The Range: A thread for shooters/gun owners

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Diamondback, Sep 18, 2019.

  1. Omegashark18

    Omegashark18 Combaticon turned Autobot

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    That might be a long time then...
     
  2. Dark Skull

    Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Moderator

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    Are you not able to rent an apartment yet?
     
  3. Omegashark18

    Omegashark18 Combaticon turned Autobot

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    Don’t think I could with my budget. Besides, I’m moving in to my parents new house with them. They even built my own place, just for me.
     
  4. Dark Skull

    Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Moderator

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    Nice! Well...you could always talk to them about it. I mean, it's not like you're physically gonna have it in the same building as them, right? And, it gives you an excuse to go to the range :D 
     
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  5. vvvTheONEvvv

    vvvTheONEvvv \/ He Thinks He's Smart.

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    Right... show them how much it costs to "rent" at a range, and tell them you would like to go 3 times a week.

    Parents love cost saving, lol.
     
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  6. Dark Skull

    Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Moderator

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    Exactly! And ya never know. Save em some money, and they might be more "agreeable" to it :D  Then you get to explore what kinda lowers you need, uppers, bolt carrier groups, buffers and springs, optics like scopes or sights and magnifiers, triggers (upgraded/enhanced vs stock triggers...though it is recommended you get good with the stock trigger first), accessories that can go on a picatinny rail or M-Lok...so many options :D 
     
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  7. Diamondback

    Diamondback Bitterly Clinging G1 Micromaster Malcontent

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    Not so much as you'd think, a Colt 6920 (the "gold standard" for M4geries/16" AR's) usually goes for $700-800 in stable markets, and if you shop around a little you can find good deals on police trade-in pistols and shotguns. Arms Unlimited in Vegas and AIM Surplus are two places that usually have pretty good deals on good-quality stuff. Once you're out on your own, that's a game changer.
     
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  8. Diamondback

    Diamondback Bitterly Clinging G1 Micromaster Malcontent

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    The other thing would be, armchair study. Cram on the Four Rules, give them an idea of what responsible gun owners do. Also, find a friend in local Law Enforcement--not even most but many cops are also hunters and competition shooters, like the ones who mentored me when a young lady I once knew's life potentially depended on my skill with a sidearm. If they see that you're responsible, and you have good hands to mentor you...

    Never, never, abandon a dream. Put it on hold if you must temporarily, but hold onto it, because those are the things that keep us going through tough times. (My own dream gun, as previously noted, is a Chicago Typewriter--a friend with an 07/SOT FFL who can legally deal in machineguns invited me to help check-fire his Thompsons once, and all I can say is Best. Christmas present. EVER. :)  )
     
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  9. Dark Skull

    Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Moderator

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    If you're talking about gun safety courses (which can also dabble in on the military and police's use of force matrix) I would totally agree and be 100% behind it. Especially if it is your first gun purchase. All too often people aren't taking them or being given them. It may be offered, but I think it should be something more of a requirement. This way, we can help do more not only to prevent accidents that should never have happened in the first place, but we can also educate, inform, and give the general public a much better understanding of firearms so you're not getting the awful ridiculous misinformation you'd get from...other various places. Luckily, I had these things taught to me in when I was in the military, but even then I wouldn't say no to refresher courses because things change from time to time.

    This way people can also learn how to build your own handgun or rifle from select parts from various options. Learn how to read the reticle on a gun sight/optic...how to zero in their handgun or rifle, etc etc. Education of all these things is key. That way, when you go to the range, you're not ONE OF THOSE guys....
     
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  10. Diamondback

    Diamondback Bitterly Clinging G1 Micromaster Malcontent

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    One other thing: By the time you factor in tool costs you will NEVER build an AR for cheaper than you can buy one (I know, I've built three), and even if you only use top-tier parts it'll never have any resale value unless you part it out or are a top-tier clone-builder.

    What you WILL gain is an understanding of how the system works, the ability to control what parts you potentially bet your life and those of others on, and the confidence of your own craftsmanship.
     
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  11. Dark Skull

    Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Moderator

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    I think it depends on the brand you're getting. If you go for the cheapest parts, you can be comparable to a mil-spec rifle for about the same cost or less. But who really wants to buy cheap parts? :lol  Most folks I know usually get heavier buffers to help with recoil. Some will also get another spring (upgrade or not), 3-4 lb pull triggers, ambidextrous mag release, mid tier to top tier sights, stock upgrades, 1-2 point slings, etc etc. In actuality, I've found buying an already assembled rifle, and then upgrading it typically costs more. But again, it all depends on the brand of parts (and type) you're going for. There's some decently priced items and some really cheap crap out there.
     
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  12. Diamondback

    Diamondback Bitterly Clinging G1 Micromaster Malcontent

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    My personal minimum is DSA or Aero Precision (I did use an Anderson lower on one, but it was for a site fundraiser), and the C8 is BCM and Umbrella to one-up the Gucci crowd. My Mk 18 pistol, I cut my own 80% lower... and I have three more blanks uncut that I use for mockups and fit testing.

    Don't forget the cost of the toolkit, though... the Real Avid or Wheeler "complete" kits go for around $300, and then you still have some things to add of your own.

    One other odd tip: I like Guntec USA anti-walk pin sets--not so much for the frame strengthening, though I do like the "positive" lock of screws in both ends of both pins rather than KNS Precision's tab-in-slot, but because when you unscrew one sideplate the hollow pins become natural injection ports for lube.
     
  13. Omegashark18

    Omegashark18 Combaticon turned Autobot

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    Probably because that’s not something you see every day. :lol 

    I’m already super picky with my spending right now, so I’m just as bad as my parents! They’ve already spent a fortune on the new house!

    And even then, finding a shooting range near Kiawah Island, SC? Fat chance.

    I don’t even drive!
     
  14. Omegashark18

    Omegashark18 Combaticon turned Autobot

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    Moving on. If I ever do get a gun eventually. I’ve always been fond of the FN Five Seven. It’s smooth surfaces and what not, it’s got a high capacity don’t it?
     
  15. Big Bronze Rim

    Big Bronze Rim Veteran

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    BCM makes great stuff. I have a midlength 16.5" and it's been a wonderful rifle. Put around 10k rounds through it and run 5 carbine courses with it and it hasn't let me down. I also have an LMT 10.5 SBR which has also been amazingly reliable, even when shot suppressed.

    I'm not a huge fan of solutions looking for a problem on my guns, so I don't mess around with any of the anti-walk or anti-rotation pin sets. Personal preference but I just don't see the need for them. Properly pinned gas blocks and staked castle nuts are far more important IMO.
     
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  16. PlanckEpoch

    PlanckEpoch Red and black red and black

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    Get the guns that suit you but just be aware that if you intend to shoot it then ammo is gonna add up. 20 round magazines, and 40gr 5.7mm runs about 40 cents a round and that's for target stuff. In comparison 115gr 9mm runs about 24 cents a round. I run about anywhere from 200 to 400 rounds with pistol every time we go out so just do the math there!

    Don't let me discourage you. A Five-seveN is a pretty nice gun and a good shooter in my experience. Just gotta always be aware of ammo costs.

    Yeah. Shooting in drag was fun. Probably not a repeat performance but I got confidence going out in drag just normally. :D 
     
  17. Diamondback

    Diamondback Bitterly Clinging G1 Micromaster Malcontent

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    One other thing, definitely get at least one .22LR--the ammo is much cheaper and lets you practice a lot more on a limited budget. If I had budget, each of my "Serious Work" irons would also have both .22 and Airsoft twins for training roles.
     
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  18. PlanckEpoch

    PlanckEpoch Red and black red and black

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    Absolutely. Speaking of .22, if you really want something like a Five-seveN, Kel-Tec's PMR30 can give you a similar experience. .22 Mag in a 30 round double stack. That's a whole ten more than 5.7! :D 
     
  19. MetalRyde

    MetalRyde is an a-hole with a heart. RIP Spike and Mojo.

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    I got a 80+ old .22-cal single action revolver that was given to my dad as a gift who in turn passed it on to me 2 years ago.

    My dad had a small collection of 4 revolvers 2 pistols, 2 shotguns and a rifle when I was a toddler. He kept them in a part of the house that I was scared to go to. But my mom was so afraid of them that my dad sold them all.

    My dad and I are collectors of many things but what we have in common interest are guns. We are saving cash to restart that collection. He is looking for different types of revolvers while I'm looking for guns featured in Resident Evil games and the Metal Gear Solid games and a double-barrelled shotgun.

    My sister a month ago wanted to take my dad and I to a gun range to fire some rounds since she went there once and kinda trying to practice her aim.
     
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  20. Big Bronze Rim

    Big Bronze Rim Veteran

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    I'm not a huge fan of the 5.7 outside of the fact that the guns are generally cool looking and have "range appeal". You will get everyone there coming over to your lane/bay asking what it is and have them tell you they shot one in a video game. I almost bought a PS90 years ago to SBR but just couldn't bring myself to buy it as I didn't want to feed it ammo that was that expensive (in comparison to 5.56 or 9mm). And it does nothing ballistically that other cartridges wont which I already have in abundance or am set up to reload for. That being said, if you want it, get it. They are cool guns, just not for me.