Frankly

I “think” I’d like to try a more vertical grip on my AR and I have XL hands. Happy to let you guys tell me how to spend money thanks

Anyway, https://www.ratchetingbuckles.com/ratchet-buckles-ladder-straps/1-ratcheting-buckle-attached-to-extension-tab-rb1t-n-blacktanwhite-2-2-2/ offers some options, just ordered one with the metal buckle to modify my existing belt. Would have ordered the Carbon Arms but it's been out of stock for months.

I like RRS because "Made in USA" and all that, plus they really are the best and what the others copy. I've had the BH55 and it is solid but the leveling base is even more solid. I hear the new RRS Soar head sits in between the two but only works with the new version 2 RRS tripod yokes. Nowadays I use a RRS 24L and BH40 because they are lighter and serve dual purpose for photography. It's not as sturdy but sturdy enough.

I'm stealing this for use on the Typer's Hide and RimjobCentral....

The sharpened tooth rims on some of these tactical flashlights must already be banned in the UK. I wonder if anyone has ever actually used one in anger effectively? (Other than shredding their pants.) Or a tactical pen? John Wick only needed a pencil.

Sorry I've forgotten all the model numbers and marketing BS. I no longer have any "old tech" lights. I've purchased a dozen or so it seems $20 Streamlights to leave around the house and cars, anything that uses a CR123 is good because the batteries last a long time in storage. I may have my act together (optimistic) but my wife and kid probably won't so better for them to find something to use than not. Then I have couple nicer $100+ Surefires. One I keep in the car and it's bright enough to drive with my lights off in pitch black. Not that I would want to but it's nice to know. Another is on my mountain bike and I do ride my well-memorized trail at night with it on the handlebars. Those are the tools that I don't loan out. Streamlight TLR-1s on my HD guns, G19 and AR. The way their flipper switch works makes sense to me and for the price they seem excellent. For the cost of a Surefire I can outfit three guns. I doubt I need the flashlights in a HD scenario but I prefer to have that option. That movie with the clown living in the sewer grate, that would be a good reason for a weapon light

Did the SWFA not track reliably? Mine did

“Typer’s Hide” Almost choked laughing and spitting crap all over the place. Thanks

FWIW I bought my Franchi Affinity for $500. It's a lot like the Benelli M2 and a bit nicer than the Turkish Stoeger (Beretta owns all three brands).

I’m sure the Hubble space telescope designer is lurking.

How come all the 3-gun tactical style scopes are small diameter up front and larger at the eyepiece? Versus hunting and long range scopes that reverse this? Should't I want a larger front to gather more light? And a larger back to give me better viewing? So whether I'm in close quarter combat or shooting precision rifle, shouldn't my scope be fat at both ends?

https://forum.snipershide.com/threads/fs-slr-black-label-223-5-56-14-5-complete-upper-no-ffl-reqd-price-drop.6917158/

Yeah the ultralight JP model - either just the upper or the entire gun - and be done with it, they're the nicest out of the box builds you can buy. That with your rifle length gun would be a great combo. (Not that there aren't other great 6lb guns.)

For the occasional use you describe why not just run what you’ve got? Better yet shoot somebody else’s shorter rifle before buying anything. I bet the difference isn’t worth $1000.

Had Freedom 38 and 9mm rounds that looked funky as well, cool marketing isn’t enough to get me back. I try to look at every round but it’s too easy to miss something. Fiochhi 115 and 124 9mm and Federal 115 FMJs have been clean and consistent at a reasonable price. 17-18 cents per round, including shipping. Federal .223 55s for ~ 28 cents. Hornady Match .223 77s >buck buy it Fiocchi 7/8oz 12g low recoil slugs >worth it Federal Police Buckshot from the HD pile. I tend to rank ammo as Hornady, Federal, Fiocchi, everything else in that order. But I’ve heard good things about Atlanta and Prime. Respect to reloaders but that’s an entirely different hobby.

I found kids really like rockets and if they get into STEM maybe they won't become lawyers.

I've had good experiences with the SWFA and Athlon BTR for value scopes. If I were doing another long range gun I'd get the SWFA with the shims to create a zero stop (search for this on YouTube and buy the shims on eBay). Ditto on Snipers Hide for good deals in their classifieds. Those guys piss money away worse then 3Gunners.

For American Trap, a semi-Auto will spit casings at your neighboring shooter standing 4-5 feet away. It can be annoying. There are gimmicky wire traps or the rubber band trick to prevent this but any serious shooter moves to an O/U. In Skeet and SC it's not a problem. Last SC competition I was at, every male competitor used an O/U shotgun. Less maintenance, more reliable. If the gun fits then the recoil is minimal, if it doesn't fit you get beat up.

Hardly an expert but started with a Glock 17 and eventually spent too much money foolishly pimping it out. Then I got a 1911 to see what the fuss was and loved it so I got serious with a custom 2011 that shot so much better it wasn't funny. Had a few carry and fun range guns as well, but after shooting a lot with the 2011 I started to shoot my carry Glock 19 because it was more of a challenge. Eventually talked myself into shooting only the G19 and sold the nice 2011. Ended up with three Glock 19s because one is none and I figured it was smart to master the damn thing. At least I learned how to shoot them sort of but the 1911/2011 platform always shot better. Finally bought another custom 2011 similar to what I had, while keeping two G19s for carry and HD. In there was a detour with revolvers, spent a Summer messing around trying to get a SW627 to have a light trigger, good timing, and still fire factory ammo. Determined it was really hard to achieve and I could shoot the stupid G19s better. Lesson was I never should have sold/traded any of the initial guns I first bought because I ended up buying them over again. You blow a few $$$$ learning what you want, might as well just accept the process. With freaking shotguns I went Beretta > Benelli > Beretta for goodness sake. Dumb dumb dumb.... And that's just 9mm/38, don't tell me I need to shoot 45 I don't want to think about it.

I only shoot trap with my 82-year old Father but have worked through several guns... the best deal is to go onto one of the specialty forums just like this one but for clays. Then buy a good used name brand quality gun from a trusted member. I've had several Berettas, now I shoot a Browning BT99 (single shot, not for anything but trap) with all the adjustable add-ons. Always paid half price. If you want to spend a bit more you can get higher end guns for a song. They have trends just like we do, one year longer barrels will be popular and all the short barrel guns go cheap, then the reverse happens. Buy something slightly out of step and you'll do even better.

Does the driver wait while you open up the package and do a few test shots?

The advantage of using regular PayPal as a buyer ~ for a non-firearm transaction ~ is that if there is a problem with the item, PayPal will guarantee you get a refund. If you’re the seller and the buyer is lying you have to jump through hoops to get your item returned or keep the payment. It’s definitely to the buyer’s advantage. PayPal Gift option offers no protection to either buyer or seller as it’s meant for just that: gifts. Only. Using any any form of PayPal for a firearm transaction offers you zero protection as a buyer or seller. Why would you want to do that? My understanding is that even cashier's checks and other types of bank transactions can be reversed after being sent. Obviously this is rare but if my bank deposits some $25 fee fancy bank check product from a Savings and Loan in North Dakota how the heck do they know it's legit? They still will place a week long hold on it until they have the funds. USPS Money Orders are my preference for firearms transactions. If either party is a bad actor then they are committing Mail Fraud with more severe penalties than regular theft. And while submitting a claim to the Post Office is important, what you really need to do is call the police and report a crime. If somebody steals from you, call law enforcement. Cyber crime may not be a priority but they do attend to it in my experience. Perhaps a LEO can comment? The one time I needed to do this it took a year to prosecute the case but I received full restitution. Granted I will use PayPal for smaller items or with people I feel comfortable with. I've never had a bad experience with people from this forum or a couple of other places where people have track records and value their reputation. For any large transaction I like to do a phone call and chat a bit to size them up. It isn't foolproof but it makes for a better experience all around.

Not to distract you from your quest but FWIW I thought I was buying a "forever gun" when I bought an Atlas Titan 9mm single stack 1911. Since I live in NY State it made all the sense in the world ~ ten rounds is our limit anyway. It was beautiful, shot perfectly and probably hit all the check marks on your list (tri-topped). Took a $1000 hit reselling it to get back into a 2011, which I shoot significantly better because of the weight, grip, and psychology. When your guns jump from $1000 to $4000 you do start thinking that they better be forever guns

There is an Akai for $2000 what the Heck is the issue? It's like holding out for Farrah Fawcett when Cindy Crawford is licking your ear. Well, at least back in 1978.

You have guns! You don't have to ask, "may" lol. It's made by Atlas for $99 https://atlasgunworks.com/product/atlas-gunworks-magwell-tactical/ I'm not competitive and simply enjoy shooting this gun as configured, It's really nice but low key and not flashy. I have the OEM large funnel as well but I don't think I loose much time with the tactical magwell.