fm2176
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Posts posted by fm2176
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5 hours ago, Eric - TIA said:
Sweet, thanks for the overview on how it works. I can't imagine how much you were carrying around out there. Not just the weapons but with everything else.
"Light" Infantry is anything but. I read S.L.A. Marshall's book The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation a long time ago, but have taken away the fact that as even as we get better and lighter gear our load will stay the same or continue to grow. I've often stated that the Infantry stopped being fun when we started wearing body armor all of the time. "Train how you fight", even if it results in heat casualties and injuries. We wore stripped down Interceptors (they have removeable groin, neck, and throat protectors) with ballistic plates in Iraq in 2003. By 2014, my battalion was doing forced marches in full body armor with plates and attachments, along with full combat loads. They did one training mission that culminated in an 18-mile march in 100-degree heat, with most Soldiers carrying at least 100 pounds between weapons, armor, and equipment. Fortunately, I was gone by then.
I'll keep this short, but we do typically kit up for the mission. Heavy rucksacks aren't normally worn on patrols, and the Army has made our gear more modular and adaptable. In 2001, we used the ALICE rucksack, which is still a favorite, and my unit procured commercial assault packs. When we got MOLLE II in 2002 it came with a large rucksack and an assault pack which was in need of much improvement. Now, our issued MOLLE systems have improved large rucksacks and assault packs, along with a very nice medium rucksack. The load bearing equipment, mounted to a Tactical Assault Panel (TAP), is much better than than the old LCE-II gear (think Vietnam or the Gulf War) or even the Fighting Load Carrier (FLC) issued before the TAP was adopted. Special mission units often use different gear, including commercial of-the-shelf items (COTS), that we regular guys and gals don't get. Some Soldiers also like spending their own money ("geardos" is one word for them), but I'm happy with the issued items. Fortunately, over the years I've accumulated a basic issue-plus, so I'll have plenty of kit for when I go on Atchafalaya Basin excursions or if I take up airsoft. I've also never missed the chance for a footwear or clothing issue, which we typically get to keep after exiting the service, so I guess my retirement reward will be a lifetime supply of boots and camouflage clothing in five different patterns. 😀
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Welcome to the TIA Crew! I too discovered Garage Journal first, but haven't posted there in years and rarely check those forums. The site was an enabler of sorts for me, especially with the "penny deals" people would share from The Home Depot (I found a few small ones, but nowhere near the miter saws people claimed to have found in 2014). Over time the annual big box deals threads just turned me away from the site. While I found and shared a lot of great deals between 2014-2016 or so, I found that more often than not I was simply chasing unicorns and eventually found what worked for me in my area.
I subscribed to your channel and hope it continues to grow. Stick around; while activity is hit or miss, there's still a diehard group of posters here at the TIA Forums, and there's also both a review site and rather entertaining YouTube channel.
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It sounds like an impressive year. The Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Colts were my favorite teams growing up. NASCAR and football were always on the family TV but when I could get it to myself I'd watch MLB games at night. I'd read books about the classic baseball players like Babe Ruth and always had an interest in the classic Yankees lineups as well as the teams of the early 1900s. Later I enjoyed watched the "Da Bears" SNL skits as well as Major League and other sports films.
As I've gotten older, I've grown to almost despise professional sports. While the college teams are full of eager young people who usually aspire to transition to the pro leagues, those pro leagues seem full of prima donnas who feel as though their celebrity status and high salaries elevate them over the masses. Admittedly, in the grand scheme of things there are a relative few who do this, but how often has a well-known athlete decided to politicize their respective sport or to accuse the organization, fellow athletes, or even the fans of discrimination? Also, how many pro players with multi-million dollar salaries have been arrested, often for serious crimes? Professional teams are at the end of the day businesses which have little to no sense of loyalty to the communities they play in. They're bought and sold, enticed to move elsewhere with promises of bigger and better stadiums, and the players themselves effectively become miniature franchises, seeking that next big paycheck. College football games are a bit easier for me to watch, but down in Louisiana and especially Texas, it seems that the local high school games are most popular. School and stadium parking lots overflow on Friday nights and it's not uncommon to see high school teams' apparel being worn by someone who graduated twenty years earlier..
Regardless of my personal feelings about professional sports and some of the players, I can't help but respect those diehard fans who can name entire rosters, talk stats for hours, and otherwise completely nerd out on "their" team. I've overheard some passionate conversations where I almost thought the person talking had played on the team, before realizing they were talking about the previous night's game they saw on TV. Also, those coaches and mentors who take young men and women under their wing and help make them the great athletes that eventually move through college into the professional organizations deserve a lot of credit. It's great reading about the literal rags to riches stories that some players have. Hopefully your teams do well this upcoming season.
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Good question, but one I don't have an answer for either. Stanley, Black & Decker seems to be all over the place with their various tool storage systems, so that might be one issue. ToughSystem, T-Stak, and the Craftsman VersaStak and TradeStak (and probably other brands or systems I'm overlooking) are all being supported to some extent or another, with the middle two having full interchangeability and the last having some interchangeability with the other "Staks". I think SBD is trying to support brand loyalists. DeWalt guy? T-Stak. DeWalt guy in need of something a bit larger or more robust? ToughSystem. Craftsman guy? VersaStak. Craftsman guy in need of something a little larger or more robust? TradeStak. You get the picture.
TTI seems to have an opposite strategy. Want an ever-expanding modular storage system with multiple sizes and options? Packout. Want something probably as tough (in my experience), much less expensive, but also lacking in variety? Ridgid. Then again, TTI has a clear brand tier system with relatively minor overlap between brands (Ridgid seems to be all over the place) while SBD seems to be trying to take advantage of the Craftsman name by marketing it as heavily as DeWalt.
A ToughSystem dust extractor seems like a no-brainer, especially as the T-Stak version is probably compatible with the other "Staks", but it would require a little more than a simple adaptor given the difference between the two systems. In my humble opinion, TTI gets it as right as anyone. Want all of the modular storage system compatible goodness? Spend the money, buy Packout and attach vacuums, radios, bags, and who knows what else to the system. Meanwhile, SBD is releasing different products for two popular systems and upsetting those who choose one over the other.
I have all of the above mentioned systems besides T-Stak, and each has strengths and weaknesses for my uses. While I won't be in the market for a dust extractor for another year or so, I'd readily buy a ToughSystem version over the T-Stak one. If Milwaukee released a Packout compatible one first, I'd get that instead of the T-Stak.
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Definitely not a dumb question; there's a lot of things I don't know about the Army. Usually, SAW Gunners carry their own ammo, with 600 rounds being a basic load. I carried 1200 rounds in Baghdad, and two hundred rounds of linked 5.56mm weighs roughly seven pounds, so it adds up. Each unit has a different Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and small unit leaders usually have some flexibility, so some squads would see a drum or two of ammo carried by the Team Leader.
The SAW Gunner is usually considered an Automatic Rifleman and most SAW Gunners receive virtually no training on machine gun tactics. Perhaps worse is the tendency a lot of junior leaders have of assigning the weapon to the newest Private instead of the senior or most experienced Private First Class or Specialist. The "new guy" gets told to draw the M249, qualifies at the range, then is somehow expected to be effective while carrying the most casualty producing weapon in the Infantry squad. The Machine Gunner, assigned an M240, has a team ideally consisting of an Ammo Bearer and Assistant Gunner. The Gunners are often the senior personnel in the Weapons Squad behind the Weapons Squad Leader (who is usually the senior NCO in the platoon behind the Platoon Sergeant). Also, the M240 ammo is often distributed across the platoon, meaning the Gunner only carries a 100-round belt in the gun with maybe a spare belt or two on their person. A well trained gun crew does crew drills together regularly and can effectively employ the M240 quickly, though they usually have time to set up a support by fire line. The SAW Gunner, on the other hand, carries the heaviest weapon and the most ammo in the maneuver elements and is expected to keep up with the Riflemen and Grenadiers.
What a lot of junior leaders and Soldiers don't realize, however, is that the M249 is also a light machine gun when mounted to a tripod or pintle. Despite the fact that there are plenty of mounted M249s on vehicles, their gunners still receive minimal instruction on how to properly employ them. Initially, my battalion was tasked with setting up a static defensive position on a ridge and blocking one of the Republican Guard divisions. We had been training with platoon and even company sized formations (typically, the Light Infantry squad and platoon are the largest formations used while moving) and the SAW Gunners were told that we'd be issued tripods for our mission. Senior NCOs were throwing out terms like enfilade and defilade, and I realized I didn't know the difference between those two or any other machine gun concepts. They must be the same, they sound similar! I'd been trained on clearing rooms, patrolling and reacting to contact, and even entering a trench to secure a foothold, all Automatic Rifleman tasks. Long story short, I started reading and eventually memorized the Characteristics of Fire chapter of Field Manual 23-68, learning what a cone of fire is and how the beaten zone and enfilade fire are intertwined. All boring stuff to most civilians or those who don't have access to automatic weapons, but beyond valuable when engaging enemies in combat. I essentially taught myself how to be an effective machine gunner despite never even serving in a Weapons Squad.
One final thing, it does seem as though doctrine and/or unit SOPs have determined the SAW is a light machine gun. Being left-handed, I always carried my M249 like I do my carbine or other weapons. Low ready as a left-handed firer. I even had the Fastex clip on my left shoulder in lieu of a sling, like I did with my M4. When we got back I was training another left-handed firer on the M249 only to be corrected that it was incorrect to train Soldiers on the SAW left-handed. Later that year, when earning my Expert Infantryman's Badge, I had to train and test as a right-hander on everything besides the M4 and M9. You learn something new every day, but my time as a SAW Gunner (and range time with the M240) showed me that both can be employed left-handed. Then again, maybe it was the fact that I've always had to adapt to right-handed guns, from magazine releases, to cylinder catches, to bolt-actions.
Another day of telework, another lunch over, and another long-winded post about Army stuff with far too much handedness in that last paragraph.
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I had a DS450 replaced years ago, but it was a pain shipping the broken box back given its size and awkward shape. I can say that DeWalt's warranty service has been pretty good, with the replacement DS450, a DCB102 charger being replaced after sending it to a service center, and a DCB204 battery getting replaced without having to send the non-working one back in. Speaking of which, I need to contact them about my Xtreme 3/8" impact wrench; the hog ring came off months ago and it's annoying to say the least. I also have to send my M12 Fuel impact driver to Milwaukee as it's never retained bits, and as such has seen almost no use for the past two years. Guess I should get on that...😬
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On 2/6/2022 at 1:54 AM, Russo said:
A 20V battery for my B & D drill motor to replace the one I allowed to die forgotten in a drawer for 4 or 5 years.
That's a good buy; a lot of us would simply look at buying a new drill, but there's something to keeping tried and true cordless tools going that appeals to me. I don't own the B&D 20v Max system, but I purchased their AutoSense drill/Bluetooth speaker promo for a friend years ago, and later picked up another battery or two and a better charger for him. The drill seemed pretty decent, being compact and modern looking, and he's always seemed happy with its performance.
I've had good luck with batteries so far. My Porter Cable 18v li-ion batteries were still going strong when I gave away those tools in 2017, though most of them were produced in 2010, and I have DeWalt 12v Max batteries with 2009 date codes that are still working well. I had a DeWalt 20v Max 4Ah battery quit which was covered under warranty (I noticed afterward that one of the terminals had been corroded off), and another 2Ah battery die that had gotten moisture in it at some point. Also, the two M18 5.0Ah batteries that came with my OneKey kit did not register on any of my chargers until I jumped them with other batteries.
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The Dagger pistols must be popular, as they are all currently out of stock. The AR pistols, along with other rifle or submachinegun based pistols, are slowly growing on me. I recently saw an ad for an MP5, have thought about getting a Krinkov-style pistol, and of course have been keeping an eye on the AR pistols. It seems that there was a scare last year about the legality of pistol braces, with the ATF (or is it AFT?) flip-flopping on their definition. I've known a number of people who've done the paperwork to register short-barreled rifles (SBRs), but it seems that the basic intent of an SBR can be met with a legal pistol these days. I was looking at the MCK Micro conversion kits last week.
For the majority of my career, I've been assigned an M4. When I first joined, a lot of the Army still issued the M16A2, and my Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) class was issued brand new A4s back in 2001. My first unit was part of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and as Light Infantry we had the M4 Modular Weapons System (MWS), while the 3d Infantry Division (3ID) Soldiers we served with in Baghdad had A2s. I qualified for my Expert Infantryman's Badge with an M16A2 while assigned to The Old Guard, then was the Company Armorer when we picked up brand new A4s. The Old Guard, being the face of the Army and stationed near DC, got all of the latest and greatest gear for the three companies that deployed in support of the War on Terror (B Co to Djibouti in 2003, D Co to Djibouti in 2007, and C Co to Iraq in 2009). When B Co got back, their M4s were distributed throughout the Regiment, so I was assigned one of those. By the time C Co deployed, they got brand new factory M4A1s, while the rest of the Army gradually upgraded their M4s to the A1 configuration (full auto instead of three-round burst and an ambidextrous safety, among other modifications). We had ours converted in 3ID around 2015, and by the time I became a Drill Sergeant a year later, the Fort Benning Weapons Pool issued the M4A1 (I was yet again a Company Armorer in addition to being a Senior Drill Sergeant...fun times). We had at least one Trainee experience a "malfunction" and fire a couple of bursts once--needless to say the Drill Sergeants closest to him made him regret the safety violation. As for me, I've only fired burst or auto with blanks (besides the SAW Gunner days, of course), usually either as Opposing Forces (OPFOR) or when I'd catch Privates on guard duty sleeping, while serving as a Drill.
As I sit at home typing this, maybe I just miss being the "trigger puller" I enlisted to be. I carried the M249 SAW the bulk of my time in Iraq, but also served as a Grenadier with an M4MWS and M203 later on during that tour, being given back the SAW before most patrols, as I was considered one of the better SAW Gunners in the battalion. I also carried a M4 for a while after rolling an ankle and being unable to go on patrols, eventually receiving the then-new AN/PAS-13B(v)2 thermal sight issued to the Platoon. That became a bit of a problem later as the Platoon considered me the thermal guy, and when we ran out of PAS-13 batteries I found myself carrying the Command Launch Unit (CLU) for the Javelin. No Javelin rounds (fortunately), as I wasn't a qualified gunner and there was no armor threat by then, but my status as the "gun guy" became kind of a curse as I had to have the CLU ready at all times. Probably the coolest AR-style firearm I've had custody of was the XM177E2 we had in one of the four Arms Rooms I've been in. The guy I replaced claimed to have taken it to the zeroing range once, where it key-holed at 25 meters, but I never fired it or most of the other weapons in there besides my M4, Brown Bess musket (powder only, for better or worse), and the M9 I was issued when escorting weapons through DC and Northern Virginia.
I'll end this wall of text shortly, but I'm really looking forward to moving to the next career. Becoming a Firefighter hasn't necessarily been at the top of my list, but those who serve as such are definitely to be admired. Being the nostalgic sort, I rate Emergency! up there with Adam-12 and wish our society was still so simple, despite the turbulent times our nation experienced in the '60s and '70s. I've also been thinking of going through EMT training, especially if I decide to go into law enforcement. I've been through the Combat Lifesaver (CLS) course a few times and can treat basic wounds, but I want to gain the skills to be able to better serve others and to feel fully equipped for such a career. Regardless of whether there's a paying First Responder job in my future (I might just as easily work at Home Depot or even go back to my pre-Army days as a mechanic), I'll likely eventually volunteer for some department, agency, station, etc.
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24 minutes ago, ChrisK said:
Hey Will. Sorry for the absence but life sometimes takes us on new adventures. Anyways just retired from sp as a Sgt and task force commander. Being newly retired with a 2 year old, a 5 year old and my Wife and not having a cruiser armory in my drive I now carry with credentials ( I never did before but due to unprecedented social and political events my Opinion and Attitude has changed) and my home is as well defended as it was when I had my cruiser at home. I am not a gun nut and I do not get into politics but like most American Cops I fully support and encourage Citizens to own and TRAIN with firearms. Great topic starter! Also I am sure you know about Palmetto State Armory but if not check them out. Very pleased with their service.
Thanks for sharing this, and for your service. I've been back and forth on applying for a local department and applying for the State Police and have already contacted both. I'm also considering careers outside of law enforcement, since it is probably as dangerous a profession now as it ever has been. Louisiana State Police offers better training and pay than many municipalities, but I like the thought of serving the local community. Also, LSP has had some issues both in the Academy and on the force, but I think that new Troopers can help to continue changing the culture in that agency. Honestly, I'd apply to the Sheriff's Office in my parish, but most SOs down there require rookie Deputies to serve in the Parish Prison. I have no desire to be a CO, so if anything I'd apply as a patrol officer in the city and eventually consider transferring if I wasn't fully attached to being a city cop. The city (and especially the unincorporated areas covered by the parish's Sheriff's Office) can be a rough place, but the parish I'm moving back to is mostly rural, with the two largest towns having their own Police Departments.
I think that training and education are everything, be it dry fire drills with a cleared weapon or dummy gun (or even one of the lookalike BB guns they make nowadays), range time with both target and carry ammo, or even just reading up on self defense or police use-of-force incidents. Situational awareness is also key to avoiding the need to use a weapon, and to surviving if that need is unavoidable. One does not need to be a gun nut to be able to defend themselves or loved ones, and having a little revolver in the pocket is much better than having a tricked out AR15 in the gun safe miles away.
I've heard of Palmetto State Armory but haven't purchased anything from them. I'll definitely check them out, as I plan to eventually replace the sights on my G17 and maybe make a few other upgrades. Congratulations on the recent retirement and best of luck in your future endeavors. It seems like a lot of retired cops continue serving in other departments or agencies despite the inherent danger of the profession. We just lost two career cops here in Virginia, Campus Safety Officer J.J. Jefferson and Officer John Painter, both of whom had long careers with other departments. The social and political environment of today, fueled by the media, has essentially created a war on cops, with the NYPD losing two recently as well, and too many more being ambushed or targeted simply for wearing a uniform and doing their jobs. I've been monitoring the status of East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy Nick Tullier for almost six years now. He was one of the wounded Officers and Deputies, with three others being murdered by a guy who drove over 700 miles to target Baton Rouge LEOs in 2016.
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It's been well over a year since the last update, and I'm still gradually adding Ryobi tools to the kit. I did end up giving a 4Ah battery to the aforementioned friend, and I also let him select his own Ryobi Days promo last year in exchange for some work he'd helped me with, so he's pretty well set now. He got the blower and seems satisfied with it, but he mostly uses it to help start fires in his burn barrel. I got the jigsaw, since my DeWalt is still loaned out, and am looking forward to what they offer this year (though it'll probably be disappointing compared to past promos).
I often recommend Ryobi to friends and coworkers as a less expensive alternative to DeWalt or Milwaukee. I'd probably put it in the same category as Craftsman and Porter Cable: DIY bordering on prosumer quality. Unlike those two Stanley, Black & Decker (SBD) brands, though, I see plenty of Ryobi green on various jobsites. While the SBD brands are ostensibly available at numerous stores and Ryobi is a Home Depot exclusive, it seems like Ryobi just has the better marketing, prices, and visibility. The green stands out more than PC gray (let's face it, PC seems to be on SBD's backburner anyway) or Craftsman red, and I personally find The Home Depot's tool section more consumer friendly than Lowe's, with TTI's displays particularly eye-catching. It also helps that they categorize their tools by brand/color in both the outdoor section and the tool aisle, and that they feature end cap displays across the front of the store for the TTI brands (and DeWalt).
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I'm not sure about the $300 price point, but this would be an interesting addition to my MetaboHPT tools if I ever find one on clearance. I like the MultiVolt system and bought the AC adapter a while back for use with my circular saw and drill. While I try to stay cordless for 99% of projects, having the option of going corded (if the job is really demanding or the 2-3 MultiVolt batteries I own are depleted) is a definite plus. My Ridgid cordless compressor has come in handy a number of times, but it goes through 4Ah batteries rather quickly.
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3 hours ago, DR99 said:
This saw was intended for the DIY crowd. SBD could do a cordless tile saw but the capabilities and price point would be significantly more. It seems like Porter Cable is now exclusive to Tractor Supply as a house brand which seems like a last gasp before the brand either is killed off or retired.
It's a shame that Porter Cable has been relegated to such. Honestly, I'm surprised Tractor Supply still carries the brand, though I guess it makes sense. around 4-5 years ago they had most of the PC stuff on clearance, with the 4Ah batteries marked down to $20 or so, but then they restocked with newer stuff.
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Agreed. I have DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, MetaboHPT, Ridgid, and other tool brands. If anything I'm the poster child for tool hoarding. Ryobi, though, just hits that "sweet spot" of functionality and price point. While I've gotten many of my tools on clearance or on sale, Ryobi is easily the most affordable brand that's easily obtainable in the US. I often mention Ryobi Days for a reason: it's hard to find another tool brand that effectively lets you build your own tool kit (with decent batteries as opposed to tiny 1.5Ah ones) once a year.
Another great thing about Ryobi is their willingness to release tools no other brand has widely available. My most-used Ryobi tools are things like the Devour cordless sweeper, 3 gallon wet/dry vacuum, and hot glue guns (I have the large and mini sizes). Well, actually, the absolute most used Ryobi product is the Score speaker and occasionally the satellite speakers. I usually stream YouTube videos through it while doing other things around the house.
Stop into The Home Depot on occasion and you may find some good Ryobi clearance deals. My most recent deal was a two pack promo of the Compact Area Light for $22.50 (factoring in the military discount). I picked up my Ryobi tile saw (corded) for $45 and a router table for $45 as well (coupled with a Porter Cable router I paid $45 for I'm under $100 total, but I need to get it back from the coworker who borrowed it a while ago).
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SBD seems to have an...odd...marketing sense. I agree that a DeWalt cordless tile saw would be a no-brainer for those in the market for such a tool. Last I checked, Porter Cable is all but dead, while Craftsman is a budget pro brand at best. Neither offer the battery capacities that DeWalt does, and the new 15Ah battery would probably power a tile saw for quite some time. Even better would be a 120v Max FlexVolt saw with the ability to use the miter saw's adapter.
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It's nice being able to do what I want on my property. When I first moved to Louisiana as a Recruiter, I used a VA loan to buy my house. My criteria were simple: no HOA and preferably outside of the city. My Realtor kept trying to entice me with newly built 1200-1600 square foot houses in developed communities, with the requisite HOA. I kept looking, found a 2000 square foot house with two built-in garages (a double and a single, so I have as much as 2600 sq. ft. if I convert them to living spaces), and signed the paperwork. The house is over forty years old now; the prior owner bought it from the builder who originally planned to live there himself before a divorce changed his plans, so I need to do a little updating once I retire. I might have a tool or two to help with renovations, and before the family decided to commit to moving with me I planned on just turning half of the house into a workshop. It's not the fanciest or largest, but I have privacy in the backyard, it's on a dead end street with neighbors who watch out for each other's property, and though I'm nowhere near old yet, it's built on a slab with no more than a few inch step anywhere in the house if there are ever mobility issues (twenty years in the Infantry takes a toll). It's the largest house on the street as the builder developed the entire neighborhood and started with the house he intended to move into.
Much like I always notice things in the house I currently rent in Northern Virginia that point to it being a rental property (self-adhesive tiles placed over previously installed ones, wood floors placed over linoleum, etc.) I find my house kind of speaks to its history. It has a nice built-in desk, built in bookcase, and had premium (if older) appliances when I moved in, including a double wall oven and countertop cooking surface. It also has linoleum flooring in the living room and had a mix of premium and budget light fixtures, adding to the story that the homebuilder was making it "his" but decided to simply finish it with the materials he had on hand when he decided to sell it instead. It's a mix of circa 1980 nicety and cheesiness.
Anyway, I'm rambling due to boredom. The family has been sharing COVID-19 for the past two weeks, mice decided to move in during the power outage a few weeks ago (the dogs got two--the lab brings them to me while the mountain cur seems content to merely corner them until the lab or I take care of it like she did a possum a month or two ago [the possum wasn't harmed, I finally got her inside], funny how breeding leads to different temperaments--and no-kill traps have been effective, so we're almost in the clear), and teleworking is getting old but is still preferable to driving back and forth to work. If (when?) I go into work this week I might have another addition to this thread. The Glock 26 Gen 5 at Quantico is still tempting at $469, and if Fort Belvoir has a Glock 45 it may come home with me instead. I like the G17 and find it easy enough to conceal inside the-waistband (IWB) or even outside-the-waistband (OWB) with a good outer garment, but the shorter slide of the G45 would be nice, and also provide three more 17-round magazines that work with either pistol. In a couple of months I'm probably going on a Hawaiian shirt spree again. I found years ago that a Hawaiian shirt coupled with shorts or pants a size or two up are nearly perfect for concealed carry. The pattern on the shirt helps to camouflage printing and stepping up a size is conducive to IWB carry. During these winter months, the Wrangler vest I picked up at Sam's Club has been great. Coupled with a work shirt it covers the G17 and the vest pockets are perfect for carrying the Taurus .38 SPL, either in one of the hand pockets or the inside pocket. Bundled up for the weather back in December, I was able to successfully conceal the G17, SCCY, and Taurus at one time, with a few reloads. Admittedly, that was a bit excessive, but I wanted to test the concept of carrying multiple handguns as I always like having at least one backup.
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It would be great if there were more places to shoot. Twenty years ago I had a couple of options. My best friend lived and worked on a dairy farm with plenty of land to shoot on and my brother's best friend's family owned another (out of use) farm. Both offered great shooting areas out to a few hundred meters for rifles, but nowadays I'd feel much better with a good backstop to avoid any possibility of a round hitting something I don't intend to.
Whenever I'm able to hang up the uniform, I may be able to shoot in my backyard again. I only have an acre, but the drainage ditch behind my property makes a good backstop for pistol and shotgun shooting, and ten years ago the neighbors had no issue with me shooting occasionally. We'll see, if I do decide to go into law enforcement I'll have access to the department or agency range, but having the ability to shoot on my own property is nice.
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Also, gas, charcoal/wood, or pellet? There are a lot of options out there. I have no experience with pellet grills, but my experiences with gas and charcoal are as follows:
Gas (propane): large multi-burner grills are probably the best outdoor equivalent to an indoor stove/oven. You can adjust the heat rather easily and most have one or two side burners for pots or pans. I've grilled a few pizzas on the three-burner Kenmore that's still sitting at my house in Louisiana, and last I checked my two-burner grill was still at a friend's house outside of Savannah, GA. Those are great and can be used for mild smoking if you know what you're doing. Small tabletop grills work, but lack refinement. These are portable and designed for camping or tailgating, but can be used to cook for a family for cheap. I picked one up from the Char-Broil Outlet in Columbus, GA for $29 (still had the Kohl's $79 sticker on it) in 2016. I started using it about three years ago and it's in rough shape since it sits outside but still cooks burgers, brats, steaks, and (with careful monitoring) larger cuts of meat well. The grill is small, but when I cook burgers or brats I usually cook 20-30 given the size of my household (planning for lunch the following day), fitting about eight 1/4 pound burgers at a time.
Charcoal/wood: my preferred cooking method. Charcoal is quick and convenient, especially for burgers and such, but when possible I use wood chunks or chips to add a little flavoring. My neighbor used to give me mesquite he'd bring home from Texas, which really got me into using wood instead of processed charcoal, but for another year or so I have to rely on what I buy. Also, charcoal grills are a lot less expensive and prone to needing repair or maintenance. A large grill can be easily be used for smoking without the gimmicky (in my opinion, I've never had success using them) smoker box on the side. For example, the Char-Broil Judge grill I picked up for $79 in 2007 smoked who hundreds of pounds of pork, beef, and chicken from 2007-2016, and it may still be at the above mentioned friend's house near Savannah. Smaller grills are great for camping or tailgating but achieving indirect heat for smoking is almost impossible.
You get what you pay for, though, you can take some precautions. I seasoned the Judge as soon as I assembled it (spray down the entire grill with vegetable oil and light a hot fire in it), and I maintained it using this same method over the years, especially after I made the mistake of pressure washing off some green mildew that had formed when I left it in storage for a few months. It held up rather well, but I did have to replace the charcoal pan when it rusted out. I've bought two grills in the past four years, both of which are rusted out but still useable. I also bought a charcoal smoker which works decently but doesn't see a lot of use. Those are all designated for the scrap heap in a few months.
Long story short: determine what kind of grill you want (there are gas/charcoal combos), determine your budget, and check online reviews before buying. Or just get a 55-gallon drum and build your own...
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On 1/21/2022 at 10:51 AM, Eric - TIA said:
I am a huge gun fan but don't know that much about them. Never grew up with them and just haven't taken much time to learn about all the different versions around. I always pick up some knowledge from your post, thanks.
I didn't grow up around them either. Never went shooting as a kid and didn't get my first gun, a Remington Sportsman 48 with 28' barrel and Poly-Choke, until I turned 18.
The fun that comes along with shooting really got me interested years ago, the history of the surplus firearms I started buying in the '90s fueled the flames, and the practicality of gaining further knowledge and training kept me going and recently rekindled my interest.
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I wish I could help, but fortunately I haven't had this issue with any of my Octane batteries (two 3Ah and two 9Ah). Maybe Ridgid identified a problem with the Octane design, or maybe they just did what seems to be the rage with a lot of tool brands: release a new product line for a couple of years and then replace it.
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I agree with Eric's statement. We can't predict the future, but given the current economic situation I doubt we'll see prices drop anytime soon. If anything, major brands will produce cheapened newer models or kits to try to minimize rising consumer prices. Those holiday special $99 drills might be kitted with tiny chargers and 1.3Ah batteries instead of 1.5 or 2Ah. The drills themselves may use cheaper components or lack some features like a light or multiple speeds. This shouldn't affect a lot of people in the market for a budget brand name drill, but you never know.
I'd recommend choosing a brand, buying basics now, and maybe waiting until you need something to buy additional tools. Also, Ryobi does their Ryobi Days promo over the summer, which usually gets you a couple of decent capacity batteries with a charger and bag for $99 with choice of free tool. Honestly, those have kind of grown to be lesser deals over the past few years. In 2016 or so, they offered two 3Ah HP batteries and the 30-minute charger. For the past few years it's been non-HP 4Ah batteries with a super cheap charger or a basic one battery drill kit. You still get to pick out your free tool, but for every $79+ tool, there's a $29 glue gun or similar. Still a deal if you need it, but simple math tells you that more bang for the buck is achieved by selecting a more expensive tool. In fact, there are a lot of people who take advantage of Home Depot return policies to stock up on batteries or to get a tool they need for cheap. I've never done it, but the receipt states the return value. Say you need that glue gun and pay $99 for the promo. Return value might be $15 for the glue gun, with the remaining $84 being the return value for the starter kit.
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I've never been there, and honestly wonder what DeWalt and other brands had to show. My primary concrete experience was the year or so I spent working on a footer crew. Dig and grade the trench , run the rebar and plywood steps for elevation changes, and finally pour, grade, and smooth out the concrete.
I know there's a bunch of specialty tools for nearly everything, and my footer experience is a very basic form of concrete work, but I can't imagine a whole lot of innovations on the power tool circuit. Then again, I'm probably wrong. 😬
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My store still had a couple in stock a few weeks ago, now marked down to $30. Not a bad tool, I've used mine a few times.
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No new handgun (yet), but I did look at some yesterday. The Glock 19X caught my eye recently; I've been so out of the the gun knowledge circle I didn't even realize it competed against the SIG P320 to replace the venerable M9. My 92F will always have a place on the rack and on my person, but I'm liking the simplicity and time proven performance of Glock. Also, the "point and click" nature of them, with nearly identical function and characteristics regardless of caliber or size.
Anyway, the G19X is essentially a Gen 4 model with a few Gen 5 features. It's Coyote brown in color, which is perfect for the modern military veteran. Most of us seem to like emulating our uniforms and equipment. Me? Not so much. So, I found out about the law enforcement equivalent--the G45. Similar to the G19X but a true Gen 5, lacking the 17+2 round mags, but in a traditional black finish. I think I'm sold. When I get one it will fit the G17 holsters and the mags will be interchangeable (Gen 5 mags won't fit Gen 4 pistols like the 19X), giving me the option of six 17-round mags if I want to carry them (doubtful, unless I'm carrying for a job).
I mentioned the G45 to a coworker and he mentioned that his wife's G19 MOS is for sale, so there may be both a second and third Glock in the house soon. He also mentioned having access to a range. I guess he shoots competitively and is sponsored by them.
Quantico sells the G26 Gen 5 for $469, a bit lower than elsewhere. When I get back to Richmond I'm going to check Blue pricing at the police supply store I used to frequent. First responders and military can save $100 or so buying through that program.
I did spot a Taurus Model 85 Air weight for $299. My first handgun was the Model 85 (steel frame) and this would be a nice carry option, but I have the steel 856 now. I did grab a couple of speed strips for it to complement the two speed loaders, so now have four reloads if needed.
At some point I need to get some good self defense ammo. The Federal 9BP Hi-Shok round was my preferred carry cartridge in the '90s and has a very good reputation for accuracy and reliability. I found 1000 rounds for under $600 but am going to shop around a bit. The ball ammo I have for my semiautomatic pistols and the semi-wadcutters for the revolvers has worked for well over a century, but the point of carrying is to protect myself, loved ones, and perhaps innocent victims. Well, the true point is to avoid situations and never have to even think about drawing a firearm or resorting to violence, but in this day and age we never know what may happen.
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Are you talking about the screwgun or another drive tool? So far as I know, the two screwguns are job specific: one for drywall and one for metal fastening. When I first got the drywall version I was hoping it could be used for decking as well, but to date the #2 Philips is the only bit offered.
If another tool, please specify. https://www.ereplacementparts.com/dewalt-cordless-drill-parts-c-1009_1162.html is a good place to source most parts. Selling price and shipping costs seem to balance out the overall price at most parts suppliers.
Festool New Cordless Tools
in Power Tool News
Posted
Slightly off-topic, but battery technology has increased exponentially in the past 10 years. I picked up my first Li-Ion tools in early 2012; previously I'd only owned cordless Ni-Cad drills. The Porter Cable 18v kit came with an impact and drill, two batteries, and a multi-chemistry charger. The batteries were 1.3Ah, and a Ni-Cad battery was still available as that system originated as Ni-Cad only (like Ryobi One+) along with a 2.6Ah Li-Ion battery...I believe that the PC 18v system's last gasp was returning to being Ni-Cad only, as the Li-Ion batteries and kits disappeared around 2016. A lot of platforms were replaced or rebranded in the early 2010s (e.g. PC 18v replaced by 20v Max or Kobalt 18v rebranded as 20v despite being completely compatible). When I reminisce of this stuff, I often use ToolGuyd as a reference/time capsule to see exactly how limited the technology was back then and how quickly today's platforms evolved.
Now most brands offer a minimum of 2Ah batteries (though the last I checked some entry-level kits come with 1.3Ah or 1.5Ah packs), with capacities up to 15Ah and with high output batteries that provide more power to some tools. Whereas 10-15 years ago a lot of us relied on a basic Ni-Cad or Li-Ion battery and considered it "the" battery for our particular brand, we now have myriad choices in most brands. The Ryobi batteries I regularly rotate for my Score speaker, for example, range from 1.5Ah to 3.0Ah HP to standard 4.0Ah to 6.0Ah HP, with a few others tossed into the mix on occasion. For most of us a battery is a battery, but those who need to optimize their power sources can select from a large array of different packs for their preferred brand.