5th4x4

As per tools for the lower, I'll risk the mockery of the purists here and show what I used: Aside from a hammer (not pictured), that is everything that I used to build the lower that you see there - and zero scratches(!). (and btw, the hammer was a regular old framing hammer) And I do actually already own a nice set of punches that are hiding somewhere in my garage, but I ran out of patience searching for them, so I just made do without them. As for the buffer tube, I did spring for the armorer's tool, since I couldn't come up with a suitable workaround for dealing with the castle nut. Therefore when it comes to tools.... if you are comfortable with building things, and if you are resourceful (and careful) you can save yourself some money on the tools, and just buy yourself some ammo or something with that money instead.

I sent you a PM. (free of cuss words : P ) As for anyone else who may interested, I'll repeat what I conveyed to the OP: 1) I'm looking to make the trip on a weekday morning. 2) I've never been to the Ft Dix range, so I'm particularly looking for someone who has been there and already knows the drill. (as in, a knowledge of the range itself, rather than in the driving directions to the range - since I've already driven by that range many many times in the past). * although obviously after I've been there once, that 2nd aspect will no longer apply any longer I'm starting at GSP exit 165 (as a reference point) so anyone near or south of me feel free to give me a shout and maybe we can get a trip organized. And as I've already stated, it would be me and up to 3 others.

Ugh. It's classified as a truck and I use it and abuse it as one whenever I need to. So the answer to your question is Yes.

Hoboken = North Jersey?? Hoboken is more like South North Jersey ; ) That said, I'd be up for that. I'd also be up for truckpooling my fellow true North Jersey guys to do the same. Therefore if any Bergen (or NW) guys want to organize something, I'd be willing to provide the vehicle in exchange for a chip-in of fuel and at least one shooter with prior experience at that range. I've got a Ridgeline that comfortably seats 4 (inc driver), and it has an under bed well (essentially a trunk in the bed) that measures approx 48" across. (and it's plenty deep). It's a totally road-trip worthy vehicle. Therefore if anyone is interested, let me know. Oh, and if anyone with experience at that range has weekdays free, let me know if you want to make a trip on a weekday. I can juggle my schedule when I need to, so I'd love to play hooky at that range one day.

Since you're still in need of a LPK before you are ready to embark on the build portion for your lower, I'll save my "build" experiences for another time. Therefore I'll just use this opportunity to refocus this thread back to your request for LPK info. As per T Bill's post (and as I subsequently read on various websites that sell this lower), you may run into pin size issues if you use standard LPK's. Apparently MagTactical LPK's come with longer (than standard) pins for the trigger and hammer. Therefore you might be best off just purchasing the MagTactical LPK and save yourself from the trouble of encountering "fit" issues during your very first build. Obviously this bit of advice comes from someone with the experience of having ONE build under his belt, but just as long as this bit of advice leads to some experienced and knowledgeable dialog about the best LPK for you, I'll now leave it to the better equipped here to mop-up my mess (if necessary).

The OP of that thread can be rather wordy at times. Plus he never even finished the thread. No pics. Nuthin! Oh wait!...... I try to update that later today : P

And btw, how did I ever get the misfortune of landing in the AK division? : o The irony of that is mind-bending! : P

If there is difficulty with filling out teams for the league, will you guys accept forum outsiders, or do you prefer to keep it all in-house? (just asking, in case)

Sweet! Sounds great. If schedules mesh, I'll trade some travel distance for some range distance. Especially outdoors!

Since you guys were so generous with your time and knowledge, I figured that I'd put a bow on this thread and let you guys know what I ended up ordering. As for "eyepro", I followed T Bill's "Z87" recommendation, along with Buell508's suggestion (and pjd832's follow) and I went with the Jackson Nemesis - in clear, amber, and smoke. I figure that those 3 pair will cover me regardless of light conditions. Plus, it was all less than $25. (which yes... leaves some extra money "for powder", as was wisely pointed out) For the ears, I had a tough time choosing between the Peltors and the Howard Leight - and I actually went back and forth (changing the order 3 times!) - before I finally decided to go with the Howard Leight Impact Sport. (plus I added some foam plugs as well) So that concludes (for now, at least) the range safety requirements. And btw T Bill.... my "thanks dad" comment to you earlier in this thread was intended as a light-hearted term of endearment for your looking out for my well-being - and it was not meant as a mock or a diss - so I hope that you took it that way. Just so y'know. Anyway, thanks again guys. I learned a lot from all of you, and then I supplemented that knowledge through quite a bit of internet research based on your recommendations. I honestly wouldn't have known where to even start without you guys, and that's a fact Jack!!!

I would second that - if nobody is absolutely committed to the 29th, of course. (although obviously I'm not looking to conduct a big draft date dance, so I'll roll with the majority and adapt accordingly)

Does Thurs/29th work for everyone? If so, I can try to make that happen. But if not.... I'm flexible pretty much any other night. (I just hate to start a season with a robot picking for me) Btw, who won last season?

I'd like to go on record as declaring myself an 'understander' of that (just for future reference)

Agreed. I lived in San Diego (and area) for 7 years. And I can testify that there's not a lot of "trying" required in order to be "laid back" out there. Even I (not native) achieved that "laid back" sweet spot pretty easily. Welcome to NJ! (where "laid back" not only doesn't exist.... but it's not even possible to fake!)

Welcome musicman! This place is great. Enjoy the camaraderie here. Ok, now I gotta ask iCARRY: All of those ranges require a little bit of a ride for me to reach, but.... What kind of distance can you shoot at those ranges? Public? I'm hungering for range distance, so I'll travel some distance to reach it. Thanks And btw Steve... you kinda dated yourself with that "before computers" remark. So what is your music style and what is your instrument?

At one point today I found myself getting a bit snobbish about what kind of rifle bag would be worthy of my rifle (<< seriously!). But fortunately, I came to my senses and remembered that every rifle that I have ever partnered with was as much a part of me as I was a part of it. So I reminded myself that there are only two ways that any Marine carries his rifle: 1) Slung or 2) Fingers cradling the front of the mag well Therefore... a bag is a bag is a bag. And a bag is strictly a carry requirement for the range only. So, if OSA doesn't have an inexpensive option.... that bag will be worthy enough for the range ; ) Thanks for the link.

If I had more time today, I would have swung by and checked them out. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow instead, since even if their prices are a bit higher than online, the savings in shipping costs may make it worth the trip. (btw, that's one of those extra costs that a build creates; lots of individual $hipments/co$ts)

Hey BBQ! Kinda funny... I just got back from a trip to Ramsey Outdoor (seriously... just a few minutes ago!). Looking for a rifle bag. Bupkis. Dicks had a decent one, but meh. So it looks like this will be another yet online purchase. Speaking of online purchases.... my build is actually complete at this point. I do have a half-finished build thread here (half-finished only because my digi-cam crapped out halfway through the build, so it was becoming one of those "this thread is pointless without pics" kind of things). I'll update my build thread soon enough though, since I can't half-azz and disrespect my rifle like that. Btw, it's also an M4. And my upper is BCM. I haven't tricked it out: no bells, no whistles (no optics - yet). (damn, I really do need to post some pics) My own family has hit a dry patch as far as keeping the Marine thing going. And unfortunately, the most eligible candidates at the moment are all girls right now. (and that doesn't really fly with me, so hopefully there will be no interest shown by any of them) So did you say that you have active right now? I still enjoy Marine culture, so feel free to share details if you want to. Anyway, it's great to know that there is another local Bergen guy here (and you are the most local that I know of at the moment here). T

Excellent! Now just try not to get "intruded" on while you're waiting for the paperwork to slow-walk itself through the state ; ) I haven't seen many lawyers offering much in the way of legal advice (probably wisely) in regard to this state's ambiguous gun laws, but that won't stop the rest of the menagerie here from commenting, I'm sure ; )

Ok, very cool : ) And hopefully the OP interprets my comments the same way.

Fair enough. I don't mean to come across as being adversarial with you. So if that is my tone (and it probably is coming across that way here), then I apologize for that. I just get very frustrated when personal responsibility is not taken when it's required. And I get downright apoplectic when the government removes your legal authority to take your own personal responsibility into your own hands. That about wraps up my thoughts on this topic.

As I said, the solution is so obvious that it's comical. If the OP can't (or won't) address that responsibility, then yeah, he's stuck with 1 of 2 bad possibilities. Which one would you pick?

Yeah. Bad on us. So I guess we're supposed to say, "Hey, condolences man. Sorry to hear about your wife. Glad to hear that she died while acting as a good law-abiding NJ subject though". Please. Btw OP..... get your wife a license and a weapon and quit the legal handwringing nonsense. The solution is so obvious that it's comical.

I have no awareness about the political leanings of the CEO. Pretty ironic though how he would be rabidly anti-2A while at the same time manufacturing and selling firearms tools. Just a typical Capitalist, I suppose (for better or worse, as is the nature of that glorious beast). Personally I tend to steer clear of "multi-tools" for the most part. They typically feature too much of what I will never need/use, while also costing me unnecessary $ for the convenience of possessing them. That said, the Multitasker is geared specifically towards the AR, so kudos for that. My quibble with it though, is it's needle-nose only design. Why no combo needle/pliers? Sometimes you want to grab a hold of something (a bolt, whatever) and turn, or grip - or really hold onto it. Needle-nose falls far short for that type of task. Seems to be an odd omission for a multi-tool. But hey, Barms........ looks like they got your cursed castle nut tool on there ; )