My main side interest
 

I collect old Colts and S&W firearms, mostly handguns.

First is a pristine model 13 dash 1 S&W .357 magnum. This one lives in the safe as a "non-shooter".

The second example is a .45 ACP Kimber Ultra Carry II and is one of several of my carry guns.

These guns, except for those I (legally) carry, are tangible investments. They don't replace a 401K, but they're beaucoup more fun!

Mike

That .357 is beautiful! I just picked up a M&P 40c, applying for concealed carry soon. It'll be my first handgun, but I've shot all kinds of stuff. I'm looking to build an AR soon too. After that I want to pick up a .357 revolver. I've shot my buddy's .41 and that thing is fun!

Patrick,

You are very kind.

I know Cali (went to school in Santa Barbara) is fairly stipulative (read draconian) regarding gun laws. I reckon you'll need to consider all that when you build your AR.

That M&P fotay should work well for you. The new M&P line has become very popular.

Regarding your intended .357, if you can learn to shoot a revolver accurately in double action, you will be accurate with any handgun you shoot.

Below is my Bushmaster.

Mike

Nice! Yeah I'm so shocked that the 80% lower ARs are still legal. That's why I'm building one asap before they're illegal. And idk why, but I shot super accurate with the .41 Magnum. Whenever we go shooting they always have me carry it because I'm the quickest and most accurate with it. It just shoots super smooth to me.

Nice Bushamaster too! I'm going to build a short-midrange rifle and it'll probably end up looking close to that. I'll probably do the typical Magpul adjustable stock and a barrel close to that length. Most likely a 16" or thereabouts...

Patrick,

Best idea regarding your AR build, in my opinion is to "get 'er done" before Moonbeam and his minions make it verboten.

My only .41 mag is this nickle model 57 no dash. The .41 caliber has a lot of devotees.

Mike

That's exactly the plan good sir. Another beauty! You have some nice stuff! I'll post a pic of my 40c when I pick it up Tuesday. Depending on how much the transfer fee is, I'm going to get a .40 Shield for my gf too.

I'll look forward to seeing both, my friend!

Mike

Picked it up tonight! The Shield I found online wasn't the CA compliant model so we're still looking for the gf. We'll see now she likes this one and go from there. Neither of us really enjoyed shooting my buddy's Glock 27 and now he's even thinking of getting rid of it for an M&P. We'll see. I'd like to get her a .40 to keep our ammo costs down and for the fact that we can keep one size in the house, but I think a 9mm might be better for her.

Patrick,

Shaweeeeta! You know we're gonna need a range report!

I second the "9" notion. With modern defense ammo, the nine is no slouch.
I got out of the forty cal business after realizing the 40's recoil has an unpleasant "snappy" characteristic. I am not particularly recoil-sensitive, as I absolutely love 10 mm, but the 40... just not for me.

I have three 10 mm handguns and am a big fan of the round. It carries good "horsepower" and is a dream to reload. The below Glock 29 is an easy way, financially, to get into the "big 10" and lets me preserve the more valuable (rarer) 10's I have safe-stashed.

Mike

Nice! Yeah I have to find time to go to the range. I prefer to just go up to the mountains (something about paying to shoot my guns just doesn't sit well with me) but it's too far to go when my gf is 9 months pregnant. I was really interested in the Glock 42 .380 for her, but I'll never see one in CA and I'd have to SSE it. I've never fired anything in a 10mm. Is it easy to find 10mm ammo? I'm thinking we will be getting a 9 for her though. And I agree, .40 tends to be snappy, but that's why I liked this M&P better than the Glock 27 (in my head at least, since I haven't shot it yet) - the frame is 3oz heavier on the M&P compact versus the Glock, and I didn't like how top heavy the Glock felt in my smaller hands. We'll see if my "50-50" weight distribution theory pans out on the spreads.

Also, apparently there aren't any other gun enthusiasts on this site? Haha!

Patrick,


Im not believin' fellow pony addicts don't cling to their Bibles and guns like good 'murcans should!

!0mm ammo is pricey, so the way to go is to "roll-yer-own." You can get it to run hot like the original Lapua loadings, or "dumb it down" to low .40 equivalents.

Mike

I might or might not own a gun(s). :D


I just don't like posting them online personally

Exactly. My buddies and I are going to go in on one of the auto-loaders eventually.


Oh I know you do lol. And I hear ya.

Mike - That is one beautiful wheel gun. I love that nickel and wood grain on your grip, and you've got it shined up real nice. :)

Roger,

'preciate-cha!

Mike

Taking the compact out today! Will report later...

I'm waiting with bad breath...

Mike

I did pretty well with it. Found that I liked the large grip, which I'm happy about because I'm going to order the Crimson Trace grip laser for it. I shot my buddy's Glock 27 again - he liked the overall comfort of mine better, but we both like the trigger on the Glock better. I think an Apex trigger might be in order haha! I put about 100 rounds through it. No malfunctions. We took up some pumpkins, cans, bottles and found a few leftover clay pigeons at the spot. We were shooting from between 30-50 yards. Felt good to get out there again...I haven't been shooting since early last year!

Nothing like an old school S&W or Colt wheel gun. I always end up selling mine when I buy them...as I never carry or shoot them, but I still love them. Don't much care to sit on guns I don't shoot.

I wish I still had my AR...stopped shooting it a while back due to work load and sold it, kinda wish I hadn't.

(Hanging up in a buddy's shop he just opened, to fill it up a bit)
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Oh, and here was a previous AR I had...this was super fun to shoot, but also very heavy. Another I wish I still had...

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