred LGS today looking to burn a permit and they have what I think is a killer deal on a SIg p224. I enjoy my p229 and p227 so am considering the p224. Anyone have one who is willing to share their opinion? I know it's a cut-down p229. I held it and it felt like a p229 with no grip room for my pinky - not sure how I feel about the shortened grip. The chance that I'll have a ccw in the next few years is slim (more like 3-4 years out) but I'm really considering it because of the price (offered it to me for $599 + NICS + tax). They had 3 models for that price - Nitron, SAS and Equinox. Comments?

I guess one way to answer the question is with another question - what is your first gun? If revo get 1911, if not get the revo. My $.02

With current clutch mechanisms being hydraulic or cable, the likelihood of it being an adjustment is between slim and none... Sorry, but if it's slipping it's to replace it.

For a first revolver, that's like stepping up to the plate at Yankee Stadium for your first ML at-bat and hitting a solid triple...

I didn't want to hijack the other thread on the H&K VP9 so am starting this one... I bought one Monday and made it to the range with it today. For comparison I took a PPQ M2, a CZ P07 and a Glock 19 Gen 4. Shot 200 rounds combined through all 4. I spent an hour field stripping the VP9 at home, getting acquainted with it and fitting the grip to my hand. H&K includes backstraps and grip panels in 3 sizes, so there are enough combinations that I think it could fit almost any hand as long as you like a contoured grip. At the range, i shot the Glock first, just to have some trigger time, then went to the VP9. As much as I dislike the Glock trigger, that's how much I like the trigger on the VP9. It's not S&W revolver crisp, but as close to it in a striker-fired gun I've ever shot. The comparison between the VP9 and the PPQ is tough because the guns are so much alike. The differences for me are all subjective. I like the sights and the trigger on the VP9 more than the Walther. I like the PPQ a lot, just the VP9 more. The grip on the VP9 is more adjustable than the Walther. Both the VP9 and the Walther also have right-side controls, but the PPQ M2 requires reversing the mag release (the PPQ M1 wouldn't though). The slide release on the VP9 and the Walther is on both sides, but it's more integrated on the PPQ. It seems like an afterthought on the VP9. The take-down is easier on the VP9. One thing I found on the VP9 that I really like was the "charge-assist" handles. these are basically some wings on the slide that make it easier to rack the slide manually. At first I thought they would get in the way but they don't. I didn't try, but they look like you could cycle the slide with them against a belt or table top if you needed to do it to clear a jam one-handed. Not an issue for me at the range but if it were your carry gun it might be a plus. If you have a Walther and like it, the VP9 will seem familiar. If you've never shot one I recommend it. The targets below were at 8 yards. I shot a mag first, then the 6-shot grouping (target 1 below), then three more mags. I switched to the P07 for 40 rounds, then came back and put the 10 more through the VP9 (target 2 below). The gun is far more accurate than I am. I let the RO shoot 5 rounds and he centered them all. I hadn't considered an H&K in the past because, well, the price point turned me off for no good reason. With the VP9 priced where it is I couldn't pass it up.

I'm willing to bet this machine actually created a small business owner and some jobs. I doubt it's a Lowes machine - there is a vendor somewhere that owns it, so the vendor is responsible for maintenance/repair, stocking it, etc. Granted, one person probably services an entire region, but as has been mentioned Lowes never hired anyone just to make keys.

I don't know if I'd buy more or less, but I'd certainly not feel pressured (even if it's all in my head) to use it or lose it. I certainly wouldn't have to be concerned about the calendar when I purchased. And to make it worse, I rarely sell anything either since it would be a pain to replace. As it is, I always have a valid permit on hand just in case something shows up. I file for a new set when I'm down to the last one, and the pressure mounts as they are about to expire.

I just bought one and will likely head to HG Easton one day this week, you're welcome to join me. PM if interested. I'm in Branchburg...

But I haven't found a 100,000 btu electric heater, and in a power outage it would draw too much current from my generator. The torpedo takes about 20 minutes on full-blast to warm my garage up to where I won;t freeze. I have 15 foot ceilings so need something large because of the volume. I had a 400,000 btu heater that was insane, but it sounded like a jet engine when it ran and was just too big for the space available. I may try a couple gallons of diesel just because of the price difference, but I don't really use that much to justify the smell (if there is any).

How is the smell with diesel? I use Kero in my torpedo heater but I know it will run on diesel. Everything I read says diesel stinks up the place though.

Update - I've been able to find CCI minimags lately at the range and the 22/45 Lite functions fine on them (at least it cycles fine) but I've had some problems. First, the rear sight was installed "clocked" to the side a bit, maybe 5 degrees, making it very difficult to align the sights correctly. Secondly, after about 50 rounds the bullets were tumbling into the target. I cleaned the barrel, removed some leading and it improved, but wasn't great. It looks to me like the rifling is off a bit. So, it's on it's way back to Ruger. First time I've ever had to send a handgun back to the manufacturer. What is a pain is the barrel is part of the receiver, which is the serial numbered part. If Ruger needs to replace that I need to burn another permit to get it back. Argh...

Yup - Van Dorn is on 22east, west of the Kings shopping center. It's across from the diner. Was there Friday getting 5 gals for the garage heater and about choked on the price. Be sure to bring a Blue kero can - they won't pump it into any other container.

Only one local to us Branchburg folks is Van Dorn in Whitehouse - but the price is a ridiculous $6 a gallon...

hope there is no delay in NICS...

2 in my garage - 1969 Mustang Fastback and a 1973 Dodge Dart Sport Convertriple. Not the best pics but you get the idea...

There is a small line between the primer bulb and the carb. Many times the line splits/cracks where it attaches to the carb.

Thank you!

I was at the range one time getting pelted by brass. I was adjusting as much as I could when the RO came over and mentioned how, when he was in a firefight in Iraq, he got a couple of hot rounds in his shirt and boots, and couldn't do anything about it because of the fighting - he just had to keep going. It gave me a whole new perspective on getting sprayed on the range. It was suddenly no big deal. It's why I now consider it as part of the situation that I can't necessarily control. I try to use it to maintain focus. I thanked him for his service and the lesson...

If you want something that isn't off the shelf, take a look at Detroit Denim...

This doesn't need to be the case. If you do enough research up front, the first handgun you buy may become one of your favorites. When I was looking to get back into shooting I spent a couple of months (while waiting for the FID and P2P call) making a list of what I would use the permits on. I followed the advice I got here and rented everything I was remotely interested in, so when I was able to purchase I knew what I would get. My first handgun was the Beretta 92fs Inox and it's still one of my favorite shooters. My second was a Kimber Stainless Pro-Carry - also a favorite. As I expanded my collection I added to the list, and bought as time and funds allowed. It's some of my later purchases that don't get out much. Some of them are just not as enjoyable to shoot. I think what changed is how I approached buying them. My first list was put together based on my up-front research and trying them out by renting all of them at the range. I ruled out the ones I didn't like. I still enjoy shooting the ones I bought on my initial set of permits. After that I stopped renting and bought based on some research and feedback, but not trying them out first. It's some of these that don't make the range trip very often. The point is to do your research and get what you like. Your tastes and needs may change over time but your first can also become your favorite.