Posted on 03/20/2005 4:22:16 AM PST by SLB
the turks weren't very good at it either.
Yes, but staying in the bounds of what's legally practical, I'd take a shotgun, Enfield, and perhaps an AK or SKS. More guns than that would really make waves when clearing customs. That would give a good defensive capability at multiple ranges, not raise too many eyebrows, and allow a little hunting in some isolated areas.
I agree on most points, but learning to change loads is easily done with a modicum of training and practice. Buck is a fine all round choice for most social work, but those in situations like our friends in the boats, should be able to readily switch to slugs when needed.
Like any weapon system, one should plan on a bit of training and nominal practice.
I took a one day tactical shotgun class where we shot over 300 rounds of bird/buck/slug. Believe it or not, my shoulder was fine at the end of the day. My arms ached from holding that sucker up for so long, but proper use and placement of the stock eliminates the pain.
We started by patterning the various loads at increasing distance, to learn the effects of the spreading patterns. When we finished with the paper targets, we moved to steel plates and pepper poppers. Loading drills, transition drills, shooting while moving, shooting from cover, etc made up the bulk of the day.
I now compete in monthly 3 gun matchs to keep my skills moderately sharp.
I am under no illusions that I shoot on the level of a special forces or SWAT operative, but I feel confident to defend life and home. (Of course defense is a much different game, than operatives who have to take the fight to an opposing force.)
Travis, I suspect you already know most of this, but I wanted to post it for the benefit of others following this thread.
semi-related trivia:
while working on the docks at the port of New Orleans, I had plenty of dealings with the crews of cargo vessels, particularly from ex-soviet contries.
I'd frequently pick up a few extra bucks by fixing their weaponry.
they mostly had cheap M16 clones from somewhere in SE Asia. Select fire weapons, all.
the aluminum receivers did not seem to take saltwater air too kindly. bad pitting.
Navigating through pirate territory without a scoped high powered weapon is moronic.
Believe it or not, my shoulder was fine at the end of the day. My arms ached from holding that sucker up for so long, but proper use and placement of the stock eliminates the pain.
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The gun makes a huge difference. Some just buck hard.
Reminds me. I heard that faux-libertarian, right-wingnut idiot who wrote that book A Non-Politically Correct History of the United States (or something like that, has a pic of a Confederate soldier on the cover) on CSPAN the other day quoting Jefferson to the effect that Congress should never cede the power to make war to the President. He's expert in U.S. history and doesn't know that Jefferson himself ordered a squadron of ships (then the entirety of capital ships in the U.S. navy, and in terms of capital investment the major part of U.S. standing forces period) to confront the Barbary pirate nations without even consulting Congress?
I'd say your skills are VERY sharp and would measure up to all but the most elite (read: shoot almost daily) cops and soldiers.
Probably Philippino M-16 knock offs.
Agree ...I was responding to the 40MM post. The old Enfields, Mausers, SKS's etc would keep the tears to a minimum if they had to be deep sixed. A 12 ga pump would be minimum, albeit I'd still like a little plinking .22 revolver like the small scandium S&W 317 Camp guns er something for plinkin , playin and as a fob for yer dog watch.
LOL...what ?!?!... no sacrifical zinc's on the 16's ?!?!?.....:o)
.22s for plinking practice goes without saying!
Hmmm... good idea. Little "pencil zincs" like on outboards might work...
yeah, I believe so. the most common problem I encountered: massive fouling IN the gas tube.
I dunno, but I'll say I am not impressed with whatever they were anodized with... way too thin, imo.
Fishin trip up to Alaska last year ...... The guides were based out of an old cannery on an island up there and they had a rack of "camp" shotguns that had to have won the fugly gun's of the century awards. Stocks were wood (I think) under all the glass and duct tape, the barrels sawed off to questionable lenght's, some with pistol grips. All had been pitted badly yet they had spray painted all the metal parts with rustoleum spray paint. What ever color they happened to have on hand. Funny but functional as the bores were bright and the actions slick.
Maybe we need to start an ugly gun contest thread for bragging rights !
That's what I have read as well, and with slugs it will penetrate the hull of anything under 50 feet long except possibly a heavy duty metal work boat. Good slugs will also shoot maximum 4 inch groups at 150 yards. If you start shooting beyond that range you are likely to be considered the pirate.
SO9
none of my guns are THAT ugly. even my bullpup is too pretty.
magnesium powder rounds... gooooooood memories.
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