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fm2176

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Posts posted by fm2176

  1. 22 hours ago, Eric - TIA said:

    I have never heard of Canik but just took a look.  They look very cool.  Let me know what you think.

     

    I've heard great things about them and plan to accessorize mine as a competition pistol.  Mine is the TP9SFx, which is designed for target shooting, so a red dot optic is going on it soon, and I might add a light to make it a bedside gun if it proves reliable and accurate.  

     

    I used to swear by Federal 9BP "Hi-Shok" ammo but due to availability I've been feeding my 9mms with Winchester 115-grain Silvertips.  A quick search shows that I can get a case of 9BPs for a little over $500, so I may order some in the next month or two.

  2. Picked up my Chiappa Little Badger today, and went ahead and bought the scoped green version of the same rifle.  They seem like excellent survival/backpack guns.  While they are single shot they are much smaller and lighter than my Marlin Papoose and less awkward than my Henry US Survival (AR-7).

     

    Going forward I guess I'll have to show a little discipline.  It's easy coming into work, seeing something, and just buying it, but there are a lot of home projects to work on.  I still plan to fill out the collection a bit, though, in the name of customer service.  The SIG Sauer P365 and Springfield Hellcat are on the list since they're big sellers.  Due to pricing I might add a Taurus G2 or G3 and a Stoeger 9mm, as well as eventually a Henry lever action or two.  

  3. I tried our online ordering system last night.  Ordered a shotgun and a .22 rifle, both of which I knew we have, but the latter of which was ordered Store to Store.

     

    I picked up the shotgun earlier, and made an impulse buy of a Canik handgun.  The Canik is nice enough so far, but I'll have to wait until next week to put it through it's paces.

  4. On 12/8/2022 at 10:57 AM, DR99 said:

    Here is a site that sells adapters https://powertoolsadapters.com/

     

    I know the tools still work, but considering the cost and investment in new batteries. Depending on the amount of tools you have it might be a better investment to look into buying something new to replace them. It is wasteful and full on consumerism, but it might make the best financial sense.

     

    Seconded.  For better or worse, cordless tools are essentially throw away items after they stop being supported by their manufacturer and/or seller.  Ni-cad tools have become mostly obsolete and are vastly outperformed by newer Li-ion platforms.  Earlier Li-ion tools like DeWalt or Porter Cable 18v, which were basically Ni-cad tools with new batteries and chargers, are also relative dinosaurs.

     

    A new drill with two batteries costs around $100 during the holiday season.  I was at Home Depot yesterday and was tempted to get another kit.  For a little more you can get a Ryobi 4-piece combo, and for under $500 you can usually get a decent DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita 4-piece kit including a saw.  By comparison, an adapter might cost $30, questionable aftermarket or rebuilt batteries might be $30 each, and a proper charger could add another $30.  All for outdated technology on tools that were never designed to last a lifetime.

     

    DR99's link might have what you need if you decide to keep your tools running.  If so, hopefully they continue to serve you well over the years.  

    • Thanks 1
  5. I finally bought a proper Ryobi charger yesterday.  Since I moved at the end of July I'd been unable to find one.  I've had at least eight of them but gave a bunch of stuff away and might have accidentally left myself without.  I do have one or two of the little slip on chargers, one which came with my Arctic Cove misting fan, but those are all but worthless.

     

    Anyway, a new 6-port charger is in the garage. I had one but my kids tell me the mountain cur got a surprise from it.  I guess she decided to pee on it while I was at work and got shocked.  Regardless of what happened, it stopped working and the cord had already been spliced due to becoming an impromptu chew toy when the cur was a puppy.  

  6. 14 hours ago, Eric - TIA said:

    Sounds like you  have some nice things planed for the one or two a month. I still don't own a Glock but when I do get my next one, it's going to be a Glock.

     

    Glocks are decent service pistols with a reputation that varies depending on who you talk to.  A lot of law enforcement agencies carry them because they're reliable, simple to operate, and above all else, won't break the bank.  The 19X lost to the SIG P320 to become the Army's next service pistol, but they simply removed the Army mandated safety and released the gun on the Civilian market to decent reviews and sales.  Of course, you have the ubiquitous thug life appeal of them, and people like me who hated the ergonomics and overall feel until I bought my G17.  I'm more tolerant about different pistols now than I was 10 years ago.  Finally, on the subject of Glock opinions, their slogan of "Glock Perfection" is kind of a meme.  The aftermarket parts market is probably larger than it is for any other pistol besides the M1911, and a lot of Glock lovers spend under $600 on the "perfect" gun only to put another $1000 in parts and optics on it.

     

    I found out yesterday that the VA raised my rating to 100% Permanent and Total.  Big increase in compensation, other benefits, and a much lesser chance of being reevaluated and having my rating lowered.  Sucks in a lot of ways, but everything over the past 20+ years has added up to this point. 

    • Like 1
  7. 1 hour ago, Eric - TIA said:

    Sounds like a great deal to me.  I haven't picked up anything or gone shooting in a while so i am not going to lie, I am jealous.  

     

    Well, I found out Saturday morning that the VA rated me at 90%, so a gun or two a month is in the unofficial budget.  I want to get the Glock 45; it really doesn't do anything my 17 won't do, besides maybe conceal a slight bit better, but the three additional 17 round mags can be used for either when I carry them.

     

    I'm planning to buy an FN 509 at some point, Springfield Hellcat, and a SIG Sauer or two--probably a P365 and a P320 M18.  Also, we got the new S&W Equalizer in, so one of those or an M&P is on the list also.  As I tell customers semi-jokingly, I feel the need to own one of each to provide better customer service.

     

    Speaking of which, a couple of the younger guys are not fans of Ruger pistols.  Despite buying my two carry guns less than a year ago, though, I usually recommend them and a majority of the time the customer makes the buy.  The EC9s (9mm sub-compact) and LCP Max (.380 I keep as a backup/pocket pistol) are excellent for the price.  The new Security-9 was $369 or so prior to discount and feels good in the hand, so if it proves reliable it's going on the "recommend" list as well.

  8. I've largely neglected Lowe's since moving.  I had one only a mile away in Virginia, with a Home Depot another half-mile from it.  Now I have to cross a river into Baton Rouge, so I stick to my local HD.  Needless to say, I haven't kept up with Flex, or Kobalt for that matter.

     

    I've heard a lot of good things, but think that at most it will be relegated to a second-tier brand for professional use.  In my limited and extremely subjective experience, DeWalt and Milwaukee are considered top tier, with many people using Makita and Bosch who would place those brands up there as well.  I view Flex, at least as it currently stands, as being kind of like Ridgid.  Good tools that can compete with the "top tier" in many ways, but ones just not seen very commonly on job sites or in garages.  

     

     

    • Like 1
  9. On 11/24/2022 at 7:46 AM, Makwalt said:

    Exactly the same issue here on a DCD7781.

     

    " light only comes on when the trigger is pressed and stays on afterward, it's most likely an electrical issue (stuck internal switch, etc.) and would require more in-depth analysis."

     

     Describes it perfectly. This is a brand new unit. Had to buy it mail order and can't be bothered to return it for this particular fault.

     

    That sucks.  I guess there are worse issues, and removing the battery is a simple "fix", but it sure seems that power tool quality is more hit or miss than it should be.  I have an M12 Fuel Gen 2 impact somewhere that has never seen any real use.  I bought it a couple of years ago and on first use found the bit retainer was broken.  One day I might get around to sending it in.  My M18 Fuel 2763 impact had trigger issues within a month or two of purchase and now flaunts the factory repair sticker since I did get around to filing a warranty claim on it.

     

    As professionals and/or consumers, we spend large amounts of money on our favorite brands, many of which tout themselves as "THE" brand to have.  Oddly enough, I've never had an issue with any of my Ryobi tools, but I'd expect one of them to have an issue before I would one of my Milwaukee or DeWalt tools.  Instead, it's the latter two brands that have seen me have to submit claims or simply toss a tool aside due to an issue.  

  10. Added a couple more over the weekend: a used Ruger PC Carbine and a new Ruger Security 9.  I've heard mixed things about the pistol, but it will likely be my car gun as opposed to a daily carry piece.  

     

    I've wanted a PC Carbine for years, and my store had one with a Bushnell red dot optic on it I've been placing on display every time I open.  I pulled the box a few days ago and found the muzzle nut, two new in package spare mags, and the paperwork for everything.  MSRP is $759, the mags and muzzle brake are roughly $40 each, and the optic goes for $60 online, so for about $550 out the door I feel like I got a deal.  I picked up the pistol for mag compatibility but after paperwork was started found that the Security 9 mags work in the Carbine while the SR9 mags included with the Carbine lack the cutout to lock into the Security 9.  It's an easy fix if I want to modify them, but with three 15 round mags for the pistol and three 17 round mags for the Carbine I probably won't break out the Dremel.  Besides, the Glock mag well is likely going into the Carbine anyway, since I have the 33 round mag for my G17 and a few of the 17 round ones, with plans to buy a G45, which will add three more mags.

     

    The job is going well, and I get to handle every new gun we get.  No shooting or anything else fun, but I acquire the guns in our firearms system, receive orders in another system to notify customers their firearms have arrived, and once sold dispose of the guns and file the paperwork.  We have tens of thousands of ATF forms on hand, and occasionally I have to dig through them to fulfill a trace request for a gun used in a crime.

     

  11. Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving.  A lot of retailers were closed yesterday, but my employer wasn't, so I worked yesterday and have a 10 hour shift today.  A far cry from the past few years of frying multiple turkeys for a large gathering.

  12. Going well so far.  Been here a week and a half and catching on quick.  My job is far more complex than selling guns, though I've made a few sales.  Basically, guns come in and I pick them up from Receiving and acquire them in the system.  I ship guns to other stores if a customer buys one, for example a gentleman from Las Vegas wanted to buy a handgun that costs much less here than it does at his local store.  He paid here and will receive a call when the Las Vegas location gets it, where he'll do his background check.  Once a gun leaves the store, I complete the necessary logs and dispose of it in our system, after which Asset Protection or a Senior Manager inspects the paperwork.

     

    Once I'm deemed fully trained, I'll likely not make any sales requiring a background check.  We use a three check system: there's the mandatory initial and second check in order to submit the ATF Form 4473, and I'll be one of the few authorized to conduct a final check before sending the customer on their way.

     

    As for the shop, it's going, just not very quickly...🙃

  13. 18 hours ago, Eric - TIA said:

    I hear you on going from 0-100, I am the same way.  That's a nice budget for guns.  You can get some nice stuff.  Not sure what your new job it but sounds like it's a good gig with being able to see them first hand as they come

     

    Well I just received the background check, so I should be getting a call to schedule orientation.  The job is mostly ensuring that paperwork is in order and that guns are accounted for.  As a long time gun owner I know that the ATF isn't an agency to mess around with, and my position is basically the "keeper of the FFL".  Meaning, we report directly to the store manager who's responsible for the store's firearms license.  There are checks and balances to ensure that gun sales fully comply with federal and state laws before a purchase is completed, but at the end of the day I'll be inputting receipts and paperwork for all sales, ensuring the serial numbers match up, and reviewing 4473s and state background check paperwork.  One other thing I was told I may be called upon to do on occasion is deal with customers who are denied a sale.  If a manager isn't around, the counter sales person might call back to me to talk to the customer.  I think that my Army experience will help: I can turn on Recruiter or Drill Sergeant mode as needed.  Also, my knowledge of gun laws and understanding of NICS should help convey the point that no gun seller is going to disapprove a legal sale.  Also, I like to think I'll be able to prevent possible straw purchases in some situations, which is one of the few times I've seen a dealer refuse a sale.  

     

    All told, it seems like a job that will hold my interest for the foreseeable future.  

     

  14. On 10/11/2022 at 8:15 AM, Eric - TIA said:

    Looking good so far compared to the first picture.  Making a dent.

     

    Gradually...  It's amazing how adaptive I am, easily able to go full speed and equally able to just sit around doing nothing.  Since starting retirement leave I've been mostly procrastinating, but my new job should liven things up a bit.  I'll get to handle every new firearm that the retailer receives, and depending on my disability rating I'm considering a $300-$1000 a month budget for new firearms.  And tools, but I need to organize what I have first.  I "think" my wife blessed off on me having a firearms budget when she told me I can save for a year instead of buying monthly, and I responded that I can buy a $12k gun instead of a bunch of cheaper ones.  😅 

  15. It looks pretty well set up to me.  If it works for you that's all that matters.  One thing I did years ago, though, was make pliers holders out of cheap wire racks.  So long as the drawer is tall enough, you can store pliers on their sides and free up a bunch of space.

     

    Your Princess Auto tools are nothing to be ashamed of if they're anything like Harbor Freight's.  While the latter store does sell complete garbage their Pittsburgh Pro brand allows the customer on a budget to build up what they need.  Perhaps the best part is having matching sets.  When I consolidate my mechanics tools it's going to be a nightmare to organize.  Mostly Craftsman wrenches and sockets with a fair number of Snap-On and Matco and a few Mac.  Over the past ten years I've bought a lot of Kobalt and even some DeWalt and Milwaukee handtools since a lot of the older stuff is in storage.

     

    Your shop looks incredibly well organized (my shop is in a completely disorganized fetal state) and thought out.  I can only hope to one day get close to that.  In the meantime I've got to clear out storage units full of tools, decide what to get rid of, and invest in a couple larger tool boxes.  

  16. Well, some progress has been made.  To be honest I've been caught up with the kids' school activities and job seeking.  I did finally get my first civilian job in over 20 years, working in a gun vault at a major outdoor retailer.  It seems like it may be decent, I report directly to the General Manager and will primarily be responsible for making sure paperwork and accountability are in order.  Other employees usually work the gun counter.

     

    My biggest holdup with the shop at the moment is storage and bench space.  I've got all those modular boxes but want to build a tool wall similar to those some YouTubers have.  Something where I can grab what I need without digging through boxes or shelves.  

     

    I also found out the reason that my band saw was on clearance for $79 five years ago: it has a bent base.  Just one corner is a bit bent, so once I bolt it down there shouldn't be any issues.  It's also missing the locking bolts for the table, but M8-25 bolts should be easy enough to source without paying almost $7 apiece for the Ryobi ones.  This same saw is now $199, I'm pretty certain it was only $129 in 2017.

     

    Another thing I need to do is organize my hardware.  The clear bags in the bottom picture contain maybe 5% of what I need to organize, so there's no way it's all fitting in the blue parts bin.

     

     

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  17. Yesterday was the first 9/11 I spent out of uniform since 2002.  Honestly, I didn't think about it a whole lot and carried on like normal, at least until later in the evening.  

     

    Twenty-one years ago we largely came together as a nation.  Twin Tower and American flag bumper stickers started coming off the presses, shortly followed by Support Our Troops stickers.  Last week's passing of the Queen reminded me of her request that 'The Star Spangled Banner' be played during the Changing of the Guard.  There were the usual hateful players out there, but the US and much of the rest of the world were in both shock and mourning, realizing that a line had been crossed which required unity and focus of effort against those that wish harm on Western ideals.

     

    Now we live in a country that people want to see divided between extremes.  One side can assemble mostly peacefully and be declared insurrectionists while the other side can burn cities and attack police as part of their "peaceful" protests.  I don't want to get overly political, but a lot of people with a background similar to mine view our current leadership, both civilian and military, as weak and ineffective.  The media?  Well, they do what they can to aid and abet those who lack traditional values.

     

    It's hard to believe that 21 years have gone by so quickly.  I've visited the 9/11 Memorial as well as the memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, and even printed out a bio of Rick Rescorla which I'd brief my Trainees on and leave at the Fire Watch desk for them to read.

     

    I'll keep it brief, but if you haven't heard of Rescorla, you should look him up.  British Para, then Rhodesian and later London Metropolitan cop, and finally US Army officer, becoming known as the Soldier on the cover of Hal Moore's book "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young".  Retiring as a Colonel, Rescorla eventually became a corporate security expert, warning about a potential attack on the World Trade Center.  On 9/11/2001 he was Director of Security for Morgan Stanley, and credited with helping to save almost 2700 employees before being last seen going back up the South Tower just before it collapsed.  His remains have not yet been identified.

     

    Reading Rick Rescorla's bio gives me hope that there are still selfless men and women out there willing to help others in times of need.  Turning on the news these days just shows a constant rotation of violence, crime, and overall negativity that (in my mind) does not represent America.  

     

    Oh well, I've rambled enough.  Time to get back in the garage and update my progress in the thread I started a few weeks ago.  Spoiler alert: about the only thing I've done is plug in the beer fridge, which is still going strong after 26 years.

  18. My family left England well before the Treaty of the Union, but this American would like to pay respects to the Queen.

     

    There are very few who remember a world without Queen Elizabeth II, and she stands out as being a largely unifying figure to my generation, whose reign spanned almost the entire Cold War and its post-period.  

     

    I never met her, though I got to see her at the White House in 2007.  I was NCOIC (military jargon for lead supervisor) for setting up the South Lawn during her visit, and the following day I got to stand outside the fence while the Arrival ceremony took place.  A Uniformed Secret Service officer and I made small talk while we watched her enter the balcony, then it was over and my detail took down the ropes and stanchions and went home.

     

    I'm no scholar of royalty or politics, but it seems that she was a master of knowing her place in both British and world affairs.  Rest in peace...

  19. It's my understanding that Skilsaw is still considered pro level, while the Skil brand is prosumer or higher level homeowner tools, but I could very well be wrong.  ToolGuyd did cover the seeming difference between brand identities years ago, though.

     

    I consider Ridgid to be a niche pro tool brand, or at least their cordless stuff.  Their jobsite boxes are in the back of a lot of pickups and, while Packout and ToughSystem boxes are widely seen now, a few years ago their modular boxes seemed really popular with contractors.  To me, the newer styling of the Ridgid 18v tools looks a bit "cheaper" than the previous Octane, Gen5X and even X4 tools.  I own a number of those three generations of the platform and they are mostly beasts.  Larger and heavier than their M18 counterparts but fully their rivals otherwise.  Similarly, Ridgid released some products that most other brands simply haven't.  They haven't released a tripod light that I know of, but they have their tripod stand, which is perfect for mounting a few different styles of light to.  They had a buoy style light that's heavy but self rights itself if knocked over on the job site.

     

    While I consider Milwaukee to be the premium brand marketed by TTI, I think Ridgid caters to those wanting performance while getting the service agreement and spending a little less than they would buying Red tools.

  20. No new guns, but I have plans to build a 25-meter rimfire range in the backyard.  My neighbor shoots occasionally but his backstop also served as fill dirt and needs refreshing.  He fires from his pool deck to angle down into the drainage ditch behind our houses.  I did my fair share of plinking when I lived here before, even occasionally breaking out a centerfire rifle, but want to put some steel targets out there.  Right now plans are:

     

    1. Check state code and parish ordinances to ensure I'm not violating anything.  Truth be told, I'll still shoot on occasion if I want or need to (venomous snake, etc.).  Here in semi-rural Louisiana a day without gunshots is weird.  It's like the city, only you know instead of someone being murdered it's probably some redneck out shooting bottles or poaching alligators.

     

    2. Get adequate dirt to build a berm at least 5' high and a few feet thick.  I'll check to see if there are any requirements or recommendations for actual size and design (u-shape, etc.).

     

    3. Clearly mark left and right boundaries.  Probably not needed, but 21 years in the Army has indoctrinated me.

     

    4. Buy more steel rimfire targets.  Build small platforms for more fun things like 2 liter bottles and 12 ounce cans.

     

    5. Build a firing stand/table so I have a stable sitting position and place to put weapons and ammunition.  Standing, kneeling, and prone are easy enough.

     

    6. Start investing in 2-3 suppressed .22 rifles and pistols.  I'm thinking an AR platform, along with maybe Ruger and  Walther pistols.  It's been years ago, but suppressed P22 kits used to sell for $500 or so.

     

    Right now this is just an idea.  I plan to join a range to fire the fun stuff, but having the ability to step outside at any time and get some sort of trigger time is better than nothing.  As for the suppressors, I figure they will help keep the neighbors happy.  A .22LR isn't too loud, but if my daughter and I want to shoot a few hundred rounds every weekend I can see it getting old quick.  I'll keep the forums updated, back to the garage and nice rainy day.

  21. In the garage today.  Some of the magazines may be worth selling after all, and I found 1990 Trump issue but the back few pages are torn at the binding.  That's a shame since I could probably sell it for a premium.  Anti-Trumpers would probably love to burn it alongside an effigy and MAGA types would likely place it in their shrine.😉

     

    I think I'll burn what remains of the furniture.  Cheap pressed wood coffee table, decent for its time but now obsolete TV stand with DVD storage, etc.  Rats moved in at some point but I haven't seen anything besides evidence of nesting.  A few bags of clothing will be sorted and what isn't worth keeping or donating will be burned. 

     

    And...as I type this in the bathroom (where else?) I hear a sudden downpour outside.  There goes any chance of starting the fire.  To be honest, though, I need to saturate the burn pile with a gallon or so of diesel anyway.  We tried starting it with gasoline and cardboard a week or two ago but there's too much wet and green wood. 

     

     

    • Haha 1
  22. 6 hours ago, Altan said:

    I did buy a DeWALT cordless heat gun today and it looks like a little toy. It is  so small compared to the corded version. 

     

    I've seen those.  How do you like it?  I have the Ridgid 18v that requires butane and it's a bit heavy but heats up and cools down nicely.

  23. 14 minutes ago, Eric - TIA said:

    Your garage looked like my garage for the last 4 years.  I finally cleaned it up and was able to walk around for two days.  I only have a single car garage.  Now I have stuff back in there.  I just want my shop back but can never seem to get it.

     

    I know what you're saying, which is why I need to eventually build a shop.  I think most of us are guilty of excessive clutter or lack of organization.  My neighbor has a large three bay building which is kind of organized but still requires maneuvering to get around in.  He built 25 years ago for his RV and bass boat and has since built a storage port for the Class A motorhome he upgraded to,as well as a carport.  In recent years he walled in a workspace which he keeps clean and well organized, showing that sometimes it isn't space we need to work on things, but rather a lack of space.

     

    One thing I need to do is buy the materials to start building organization for the small garage.  Ideally I can incorporate my modular boxes and also maximize the ability to work.  I need to come up with a good layout to mount the drill press, band saw, sander, router table, and a vise or two, along with the bedt place to put my dust extractor.  I'll also likely bolt down one of the 20v Max miter saws.  The FlexVolt miter and table saws are both on rolling stands and probably best used in a more open environment anyway.  

     

     

    • Like 1
  24. 6 hours ago, Altan said:

    I have a minimalistic personality, if I don't use anything for two-three years I throw them away or give to someone who can use it.

     

    I guess you could say I have the opposite issue.  Over the years I've given a lot away, sold and traded a few items, and lost stuff through theft, especially the burglary that took place in 2012-2013.  Having been active duty Army over the past 21 years, I have what are essentially time capsules, left in my last four locations.

     

    Here at the house is the stuff in the right garage, along with one of the two walk in closets in the master bedroom.  What's left of my pre- and early military stuff is mostly there.  In Coastal Georgia I have two small storage units (I think, I keep forgetting to send the check...) containing mechanic's tools, a lot of stuff from my time at Fort Stewart and in Afghanistan, and building materials from a shed I built and then tore down before deploying.  In Southwest Georgia is a larger unit containing mostly military gear and various resale items like ladders I picked up for over 75% off.  In Virginia I have my trailer at a friend's house and some tools in the flipper home.  Truth be told, I could lose half of the stuff I have outside of this property and not worry too much.  

     

    My old joke was that guns, tools, and ice chests were all the personal property I moved around as I was relocated.  Well, it's a start: I left almost all of my nice chests at the house in Virginia.  I'll probably downsize my tools at some point, but the guns are going in Lake Ponchartrain.

     

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