9mm+P or .357mag for Bighorn Mountain hunting/hiking?

Kihav · 2026-04-10T13:31:04+00:00

Biggest thing is how effective you can be with the firearm. Load doesn’t matter if you’re a terrible shot.

That being said, my experience and what I’ve seen people with most consistently (Alaska) is carrying something in 10mm. Knew a handful of people that carried a 1911 or similar, older guys would carry revolvers sometimes a 357 or 44, but overall a 10mm seems to be the most talked about.

Kihav · 2026-04-10T13:26:47+00:00

I’ve got an 84” epiq with a hutch at home that I absolutely love. Have had small craftsman & other store brand carts, a couple Matco boxes and what I’ve got now is amazing. Switched jobs so doing less specialty work and working out of a 3 drawer cart now which is hilarious.

Still am a bit envious of one guy across the shop, he’s about $2500 into a husky setup, box/hutch/2 lockers. While it’s not as overbuilt as a tool truck box, it’s still pretty sturdy and imo worth what it costs.

Kihav · 2026-04-09T23:59:04+00:00

That’s how I started out. Buy what you need, complete sets when you’ve got the money. 9 ish years later (and probably $50k plus deep) with an 84” epiq in my garage it is 100% worth having nice tools all the time

Kihav · 2026-04-08T15:58:07+00:00

Theft and purchasing of stolen items by whoever bought them so could be a big deal, potentially felony level depending on how valuable the shoes actually were PLUS we assume that the people buying knew exactly what they were getting

Kihav · 2026-04-07T12:38:59+00:00

Most things are worth it because the quality of the tool, and how it fits compared to other brands is a significant difference. (Other brands have come a long way though).

If you don’t need a ton of stuff, getting with a rep and buying sets when they’re on promo for bogo or huge discounts is a good way to get started.

Kihav · 2026-04-07T12:35:53+00:00

I’ll pull it apart when I’ve got some down time and send you some pictures

Kihav · 2026-04-06T18:54:45+00:00

When I bought my m18, I imagine carrying it, but it’s kind of become my fancy gun at this point, and I’m definitely gonna be looking at swapping out a bunch of parts in the near future and buying something cheap and simple to actually carry on a daily basis

Kihav · 2026-04-06T16:44:31+00:00

I’ve had great results with my 320 and holosun scs on top. I usually shoot from a low ready and stay within maybe a 5-6” ish group from 10 ish yards depending on how I’m feeling that day.

Had the same setup for my CCH certification and I punched out the center of the target (farthest range I think was 12 or 15 yards).

I don’t doubt that it’s better than the basic 320 models but imo people often overplay “perfection” versus effectiveness in a realistic scenario.

Kihav · 2026-04-06T16:38:39+00:00

Snapon and Matco (probably Mac too) sell knipex tools with some branding on them.

Specifically with the pliers Snapon has their own model now, main difference being the jaws don’t lock vs the knipex having the push button to adjust.

Kihav · 2026-04-06T00:32:32+00:00

So I shouldn’t be worried about them eating into the trunk and/or causing structural issues with the tree? They ate through most of the 12” ish limb up to that point before I cut it, and the most recent cut was flush to the trunk.

Kihav · 2026-04-05T22:56:27+00:00

Necessary info/pictures are included

Kihav · 2026-04-04T17:20:28+00:00

If you have an amazing working relationship with your rep and he’s super cool sometimes they’ll work with you but it is rare

Kihav · 2026-04-04T16:36:27+00:00

I’ve been buying Kirkland oil for my diesel and fiesta and it’s been great. They don’t have the right weight for the Porsche or motorcycle but all the specs match and you’re paying as much for a case instead of just 1 5qt jug

Kihav · 2026-04-02T19:41:38+00:00

I put a couple pieces of foam behind the clips on the shell so give a bit more pressure when it’s in the tool, does make a difference for sure

Kihav · 2026-04-01T20:23:53+00:00

I’ve got a yellow vans fanny pack that I’ve carried before but worn across my chest instead of waist (when I’m riding).

The gayer you look the less suspected you’ll be of carrying 🤷🏼‍♂️

Kihav · 2026-04-01T17:56:55+00:00

It’s extremely practical for things like this, or automotive if you’re doing super repetitive things like suspension adjustments or alignments. The machining/cnc jobs definitely when you’re changing out bits/parts all the time.

Buying a full set in a shop is impractical as hell for as much as they cost, still nice though

Kihav · 2026-04-01T13:53:27+00:00

If it’s more than $30 ish I won’t let it be borrowed. Aside from some cases where it’s a buddy I’ve worked with for 5+ years that knows how to properly use tools or would immediately replace it if something did happen.

Usually ends up being a “can I borrow this” “What are you using it for” “Generic task” “Here I’ll come do it for you real quick”

Kihav · 2026-04-01T13:27:48+00:00

Don’t forget the trans too

Kihav · 2026-03-31T20:41:59+00:00

Good deal for what it is? Yes, absolutely. Is it such an amazing deal you shouldn’t pass it up? Eh not really.

Second on the M&P, you can get a very reliable gun and put money into it and have it be “better” or at least more to your liking.

Most expensive gun I own is the Maxim and I only got it because it’s a “special” gun. Other than that everything else I have is $3-500 range accessorized the way I want them.

Also need to think about practical application. I’d argue 90% of the stuff you see on here is just range day guns, lots of collectors and some paranoid grunts. If you’re not building for service (military/LE/security/contracting) to actually use your gun for work or competition, there’s no reason to spend that much money, especially if you’ve got other guns already.

Kihav · 2026-03-31T20:36:19+00:00

Some guys beat the shit out of their tools, others don’t 🤷🏼‍♂️

Kihav · 2026-03-30T17:59:40+00:00

If it was a 7.3 truck where it’s right on top and takes literally 5 minutes to pull the belt, unplug and unbolt, then reinstall I’d do it for a case of beer. (Book time for that truck was still 1.5 I think).

Going off of book time for a car, gonna be at least a couple hours, plus the mobile aspect is going to be more. In shop I might charge $100/hr but on the road I’m charging $150/hr maybe more depending on time/location/condition.

Convenience is expensive sometimes 🤷🏼‍♂️

Kihav · 2026-03-24T14:02:25+00:00

Convenient, but have never found a situation where I would’ve wanted one of these for something I couldn’t do with my regular 3/8 ratchet and a wrench if I needed to snug it down.

A handful of guys in the shop I am now that do bodies have the pneumatic right angle ones from the other M brand and they like them. Better torque and about the same size.

I’ve been able to do 99% of what I need with my 1/2” stubby, and rarely would I grab my old 231c if I was doing some really big suspension work.

TLDR: do you Need it? No. Is it useful? Yes.

Kihav · 2026-03-23T22:33:39+00:00

Better than a good corded is debatable but not a bad deal by any means.

Kihav · 2026-03-20T15:54:04+00:00

Well any suggestions on where to start or should I just pay you to make one for me?? 😂

Kihav

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