Change the charging handle to a BCM Gunfighter (or similar). Bigger latch and a better design (all the stress isn't directly on the roll pin).

Anything else is personal preference...grip, forearm, stock etc.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm looking into that charging handle, and will be upgrading to it (why not). I love how customizable AR's are, its really neat all the shit you can buy.

I don't have huge hands, but I still find the "standard" A2 grip to be very uncomfortable. The only part I kept from the AR I just sold was the Magpul MOE+ pistol grip. It's the rubbery coated one, seems to fill my hand better and makes things a lot more comfortable.

scored for $250 - just wish I didn't sell all the 7.62x39 ammo I had years ago.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1354367234

No bayonet, you got robbed!

Really, are they going for that much? I have 2, and one is brand new in the box. I think I paid $89 for it about 10 years ago, and I got a plastic folding stock for it at a garage sale for about 20 bucks. Haven't shot the old one in at least 5 years.

Most SKS's are going for MORE believe or not - $300up on GA - sell your's and make sum money.


I lol'd at this pic when SKS price check... it's appropriate:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354372787

Wow, I had no idea. My top-of-the-line AR is barely worth what I paid for it, and the piece of crap SKS is worth over 4 times what I paid.

im so frackin jealous right now, you have no idea.

So my cheap davis p-380 bit the dust a couple weeks ago. Cast iron doesn't do so well under uneven heating apparently... The little 5-shot 380 was basically my home defense gun because i didn't have much else - decided that I probably wanted to get something with a bit more stopping power than the .380

Sold the spare hardtop

Then found some forgotten credit laying in my paypal account....

took the moneys and bought some new toys:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354476518

Shotgun is a used 870, 18" barrel, magazine tube extension, and picatinny mount on it. Loaded it with some PDX-12 ammo (one slug and three 00 buckshot pellets per cartridge) - shouldn't have much of a problem putting a would-be intruder on the ground quick, fast, and in a hurry...

Pistol is a Smith and Wesson M&P 9. Took it to the range, and oh it shoots so nice. The only thing I would prefer would be a smoother trigger; my buddy's glock .40 trigger pulls so nice.

I'd love to be able to afford a good reflex sight for the shotgun, put a bird barrel on it, and shoot clays - it would be unstoppable!!

870 is a good gun. One of the guys at camp has used one for many years.

Pretty sure there are some DIY trigger kits for the MP pistols. Might look into that if you want some improvement.

Too much optic for that gun, imo. Run iron sights or pick up a nice RDS. My dad has an SKS almost exactly like that, its a chinese one iirc.

Indeed we have. :giggle:

I do have that $240 upper on my lightweight. If you email or call DSA they'll gladly tell you the weight on their items, forget off hand what the ZM-4 Carbine (ZM4CBUM4PARK) weighs but I believe it's around 2.4 pounds. When I ordered my upper, they had a medium weight fluted barrel that was 2.9 pounds but I opted for the lightest thing available. Doesn't appear that heavier weight model is available still, at least on their website under the same part number.. It was P/N DSZM4CBUMID

Finally snapped a picture of the new iron sight:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354508583

...and bought this today:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354508583

Think I got ripped off.. it was $200 from a friend of mine. Exactly one year ago yesterday I brokered a deal between two friends to sell that piece from one to the other and now he's hard up for cash. What to do with two PF9's?

two matched pistols?

I wouldn't know what to do...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354546402

http://watchplayread.com/files/2009/08/dual-wield.PNG

Don't forget that your firearms home-defense plan must include a flashlight. Target identification at night is almost impossible inside a dark home. I won't discuss the incredibly bad idea of trying to clear your own home after a "bump in the night", but if you have to leave the bedroom, be sure you've already called 911.

For a shotgun, the light has to be mounted on the gun itself. On my Mossy 12ga, I've got a magazine mounted tri-rail with a picatinny clamp for my Polytac. I've got it positioned so it's in perfect alignment with my left thumb when the slide is forward.

For pistols, the discussion on technique vs. mounted vs. handheld vs. laser combo vs. strobe vs. blah blah... can go on forever. All my research has led me to just keep it simple. Mount the light to the gun so you can activate the light with your left hand while using a standard 2-handed grip. All of the picatinny mounted Streamlights are designed this way. For a dedicated in-home self defense pistol, I'll suggest a full-size 9mm with no manual safety, tritium sites, and the TLR-1... keep it simple.

I've never heard a good reason to mount a flashlight on your carry piece. There's no scenario (even the "dark alley" scenario) where target recognition becomes an issue when outside the home... this is where a clear understanding of Castle Doctrine and SYG laws for your state will keep you out of jail. Carrying a small flashlight with you when you leave the home at night should be something you consider. A non-mounted tactical light is a much more flexible weapon/tool, and in many cases will negate the need to draw your firearm.

I don't actually carry a "tactical light". My baby is an Eagletac D25C... 750lm with the 3.7v batteries I use. It's about the size of a chapstick and will absolutely blind the fuck out of you to the point of REAL temporary blindness. It's so bright that I can't use it in the house as a defensive tool because it'll blind me too just due to the room-bounce.

The last thing you want to do is blow away your drunk neighbor one night because he came in the wrong back door... shit happens all the time.

Shotgun:
Tri-rail:
Polytac and Mount (check the "frequently bought together"):
Eagletac D25C (you want the one with the XM-L emitter) You can use regular CR123A batteries and get like 400lm out of it, but I use the mac-daddy 3.7volt'ers. You'll want 2 batteries. Note, this light will only run for about 5 minutes at a time when in direct drive with the 3.7v batteries. It's not for general use, only as a self-defense tool with a very specific role to play.

Review: Eagletac D25 Clicky Series Round-up Review (D25C, D25A2, D25LC2 - XM-L & XP-G))

Light:
Batteries: AW RCR123a Protected 750 mAh Battery
Charger: Ultrafire 3.6 volt or 3 volt RCR123 Lithium Battery Charger

I want to hang out with this guy.

PSA flattop ar just came in today. I'll report back and upload some pics once i get to shoot it. Gonna go out to the hills sometime this week and have fun.

I've still got to learn to field strip and clean this thing first, so that's what I'm going to play with tonight. I'm brand new to the AR scene, i've only had AK variants thus far..

I thought that was you

1. Remove takedown pins.
2. Set lower aside.
3. Take charging handle and BCG out.
4. Spray some cleaner and wipe down inside of upper receiver, spray some compressed air into the gas-tube, THEN bore-snake the barrel.
5. Spray some cleaner and wipe down the BCG and use some compressed air to blow on all the little nooks and crannies on it.
6. Smear some lube/oil around and put it all back together.

7. Every 5k rounds, break-down the BCG and clean it real good.

Srlsly, my PF9 is harder to field-strip and clean than an AR.