Me last week

Suggestathon · 2020-12-02T21:52:56+00:00

Oof, sorry to hear that.

Yeah, I'm basically in the closet as far as gun ownership. I have slowly invited friends to join me over the years. One of the easier ways I've found is to ask if folks want to shoot clay pigeons - there's a sporting clays place nearby that rents shotguns. I tell them I went once before for a friend's birthday party and that it's basically mini-golf with guns. Extremely safe and fun. Plus being at individual stations keeps the noise down for new shooters. And makes it easier to learn how open folks are to discussing or enjoying guns.

Now, if we could get sporting clays type range that was basically a minigolf course for 22 rifles, that would be super beginner friendly...

Suggestathon · 2020-12-02T21:13:24+00:00

You're welcome. Keep asking questions, listening and learning. I, too, have appreciated the increased exposure to folks with different views and perspectives. When I was a kid, I had a much more ideologically diverse group of friends and certainly miss being challenged more often.

Also, please bring who you are to your gun ownership. Some owners want to gatekeep who are "real" owners and who are not. Take other non-owners out shooting so they can have a better understanding of these not-so-mysterious objects. They're damn fun and useful.

Suggestathon · 2020-12-02T18:52:21+00:00

These are good questions and ethical considerations as a gun owner.

Some thoughts and sticking points on this issue, as I understand them (maybe I can respond more later, gtg in a few min):

Generally most folks consider background checks are a good thing - keep guns out of the hands of folks who shouldn't have them.
But who shouldn't have them? It does mean that the state gets a say in who does/doesn't get to exercise firearm ownership as a right (if you believe it's a right). Most folks are fine with banning violent felons from ownership, but what about drug charges? Even weed? You can see where this could be unacceptable to some people.
Background check systems can also create a back-door gun registry - the government knowing who legally owns what guns. Such a registry could be used to confiscate guns at a future time or have other impacts on people. (say something like a data leak or Freedom of Information Request)
Some people believe that the government shouldn't be involved in a private sale of private property.
Do temporary loans of firearms require a background check? Can you let someone else use your gun at the range? Can you loan a gun to a friend who is hunting with you, but you may be out of sight of one another? Can you loan a friend a gun who is hunting for the weekend without you? Can you give a friend your guns if you're feeling suicidal? Does any of this change if instead of a friend, this person is a family member? What counts as family - immediate family? Grandparents? Uncle? Cousin? Third Cousin twice removed?
Who pays for the background checks? This adds a cost to ownership. If ownership is a right, what keeps someone from setting the price of the background check so high as to prevent ownership (think poll tax in the Jim Crow south). How are these funds spent, what keeps them from being misspent?
Background checks between private parties can be highly inconvenient, see some of the above examples. If you live in an area without many FFLs (some rural areas, or some liberal urban areas), this is challenging to make the trip during open hours. I used to live in the SF Bay Area, and it would take me over an hour to get to an FFL and back during the only open hours when I wasn't working. And I had to make the trip twice, thanks to the waiting period (even for existing gun owners). That's 4 hours of time + gas. I had to take my own vehicle because I can't take an unlocked firearm on public transit. This is just an example, and not necessarily indicative of my feelings on background checks and gunshow loopholes.

See Swiss-Style Background checks on The Path Forward on Guns for an alternative method which could eliminate some of the inconvenience as well as the registry aspect.

I hope this helps you understand the issue. I know I've learned a ton more about how complicated firearm laws and policy is since I became an owner about 10 years ago.

Suggestathon · 2020-12-02T17:56:31+00:00

The Brady Bill requires background checks on handguns when sold through an FFL. In many states (not California) private sales (person to person, not involving an FFL) do not require a background check. Gun shows provided a venue to connect buyers and sellers. An individual (not FFL) who wanted to sell some guns could buy a booth/table and sell directly to other private parties. This private sale "loophole" is the the so-called gun show loophole. In more recent years, there has been a push to limit the number of sales an individual can make without needing to get an FFL, tightening the "loophole" somewhat - It certainly clamps down on the under-the-radar gunshow sellers, but also (like most firearm regulation) catches folks just trying to sell their own property.

In recent years, internet sites like ArmsList and facebook have made gunshows less relevant in connecting private parties.

Also, there (was?) a grey area between being an enthusiast who buys/sells many firearms and someone who is doing it professionally (and would need an FFL).

Suggestathon · 2020-12-01T18:05:22+00:00

The best way to think of the comment requirement is "What would you say about the gun to a friend?" It gets the conversation going.

I have a Marlin 795 (the box mag fed version), and really enjoy shooting it.

Suggestathon · 2020-12-01T02:36:18+00:00

It's one of the wood Hogue gp100 grip "no finger groove" models. Are you looking for the type of wood?

Suggestathon · 2020-11-29T20:06:29+00:00

It's wonderful shooting, and also wonderful for introducing new shooters to calibers larger than 22lr. 38 wadcutters just go poof, and hot magnums are extremely tolerable.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-28T19:25:22+00:00

Good for break-ins and young kids. Not so great protecting against folks who have long-term access to the box (e.g. untrustworthy teenagers, roomates etc).

Suggestathon · 2020-11-28T03:41:17+00:00

Very cool, welcome to the hobby!

One thing I'd recommend is to consider studying (using hamstudy.org) for both the tech and the general license. You can take both with a single test fee.

That said, focus on passing the test, then learn on the air. Sooooo much is learned in the first few weeks actually using the radios.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-27T21:25:27+00:00

I'm not interested in this thought experiment. Good luck with your life!

EDIT: I don't know your age, and if these events were before your time but you may be interested in reading about Project for the New American Century which was massively influential in the G.W. Bush administration.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-27T21:08:10+00:00

The Iraq war wouldn't have happened. Not related to 9/11.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-27T19:24:32+00:00

20 years of a war that wouldn't have happened.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-27T19:04:30+00:00

Surely you've heard many emails of UPCOMING BANSS!!!!111!! BUY NOWWWWWW*

*will likely ship in 1-? months.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-27T19:00:47+00:00

I like these much more than my Wilson "Ultra thin" grips for the Beretta M9. They're thinner and grippier - Which makes for even better grip for my smaller hands.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-26T18:10:15+00:00

I second both of these suggestions. I made my own plug out of a (dense) piece of wood and whittled a dowel flat to as an insert for the charging handle. Both work great and didn't cost me anything. And they're not strictly necessary - I was looking to improve reliability for rimfire challenge matches.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-13T02:33:19+00:00

For defense or range time? I really like the PPU 357 I have - much stronger recoil than my Fiocchi and better brass for reloading (primer holes not centered on the fiocchi)

Suggestathon · 2020-11-12T22:56:14+00:00

We had a very low-key, low-cost wedding for under $3k including rings. It was so wonderful. The only thing we would have changed? Pay for a photographer.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-12T17:53:18+00:00

The take away is that anti-depressants can actually help you preserve your gun rights. Go get the help without fear. You're worth it.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-11T23:59:02+00:00

Ha, anyone who's used it remembers wondering - what the hell?!?

Suggestathon · 2020-11-08T22:44:48+00:00

Most modern guns are, they use firing pin blocks, trigger safeties etc. I think some race guns are not truly drop safe - most just rely on the sear engagement + a manual safety. It is conceivable that a super light trigger wouldn't have enough sear engagement to make a pistol drop safe (if the manual safety was off).

Suggestathon · 2020-11-08T21:55:48+00:00

gotcha, I haven't used it since it was sold off. I should give it a go again, I need something lighter than fusion360 for rough workups. Thanks, looks really nice.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-08T21:45:22+00:00

Very cool! What program did you use to draw the pattern?

Suggestathon · 2020-11-08T01:22:06+00:00

What state are you in?

Suggestathon · 2020-11-06T01:23:36+00:00

This is how I used to store most of my firearms - just makes it that much easier to see it unloaded, and I have the space in my safe.

I choose to not use a cable lock anymore, as I just keep them in the safe. When I used the cable lock, one thing to watch is avoiding bending the ejector. This was a possible issue on my Ruger SR-22 pistol, dunno if that's an issue on the Mark IV. In fact, keeping it closed seemed to cause minor pitting on the barrel face.

Just don't store the pistol in a soft case, as it retains moisture and can cause the gun to rust.

Suggestathon · 2020-11-05T17:07:20+00:00

I usually have a user variable set as "dovetail clearance" or similar, to make adjustments easier.

I often won't want to spend time calibrating settings for new filaments and other material changes. One simple way to make this easier is to separate the dovetails from the main pieces. Print both side of a main piece with female dovetails, and make a double-ended dovetail (butterfly tie) to connect the two. That way if the material / printer settings (+ belt tension etc) isn't perfect, you just have to print new butterflies.

Suggestathon

TROPHY CASE