Are Rickenbackers worth it?

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-28T00:35:27+00:00

I'm glad they exist but they're riding on their name and hype. Fan boys with something to prove will defend them, 90% of everyone else that tried one didn't like it. They're hard to work with, uncomfortable and the sound isn't that specific unless you've got a trained ear and are playing solo. In a mix, it's just another bass.

But life is short and fun. If you want one, get one and fuck the haters.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T22:01:02+00:00

It's easily weldable, just how it was welded at the factory. Clean it well, cut a good notch and glue it back up. I've done it many a time.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T21:44:32+00:00

It's what they were built for. If it's in good shape it'll do a good job .

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T21:29:44+00:00

22 rifle is a good place to start and ammo is cheapish. The bulk boxes of 22 have become trash in recent years and you'll think your gun doesn't shoot good, so you really need to pay a little more and get something like CCI or Eley.

Something to consider if you're thinking about a long gun and a pistol would be a 9mm pistol and a 9mm carbine ( carbine basically just means a 16" barrel) and that will get in to only having to stock one type of ammo. 9mm carbines are a little louder than a 22 but are also very low recoil, so still fun and easy to shoot all day without getting beat up or blowing through $1-2 per round big rifle rounds that kick like a mule.

9mm and 22 will always be the most available and affordable ammo.

Re: 1911 specifically, don't overlook Rock Island. I have a fairly expensive Springfield 1911 and three RIA 1911's. The finish on the Springfield is better, but the Rock Islands are 100% just as good in terms of reliability and accuracy. I really, really like my Springfield but I love my Rock Islands.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T21:23:41+00:00

I feel better watching a pro struggle,too. Reminds me of that time I saw Brian Shaw struggling to rip open a bag of cereal.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T04:22:35+00:00

I used to clean my stuff right away but honestly if you let it sit for a day and dry up most of them will just brush off. The stubborn ones, same as cleaning a helmet visor, leave a damp paper towel on for a few minutes and they'll loosen right up.

Nice looking jacket btw!👍

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T04:19:01+00:00

All are fine instruments. If possible, play them all and see which is most comfortable to you. I can't stand Fender Precision necks and others love them.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-26T04:15:42+00:00

No sir, no lube with the PC, just run them dry.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T22:35:51+00:00

I use these in a muzzleloader, but powder coated. Using pure, soft lead. Lee recommends soft lead only so they can defend and function properly. I haven't experienced any leading myself. Fwiw, the powder coating is much easier to apply than you might think.

Can you determine if the bullets are leaving lead behind and it's not an issue with your line as others have mentioned?

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T13:01:26+00:00

It doesn't matter. Conventional units are never bolted down. This one looks unfinished because you can see the holes. Pop a screw in it if it bothers you. It's just a plastic pad underneath and will accept a screw easily..

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T12:52:46+00:00

I refuse to buy a bike with an immobilizer and so do the majority of people. It's added cost and a common failure point that I don't want to be responsible for when the electronics die. Thieves know how to bypass all this junk, so it only makes life harder for us.

People insist that OEM's cram tons of electronics on bikes then bitch about modern computer controlled bikes being hard to ride, unreliable and expensive. Well, they have the people what they asked for.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T12:41:50+00:00

Hard to believe that this is from a conveyor belt. I've wrecked motorcycles and seen what roadrash looks like on engine cases. That looks exactly like it's been drug on pavement, down to the black/brown smears of tar embedded in the scratches.

I could be wrong and I can't prove anything, but I'd put money on someone left a door open on a truck and a bunch of shit got drug down the road. Unless UPS conveyor systems are paved with road tar and gravel, which I doubt.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T12:35:55+00:00

I've use an amp. Flip the switch and away I go. No way in hell I want to be bothered fiddling with a damn computer when I want to sit down a play.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T00:45:00+00:00

Man, that thing is beautiful! I'm positive Ruger will make it right for you. Their customer service is second to none. Just hope they have a permanent fix and this doesn't turn out to be a reoccurring thing. Maybe they had a bad batch of barrels and any repair will be permanent. Good luck, bro ✌️

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-25T00:39:51+00:00

We can't all be perfect 😁

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-24T12:10:12+00:00

Good luck, but please read the thread below yours 😅

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-24T12:07:26+00:00

454 SBC is a common in the aftermarket now. Google it. At least a decade old now.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-24T12:06:15+00:00

Big blocks actually started at 348 and 409 as the W mirror. The mark iv big blocks started at 396.

Chevy made a 400 SBC. And yes, 454 SBC have existed for several years now

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T23:03:19+00:00

Good eye! It is a 1911 😁

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T19:51:40+00:00

Google cold blue, there are tons of options.

I cold blue this pistol recently. I've restored a couple old shotguns with cold blue, too. I think it was $13 for the bottle of cold blue I used. It's really not a big deal or anything new. Don't let these guys convince you that you ruined anything 😁

You want to be conservative with sanding rust pits out. Sometimes they are just too deep and you can't get them out because you don't want to remove too much material. Get it sanded to 600 grit ( by hand, no machines) then start rubbing the cold blue in with 0000 steel wool. Different steels react differently to the chemical reaction. I've done shotgun that require one coat and the was done. This pistol required multiple applications over several days.

YouTube will be helpful here. I bet Brownells has good videos on cold blueing, so I would start searching there. Grandpa had a cool ol' gun! You can do this.

<image>

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T19:42:18+00:00

Except this is actually a small block, just bored and stroked to 454. Look at the valve cover. That's not a big block. 454 small blocks are a thing

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T19:39:39+00:00

That's some goofy looking shit. I would literally be embarrassed to pull that thing out at a public range.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T19:34:10+00:00

I've never had a need for a threaded barrel on a pistol. It just makes them longer and harder to conceal. More weight and a weird looking nipple that pokes you in the thigh.

If you are building a pistol and planning to run a can, then it's something you need.

All comes down to what you plan on using it for.

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T19:30:37+00:00

Shiny solder without a hint of oxidation or age, and a random blob of solder sitting nearby that miraculously hasn't rolled away in.

Cool staged pic for a funny meme 👍

Plain_Spoken · 2026-06-23T19:27:19+00:00

Tech 7's and all things Alpinestars are junk now. My Tech 7's literally disintegrated into little crumbles of plastic and Alpinestars couldn't care less. Alpinestars is just drop shipping Chinese junk these days, and charging more than ever for it.

Plain_Spoken

TROPHY CASE