LeoAtrox

Hey, that's not girly. Field stocks are very comfortable when you don't have the stock in your shoulder, or when you have to transition a lot. Keeps the wrist from cramping up.

I'm not an engineer and haven't researched the M4 specifically, so I'll try to get this right in layman's terms based on my limited field-stripping of the firearm. When a shot is fired, a portion of the expanding gasses pushing out the slug/shot and wad are syphoned out of the barrel through two or four ports a couple inches forward of the receiver. The pressure from the gasses pushes two pistons rearward; and they, in turn, push the bolt carrier to the rear (unlocking the bolt and ejecting the empty shell). There are some intricacies in there that I am not fully understanding; but that's it in a nutshell.

Lazy = smart? I must be a genius!

My fault for splitting the topic into two topics (birdshot for deer hunting and birdshot for self-defense). No. If it's a self-defense situation; "humane" doesn't come into the picture at all. But this was a deer. Having to hit it 3 or 4 times to kill it is excessive. I would rather something more suitable for deer hunting was used to make it "humane". (And, yes; there's a reason why I put "humane" in quotation marks all the time. I'm not entirely sold on the idea of "humane" treatment of animals; but I do not see the point in causing an animal to suffer needlessly either.) As far as hunting, I wouldn't be using buck shot for dove anyway. I probably wouldn't be using my M4 either. Such a lowly task for my M4. I'm not about to kill dove anyway. We don't have too many of them where I live, and I'm not the type to hunt for sport.

Geez ... Where to begin? Don't know what runs "best". I just know that I'm not worried about my M4 running. It will. Why mix 3-inch with 2.75? There isn't any technical problem with that, as far as I'm aware; I just don't see the point. I've got 2.75" slugs and #1 buck. One in the chamber, 7 in the tube. If that's enough power there, I'm not sure how much 3" magnum is going the help. (I also don't like having "variety" in my TOE. The fewer variables, the better.) Personally, I'd rather have the extra round. I pull fast when I'm scared ... Er, not that anything scares me.

Not exactly a "humane" kill, but a kill none the less ... I still wouldn't do bird shot for defense or hunting unless you absolutely had to. I'd use #3-#1 buck out of my 12 gauge. (I've actually use #1 ... Not for hunting. I don't hunt.)

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or expert on Section 922 of US Code. Since the magazine is not removable without tools, it is an integral part of the firearm. Therefore, replacing it would constitute "modifying" the firearm under the law. You would then be legally obligated to install additional compliance parts to bring the firearm into compliance. 922® is a simple law with very complicated application. I believe its intent was to regulate or prohibit the manufacture of firearms within the United States from imported parts, and to limit the practice of "upgrading" imported firearms for re-sale profit; not to impose on inidividual citizens' rights to do what they please with their own property. That said, it does place an undue burden on the owners of foreign-manufactured firearms; as we are subject to the law's unintended consequences--assuming they are so unintended.

Never underestimate your enemy, be it a boar or a home-invader. A more lethal slug is always a good thing. Holy steep-prices Batman! $2 per slug = OUCH!

Since the M1014 isn't the standard issue firearm, it is highly unlikely that the troop surge will have any affect on Benelli M4 production. M1014's are procured in bulk to maintain the TOE for each branch of service; they aren't typically procured on an as-needed, per-unit basis.

Most A.R.M.S. throw-lever mounts use a full cross-bolt, so a partial cross-section on a rail shouldn't affect them at all. Don't know for sure if the T-1 mount (A.R.M.S. #31) uses the full cross-bolt, but I think it does. $74 manufacturer-direct; it can probably be found a bit cheaper through a retailer.

Wha? I can see that they'd have legal right if it was specifically forbidden (not that it would make it right) but without the flagpole being prohibited at all? Last year (or the year before) a Marine got a reprieve from him HOA based on public outcry alone. Hope something simliar happens in this case.

There is still someone making a non-rotating handle. WWW.FREEDOMFIGHTERTACTICAL.COM I cannot comment on the product itself as I have never used (or even seen) one, and don't know the type of steel (says 32-36 Rockwell hardness) used or weight. But I did confirm with FFT that it is non-rotating. EDIT: Added picture from their site so you can visually see that it is a non-rotating type.

Hey, don't knock the breaching rounds. An unarmored guy who gets hit with one of those is just as dead as one who gets hit with a slug or buckshot. An armored guy will get knocked down just the same as well (although his recovery time will be faster with breacher or buck than it would be with a slug).

Same here ... And I really could have used a pipe wrench or something to get a better grip on the magazine. Leather-palmed gloves weren't cutting it; and my thin latex pot holders (kind of sticky, so I figured they'd grip well) were melting and falling apart.

They were developing a collapisble stock ... But there is a greater potential market for a fixed stock because it falls within more areas' legal restrictions. Plus, fixed stocks simplify instruction and training; and, in some cases, are more durable than collapsible stocks. The Mesa collapsible stock is on hold at least until development of the fixed stock is complete.

I don't think registration or any other hoops governments make purchasers jump through is an inconveniece. I gladly submit to a background check. For a tool as valuable as a firearm, any person with the right priorities would go through any inconvenience to own one. The problem is the registry itself. It is a gross violation of privacy, and a continuous threat to the right to own a firearm. Where there is a registry, there is a list of gun owners that could be used if confiscation were ever initiated. (In almost every case, confiscation has been the ultimate use of gun registry data.) At the very least, the data can be used to compromise the privacy and personal security of gun owners; like some local registries have in US. While Canadians may or may not consider self-defense a right (never lived in Canada and haven't visited in the past 18 years, so I haven't got a finger on the "pulse" of the Canadian citizenry) most Americans do. The very idea of a gun registry sends chills down my spine. I hate thinking about the information the BAFTE already has that can tie firearms to their owners in the US.

I sense sarcasm in this sentence, but I really REALLY want a 2010/2011 Prius. And I really want one of these stocks too.

Posession is not illegal. At issue is whether or not posession and purchases constitute enough evidence of assembly to cause you legal grief. If you did assemble the firearm illegally, posession of the firearm paired with purchase records for items added to the firearm may be enough to prove that it was assembled illegally. The government might then establish liability for the act. Probably wouldn't happen. It would be a waste of time and money for the DoJ to pursue these things ... But it is not like they haven't wasted plenty of time and money in the past.

Going to need a really REALLY hot hairdryer ...

Yeah ... Isn't CO2 liquid when under pressure? Wouldn't that cause some issues having liquid CO2 shot back into the receiver under pressure? What would that do to the gas ports on gas-operated autoloaders? Would there be sufficient recoil to compress the recoil spring on a recoil-operated autoloader? If you ever shoot that thing, do yourself a favor and test it from a distance in a side-by-side rather than an autoloader or pump gun.

Just wanted to weigh in on 1911's. I hear troubling things about Kimbers. Some are great and folks love them. (My guys in the Corps use them.) But some guys don't like Kimbers. Same for Ed Browns; although I hear much more good than bad about Browns. I think most people who don't like them just find that they just don't feel right for them. More of a preference than a reliability thing. What I hear most good things about is Wilson Combat and a guy named Dave Lauck (D&L Sports). I haven't had my hands on anything from Dave Lauck; but it used to be said that he could take a standard 1911 and turn it into a nail driver for less than half the cost of the other "custom" 1911 makers. That said, I checked out the D&L Sports prices, and they are not cheap ... Still, each one is custom crafted by Dave Lauck; so I'm sure the quality that was there is still present and accounted for.

If you've got the "signess," don't fight it. I'm a fan of Sig Sauers. I've heard some not-so-kind words about Kimbers of late, and Sig fans have been saying that Sigs have been going down hill the last couple of years. That said, my Sig P226 is less than a year old and a fantastic pistol; and I wouldn't hesitate getting a P228. For a tactical pistol, I think it's hard to beat a Sig. Personally (and, just so you know, I don't carry because my stupid state won't let me) I like a double-action pistol without a manual safety to miss (or accidentally engage) when you need to use it in a high-stress situation. For carry, there are several other factors. With the exception of the Sig Pros, Sigs are relatively heavy (though they do make some good carry pistols if the weight of a metal pistol doesn't bother you) as are 1911's. A lot of folks swear by Glock and Springfield XD's as carry pistols. They're light, simple to operate (no worrying about a manual safety when you need to use it) and high capacity. I believe S&W has some M&P's that are similiarly equipped. Also, you've got to consider concealability. In some states, the simple outline of the point on a pistol stock is enough to get you arrested even if you've got a carry permit. Some are more lenient on CCW's; and, of course, some allow (or only permit) open carry. In those super-strict states, it might be best to stick with a subcompact or "pocket" pistol. Generally these are single stack with shorter stocks/grips. Folks are really digging the .380 pocket pistols out there either for primary carry or as backup pistols. They don't hold a lot of rounds, but they are easily concealable. Me? I'd prefer 9mm over .380; so I'd look for a 9mm along the same lines as a Ruger LCP. There are a few out there, like the Rohrbaugh P9. I haven't tried any of these pocket pistols yet. They're just way down on my priorities list since I'm not permitted to carry in my state. BTW: I talk like an expert, but I can't say that I am one. Take anything I say as my own personal preference and experience. As they say, "your mileage may vary."

My vote is going to be for the Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) series sight. Specifically, I like the dual-illuminated battery-free model with the 9-MOA amber dot. Perfect for up-close work, small and light, rugged, and without batteries to fail on you. I'll be getting one ... Once I win the Lottery or something. Stupid budget.

That's my understanding, since the PG is one part and the skeleton stock and PG come as two separate parts; but there's so much inconsistancy coming out of the ATF that it is hard to say for sure. One guy at the ATF might say that the PG stock is two parts as well. I suppose it depends on who is making the determination in your case.

I'm inclined to "forceably correct" anybody who values form over function. Styling simply doesn't matter if you're getting something for a utilitarian purpose (defense, hunting, etc.). That said, I think Ruger Mini-14's or Mini-30's are good reliable firearms. Based on the M1A, so you can hardly go wrong with them. Don't worry about the accuracy. You're not going to Afghanistan anytime soon, are you? They'll hit what you're aiming to shoot at Iraq distances. The only reason why I don't have a Mini-14 (other than money) is that the magazines look too much like my AR magazines. I'm afraid I'd pick up the wrong one, and the darn thing would fall out of my rifle when I try to insert it. What good would that be? I've already got 6.8mm and 5.56mm magazines. Thankfully they're different (Teflon 6.8's, and milspec gray and PMag 5.56mm). Throw another lookalike in there and that's too much. I'll have to start using colored electrical tape to tell them apart. I don't want to stick tape all over my magazines. AK would make a good defense gun. REAL good one. I can see what you mean about juries seeing "evil black rifle" or AK and thinking you're the bad guy even in your own home. All I can say about that is: You only stand trial if you survive. You don't stand trial when you're dead. Make sure you're alive to stand trial; and you can deal with the trail if/when it happens. This is turning into a rant, isn't it? Geez, I must be getting old ...