Boom stick questions. Point me in the right direction.

I don't reload a ton.  I just segregate the brass.  Haven't found it to be a problem.  But it's definitely something to be aware of. 

In reply to brandonsmash :

I'm keeping the brass for now, but may hold off on loading it.  I remember how hard it was to get large pistol primers for a couple of years, so it may come in handy at some point.  

In reply to brandonsmash :

I've been thinking about a 5.7 too, I haven't played around with it at all though either.

I was planning on going with the S&W option though

In reply to Rodan :

I know I'm really late on the Girsan HiPowers post, but I snagged a p35 match and it's really good. I would buy the remake of the HiPower before spending anything over a grand on an original HiPower though(unless it was one of the exceptions to the SBR rule)

I've been on a bit of a hiatus, added a Browning 49 gun safe, another AR, stumbled across a Norinco m14 from the few months they were available after the '94 AWB, and might be diving down the rabbit hole that is brass crafting for a French 11x59 Gras if it's still there when I have the fun budget again. 

I got curious on weight for the two carry options I use. My decades old 1911 3" compact with 7+1 and a full size 8rd mag with a bianchi carrylok leather holster:

3lbs 1oz for 16 rds. Then I tried the new to me XD compact with my tlr1 knockoff with 10+1 and spare 10rd (13 rd coming soon) :

3 ounces more. Guess what 5 rounds of .45acp 230gr jhp weigh? 3 ounces. The kydex holster weighs 1.5 oz less than the bianchi leather so I'm basically carrying same weight load but more capacity, and more importantly, better ballistics with the 4" bbl over the 3". With the loads I carry that's around 80fps difference which translates to almost 100ftlbs of muzzle energy. 

I got curious on weight for the two carry options I use. My decades old 1911 3" compact with 7+1 and a full size 8rd mag with a bianchi carrylok leather holster:

3lbs 1oz for 16 rds. Then I tried the new to me XD compact with my tlr1 knockoff with 10+1 and spare 10rd (13 rd coming soon) :

3 ounces more. Guess what 5 rounds of .45acp 230gr jhp weigh? 3 ounces. The kydex holster weighs 1.5 oz less than the bianchi leather so I'm basically carrying same weight load but more capacity, and more importantly, better ballistics with the 4" bbl over the 3". With the loads I carry that's around 80fps difference which translates to almost 100ftlbs of muzzle energy. 

In reply to bobzilla :

It's always interesting to look at the weight of the load out in relation to capability...

My old school carry was always a lightweight Commander with one spare mag.  The exemplar is a Kimber CDP Pro... 3lbs 2oz, 9+8 of .45 ACP

Over the last few years, I've migrated almost entirely to one of my P365s for daily carry, usually the P365XL.  2lb 9oz, 13+15 of 9mm

"High threat" carry is an M&P 2.0.  3lb 8oz, 18+17 of 9mm

The first two don't include a light, which the M&P has mounted (but I still carry a separate light), and the Kimber doesn't have a red dot.  The P365 is amazingly capable considering the size/weight of the package.  In dynamic drills, I can usually achieve the same accuracy as my M&P, and come very close on time.  The red dots give a big improvement in time/accuracy especially in low light.  

I am still a 1911 guy, I shoot them very well and am the most comfortable with them of anything I've owned. But something a bit more modern is also nice. I cannot make myself carry anything but .45acp, partly because I'm too cheap to add a caliber and partly because I just like big bullets carrying a crap ton of energy. I'd love a 10mm with true 10mm hot loads but I have a new house, suspension and tires to pay for. 

I really like 45 ACP.      I tried 45 +p+ the other day and it is one spicy round.   Fun but dang!!!  

In reply to dean1484 :

You should try one of those out of a 3" at night. Fireball rivals a .357 out of a 3". 
 

got all the handguns out today. Put some more rounds through the XD. It shoots really well. Follow up shots are easy-ish. Accuracy is on par with my 5" 1911. Now time to clean. 
 

In reply to barefootcyborg5000 :

Just plinking/fun... a pistol caliber will do for a lever gun. Personally, lever gun for me meant rifle cartridge caliber for large game capability along with better ballistics. Specifically wanted a 30-30 Win Marlin lever gun, and I picked up a nice used '91 Marlin 30AS safe queen for great price off GB a few years back.

I have put more into it than any of the AR builds, but was worth it... love how it shoots with the Skinner peep sight setup and I trust it a little more than the ARs.  Only things original on it are the receiver/bolt, barrel, and magazine tube - everything else has been changed/upgraded. WWG trigger and internal components really makes it a pleasure to shoot, hands down the best trigger of any gun I own... better than the single stage TriggerTech or the Blackout Defense ZERO triggers on my ARs. Stock Marlin trigger was as bad as a milspec AR trigger...too heavy, rough, and a bit gritty feeling.

Also replacing the stock safety with a Turnbull Customs safety replacement allows selection of either no safety or a hammer block with what looks like a factory screw... original design had no additional safety to half-cock for ~ 90 years... 1984 and on they began putting crossbolt safeties on the lever guns...

Top large 'screw' below hammer is the Turnbull safety replacement...simple 90 degree rotation with positive click between off and on... like an AR safety, but needs a flat-blade screwdriver...LOL. In normal off position:

And in locked/hammer block position:

Actually my 30AS is with me now out of state while doing some work for a friend as gun laws in this state kinda suck so didn't feel like bringing my 300BLK AR with 'illegal capacity' 20rd mags... lever guns more friendly and no issues in this too liberal state. Been here nearly a month and should be going back home soon.