"HA" Story thread... gone to gun thread

[biscuitsngravy]

I grew up in Oakland, CA. Birthplace of the HA. Sonny Barger and the whole bit. Greg's story brought all that back. Guns are more fun to talk about though. I own a Ruger SR9. Very easy to conceal. Holds 18 rounds. But if I had to do it all over again, I'd get a S&W Model 640 .357 hammerless revolver. Only 5 rounds, but you only need one. But it cost twice as much as the Ruger SR9.

Also, I have a Remington Model 870, 12 ga by my side of the bed. Love that sound of racking in a shell! BnG

[phenrichs]

I am going scatter gun shopping today. thinking of getting one of the new rem 887 12 ga for turkey hunting

[glwilson]

I shot trap this year for the first time, and really enjoyed it. I don't have the fancy over-and-unders some of those guys had. I just used my 870. That thing will test-out your shoulder endurance after 50-rounds of shooting trap.

I will be pheasant, goose, and duck-hunting this season for the first time time in a long while... I am looking forward to it.

As far as a hand-gun... I am completely ignorant on that matter. I need to do a lot of homework first I guess.

[Cajunrider]

Good luck with the bird hunting Greg. That's loads of fun.

[glwilson]

Yeah Mitch thanks... it should be fun. It has been a real long time. I am going with some guys that say they have the perfect spots.

I told them it would perfect for me only if the birds fly right-in toward me in the blind...

[phenrichs]

870 is the most popular shotgun in history. It is a real workhorse. One of the best in my opinion. My father has 2 wingmasters and they are beautiful to shoot although it is much like swinging a 2x4 around. They are long.

[ponch]

You can get shorter barrels with the removable chokes. I hate long barreled shotguns, but them most of my hunting with them has been rabbits, squirrels and other such animals.

Originally Posted by OP

870 is the most popular shotgun in history. It is a real workhorse. One of the best in my opinion. My father has 2 wingmasters and they are beautiful to shoot although it is much like swinging a 2x4 around. They are long.

[phenrichs]

I just picked up a stoeger p350. I wish I would have known before I bought it that they make a combo version that comes in cammo with the short barrel and a long barrel. Oh well. Still a nice gun. Bit of a thunderstick though at 3 1/2" should be fun turkey hunting with it this year. It is the first one I have owned that has changeable chokes.

[glwilson]

I like the 870, and everyone tells me the same thing about it. This one is an older one that my step-father had since new. When I took it to the gunsmith, he wasn't too sure it had ever been shot before since it was in new condition.

I did have to buy a different barrel for it though since I was shooting steel shot at the trap club. I have two chokes for it.

After the first night of shooting 50-shells through it, I took it back to the gunsmith and told him I had to do something to soften the beating I was taking with it. He put a pad on the stock... I believe it was a "Limbsaver" brand... anyway, it helped a whole lot. Other than that, he said I could have port-holes drilled into the barrell -- but he didnt' recommend that due to cost.

Since I wouldn't be shooting fifty-shells while hunting birds, he thought I would be better off buying a different trap-gun. We'll see.

[phenrichs]

Oh careful. that little hobby can be as expensive as riding. I have seen guys that are dead eye shots at trap with $3000 double brl guns and all the gear but when they get out in the field with there hunting gun can't hit a pheasant at 15yds. Trap is fun but can be costly if you really get into it. I still prefer to shoot trap (which I consider practice) with the same gun that I hunt with. Generally for trap I use a lighter load shell than I use for hunting.

[phenrichs]

I am excited to report that my new-to-me shotgun shoots great and can really blast a turkey. I had a great weekend with my dad and brother and we had fresh fried wild turkey last night for supper.

[glwilson]

Sounds great. I usually get to eat wild-turkey at least once a year. A friend of mine hunts turkey a lot and usually serves it a couple times at gatherings. Good stuff.

Regarding trap shooting. I like it; but I really like sporting-clays better. A bit more variety of shots, and you get to move from station to station. I have only done it once, but may pick that up. And you're right about cost... that is if you want to buy the "gear-n-guns" for that sport. I used a 20-gauge for sport-clays... that was really nice.

I would like to get a different gun than the 870 because even with a lighter load... fifty shots out of an 870 beats the cr@p out of you!!!

[ponch]

Get a semi-auto. They kick a little less.

Originally Posted by glwilson

Sounds great. I usually get to eat wild-turkey at least once a year. A friend of mine hunts turkey a lot and usually serves it a couple times at gatherings. Good stuff.

Regarding trap shooting. I like it; but I really like sporting-clays better. A bit more variety of shots, and you get to move from station to station. I have only done it once, but may pick that up. And you're right about cost... that is if you want to buy the "gear-n-guns" for that sport. I used a 20-gauge for sport-clays... that was really nice.

I would like to get a different gun than the 870 because even with a lighter load... fifty shots out of an 870 beats the cr@p out of you!!!

[glwilson]

I've realized that now...

[audiogooroo]

Cool! A gun thread...or at least it ended up as one! :)
I carry a Glock 22 40 S&W and a Ruger LCP .380 as my BUG, or sometime just the LCP if that days wardrobe makes it difficult to conceal the Glock. Although with a Smart Carry (deep concealment) I can usually conceal the Glock with almost any clothing, but it is a little slower to draw. The LCP is a fun little pistol, but I do appreciate the stopping power of a full size Glock.