I need to stop cruising GunBroker when I can’t sleep at night.
ETA: Uhm…..20.
23 thoughts on “I’ve lost count”
well, it is a firearm. that’s about I will say about that.
Hey, best 9mm you can buy for less than $300.
awright, I confess I bought a S&W Glock clone in 9mm.
$250.00 with 2 mags. that was a couple of years ago.
gun shows are popping up within driving distance. I might have to become a travelling man.
So. I thought I was the only one that did that. Yesterday was all about SKS variants from the east European arsenals. Including some interesting Sporters and regular carbines that take AK47 magazines by NORINCO.
Can’t believe the prices some of these people are asking for Russian rifles made at Tula and Izvesk. Opening bids at 1000 bucks with a buy it now price of 1300. You’d think the fact that no bids are being placed would offer a clue. But that’s just me.
But there are some very nice rifles in fantastic condition. Guess I got spoiled when I was buying Yugo M59/66 for $148.50 each in unissued condition.
I still have a couple Yugo’s sitting in the rack. Last I saw they were bringing in the $$600 range.
Yep. That’s about the average. I ran across a couple that were over 750. But since this latest round of ” buy it before it’s illegal” the prices have gone up. I have been collecting Yugo rifles including the Mausers for a while. I paid 129.00 for my M24 and 150 each for my M48 and the M48BO model. The variations are amazing. The M24 and the M48 are both stocked with teak. As was one of my SKS rifles. The M48BO is stocked in European Elm. I have been searching for one of 400. One of the original 400 M48 rifles that were chosen for the Yugoslavian Army and converted to sniper rifles.
Because of the Bosnian war back in the late 90s they were slapping scopes on about anything. So it will take knowledge and a good eye to be able to identify one of the 400.
My last sks is an unissued unfired Russian still in the cosmoline. Maybe I should put it on Gunbroker then go to Vegas for hookers and blow until my heart explodes.
what a coincidence! Just picked up a nice P89 SS version for $320 today. A few dings on the feed ramp which raises some questions but going to take it to the range tomorrow and give it a go. The pawn shop where I bought it has the buyer fill out the 4473 on a tablet or desktop they have set up in the lobby, kinda weird for an old guy but I got my pistol.
What’s beyond green on your Excel spreadsheet?
Beastmode
Bruh! The P-95s are based handguns. Very durable and decent performance at a good price point in it’s production Era as well as used markets. You are not wrong on that choice to add to your existing herd of species.
I would enroll yourself in some form of twelve step program or gun addicts anonymous self help group. That aquisition hobby can spiral out of control if your discipline should slip, relating such as I am a somewhat recovering from the symptoms myself. Whew!, what dope they can be. Stay frosty
I already did that. Doesn’t work. At least it didn’t with me. I got to step two. Then bolted.
GAA doesn’t work when your higher power is the God Of War.
Doubly so if you’re giggling as you recount all the people you’ve harmed, then pass around the pics.
Just saying.
What holsters to you put away with them?
CZ,
A few weeks ago on your “what’s left?” post, you mentioned you need to up your radio game and that has been stuck in my head each time I’ve read your blog since.
Far be it for me to tell a man how to spend his money, or the ever shame a gun purchase.
But, respectfully, for someone as squared away as you, wouldn’t a full blown local/regional/worldwide comms setup be a MUCH larger force multiplier than gun #896?
All the best
You’re absolutely right, of course. For the longest time I’ve been meaning to get a nice radio setup so i can keep track of whats going on in the world around me. Unfortunately, I know very little about radios and I was wanting to take the easy way out: just have an expert tell me to buy X, Y, and Z and I’d be all set. I’ve asked Ticom about this a couple times but he’s a tad hard to get a hold of consistently. I figured I wanted something like the Icom 7200 but then I needed a recommendation on a power supply, antennae, etc…and I just don’t know enough to pick a good one and get things right the first time. So…I dithered and delayed.. Guns? Dude, I know everything about guns….so that makes purchasing them practically a no-brainer for me. But radios? And their necessary accessories? Black magic, man.
I’ve been wanting to get the comms category squared away, but I too find it overly confusing. I do recommend a SDR dongle (Software Defined Radio that plugs into a USB port and attaches to an antenna. You use software to tune it.) I haven’t gotten very far, but slowly moving forward.
On Youtube, Ham Radio Crash Course has a lot of info, but mostly geared to the HAM hobbyist. TechPrepper is more in the preparedness vein, but I just found him and haven’t gotten very far into recommendations yet.
It is dated (2015) but still a very good bit of basic coms set up and use. The equipment now is better than then but very alike in function and performance.
“I’ve lost count”
The right kind of problem to have.
I ran Citizens Band radios for years. Then after that CW McCall recording of Convoy every inbred with enough money started buying them and that’s when everything went to hell. I had them in all the trucks we used on my dad’s farm.
After about 5 years and expansion of the frequencies from 23 to 40. And because the radio hobby resembled an early version of Twitter nobody much uses them. Best way? Go with a ham setup. They have mobile units as well as base radios for the home or hideaway. They reach out all over the world. And because the FCC dropped the requirement to learn Morse code it speeds the process. Used to be you could only communicate by Morse for one or two years. That was the biggest reason I never took the course and the test. Ham units are more strictly monitored unlike CB frequencies.
The newer GMRS/ FRS work well but have very limited range. If it says 40 mile range. Figure its about ten. That distance is over a flat plane without trees or obstructions.
The next step up for secure coms is pricey. Like the stuff I used when working. The portable units were 300 each. And if a base unit was included that was a lot more.
The FCC can give you the information on different kinds and types. They govern most civilian use frequencies and the radios that use them.
Hope this helps. If radio shack was still extant those folks could advise and set you up with about everything you would need. Not sure about now. They used to have HAM fests where you could buy, sell or swap equipment. Haven’t seen one of those in years.
I found this helpful to understand the difference between stuff. I don’t need much more than very basic local comms. GMRS has been very useful out in the desert with my buddies.
That’s were GMRS/FRS works best. I tried several different kinds. None would operate as advertised.
Example. We had a hay field one mile from the farm. I tried using units that were rated at 35 miles. Between the field and the farm buildings it was exactly one mile. Three was wooded areas in between and some undulating terrain. They wouldn’t work.
From what I can tell the problem is the short antenna length. And there really isn’t any way to judge signal output strength like on CB and ham units. So you can’t really know what your getting. Even the Motorola units never were very good and they have been making radios for law enforcement for a very long time.
The one kind of radios that did work was for some unknown reason banned by edict from the FCC. Seems I remember a discussion on buying those in this blog right after I first found it.
Regarding amateur radio (HAM), I suggest looking for a local radio club. You can learn a lot from a few conversations! I joined a club, and I’m studying for the exam. I’m planning to put together a mobile setup. Of course, you can do all of the above without taking the test and getting a license, if you just plan to listen and not transmit.
ETA: Uhm…..20.
well, it is a firearm. that’s about I will say about that.
Hey, best 9mm you can buy for less than $300.
awright, I confess I bought a S&W Glock clone in 9mm.
$250.00 with 2 mags. that was a couple of years ago.
gun shows are popping up within driving distance. I might have to become a travelling man.
So. I thought I was the only one that did that. Yesterday was all about SKS variants from the east European arsenals. Including some interesting Sporters and regular carbines that take AK47 magazines by NORINCO.
Can’t believe the prices some of these people are asking for Russian rifles made at Tula and Izvesk. Opening bids at 1000 bucks with a buy it now price of 1300. You’d think the fact that no bids are being placed would offer a clue. But that’s just me.
But there are some very nice rifles in fantastic condition. Guess I got spoiled when I was buying Yugo M59/66 for $148.50 each in unissued condition.
I still have a couple Yugo’s sitting in the rack. Last I saw they were bringing in the $$600 range.
Yep. That’s about the average. I ran across a couple that were over 750. But since this latest round of ” buy it before it’s illegal” the prices have gone up. I have been collecting Yugo rifles including the Mausers for a while. I paid 129.00 for my M24 and 150 each for my M48 and the M48BO model. The variations are amazing. The M24 and the M48 are both stocked with teak. As was one of my SKS rifles. The M48BO is stocked in European Elm. I have been searching for one of 400. One of the original 400 M48 rifles that were chosen for the Yugoslavian Army and converted to sniper rifles.
Because of the Bosnian war back in the late 90s they were slapping scopes on about anything. So it will take knowledge and a good eye to be able to identify one of the 400.
My last sks is an unissued unfired Russian still in the cosmoline. Maybe I should put it on Gunbroker then go to Vegas for hookers and blow until my heart explodes.
what a coincidence! Just picked up a nice P89 SS version for $320 today. A few dings on the feed ramp which raises some questions but going to take it to the range tomorrow and give it a go. The pawn shop where I bought it has the buyer fill out the 4473 on a tablet or desktop they have set up in the lobby, kinda weird for an old guy but I got my pistol.
What’s beyond green on your Excel spreadsheet?
Beastmode
Bruh! The P-95s are based handguns. Very durable and decent performance at a good price point in it’s production Era as well as used markets. You are not wrong on that choice to add to your existing herd of species.
I would enroll yourself in some form of twelve step program or gun addicts anonymous self help group. That aquisition hobby can spiral out of control if your discipline should slip, relating such as I am a somewhat recovering from the symptoms myself. Whew!, what dope they can be. Stay frosty
I already did that. Doesn’t work. At least it didn’t with me. I got to step two. Then bolted.
GAA doesn’t work when your higher power is the God Of War.
Doubly so if you’re giggling as you recount all the people you’ve harmed, then pass around the pics.
Just saying.
What holsters to you put away with them?
CZ,
A few weeks ago on your “what’s left?” post, you mentioned you need to up your radio game and that has been stuck in my head each time I’ve read your blog since.
Far be it for me to tell a man how to spend his money, or the ever shame a gun purchase.
But, respectfully, for someone as squared away as you, wouldn’t a full blown local/regional/worldwide comms setup be a MUCH larger force multiplier than gun #896?
All the best
You’re absolutely right, of course. For the longest time I’ve been meaning to get a nice radio setup so i can keep track of whats going on in the world around me. Unfortunately, I know very little about radios and I was wanting to take the easy way out: just have an expert tell me to buy X, Y, and Z and I’d be all set. I’ve asked Ticom about this a couple times but he’s a tad hard to get a hold of consistently. I figured I wanted something like the Icom 7200 but then I needed a recommendation on a power supply, antennae, etc…and I just don’t know enough to pick a good one and get things right the first time. So…I dithered and delayed.. Guns? Dude, I know everything about guns….so that makes purchasing them practically a no-brainer for me. But radios? And their necessary accessories? Black magic, man.
I’ve been wanting to get the comms category squared away, but I too find it overly confusing. I do recommend a SDR dongle (Software Defined Radio that plugs into a USB port and attaches to an antenna. You use software to tune it.) I haven’t gotten very far, but slowly moving forward.
On Youtube, Ham Radio Crash Course has a lot of info, but mostly geared to the HAM hobbyist. TechPrepper is more in the preparedness vein, but I just found him and haven’t gotten very far into recommendations yet.
Check this info out:
https://informops.wordpress.com/comms-101/
It is dated (2015) but still a very good bit of basic coms set up and use. The equipment now is better than then but very alike in function and performance.
“I’ve lost count”
The right kind of problem to have.
I ran Citizens Band radios for years. Then after that CW McCall recording of Convoy every inbred with enough money started buying them and that’s when everything went to hell. I had them in all the trucks we used on my dad’s farm.
After about 5 years and expansion of the frequencies from 23 to 40. And because the radio hobby resembled an early version of Twitter nobody much uses them. Best way? Go with a ham setup. They have mobile units as well as base radios for the home or hideaway. They reach out all over the world. And because the FCC dropped the requirement to learn Morse code it speeds the process. Used to be you could only communicate by Morse for one or two years. That was the biggest reason I never took the course and the test. Ham units are more strictly monitored unlike CB frequencies.
The newer GMRS/ FRS work well but have very limited range. If it says 40 mile range. Figure its about ten. That distance is over a flat plane without trees or obstructions.
The next step up for secure coms is pricey. Like the stuff I used when working. The portable units were 300 each. And if a base unit was included that was a lot more.
The FCC can give you the information on different kinds and types. They govern most civilian use frequencies and the radios that use them.
Hope this helps. If radio shack was still extant those folks could advise and set you up with about everything you would need. Not sure about now. They used to have HAM fests where you could buy, sell or swap equipment. Haven’t seen one of those in years.
I found this helpful to understand the difference between stuff. I don’t need much more than very basic local comms. GMRS has been very useful out in the desert with my buddies.
Basic SHTF Radio
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6D9538X
That’s were GMRS/FRS works best. I tried several different kinds. None would operate as advertised.
Example. We had a hay field one mile from the farm. I tried using units that were rated at 35 miles. Between the field and the farm buildings it was exactly one mile. Three was wooded areas in between and some undulating terrain. They wouldn’t work.
From what I can tell the problem is the short antenna length. And there really isn’t any way to judge signal output strength like on CB and ham units. So you can’t really know what your getting. Even the Motorola units never were very good and they have been making radios for law enforcement for a very long time.
The one kind of radios that did work was for some unknown reason banned by edict from the FCC. Seems I remember a discussion on buying those in this blog right after I first found it.
Regarding amateur radio (HAM), I suggest looking for a local radio club. You can learn a lot from a few conversations! I joined a club, and I’m studying for the exam. I’m planning to put together a mobile setup. Of course, you can do all of the above without taking the test and getting a license, if you just plan to listen and not transmit.