04-25-2011, 08:21 AM

I'm an owner and collector, as well as recreational and sometime competitive shooter.

Also a lead instructor for our federal Firearms Safety Course, which is a mandatory prerequisite of applying for a license to possess and acquire firearms in Canada.

Handguns are heavily restricted here, and Authorizations to Carry are more difficult to obtain than unicorn teeth or three-dollar bills.

04-26-2011, 08:04 AM

I'd rather have one and not need it than need one and not have it.

04-26-2011, 11:48 PM

*** Authorizations to Carry are more difficult to obtain than unicorn teeth or three-dollar bills.***

We have unicorns in Ottawa, when you first step outside your house, you have to make sure you don't come face to face with one of them... Get hit by their uni corn.
That's the same as when you step outside your house in Banff you have to watch out for elks on your lawn...
The three dollar bill is something of a rarity, I have to agree...

05-27-2011, 03:27 PM

Here's an recent survey of AR-15 owners. Pretty interesting stuff. Great rifles IMHO.

NSSF Survey: 21 Findings About Modern Sporting Rifle Owners

05-27-2011, 11:38 PM

This is still on my list. Bushmaster - Home Defense & Recreation Rifles

05-28-2011, 10:07 AM

If I were to ever buy a gun, it would be all 4 of these...somehow:
M14
357 Magnum
1911-either the S&W 1911PC, or the Springfield Legend 1911(I love them both equally, even though the Legend is usually more than a grand more).
Remington/R700

For my dreaming side, it would have to be the M107 I like to make bunnies disappear!

12-12-2011, 11:46 PM

OK, kicking this thread back up there...

What is the oldest firearm that you currently own, that you would and actually do, trust your life to? Something you've fired more than 50 rounds through in the last year. And no, I'm not talking about Grampa's .30-30 that you whip out once a year to hunt with, or that SKS that's still in the Cosmoline. If you do have those sorts and actually rely on them as a primary defensive tool, please share as I find that sort of stuff much more interesting than the latest "tacticool" black rifle or tupperware hog-leg. Real stuff that get's real use, even if it's just a truck gun you stash under the seat.

My oldest is probably a blued 1976 Colt Cobra in .38 Special. If I'm wearing pants, I'm probably carrying it. I've left it stock as I just like the feel of the craftsmanship. Honestly, it's so smooth from years of use, it really doesn't need any work. My next oldest are from 1993, but those aren't really anything interesting or noteworthy.

Anyone else?

12-13-2011, 12:01 AM

Winchester Defender had it since 1991.

12-13-2011, 09:04 AM

I have carried almost every day of my life since my 18th B-day. On that day, my dad-- who was at the time a lieutenant on the Sheriff Dept in Indianapolis, took me downtown to have me printed and get my CCW. That day I went and picked up a S&W .38 spcl.

My carry tools today in order of preference are:

Kimber CDP .45

Kahr 9mm (made by the moonies, unfortunately, but a GREAT shooting 9!)

S&W .38 Airweight

Ruger .380 LCP (last resort when I have to carry something small in my pocket)


At home I keep a Kimber CDP with tritium sights and an Eagletac Tactical Light locked in a easy-open hand safe on my night stand.


My #1 rule: ALWAYS make sure a gun is well broken in before relying on it as a carry gun. Keep it clean. Check it often--especially if you carry in your pocket or in an ankle holster. Those places allow lint to gather around triggers and firing pins in amounts that would amaze you!

#2: Be ready and willing to use it when necessary, but...

#3: Be CERTAIN that drawing your weapon is truly your last resort!

#4: Don't EVER show it when NOT necessary! All kinds of bad things can happen if someone who hates guns sees you with one.


Interestingly, I've carried almost every day for 27 years. I've never had to draw my gun on another person. I have on dogs on several occasions, but not people. I've had my hand on my gun several times but things resolved before I needed to actually pull it out. Nonetheless, I treat is every day as though the lives of my family depended on it. On any given day…it could. I pray it never does.

12-13-2011, 09:37 AM

Do you still carry the same J frame you received 27 years ago? If so, congrats! That's a keeper.

12-13-2011, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by indychris

Interestingly, I've carried almost every day for 27 years. I've never had to draw my gun on another person. . . ..

I'm not anti-gun; I have owned several through the years. My favorite was a Ruger Single-action 41 Magnum.

I'm not anti concealed carry. I don't have a permit (or a pistol at the moment) mainly because I no longer have a convenient place to shoot one.

I'm not anti self defense. If anyone ever attacked my family or anyone else unprovoked in my presence and I had the wherewithal I would have zero compunction about using any level of force neccessary.

However, I find the statement I quoted above fascinating. The overwhelming majority of us will never (no statistics here, just my life experience which may not represent yours) find ourselves in a position in daily life where we would need to draw on another person. I differentiate here from home defense, because break-ins are all too common; my statement applies to walking or driving around in public (which is how I read your statement).

In a somewhat related thought, I studied Martial Arts for many years (taught Karate and self defense for a while in my younger days) but I have never thrown a punch or kick in anger (or really needed to).

Bottomline: I absolutely believe in prudence. I have a smoke detector in my home and a portable fire extinguisher as well as insurance plus a yearly contribution to our local volunteer fire department, but I never expect to need their services.

So, while I believe in being prepared, I am somewhat surprised by my "carrying" friends' (and I have several) expectation that they will encounter violence directed against them.

I think I blame the media's constant trumpeting of every isolated event.

Anyway, not really a rant, more of a musing and not at all intended as criticism.

12-13-2011, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by XJ-linux

Do you still carry the same J frame you received 27 years ago? If so, congrats! That's a keeper.

Wish I did! Unfortunately I traded it back when I was in my 20's.

What I do have, though, that is even more meaningful to me is my Dad's service revolver that he carried for more almost 20 years. Even has the dept logo on it. They switched to Glock 9mm's the last few years he was on the department. He gave this to me shortly before he died of cancer just a few years back. Though I was never allowed to shoot this gun as a teen b/c it was dept issue, I cleaned & reloaded it probably a hundred times or more while in high school. He replaced grips pretty regularly and had the sights redone a time or two, but it's in pristine condition!

12-13-2011, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Razormac

I'm not anti-gun; I have owned several through the years. My favorite was a Ruger Single-action 41 Magnum.

I'm not anti concealed carry. I don't have a permit (or a pistol at the moment) mainly because I no longer have a convenient place to shoot one.

I'm not anti self defense. If anyone ever attacked my family or anyone else unprovoked in my presence and I had the wherewithal I would have zero compunction about using any level of force neccessary.

However, I find the statement I quoted above fascinating. The overwhelming majority of us will never (no statistics here, just my life experience which may not represent yours) find ourselves in a position in daily life where we would need to draw on another person. I differentiate here from home defense, because break-ins are all too common; my statement applies to walking or driving around in public (which is how I read your statement).

In a somewhat related thought, I studied Martial Arts for many years (taught Karate and self defense for a while in my younger days) but I have never thrown a punch or kick in anger (or really needed to).

Bottomline: I absolutely believe in prudence. I have a smoke detector in my home and a portable fire extinguisher as well as insurance plus a yearly contribution to our local volunteer fire department, but I never expect to need their services.

So, while I believe in being prepared, I am somewhat surprised by my "carrying" friends' (and I have several) expectation that they will encounter violence directed against them.

I think I blame the media's constant trumpeting of every isolated event.

Anyway, not really a rant, more of a musing and not at all intended as criticism.

Absolutely no insult taken. I think your allusion to a fire detector is quite appropriate. I do not expect that a fire WILL occur in my home. I take every precaution to avoid them. I don't allow clutter or drapes, etc. to surround outlets. I replace worn cords. I have fault protected outlets throughout the house. I don't leave the iron on, etc.

But I do expect that a fire COULD occur, so I have a smoke detectors on each floor and in each bedroom, and three fire extinguishers located in accessible places throughout the house. One in the kitchen, one in the garage, and one in the upstairs hallway closet accessible by all three bedrooms.

That's how I look at my carry weapon. I don't sit there and view everyone suspiciously. I can't imagine living like that. I like people. I enjoy meeting and being with people. I'm very much a social person. But I do stay attentive to what's going on around me when Im in public places like the mall or wal-mart or in a restaurant. When the option exists, I almost always look for a seat in public places where I have a wide field of view that offers the fewest 'surprise' appearances by someone threatening harm (Thanks, Dad! That's the one paranoia tendency he DID teach me! LOL). And, I carry a weapon almost everywhere that I can legally. I don't expect a threat WILL come, but I do realize one COULD come at any time. And I know that a properly used gun in the hands of someone who understands it's use and limits is a great means of protection and often times a deterrent.

I also realize (and am very appreciative to my officer/dad for teaching me this!) that the police-- as great as most are at what they do-- are primarily a reactive unit. They typically respond to things; they rarely prevent bad things or protect people-- even though their PR logo on the side of the car likely says to PROTECT and to serve. They really can't. How many women have been battered or even killed by men on whom they've served restraining orders? More than we could number. Even when they KNOW there's potential for harm, they simply can't be where I am at all times when a threat could arise. I don't blame them for that; it's simple reality. Our tax rate could never be high enough to pay enough people to offer than kind of protection. But I'm also not going to depend on them being where they can't be. Being out and about is truly no different that being at home at night in that regard.

12-13-2011, 10:44 AM

We have many friends from my fathers work that live in Texas, and they consistently say 2 things:
1- An incident will occur only once. Don't live to regret not being prepared.
2- Some places have their own ways. Many people see/hear about some place in the U.S. that has a large population of concealed weapons, and automatically overgeneralize the whole U.S. as being like that. It's not true.

We go fishing/camping and sometimes hunting up in Michigan with them, and the conversation of guns always comes up. To me, it's a conversation that I will take part in, but it is similar to religion or Mac/Windows arguments. There are sides that will never meet in the middle.

I will always love guns. The mechanics and power of a gun always impress me, but with great power comes great responsibility. I don't worry about a large population that has caries a concealed weapon. I worry about the one person that is willing to go out of his way to do harm with a gun. And for that, I'm grateful to know that we can protect each other if need be.

12-13-2011, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by indychris

But I do stay attentive to what's going on around me when Im in public places like the mall or wal-mart or in a restaurant. When the option exists, I almost always look for a seat in public places where I have a wide field of view that offers the fewest 'surprise' appearances by someone threatening harm (Thanks, Dad! That's the one paranoia tendency he DID teach me! LOL). . . ..

Mine is probably from too many Westerns as a kid, but I do this too. In fact, I will almost refuse to eat in a restaurant if I can't find suitable seating.

I'm not paranoid (at least not that I know) but can't get comfortable in a corner with my back to everyone.

I also agree with most of your points. Honestly, I would almost rather see us go back to the Wild West days sometimes. Forget concealed carry--get a license and strap to your waist for all to see.

Anyway no intent to hijack the thread . . . .. carry on.