Gun Enthusiats ?

Just an observation, this thread is turning from a discussion amongst gun enthusiasts into a  debate about the morality of private citizens to own and carry firearms. I don't think that was the original intent of the thread.

Well, like I said, it was just an observation. It seems to me though that the subject is "Hobbies and Special Interests" and the thread is gun enthusiasts so, I would think the thread should be about those who are involved somehow and supportive of guns.

I too am not involved with guns; I do own a rifle which hasn't been fired since 1979, and from 1980 to 1984 I was in the US Coast Guard Reserve and I had to qualify annually with the M-16, 12 guage shotgun and .45 caliber pistol and that is the extent of my involvement with firearms. So I have no dog in this fight, but I do recall another thread being shut down a week or so ago when the discussion, while lively, was civil, and in another thread when the topic drifted slightly (IMO) off topic a warning was issued, so I do see some inconsistency.

The rifle I own is a Golden State Arms .303. Does anyone know anything about this rifle and company? Never heard of Golden State Arms outside of this rifle. My understanding is they bought a bunch of surplus Enfield .303's from the British Government after WWI who sold them to pare down their war debt. The stock was cut back to about mid-barrel from its previous end of the barrel length. I don't know if any other modifications were made. The rifle I own misfires about 1 in every 20 shots. I bought it in 1978 for $80 when I was stationed in Idaho. I haven't used it in Massachusetts since I had a difficult time finding a place to fire it and now I would have to go back and take a course to renew my firearm ID card. I am keeping it at my cousin's house, he being a prison guard and having all the necessary permits.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I really need to take the basic firearms course here in Mass. in order to renew my firearms ID card. The Lodge I affiliated with has a number of member who belong to the local rod and gun club and I am pretty sure I could join up with them.

Yeah, its nuts here. 30 yrs ago all one had to do to get an FID card in Mass. was go to the police chief in town, he would run a background check and if it came back OK you got a card. I thought it was good for life. Then I found out I had to take a course so I was illegal. Thats why I gave the rifle to my cousin until I take the course.

I have a 1911 colt 45 (goldcup), but not the 'Peace Maker' you refer to.




I believe Colt may still have some 2011 limited editions available.


Edited by edwmax - June/10/2012 at 7:07pm

I have a Winchester 1892 (built in 1896) in 38-40. That is a bad load because it is to big for small game but to small for big game. It is still fun to fire. I also have a colt 1911 built in 1945. That is my wife's favorite pistol.

tm,

should be a cheap fix, at worst you would need a bolt but that's doubtful.  Probably just a spring or the firing pin.

droche wrote: Interesting. Thanks for the info. I really need to take the basic firearms course here in Mass. in order to renew my firearms ID card. The Lodge I affiliated with has a number of member who belong to the local rod and gun club and I am pretty sure I could join up with them.

Well I sold the Mini and bought a Springfield XDS.  That thing is sweet!

Tis better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.  Guns int he right hands can be The Great Equalizer.  Here's one of those millions of "what-ifs:"

What if, lets say, a petite 100lb woman (not sure the metric measurement) was assaulted by a much larger person of say double her size or wot-not.  I doubt she could over power him or her, but keeping her distance, her cool, and pulling the weapon could keep her safe.

Again, this is one of those many "what-ifs," but unfortunately I have seen it work well and a couple times I've had to do it. 

I respect the rule of law and the police, but they are not a personal protection or body guard force and it's my opinion that they get there to she scene of the crime after it's been committed unless they are doing traffic stops.  Please don't take this to mean I have no respect for the police or law enforcement, but that's what they are:  LAW Enforcement.  They are not body guards and can't possibly perform the role.  Informed, law abiding citizens with proper training are much safer in my opinion when they are confident enough to protect themselves when time is of the essence.

Bro. Barnacle

Barnacle Bill wrote: CCW here and I have enough gear to start a small scale war in my neighborhood.  My favorite carry weapons are an Xd-45 and a Taurus Judge.  I can easily conceal them and they work fine for me. My wife an I both have shotguns and we enjoy trap/skeet shooting along with using the Judge to shoot some clays out of the air.

Where in gods name do you conceal a judge? It's a cannon! Awesome shoot though. I have a Taurus PT92. Good enough for what I need.

I have to show my baby. 

dwarven1 wrote: Greetings, Brethren! Nice to find more Masonic gun nuts; my Lodge has several but more is always better. clamman wrote: Go ahead and laugh, but I carry a NAA mini in 22mag. Wouldn't dream of laughing, Brother! While my normal every day carry is a S&W 637, when my Lodge has degree work or a visitation from the District Deputy, I wear a kilt... and it's tough to fit the 637 in the sporran. But my NAA Mini fits just fine, thank you!  droche wrote: Interesting. Thanks for the info. I really need to take the basic firearms course here in Mass. in order to renew my firearms ID card. The Lodge I affiliated with has a number of member who belong to the local rod and gun club and I am pretty sure I could join up with them. Hello, Brother droche - My Lodge is also in the 23rd Masonic District. If you've previously had an LTC or FID, you do NOT need to take an NRA course again per the MGLs (Mass General Laws)' that's only for first time applicants. Some Chiefs of Police in this armpit like to make it as difficult as possible for their subjects citizens to own guns, though, and make up that requirement out of their own power-hungry, teeny little minds. (Yes, I'm thinking of the COP of Worcester specifically...). If you still need the course, though, I'm running one next Sunday, 10/21 in Grafton. Email me at dwarven1 at gmail.com if you want more information. Or if you need the name of a good lawyer who can help you get your application viewed better by the local COP, I can help you with that, too - I know a few good ones here in MA who specialize in firearms law.

Sorry I missed this post. I took the course at the Worcester Police Department on Feb 20. My prison guard cousin told me it's easier to get a permit in Worcester if you take the course with them. Now I have to do all the paper work and get two letters of recommendation and my appointment is in September. The earliest one I could get is in July but since I am away July and August I made one for September. The permits here are issued by the police chief and from what I hear, this chief in Worcester is tough, but if I get a permit there are a couple of clubs I am looking into that are always looking for members. I'll get my .303 back and would also like to purchase a S&W revolver. On April 27 I am going to be on a shooting team for my lodge at an event sponsored by another lodge. Looking forward to it.

Read this. Very interesting.

http://htwww.telegram.com/article/20130409/NEWS/104099935/1020



Edited by droche - April/09/2013 at 3:38pm

A new question/discussion...

In July Arkansas is going to constitutional carry. I know several people who are quite excited about that.

From what I understand it is without inside of state borders. As the law states now it is illegal to carry a weapon (gun, knife, club, etc.) with an intent to use it unlawfully. There are no other laws or statures that prohibit the carrying of weapons for any reasons.

Was out at a shooting range with some cousins the other day, and in the cabinet I saw an old German-made (not Interarms, ptui!) .22 cal Walther PPK/S. 

7.62 x 54r ammo? rather inexpensive, easily found at a gun show in bulk...highly corrosive.

I carry and collect. I alternate depending on my clothing and activity what I am carrying. Usually it is my Springfield Armory 1911 full military spec, but also a .380 llama. I have inherited all my firearms since my grandfather owned a gun shop. I am the third generation in my family to own them and find researching the history of the guns pretty cool especially because they are all older then I am.  In total my wife and I have 8 rifles/shotguns and 10 pistols.