Who loves to shoot?
What do you shoot? Where?
Do you shoot for recreation? Practice for home defense?


For hunting:
Upland Game/Ducks/Geese: I use a 12g Benelli Nova. Its chambered for 3.5 inch shells so it's solid for Goose and Turkey hunting. I prefer 3 inch shells in #5 for Turkey and 3.5 inch shells in 0000 to #2 for geese. #6 in steel for the rabbit and pheasant season. I put a 16oz mercury recoil absorber in the stock, so it's ridiculously heavy. I kind of regret the absorber, especially when walking a couple miles into the brush for pheasants and rabbits.
Deer: 20g Remington 1187 semi auto. This is a 3 inch gun but I only use 2.5 inch shells. Its rifled so its only good for slugs and sabots. Nice solid flat trajectory up to 100 yards, but a steep drop beyond 150 yards. Never took a shot beyond that range at live targets. Harvested a nice fat doe at about 75 yards, and the sabot shells performed significantly better than the 12 gauge rifled slugs. Don't let the size fool you, 20g is the way to go with deer. I'm done lugging that heavy ass 12g up a tree.

Target Shooting (skeet/sporting clays):
Again the 12g Nova. When target shooting I take out the plug so I get 5+1 shots in 2.5 inch shells. Shoot pump shoot pump shoot! Good times.

Target Shooting (pistol range):
Taurus PT9:. This is a decent plinking gun. Essentially a direct copy of the Beretta P92, in fact all parts are completely interchangable. 17 +1 so it's got a sizeable magazine. I've got 4,500 rounds thru this guy and it's been pretty reliable, although it doesn't like Blazer ammo. The Sig brand ammo shoots amazingly well. I'll typically hit 4 inch patterns up to 50 feet.
Sig Sauer 1911 Emperor Scorpion: This is a solid 45 cal. 8 +1 so the capacity is lower but the stopping power is much higher (more on that in a minute). This thing shoots like a dream, hitting 4 inch targets consistently at 50 feet. Practiced some double taps this week at 20 feet, and was consistently in the bread box on the second tap. It's eaten everything I've fed it but research shows that it's a good idea to buy top quality ball. I've always bought the better quality ammo, aside from that Blazer I bought for the 9mm, so this isn't an issue for me. The lesson is don't buy that Wolf ammo.

Home defense:
Hands down the choice is the Sig here. With Sig hollow point 45, 230 grain, it has amazingly superior stopping power. I still keep the 9mm close, with sig 115 grain hollow points, available, but really this is the wife's gun for home defense. While I can pull off double taps well with the 1911, the triple tap (2 to the body one to the head) is very difficult for me. I can pull this off with the PT92 consistently however.

As far as how to carry...
The 12g and the 20g are cased, locked and unloaded. I don't see these as viable home defense weapons. Both have a 26 inch barrel so using it around corners and in close quarters combat (CQC) is not viable. You need an 18 inch barrel for a solid shotgun choice for home defense.
The 1911 is kept in condition 1, and the PT92 is kept in condition 3. The 1911 is a single action, so it's not viable to keep in condition 3 at any time. It's cocked and locked. You flip the safety and it fires with a trigger pull. Since it has the grip safety, I've not concerned with ND (negligent discharge, also called AD, accidental discharge). The PT92 is double action, so I do keep it in condition 3 (mag loaded, chamber empty, hammer down), and while it's known that a double action is best kept in condition 2 (mag loaded, chamber loaded, safety on), I keep it in condition 3 because it's the wife's gun and it requires a rack slide to get it ready to fire and that's what she's most comfortable with.

Now the wife is looking to get the Walther PK .380. A bit more stopping power than the 9mm but less kick than the .45, and she is looking for something that easily fits her purse pocket for can be concealed easily (we're set up for concealed carry).

How bout you blokes?

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I shoot the shit.

_________________

Yeah?
With what?

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Typically, no, but I'm strongly considering a handgun this year to shoot at the range and to fend off coyotes. Any recommendations? Keepi mind these coyotes are genetic freaks with a lust to kill.

_________________

For range shooting you should start with a 9mm. Ammo is plentiful and cheap. It's easy to handle for a rookie. I'd start with a large frame weapon such as the Beretta 92 or a 9mm 1911. Loaded with hollow point 115 grain +p you can take down small game like coyote fairly easily, and it's a well rounded home defense weapon.
For a straight up range shooter my PT92 was a reasonable price and did well.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

The future Mrs. 'Spiracy has her Glock 19. I don't have a weapon of my own.

I am in full support of the 2nd amendment and conceal carry. Just not a gun guy myself.

_________________
CSFMB: Home of the small minded

I need something that will allow me to murder many people in a short amount of time. Please help.

Most enforcement types prefer the Glock, which I can only assume, she keeps in condition 1. I myself don't like the Glock like as I very much believe in double safeties in condition 1, however, that Glock is a solid, reliable shooter which enforcement types find extremely useful. I believe that's the preferred sidearm for most law enforcement these days... 9mm yes?

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Yes, 9mm. Yes, no safety.

"The holster is the safety." Some of the craziest shit I have ever heard.

_________________
CSFMB: Home of the small minded

Show them your posts.

_________________

When Tiffy asks me about my safety I just show her my forefinger. That's my safety.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

That almost reads like my avatar said it.

I'm going to the range here in McHenry tomorrow to shoot 200 rounds of .45 ACP.
2nd Amendment... great range, cool people there. Nice place.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I grabbed an nice Russian SKS earlier this year on a whim (I had gotten my FOID in the fall just because I felt like it) and fell in love. Already I have added to my collection.

Ruger 10/22 Takedown
Mossberg 590A1 12 ga.
Zastava Mauser 24/47
Kar98 Mauser

I'm really close to picking up a nice Long Branch No 4 MK II Lee Enfield and Springfield Armoy M1 Garand from one of grandfather's pals. North American Firearms in Lombard has a gorgeous M1917 that I've seen in person, almost immaculate condition. $1500 is a bit steep though and I'm really looking to add a more intermediate round (seeing as my collection will consist of 2 8mm Mausers, a a 30-06 and 303 British thats a lot of big, expensive rounds) autoloader. SCAR17S (wouldn't be able to keep it where I live) or more realisitically M1A Scout Squad would be nice too, so picking up that M1917 would really set me back on those fronts.

I have zero interest in handguns really, maybe one day I'll buy a Glock. Some exceptions though, like if there is another big surplus dump of Manurhin MR73's like a year or so ago I'd be all over it. Revolvers can be fun, semi auto's are boring though. That kinda goes for rifles too, I have had a ton more fun with the Mausers than my SKS....and I love that SKS.

It really is a great hobby, very disappointed that I didn't get into it at a younger age. I'm still really illiterate on a lot of things but I'm getting better...I started off shooting with my left eye closed and now that I've broken that habit and am keeping both open my groups are getting really tight. The Yugo Mauser is fucking nails at 100 yards (I haven't done much with the K98...it keeps bleeding Cosmoline after a couple rounds).

I have a great number of legal firearms.

Come into my house unannounced and I'll be happy to introduce you to one.

_________________
We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

Oh that M1A scout would be sweet.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I was down in KY a couple weeks ago. Was shooting at a range and some dude was shooting one. I asked him about it, said he picked it up in Louisville at a mom and pop for $1100. I get to the place the next day and guy says he sold out.

Oh well.

I've heard the 16" barrel options are pieces of shit, else I'd go for one of those

You talking the Springfield 7.62?

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Right. The M14 clones.

Ill ask the daughter "which way to the gun show"?

She'll flex and point.

My wife hates me.

_________________

Oy. After this post I do too.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I'm still looking for a good range within 100 miles. Article II is a dump, Range at 355 are pricks and fucking GAY about ammo (slugs only, no 8mm Mauser, brass cased 7.62x39, only their slugs)...Buffalo Rock seems promising but the max distance is really 100y? Seems weak.

I like buffalo rock.
It's like 20 bucks for an all day ahoot.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

_________________

I don't shoot as much as I'd like, anymore. Range is "out back" here, which makes it even more disappointing. I keep the Binelli 12GA O/U for trap, use an old Mossberg 20Ga pump for any birds, and with slugs IF I ever needed to shoot something bigger (deer or, worst-case scenario calf). I have handful of pistols around, nice, small Browning in .380 that was my FIL's carry gun, I prefer my $300 Astra 1911 in 9mm over the Beretta Model 19. My kid picked up Glock 26 or something like that- 9mm, single stack tiny , carry gun, waiting to turn 21 to get his CCL. It barely fits in my big, fat hands, but works great for him. There are several .22LRs around for the woodchucks, and I have used one for coyote, but may be picking up a 17HMR or 22MAG with MC Sports going out of business, they are discounting their guns 5% already, and I love the look of a Henry lever action.

My buddy at work changed his collecting focus from Star Wars action figures/comic books to firearms about a year ago. He now has over 40 handguns, and a couple long guns. His Bone Collector in .460 is mind numbing.

It might be time for my and FF's idea for a CFMB hunting trip with Bigfan.

_________________

Oh man yeah you got to get your hands on that henry.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Yes, I kinda like the idea of the 17HMR, as there have been a couple of new houses built within a half mile of our place, McMansions on a few acres, that end up in my backdrop when targeting the woodchucks. I like the idea of the ballistic tip rounds that disintegrate on misses, because, in the end, I am a crappy shot. The 22MAG round has about the same ballistics and the ammo is cheaper. I really liked the idea behind the 17WSM for these varmints and the 'yotes, but really only Marlin made one, and I read some rotten reviews. Yes, I could drop $4K on a Volquartsen 17WSM, but just no.

Upland either the old Parker 20 gauge reproduction that my grandfather took me hunting with for the first time 30 years ago or a Beretta 690 12 gauge. 20 gauge I will either use #4 steel or #5 or use Bismuth in the other barrel as I hunt nontoxic area and only one set of barrels is steel proof. 12 gauge #5 or #6 steel with a 3 inch shell. When the boxes are empty will drop to a 2 3/4 shell.

Skeet, sporting clays or trap could be either of those guns or a Zoli 12 gauge.

Waterfowl depends right now. I have a Benelli SBE II but I don't shoot it very well. Should probably shoot trap or clays with it more or switch to just shooting 3 inch steel out of Beretta. Just not sure I want to deal with the moisture and that gun.
If Im hoping for ducks I'll have #4 and #2 steel loaded. If geese BB's to #2. Usually its geese.

If I was to deer or turkey hunt with a gun I would use the Mossberg 835 that I bought years ago. Nice short barrel on that gun and a bit heavy for recoil. Or I'd spend money on getting a barrel for the Benelli. But I really only archery hunt deer from time to time and I like watching the turkey when I do that so I leave them alone on the farm.

Handguns. I have a Beretta 92 and a .45 HK USP that I got years ago. locked in safe in bedroom. I can shoot the USP so much better than the Beretta. Should practice a lot more.


If I'm going to shoot Leashes mortal enemy mr. Coyote it will be with a Bushmaster varmiter in .223. If I'm going to shoot a cow it will either be my old .357 my dad gave me or I'll snap the 6.8 SPC barrel onto the bushmaster.

I have too many damn guns but my father in law gave me a bunch as did my brother in law when they moved to Chicago and my Dad seemed to think I needed the Beretta 690 to hunt at his hunt club so here I am. Everyhting is locked in a safe of somekind.

I live on a farm, my range is our property. I am not a good shot with a rifle. I should practice more.