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Howdy Dakka's!

I've been wondering if anyone on Dakka is a shooting enthusiast, and if they are, what do they shoot? I don't bother with pellet or paintball, too much money for 'play-shooting', and it's more of a moral thing of shooting living things I don't intend to kill.

I use a S&W 9mm (older version of the current 3913) and .45 Colt Blackhawk (some off-beat 3rd company reproduction) for target shooting and competition shooting (the 9mm). Currently looking at AR's and their various incarnations; the M4 or M16 variants are what I'm debating on. I also joined a local group of guys that deal directly with older weapons and have a program that enables members to purchase M1 Garand's at a discounted price, depending on their states of repair or disrepair.

So, what do you all use?

P.S. If anyone know's from experience if it's worth building your own rifle piece by piece or if getting an already built weapon is the better way to go, I'd love the input.

Just turned 21 a few months ago, bought a Classic .22 P226 w/ beavertail for a little under 600. Plan on purchasing an upgrade kit for a larger caliber when I get the money.

Not bad. What caliber are you looking to upgrade it to?

Either 9mm or 40SW, I had a Taurus Pt101 for a little bit chambered in 40sw, really liked the kick it had.

Family portrait. Adding a custom built .308 based on the Rem 700 action next year as my project rifle for Trade School, might add a M-1 Garand within the next few months if the VA actually gets around to paying me.

I am not sure enthusiast is the right term, but yea, I have some guns.

Taurus Judge
WASR-10 with side folding stock and front pistol grip
Taurus PT111

I have available to me a whole host of other weaponry, including but not limited to.

AR-15, fully kitted out.
Thompson Sub-machine gun
A few shotguns
an Olympic competition rifle
etc etc etc.

I own a few firearms. Would one day like to expand my collection quite a bit. Currently I own...

Armalite AR-10A2 with an ACOG scope attached to the carry handle.
New England Firearms .20 Guage single shot break action
Ithaca .20 Gauge Pump Action

Next year I'm hoping to get stationed in a state that's a bit friendlier to gun ownership, and then I plan on picking up a handgun. Not sure of what type yet.

@Mattman I agree, the .40 I've found to be not much worse than my 9. Friend of mine just purchased the M9 in .40, great weapon with minimal kick and you're still throwing a substantial round downrange.

@KMarine Nice collection you've got there! I'm particularly fond of the 1911. Is it a 45?

@Shadowseer I've had the chance to use the Judge, I liked it. Especially with the ability to use 4-10 shotgun rounds AND 45s.

I'm shocked so many of you people have guns in your home. Won't someone think of the children?

How much are you looking to spend on your long gun, and to what purpose? I'm assuming an AR 15 clone? That will help in your decisioning.

I have a Nerf Jolt and two Nerf Mavericks.
They're fun and all, and I enjoy shooting air rifles when I can do it, but I don't really like the idea of holding something that can actually kill someone (including myself) so easily.
Also it's kind of illegal for me to have a gun.
I'm also of the opinion that the best defence is really really quick running.

Guns are evil, they scare me.

 Frankenberry wrote:
@Mattman I agree, the .40 I've found to be not much worse than my 9. Friend of mine just purchased the M9 in .40, great weapon with minimal kick and you're still throwing a substantial round downrange.

@KMarine Nice collection you've got there! I'm particularly fond of the 1911. Is it a 45?

@Shadowseer I've had the chance to use the Judge, I liked it. Especially with the ability to use 4-10 shotgun rounds AND 45s.

.45 ACP, 8 rounds of lovely hollow point action for any goblins who want to come get some.

 Goliath wrote:
I have a Nerf Jolt and two Nerf Mavericks.
They're fun and all, and I enjoy shooting when I can do it, but I don't really like the idea of holding something that can kill someone (including myself) so easily.
Also it's kind of illegal for me to have a gun.

Exactly, you bunch of insecure warmongers! And you don't need any of those to hunt with!

I prefer 9mm to .40 currently. I'm not seeing the performance difference, and there are lots of cheap manufacturers. Having said that, I starting to see UMC bulk boxes for them recently, so thats a start.

 Goliath wrote:
I have a Nerf Jolt and two Nerf Mavericks.
They're fun and all, and I enjoy shooting air rifles when I can do it, but I don't really like the idea of holding something that can actually kill someone (including myself) so easily.
Also it's kind of illegal for me to have a gun.
I'm also of the opinion that the best defence is really really quick running.

Mavericks? Are those the revolver type? I have one of those as well! Also a Retaliator.

Goliath wrote:I'm also of the opinion that the best defence is really really quick running.

Go on...

 AustonT wrote:

Goliath wrote:I'm also of the opinion that the best defence is really really quick running.

Go on...

To be fair, every time I've ended up in a fight it has been against more than one person, and I've been very weedy most of my life so my fight or flight is sort of stuck on Flight.
The only times I actually try and hit people are when I go absolutely mental, in which cases I was almost suspended a couple of times.

So yeah, I know it isn't the bravest thing for me to do, but it has almost become an instinct, and when I don't run I end up getting in more trouble than the person who started the fight. (bear in mind I'm 18 and only left school a few months ago, so haven't really had any fights that werent in school or with kids)

I've fired all kinds of rifles and pistols, I didn't like the FAMAS because it was al short and weedy feeling, the lefty switch for the cocking handle was a good idea, but I also didn't like the way it is bizarrely loud compared to the various ARs and the AK series.

To be honest though, I've never really understood the serious hard-ons some people get for firearms, I've probably fired about 15 different types of pistol and rifle, and putting one or two aside I would be pretty happy with most modern rifles and pistols, people talk about the Glock 30s being reliable and the H&K P9S shooting like a dream and they all of their own personal preferences, but there aren't many I've fired and felt uncomfortable using.

If I was buying I'd probably draw up a short list of about 10 and just buy the one I could get the cheapest... maybe thats because I'm more of a tight bastard than an enthusiast.

So I say pick a bunch you are happy with, its not hard to do, and then get the best deal.

Discussion aside, I never got to fire a Desert Eagle.. I am visiting a friend in Oklahoma next year, and hope to be able to use one to blast some cricket ball sized lumps out of a wild boar.

Oh and then Im fething off to Argentina to shoot a cow with a bazooka.

I love my Glocks. True, it has the styling of a brick, a trigger like a staple gun, and some people don't like the grip angle. Despite all that the weapon fires every time I put my booger hook on the bang button, and that counts for something.

Shooting a lot of .40 lately because it's cheaper, but I like a 10mm to carry. That round will stop a fight right now, and isn't bouncing off your windshield or car doors either.

For rifles I like to get something already together. On the AR platform you *can* get all the pieces and build it yourself but with stuff like the Rock River out there, you are so close to a good target platform right out of the box it's worth a little extra for the no hassle factor. Just throw a buttstock weight in it, maybe pin the rear sight if you are into that and you're good to go. I shoot service rifle and the AR-15 will make a decent shooter out of a hack like me, and in better hands are match winners.

Notice a lot of people with AR's. Just throwing it out that one of the cleaning point thats neglected is the gas system exhaust points. Paper clip size hole. Just punch it through. Perfect example is on your forward assist.

Guns are evil, they scare me.

@Frazzled Yeah, an AR-15 clone of some sort. Not looking to spend more than 1300 total, which means less-than-fantastic optics, or so I've noticed.

I'm pretty sure no one can outrun one of my 9mms, just sayin'.

Colt 1911 combat commander (.45) and a Mossberg 500 (12 gauge) shotgun. I would like to get a 9mm at some point if only because .45 ammo is a lot more expensive. There are a couple 22 rifles at my grandmother's place that my dad used to teach me to shoot. Cans/plastic bottles filled with water are kind of awesome for target shooting.

 Goliath wrote:

 AustonT wrote:

Goliath wrote:I'm also of the opinion that the best defence is really really quick running.

Go on...

To be fair, every time I've ended up in a fight it has been against more than one person, and I've been very weedy most of my life so my fight or flight is sort of stuck on Flight.
The only times I actually try and hit people are when I go absolutely mental, in which cases I was almost suspended a couple of times.

So yeah, I know it isn't the bravest thing for me to do, but it has almost become an instinct, and when I don't run I end up getting in more trouble than the person who started the fight. (bear in mind I'm 18 and only left school a few months ago, so haven't really had any fights that werent in school or with kids)

What does getting ina fight have to do with firearms, you warmonger?

Aggie and Longhorn have words in a bar.
Aggie asks the Longhorn if he wants to step outside and they do.
Aggie pulls out a switchblad and tells the Longhorn he's done.
Long replies 'just like an Aggie, bring a knife to a gunfight."

Cougar appears, and robs both of them at gunpoint. Stupid college boys.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Frankenberry wrote:
@Frazzled Yeah, an AR-15 clone of some sort. Not looking to spend more than 1300 total, which means less-than-fantastic optics, or so I've noticed.

I'm pretty sure no one can outrun one of my 9mms, just sayin'.

I'd suggest, if it were me anyway, get a moderately price AR 15 clone (this is not my bailiwick on mopderately priced ones - Ruger? ) easy trigger job if needed, and spend your big bucks on good optics. Maybe even used rifle with a new scope.

M4 with ACOG with all the goody attachments I'm use to
M1 carbine
38 special
Winchester replica
3 shotguns praticuly antiques that belong to my wife grandfather

looking at a hand weapon probaly 40 cal type to purchase soon one that my wife comfy with

@Frazzled I was considering something used, but the voice in my head tells me that if I'm spending a thousand, and the new one is 1200...why not buy something new, y'know?

As for the different brands, everyone makes an AR clone, so it doesn't really matter I suppose. I was also considering kitting it out to use 30-06 instead of the standard .223. More punch.

I like Bolt Action rifles over semi-autos any day of the week, with my preference being the SMLE Mk. 1 through 4.

Never fired any pistols, they're quite restricted in Canada.

 Frankenberry wrote:
@Frazzled I was considering something used, but the voice in my head tells me that if I'm spending a thousand, and the new one is 1200...why not buy something new, y'know?

As for the different brands, everyone makes an AR clone, so it doesn't really matter I suppose. I was also considering kitting it out to use 30-06 instead of the standard .223. More punch.

.308 or 30-06. I'd not heard of an AR15 clone in 30-06. Did not think possible.
Yea, I'm just more about the optics as I can see the broad side of a barn at this point.

@Frazzled Yeah, I wasn't aware that you could change an AR to a .308/30-06 until recently. From what I understand it's a new barrel and some modifications to the upper. Then again, if I'm going to make it custom, why not just build the whole thing from the ground up. Lol.

Decisions decisions.

 Frankenberry wrote:
@Frazzled Yeah, I wasn't aware that you could change an AR to a .308/30-06 until recently. From what I understand it's a new barrel and some modifications to the upper. Then again, if I'm going to make it custom, why not just build the whole thing from the ground up. Lol.

Decisions decisions.

The AR-15 in .308 is called an AR-10. I've never heard of a 30-06 version. That is a big bullet, i'm not sure the rifle itself is big enough for it.

If your looking for stopping power, the .308 is all you will need. I punched a whole clean through a 600lb hog with one, even went through one of her shoulders.

 Frankenberry wrote:
@Frazzled Yeah, an AR-15 clone of some sort. Not looking to spend more than 1300 total, which means less-than-fantastic optics, or so I've noticed.

Optics?!?

Real men use peep sights.