Candyman87

Great episode! Always a pleasure to listen to you two after a day at the range and cleaning up!

When I started reloading, I actually took an NRA Metallic Reloading course... that might be overkill but it got me in front of a lot of well thought out material, helped me understand WHY things are the way they are, the physics behind it, and actually walk through step-by-step in the reloading process. In my eyes, some of these handgun pressures are in excess of 35,000 psi, and some rifle pressures are twice that. And you're holding them in front of your face. I'm in awe of 3500 psi when I fill my scuba tanks, the thought of something going wrong with 35,000 psi in my hand, I'd rather learn it the right way. Putting in a new primer, powder, and stuffing a bullet in is easy. Knowing why certain things will work and why others won't, is worth the cost of admission. This is one thing I decided NOT to learn from Youtube.

Very cool!

Interested in IDPA but never got around to joining Cherry Ridge. This may be the straw on the camel's back I've needed.

Very cool! I've had a great opportunity to drive a lot of different vehicles, on road and off. I definitely need to add these to the list.

I'd like to get my name down for the next one. Currently, I don't have anything a large enough caliber for IDPA, but should have one in the next month or two. Thanks for doing this!

Hi there... I don't use a spam filter since it's my own .com and hard to accidentally guess my email. Anyway, PM your way.

I believe it's a Wikipedia type, where you have to register. I'll be honest and say I tried, but I never got the email to activate my account. So far there's a lot of missing info, which I have, but I have no way of inputting it into your system.

I'm a bit confused by the selection of firearms. I searched for two items. I searched "PPK" in NJ and got 11 results, differentiating between a stainless finish and blued finish, 75th anniversary edition, and showing both the PPKS and the PPK/S, which are the same. Then I searched "PPQ" in NJ and got one result. Regardless of variant, because there's several models, one that is legal in NJ and one that is not because of the 17 round magazine. Whereas you lump all PPQ's in together, you break out almost a dozen varieties of PPK's. And none of which have any data on them. I like the idea, but I'd be wary of user submitted "is this legal?" questions.

My thoughts exactly. There's no way this kid should have been given a full magazine for her first time off of semi-auto. It's a real shame. I feel for everyone involved and their families. Especially the kid.

You've got your basic food groups: .22, 9mm and .45. You're covering both revolvers and semi-autos. Not seeing anything small and concealable. Sounds like you might need a PPK

Congrats and welcome to the club!

Maybe not a game changer, but something neat to have... especially for introducing newbies to shooting. Whereas an AR might intimidate them, this doesn't have the "evil" pistol grip and might be better received by someone who thinks they know guns. Not to trick them in anyway, but I can see how this would be more inviting to those who think all AR's are "killing machines"

Here's a shot taken by my buddy while shooting at LVSC yesterday. Shot 69/100, not bad for a pump with a choke tighter than I'd like (I've since bought a less restricted choke tube so I anticipate a higher score next time!)

Here's a photo... better photos to come in sunlight tomorrow!

Coming soon!

First off, thanks for everyone who helped in my other thread helping me to buy a shotgun. Anyway, I made the trek out to Cabela's today to cash in $500 in gift cards (yay converting hotel points to Cabela's gift cards... 40+ nights a year pays off!) and it turned out that they were fresh out of 870 Wingmasters and O/U's under $1,000. Needless to say, I checked the used rack. There was a 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster with 28" vent rib barrel (exactly what I was looking for) but the mid bead was missing, the stock was water damaged and the finish looked like the gun had done a couple of trips through the rain forest. I decided to pass. Ready to go home, I spot an 870 out of the corner of my eye. Polymer furniture, but I picked it up and it had the 28" vent rib barrel that I was really looking for. Turns out she's a 870 Magnum Special Purpose. All black, polymer furniture, with a 28" vent rib barrel. Interesting. I pull it up to my shoulder and it fits me like a glove. It's an 870, and by the looks of it only had a couple hundred rounds through it. Great shape, and a great price, so I plunked down my gift cards and a hundred bucks for the shotgun, case of shells, cleaning supplies, hardshell case, and a new choke tube for skeet. Brought her home and cleaned up... she looks as good as new. A little bit of wear shows, but nothing I wouldn't have done in a couple months of loving use. Now, off to Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in the morning to see how she shoots!

Definitely can't afford the 686 right now. Budget is ~$750. Currently paying my way through an MBA program. Hopefully, I'll be reaping the rewards of that come December/January and then can treat myself.

Thanks! The biggest reason I took the NRA Basic Shotgun course was to train that part out of me. I spent the first half hour forgetting everything I knew about pistols and rifles, and then finally started breaking clays. By the time the day was out, I was hitting more than half. Not bad for learning on a 20" 870 Police model.

My understanding is that the 870 Express is a more budget minded model whereas the Wingmaster is a higher-end model with a walnut stock, glossy finish, and more work done internally for a smoother action. Either way, I'd probably skip the Express just because the laminate stock just looks cheap to me. I think I want to do more than just clays, but am not sure right now. I'm afraid if I drop $750 on a CZ Redhead or a Stoeger, that I'll end up buying the 870 anyway, and then will replace it in a year or two with the Beretta 686 that I really want. I'm just wary about my only shotgun being an O/U right now.

Long story short, I'm a pistol shooter looking into doing more with trap, skeet, and sporting clays. I've taken NRA Basic Shotgun and walked out of there pretty dead set on getting an 870 Wingmaster. I didn't have any problem shooting trap with a pump, but am not sure I'll have the same experience with skeet (haven't shot skeet in YEARS). This past weekend, I finally made it out to Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays and fell in love with the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon, until I realized it was a $2,000 gun. Being that it's a first shotgun and needs to "do it all" right now, I'm still leaning towards the 870 Wingmaster rather than an over/under. My budget right now is about $750 or so. The 870 Wingmaster comes in around $700 with a 28" barrel and Rem-Choke system. Would I be happy with the 870? I like the fact that I can swap out barrels and use it for other activities. I'm hoping it will last long enough until I can justify spending $2000 or more on a dedicated over/under for clays.

Trying to be out within the year... either to PA or TN, depending where work will take me.

Looks interesting! Let's see the bigger version once you do it!

Agreed! Just made purchase #3 from them and am always happy in my dealings!

Yesterday was a happy day... I called the PD and my permits were in, so I could finally pick up the Walther/Manurhin PP that I bought two months ago. Turns out the PD called my Dad (who was filing for permits at the same time) and let them know that all the permits were available a month and a half ago. However, they never notified me. Long story short, the PD asked if I could be there by 3:00, so I got in the car, grabbed my new permits, and took them right to RTSP where Artie finally got my new to me Walther PP in my hands. Here she is: 1972-1973 Walther/Manurhin (made in France under license after German demilitarization) PP in .32 ACP. Former police issue (has JW2501 stamped into the frame) and in great shape. Came with box and both magazines, and I was able to pick up a Manurhin PP manual in German off Earl's Repair Service for another $25 to complete the set. Put 150 rounds through her right away, the majority were within 4" at 7 yards. Definitely shoots great for a 40 year old gun, and shoots better than my .380 PPK with a LOT less felt recoil. Walther/Manurhin PP in box Walther/Manurhin PP in box (closeup) Walther/Manurhin PP service markings