Gun Pics

[Kyobanim]

Better one of us than some sharp-eyed wannabe

You guys are bad enough. I never would have lived that down.

[82ndtrooper]

Originally Posted by Spartan359

Thought I'd share my pics. I'd also like to thank all the QP's that have answered all my questions and just listened.

The first one is a Rock River Arms M-4 with an Aimpoint CompML3 2MOA and a M900 SureFire Foregrip. Some time ago I inquired about TS's ARMS SIR railing system and he suggested I try SureFire's rail. A friend had one and I tried it and I opted for the ARMS instead.

The second is my pride and joy. SpringField Armory's M1A. I've done nothing special to it as its a nail driver on it's own.

Thirdly is my Walther P99 .40cal. I like the fact that it's simple to maintain and operate. It's abit small for my hands as I have a gorilla grip. My next pistol will be a USP.

Thought's? Comments?

Nice RRA rifle and I like the A.R.M.S bi level SIR system.

As for the H&K USP series, it's changing this June. The "JP" pisol program seems to the predecesor for the new look and feel of the USP series handguns. The P2000 style frame with same internals, front slide etchings and Novak Combat nights. The safety/decocker is the same but will have an ambi slide release like the P2000. It is also going to sport a standard Mil-Spec 1913 rail instead of the H&K propietary rail system that required special H&K mounts for various lights and lasers. Nice improvements.

Just when I had purchased the USP in every caliber.

It's going to look something like this with a decocker and or an LEM trigger option.

HERE:

http://www.hkpro.com/p3000.htm

[Maytime]

Originally Posted by Kyobanim

I've been shooting it for a couple months now and wonder why I didn't get the XD9 in the first place.

Would you carry concealed or do you think it is too big? I've been eying a local XD-45 but haven't heard anything about the XD's performance. I'd rather not get a 9mm, but if it is rock solid and more reliable than the other models I might have to reconsider.

BTW, thanks for the report

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Maytime

Would you carry concealed or do you think it is too big?
BTW, thanks for the report

IMO size depends on the person doing the carrying and how its being carried. I'm 5'10, 170lbs and my concealed carry is a full size .45 USP......

TS

[The Reaper]

TS is right, and a good holster, like a Kramer, and covering clothing is a big part of keeping the concealed in CCW.

TR

[Kyobanim]

Originally Posted by Maytime

Would you carry concealed or do you think it is too big? I've been eying a local XD-45 but haven't heard anything about the XD's performance. I'd rather not get a 9mm, but if it is rock solid and more reliable than the other models I might have to reconsider.

BTW, thanks for the report

What TS and Reaper said.

They make a sub-compact for all models. Would I carry one concealed? That's the idea. It conceals nicely in my run-of-the-mill nylon holster with my Hawaian shirt over it. It's the 4" Standard.
www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php

[Maytime]

Roger, thank you all for the replies.

[Sionnach]

The AR is a RRA 16" mid-length. At the time I purchased it, LMT's were harder to find than honest politicians, but there will be an LMT in my grubby little paws soon. TR was a big help in choosing my AR-15s, and his stylish avatar inspired me to use my google-fu to find the ball cap. Thanks, TR.

There's also a poor picture of my Beretta Mod. A. 302 20 GA, a gift from my dad.

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by Sionnach

The AR is a RRA 16" mid-length. At the time I purchased it, LMT's were harder to find than honest politicians, but there will be an LMT in my grubby little paws soon. TR was a big help in choosing my AR-15s, and his stylish avatar inspired me to use my google-fu to find the ball cap. Thanks, TR.

There's also a poor picture of my Beretta Mod. A. 302 20 GA, a gift from my dad when I was young.

Good choice with the RRA. RRA seems to be the least criticized M4 Manufacturer from those mean Colt fans.

Just from the reading I have been doing lately about different M4 Brands. Looking into putting together two more AR's for investment purposes. My definition of putting together is just that. Put the Lower and Upper together then add collapsible stocks, rail systems, flash hiders, cool stuff...etc. . Why do some people call that building an AR. Never hear the same exaggeration referring to other Rifles.
Anyway. Seems to be a lot of talk going on about the improved quality of RRA. Plus the obvious good prices and bigger selection then before. This is what I mostly see in response to the question of what AR buy?

1. RRA is recommended more then most, 100 post later. Just have to get thru the AK, FAL is better, Hillary Sucks Highjackes.

2. Colt also, but thats a given. Don't get a COLT and you will die a slow death on the Battle Field because you wanted to save money. Never mind that the original Poster is a fourteen year old.

3. BM is as good as a COLT or garbage for wannabees, but wannabees are the ones saying this, BM's are never just OK.

4. It's not clear what most Wannabees, want to be. What's clear is they want to wear plate carriers and shoot AR's. But have the option to stop when they get tired.

5. I'm often thought to be a Wannabee because no real spec Op's Soldier would use his real name for a screen name Have to fix that some day, NOT

6. Armalite is recommended just don't get the lower half, no reason other then it's a POS is ever given. or the ever famous "I have a friend in SF who said they had Armalites once and...................he was the only survivor.

7. Custom built AR's are recommended. But only by people who want to sell their $3000.00 custom built AR. Or to let people know they have a $3000.00 Custom Built AR. Or actually will build a custom built AR for you. They usually offer a good deal at $2999.00

[The Reaper]

I am a recovering gun nut and have built better then a dozen ARs from parts kits. I have helped build a couple dozen more. As a result of my bad habit, I have owned ARs from eight different manufacturers. I took them all apart and put them back together again in the course of the time I owned them. Off the top of my head, I have used M-16/M-4s from Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, DPMS, Eagle, FN, GM Hydramatic, HK, KAC, LMT, Oly/SGW, POF, and RRA.

I have been fortunate to shoot government weapons and ammo for many years.

For a couple of years, I was privileged to make the firearms trade show circuit, to meet the manufacturers, and have full access to their weapons and inside info. I have visited some of the manufacturing facilties, and have friends at most of the companies. Some manufacturers make most or in a few cases, all of their own parts. Others buy the from the government manufacturers. A few buy the rejects and seconds from the lower tier makers. These usually go into the parts gun bags. Then they can blame you for assembly problems. Sometimes, a maker's regular parts supplier is out for parts or is no longer able to supply them. There may be some spotty quality while they find a new parts source who has first quality pieces. Others may have a key employee leave and the new replacement takes a little while to learn their jobs. Anyone who has ever had a gas key come unstaked can appreciate how the little jobs can be important.

During the course of probably well over 100,000 rounds, I have seen the good and bad of each of the makers. Colt's quality is not really any better than most of the others, they (along with FN) just happen to have US government inspectors and QC looking over their shoulders, so they are generally built to specs.

Most of the manufacturers can deliver guns that run. They should be able to, the basic design is almost 50 years old. The real question is whether the guns will run ten years and 50,000 rounds later.

To some degree, you get what you pay for. A $1200 carbine is not necessarily better, but the maker who is selling them for $500 is having to use some economies. There are many manufacturers in the "sweet spot" where they are priced to build the basic weapon right and use the good parts. With others, they are using premium parts or designing improved ones. The basic 20" AR-15/M-16 with M193 or M855 should be reliable, it has the optimum barrel length, gas tube length, dwell time, gas velocity and volume, etc., and is designed to run reliably with a specific round. When you can make a 10.5" CQB-R run reliably with everything from LeMas 45 grain to Mark 262 77 grain ammo, like LMT does, you are doing it right.

Unfortunately, some of the makers try to cut corners and periodically get lax with their QC. The worst for that is when they are surging just before some sort of gun ban hits, like in 1994 (and maybe 2009). When that happens, and you get a bad gun, you find out what the company is really about. The companies I want to deal with step up and make things right ASAP. I have been slow rolled for months by companies and offered tons of excuses for why their rifle was not working right. Others have cowboyed up and overnighted extra parts to me on the first phone call. I was in a carbine class, and my LMT CQB-R started choking when a J-spring came unstaked and allowed the hammer pin to walk out. I called LMT at the lunch break and had several extra springs from them in my hands by 1000 the next morning. I have since fired another 5,000 rounds without any problems. A company that will do that when something is not right will generally take the time to ensure that incidents like that are the exception, rather than the rule, or they could not stay in business very long.

Colt, Oly, and KAC do not have a good rep for taking care of business. RRA and LMT do. If your life is going to be riding on your weapon, my advice is to save your money till you can buy a top tier version, unless it is issued to you or you have to have something right now. If you are just getting a plinker, or don't mind having a straight pull single shot, any of them will do.

Crane NWSC has told me that a properly maintained M-4 should be able to go through 5,000 rounds without stoppages or requiring cleaning. One that is semi-only whould be even more reliable. If your weapon cannot make it through a couple of 30 round mags without malfunctioning, you need to try to fix it, and if you can't, then sell it and get one that will.

As noted elsewhere, the best rifle will not run with bad mags or crappy ammo. Use only new GI mags from one of the better companies with green followers, and Milspec ammo. Save the 40 round USA mags and Wolf ammo for the Airsoft crowd. My opinion is that in most environments, the M-4 runs better wet. It is hard to get one too wet to run, but it is pretty easy to get one too dry to work. Clean it properly, lube all of the parts where they are shiny, and feed it right, and it should run fine for you.

Just my .02 based on my experience, YMMV.

TR

[Air.177]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I am a recovering gun nut............................................... ..........
Just my .02 based on my experience, YMMV.

TR

Well said Sir.

There should be a Weapons Sub-forum entitled "Reaper Rants" or some such where all of these easy-to-follow kernels of wisdom could be collected

[Sionnach]

You gents are a wealth of info, thanks for letting us learn from you. I know if equipment can handle the abuse you fellas put it through, then it will be quality gear.

RRA was high on my list of two manufactures. I plan on owning two more ARs- An SDM-Replica and an LMT 16" M4gery. Thankfully, when I began researching what AR-15s to buy, I came here first instead of airsoft15.com . There's some knowledge there... if you can wade through the 15 pages of things like kgoerz mentioned.

I don't get wannabes. If you really "want to be" then there are some fellas nearby that will sign you up. Hell, they'll even provide the much sought after Mil-Spec gear if you take the job! I guess some guys just never get over "playing soldier."

The only time I need a plate carrier is when I'm walking to and from my kitchen table.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Sionnach

You gents are a wealth of info, thanks for letting us learn from you. I know if equipment can handle the abuse you fellas put it through, then it will be quality gear.

When you read ar15.com, tacticalforums.com, defensereview.com and or any other "weapons, tactical, gear etc" forums; be advised they all have one thing in common, a profit motive.

Here on Professionalsoldiers.com no one is being paid to make "nice" comments. What we offer usually can not be found on the web, it’s called "integrity".

You’re also not going to find a few thousand years of combined US Army Special Forces experience anywhere else on the internet, period.

Team Sergeant

[Peregrino]

Lazy has a lot going for it. Every time something controversial/interesting comes up all I have to do is wait 12-24 hours, and let TR, TS, KG, NDD, etc. post an opinion, some advice, or a doctoral thesis. Then I can nod sagely and post a "me too" as an addendum. I don't get much credit for originality but then my ego's already self-supporting. The choir doesn't really need another voice saying the same things with a personal flavor.

KG - If you're not looking for anything specific in those "investment rifles", check out Tony at DelTon. I've pretty much quit buying name brand for the same reasons you guys hit on. (LMT & RRA are on the exceptions list, mostly because I got excellent customer service from them.) I get a good base rifle or upper (standard "milspec") from Tony and accessorize from there. For precision rifles I get the parts from him and take them to my gunsmith for assembly. In fact, our (TR & I) gunsmith has started buying his parts from them too (good turn-around/availability, excellent access to quality suppliers, and face-to-face customer service). Yes, they are the "dreaded parts guns"; in other words - completely indistinguishable from every military armsroom weapon I've ever played with. The only problem I had with an out of spec part, he fixed (stayed at work late so I could drive down) - no questions, no excuses, and an "I'm sorry this happened, thanks for bringing it to my attention". He's got a new facility just down the road in Elizabethtown that's really nice and fairly convenient to the Bragg community.

FWIW - Peregrino

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by Peregrino

Lazy has a lot going for it. Every time something controversial/interesting comes up all I have to do is wait 12-24 hours, and let TR, TS, KG, NDD, etc. post an opinion, some advice, or a doctoral thesis. Then I can nod sagely and post a "me too" as an addendum. I don't get much credit for originality but then my ego's already self-supporting. The choir doesn't really need another voice saying the same things with a personal flavor.

KG - If you're not looking for anything specific in those "investment rifles", check out Tony at DelTon. I've pretty much quit buying name brand for the same reasons you guys hit on. (LMT & RRA are on the exceptions list, mostly because I got excellent customer service from them.) I get a good base rifle or upper (standard "milspec") from Tony and accessorize from there. For precision rifles I get the parts from him and take them to my gunsmith for assembly. In fact, our (TR & I) gunsmith has started buying his parts from them too (good turn-around/availability, excellent access to quality suppliers, and face-to-face customer service). Yes, they are the "dreaded parts guns"; in other words - completely indistinguishable from every military armsroom weapon I've ever played with. The only problem I had with an out of spec part, he fixed (stayed at work late so I could drive down) - no questions, no excuses, and an "I'm sorry this happened, thanks for bringing it to my attention". He's got a new facility just down the road in Elizabethtown that's really nice and fairly convenient to the Bragg community.

FWIW - Peregrino

Thanks for the info. I did not know they were in my area. Yes there are many more AR builders around. That is good and it's not to hard to figure out the good from the bad. If someone did a survey of every Forum dealing with Guns. The Topic covered most would probably be AR/M4 build qualities and Costumer service experiences from buyers.
I usually weed out all the small issues when researching a Weapon by just reading other Forums. I rarely post questions because they have all been answered. Not always directly but the info is there. Then when I think I got it right ill look thru PS to sum it all up with no BS attached. Then TR will say something that sends me back to square one, then I do it again.
You will not read a post here about what to buy, turn into this make is better then that make, "I had a friend who had that model and he said".....etc.

Well there is that whole 1911 v's modern point and squeeze Pistols thread. But still it wasn't a fight but an exchange of facts.

If someone here says a Weapon is a POS, he better be able to say why, they usually do. Also when you check his profile after reading his expertise. He won't be a 20 year old college kid. You won't get ganged up on for resentment, being something others couldn't.. SF and non SF are treated equal here. Best quality this Board has is the non SF people are encouraged to speak.
I don't even pay attention to the titles under our Avatars. Only realized what the hell they meant a few months ago. I stumbled onto the thread talking about them. I definitely do not look at profiles here as much as other forums.