New Gun Show Find... How'd I Do?

[cagedodger]

I went to the Silver Spur Gun Show yesterday. I wasn't planning on doing any buying, just a way for me and my son to spend an afternoon. We like looking at the displays, particularly anything Ruger.

I met a dealer from Midland that had a Mini-14 Tactical for $750. I asked him if he would take a Mini in trade on it. He said sure. I asked him if he would ballpark me a figure for a regular Mini, in excellent condition. He said he'd have to see the gun. (I knew he'd say that!) I asked if a Mini in excellent condition and $200 would be out of line. He said that sounded about right, but he'd have to see the gun first.

Well, I let that sit on the back burner for a while. First off, I didn't have $200 on me. Payday is next Thursday. I checked with the wife on the bank account. Not enough to cover bills if I take that much out.

Then she mentioned that she still had her 5 year bonus check that she got last week. And, she'd front me some cash till payday. What a woman!

So... I went back today, Mini-14 in hand, and swapped her in for the new Tactical Mini. My old gun (not so old... it was the new receiver, but with the old barrel) and $180, plus the tax on the $180... $194.85 out the door.

BTW, I paid $548 + tax for the old Mini. So, how'd I do?

[edit] I forgot to add: it has Davidson's GuaranteeD Lifetime Replacement Warranty. Anything goes wrong with it while I own it, they'll send me a new one or repair it free!

The dealer seemed like a fair guy and I'm happy with the deal .

I've wanted one of these since I first saw one, which was right after I had bought the old "pencil barrel".

My latest EBR. It came with a Factory 20rd mag. I can't wait to shoot it!

Cage 8)


(On a side note, does anybody know what SR-223s are going for at gun shows? I have yet to see one...)

 

[mattsbox99]

You probably did alright... money doesn't really matter when its something you really want, just an exchange medium.

Now, you'll need a suppressor to make that sucker really cool... :D That IS why they put a threaded muzzle on it anyway!

 

[cagedodger]

Now, you'll need a suppressor to make that sucker really cool... :D That IS why they put a threaded muzzle on it anyway!

Huh??? :? It already has an AR type flash suppressor. And that sucker is on tight.

I don't think it's threaded on. I think they fit them like the front sight: get it nice and hot, press it on, and when it cools, it's tight!

Cage 8)

 

[mattsbox99]

Its definitely threaded, thats why they can't sell them in New York.

I'm talking about the other kind of suppressors... the quiet ones.

http://advancedarmament.com/

 

[cagedodger]

I'm talking about the other kind of suppressors... the quiet ones.

http://advancedarmament.com/

Oh, you mean silencers. :wink:

Even on the link you provided, that's what they call them.

I believe in correct nomenclature. It irks me when somebody refers to a magazine as a "clip".

Cage 8)

 

[mcknight77]

Cage, not to be disagreeable, but....

You can't silence a .223Rem or any other faster-than-the-speed-of-sound (supersonic) cartridge/caliber/round. But, you can muffle it (suppress?). Sonic boom (crack) of the bullet happens after the bullet leaves the muzzle.

Subsonic rounds like the 9mm, .45ACP, and .22LR can be pretty much silenced. No sonic boom.

 

[cagedodger]

mcknight77, thanks for educating me. I stand corrected. :oops:

I'm not much into silencers (or supersonic suppressors). I do remember hearing that a round has to be sub-sonic to be silenced.

How much does suppressing a round like the .223 reduce the perceived noise, both from the shooter's POV and also for anyone down range, in your opinion? - 25% ? -50% ? More?

Just curious... :?

Cage 8)

 

[mcknight77]

Cage, I'm no expert. I've fired some sub-sonic silenced weapons. They are fairly quiet, mostly action noise fron automatics and semi-automatics. The last silenced MP-5 I shot was probably around 90% reduction. I had muffs on when I shot it since others on the range were using unsilenced weapons and I could not hear it at all. I could feel the action working, but no sound. Super-sonic rounds are quiet from the shooters location, but he crack of the round is still loud from donwrange. I've been downrange many times and yes the crack is loud. I guess the good thing is if you hear the crack it missed since the bullet is already past when you hear the crack.

I understand that the Brits encourage hunters to use suppressed rifles. And, I believe they call them suppressers. That quiets the muzzleblast and keeps neighbors happier. I have a friend in Idaho who uses a silenced rifle for varmints. If I remember right it is a .22-250. There's at least a 50% muzzleblast reduction from his. It is legal to hunt with a silenced weapon in Idaho, assuming you have a permit for the silencer.

Some ranges are now using mufflers that you shoot through from the bench that suppresses the muzzleblast well, I am told. I have never used one. I have seen plans for making one that would come in handy at a home range. It was essentially an about 24" diameter tube about four feet long that was insulated on the inside that you park in front of the bench and shoot through.

Maybe someone here has some experience with them that they can share.

 

[mattsbox99]

Its about 95% noise reduction, they are totally hearing safe. Suppressor is the correct term, because they can't be totally silenced. My .22LR suppressors are hollywood quiet though. :D

Instead of a "bang" you just hear a "whizz" as the bullet breaks the sound barrier. It sounds nothing like a gun shot. As Surefire calls it "Total Signature Reduction" :D

 

[cagedodger]

It's interesting to note that with this model, Ruger brought back the GB designation. This model also starts a new designation, M-14, instead of Mini-14.

My model is a M-14/20GBCPC. I'm guessing the first C is a for a carbine model (shortened barrel).

The model with the ATI stock is a M-14/20CF. I'm guessing the F is for a folder.

I wonder what the PC on my rifle stands for. Police Carbine? Any other guesses?

Cage 8)

 

[blume357]

well it for sure doesn't stand for 'Politically Correct'.

good deal, I wish I could afford one of those... but I've got to figure out how to swing a suppressor for my new 10/22.

My gun club has just decided they are okay to have.

 

[mattsbox99]

I think they have always had the M14/KM14 designation.

PC is the synthetic stock with cage type flash hider.

 

[cagedodger]

I think they have always had the M14/KM14 designation.

Not so. According to my 2010 Ruger Catalog, the Tactical and ATI models are the only ones designated M-14. All others are Mini-14 or KMini-14. There is no KM-14 model, yet.

Also, the Mini-14 All Weather Ranch Rifle and the Mini-Thirty Rifle catalog numbers end with the letter P (or P/20, for the hi-cap mags). Wonder what that's for..?

Yeah, I know, I should find more important things to think about, like maybe my next Ruger:

The 10/22-FS, a budget version of the heavy barrel, overmolded stock 10/22 Tactical (10/22-VLEH) It's too new to make the 2010 Catalog.


Cage 8)