Xcaliber

I like the Ruger MK series. Very accurate and reliable and it can be modified quite easily. Same with the 22/45.

I would go with the Chevy Equinox. It's the biggest of the compact CUVs, well made, reliable, gets fantastic gas mileage for it's size, and it's nearly indestructable in a crash. It's like a smaller version of the Traverse. I bought an LT1 AWD 4 cylinder last year for around 27k brand new. You can get the base FWD model for about 22k. Yes, GM got a bailout, but unlike Wall Street, they actually make a product and put food on the tables of hundreds of thousands of hard working American families. I just didn't see giving my money to a foreign company in times like these when our own industries need the business. It just seemed a little unamerican. I will likely trade it in in a few years for a Cadillac ATS, which is a simply awesome car the equal of anything made in Europe. As a former GMer, I am proud of how the comapny turned itself around. Yes, they used to make some crappy cars, but what they turn out today is mostly world class. My second choice would be the Ford Escape...

Wow, there must be something in the air. A couple of week ago I broke my right pinky toe on a step ladder my wife left out. I took off couple of days from work but since then I have made the over quarter mile trek up the hill from the parking lot to my office. By the time I get home all of my toes are swollen to twice their size. I didn't go to the doctor this time, but i think I may have to...It isn't the pain that concerns me but my whole foot shouldn't be swelling up like that. The thing is, last year I broke my left toe on the same step ladder. It took 6 weeks to heal. That time I did go to the doctor and all they did was xray it, tape it and give me one of those sandal/booty things. I should have married a taller woman...

I just had a co-worker threaten me on a conference call in front of a room full of people because I sent him a text saying I wouldn't be able to make our shift. He later told mangement that he didn't mean it the way it sounded. I let it go. In my experience it's the ones that just show up on your doorstep that are the real inconvenience. Personally, I prefer just having the bus run over me...

Being left handed, I've always used my index finger. I had planned on getting an ambi mag release but by the time I got around to it, I was so adept at using my index finger, I didn't bother. Not sure if it's faster, tbh. But I can work the mag and slide release without changing my grip, which is good for me.

Hmmm, remind me never to borrow your gun at a match... Seriously, I use progrip in the summer. I also use a little skateboard tape since my grip is checkered. I tried using a glove but I could never find a pair that fit well. I think a glove like "Evil Roy" uses would be better for a few reasons, especially when it's cold.

I can't post my favorite motivational quote in polite company, but let's just say I always keep my powder dry...and the worm has always turned for me in the fullness of time.

I think everyone sees at the same speed, i.e.. speed of light. The 'trick' is seeing the thing that matters clearly. If you can't track the front sight it may mean that you are not focusing clearly on it through the recoil cycle of the gun. Edited to add: Just thinking about this some more, are you squinting to focus on the front sight ? If so, try focusing on the sight without squinting, i.e.. relax your eyes, it may help you to see 'more'. I agree with what you said, but I actually do squint a little in order to see what I need to see. I had a bad habit of "hunting" for the front sight for a split second after a shot, which is slow. By squinting a little and maintaining my focus on the point where I KNOW my sight will always be (assuming my grip/stance is correct), when it reappears after each shot, I am ready. Esther - Being from Pa, my first thought when I saw the title of your thread was that you wanted to compare learning to call turkeys to making GM. FYI: turkey calling is harder... I have been a diabetic for about 8 years now. THE most important thing is to maintain your blood sugar at proper levels at all times. Having an eating disorder makes that very difficult, but you seem to be on the right path by channeling your OCD behavior into something constructive. Whenever you feel like you want to "gooble" something, do some dry fire practice. I'm still struggling with my addiction to cigarettes and one of things that has really helped has been doing that very thing.

When I started shooting as a serious pursuit, my best friend and teacher had me buy 3 things: a ruger MKII a Kimber Classic .45 a Dillon press If you want to shoot a lot of anything other than .22, either a press or deep pockets are a must. Since my friend and me would buy together, we could get discounts on all the components except brass, which I scavenged from ranges by offering to clean up at closing time. At one point, I estimated my cost at about 5 cents a round for .45 ACP. YMMV, but even at retail prices you will save a ton of money and get to shoot what you want when you want. Plus, you will gain additional insight into how your firearm works, which most people don't have. That said, if I were in similar straights, I would probably buy some .22 and save for a press. There is nothing wrong with yugoslavian ammo as long as you clean your rifle after each use; it's corrosive and berden primed ammo is very difficult to reload assuming you can even find the primers in the US. So basically, when its gone its gone and you will have to drop another handful of cash to get more. If you really want to shoot a lot of centerfire, it's probably the only way to do it economically, IMO. HTH

Let's see: My first match, I didn't have much gear so I stowed a magazine in the back pocket of my baggy pants. On one stage, it slipped down deep into the pocket and I had to fish it out. It took a good 10 seconds. Somewhere there is a video of what appears to be a fat guy "digging for gold" on a stage while his pants slowly creep towards his ankles. Ruined a couple people's runs that day because they couldn't stop laughing. Bought a proper gun belt and some mag pouches the next day. Always check for rocks before you go prone if you plan on having kids at some point. The upside is that I can now hit those high notes.

Rereading: "The Name of the Wind" and "Wise Man's Fear" while waiting for the final book in the series to come out. "The 5 Pillars of Zen" "The Art of War"

Since I have a big mouth (in more ways than one), mine have never given me much of a problem on their own. I got the one on the upper left "extracted" in a martial arts tournament about 30 years ago. The other cracked a while back and needs to be removed, but since it never bothered me until recently, I didn't bother it. Now I'm seeing a new hotshot dentist that is taking care of my wife. He doesn't use gas except as a last resort due to the marginal risks involved. But he is very good with that needle full of lidocaine. So far, I haven't felt much discomfort during any of the procedures. It helps that his assistants are all pretty young women...at least that is my wife's theory as until now I have pretty much avoided dentists. Anyway, don't smoke or drink alcohol, keep it clean and gargle with a bit of saltwater. it should heal in a few days.Good luck.

I had a co-worker take me to task because I own a firearm. Then later the same person asks me if I am coming to the monthly paintball outing our office puts on. To him, shooting at other people playing a "war" game is a non-violent activity, but shooting at a paper target is evil. Personally, I try to avoid venues where I stand a significant chance of encountering idiots with guns. Since moving to Md, I have been looking around but have yet to find a range I feel comfortable using on a regular basis. The problem is I've seen some very poor gun handling and even poorer attitudes towards safety, not to mention a general lack of courtesy. I was in a shop a few months ago and the salesman simply handed a customer a 9mm without even checking it. The customer then points the thing in my general direction while examining it. I took a few steps back and got a dirty look from the sales guy like there was something wrong with me. Sorry, but my attitude is that if I'm going to get shot by a moron, I'll do it myself. Where I grew up, guns were like any other potentially dangerous tool. I don't remember much formal training in safety, but I do remember learning from day one that the part with the hole in it is the dangerous end and not to point it at anyone. It seem\s that down here the culture is somewhat different and I'm not sure why. In any case, until I find a range where competitors and/or LEOs are the majority, I will just keep dry firing in my den or go to my old range in Pa. FWIW, I agree with the "pro-shooter" on a couple of levels, although that was not the time or place to express such an opinion. Plus, I think it sends the wrong message and gives ammunition to a content starved media to craft the meme that gun owners are all gun nuts clinging to their firearms. I want no part in helping them exploit a tragedy for ratings.

Before each loading session, weigh about 5 charges just in case something changed. Get one of those flexible work lights and position it to shine into each case at the charging station. You have to be practically OCD when you are reloading. No distractions of any kind and when you start having trouble paying attention, stop and take a break. Good luck.

Old people are easily annoyed...