Got the painting of the garage completed today after dropping the kiddo off at kindergarten. Her mom was able to walk her to class as I had to wait with the truck as we didn't think we would be able to walk her in from the impression the folks gave at orientation friday. Wife said she took her lunchbox and walked in her class and never even looked back to see if she was still there. Hard watching them grow up but also one of the greatest things at the same time...

Been awhile since posting as I've been so busy here lately with work as well as moving. Wife and I bought our first house a little less than a month ago. Been trying to get things situated and get settled and still have a long way to go. Also had to get the munchkin registered for school as she starts kindergarten. Man does time fly?!

For today it was finishing up making solar screens for the windows on the back of the house. (Well the windows I had material for.) That material can get expensive so I will have to wait until next paycheck to finish the rest of the windows.

Followed that up with taping off and starting the tedious and time consuming task of painting around the edges and windows in the garage. Painted the upstairs room a couple of days ago that is designated as my "man cave"/reloading room. Went with steel gray for the reloading room and garage. Will continue with the painting after dropping the kiddo off at school in the morning.

I know I know pics or it didn't happen...
Have to figure out how to post them using my phone as we do not have Internet service yet.

I need to luck out and find an 8 pounder of H4350

Going to second the recommendation for the bergers. Have not used them in the .308 but I'm using the 140gr VLD Hunting loaded over H4350 in my 6.5 creedmoor and have been impressed so far. Have tried 139gr Lapua Scenars, 129gr hornady SSt's, and the bergers. The bergers have outshined the others significantly. I can get the outer edges of shots to touch with the scenars but with the bergers it's hard to distinguish between shots without being right at the target. I'm talking 1/8 to 1/4 max center to center and have seen 1/16 on occasion. Measured with calipers as best as possible. Going to give them a try on the .308 when I get time

I'm starting to like Vortex more and more after reading about that discount although it does not apply to myself. Never really used anything but leupold for years (with the exception of the Nikon P223 on my AR) but I decided to give vortex a try on the Ruger precision rifle I picked up a few months back. Mounted a razor hd gen2 4.5-27x56mm in a Spuhr mount. Haven't had time to put it on the range yet but just looking through the scope out in the backyard, man that is some clear glass with a crisp picture through the magnification range and the parallax makes it all the more easy to focus once you get the initial setting dialed in.

Will post further reviews once (if) I ever have time to shoot it.

Congrats on the new addition... Buddy of mine has that same SIG. Topped with a zeiss conquest don't remember the power off hand... Sweet shooting weapon for sure. You will not be disappointed at all.

Objective information, (Score 0-5)
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
Model Number, Name: XDS
Caliber: .45ACP
Type weapon: Pistol
Action: Semi
Material Weapon is made of: 5 (polymer frame, stainless slide)
Magazine capacity: 5. (5, 6, or 7 (comes with 5&6, part of current promotion they sent another 5 and a 7 rounder))
Barrel Length: 5 (3.3" making it nice for concealment)
Rifling info if applicable: 1:16 twist
Type sights: 4 (3 dot with front being fiber optic. Comes with more to swap colors)
Trigger pull: 4 (smooth just a little long)
Trigger Reset: 4
Type Safety: 5 (grip safety as well as trigger safety similar to glock)
Safety Features: 5 (Chamber loaded indicator, grip safety, trigger safety)
Weight: 5 (21.5oz empty)
Ergonomics/furniture: 5
Integral Rail System? 3 (yes but not sure what will fit on it)
How many rounds did you shoot? 30
What ammunition did you test with? Winchester white box 230gr fmj
Weather conditions for test: sunny, windy, 65ish
Accessories that comes with the weapon as sold new: holster, magazine holster, 5 & 6 round mags, 2 backstraps, lock.
Is there a palm swell or other part customizable like the latest gen Glocks or M&P's:Your hand size: interchangeable backstraps
Stock information: (NS)

Subjective observations:(Score 0-10)
Handling, how does it fit and feel: 9 (need to try out second backstraps)
Experience any malfunctions? 10 (none)If so explain.
Ease of loading/reloading: 10
How did the various controls such as slide release or magazine release operate? 10 easy to operate both slide release and mag release
Did the weapon get dirty during the test, and if so any effect? No
Comment about the sights: easy to see fiber optic front
Ease of field stripping and cleaning weapon: 10
What other weapon does it compare to such as M&P shield vs Glock 43? Shield as I have both and compared side by side. Size is almost the exact same
What type holster did you use? Paddle holster provided with XDS
Anything you may have noticed such as "Big muzzle flash" or "very loud" or other observations? Loud
Talk about the accuracy: slightly low but may be due to my grip with the current backstrap will switch and try again. Will post up results when done
Do you feel the weapon is reliable? Yes
Does it have any shortcomings you can detect? None so far
Your overall feelings about the weapon. Love it so far.
A one liner. You get to decide. Go or No-Go. You call it. the gun gets a score of 55 but jammed, then you can call it a No-Go.

Objective Score:_____50_provided I put numbers in all the right places

Subjective Score:____47__ provided I put numbers in all the right places

Go or No-Go:_____GO____

Comments:

For those of you that are interested MidwayUSA has the 5.56NATO green tipped ammo in stock. $460 for 1000 rounds. Just ordered me some today and they already shipped it. Should be in Monday.

Nice looking boat, I do like the Volvo units. Darn expensive for parts but if you take care of them not many parts needed.

Thanks. I've heard good things about the volvos as well. So far just an impeller, dist cap and put in some new plugs. And of course the normal maintenance. So far I am pleased with it. This is my first experience with an in/out. Always had mercury outboards before this.

So there's another chevy........I was starting to think that this was a Fiat forum for a bit. lol

GMC actually but same thing for the most part. Liked the grill on the GMC a little better than the Chevy.

Next up was to do the cutting of the plastic. All I used was a utility knife with a new titanium coated blade (read SHARP)

Here you can see the piece that was removed



And the newly created opening.

Curious to hear how you like the LED bulbs for the headlights. I'm in the market for something different for my 13 but don't want to go the hid route with it.

Have the Nitto trail grappler m/t on my 1500 work truck. Have about 23k on them and at last measure I was at 12/32 remaining on the tread from the original 19/32. Always have them rotated/balanced every 3-4k and run 35psi. Considering the same tire for my dmax but not sure if I want to go that aggressive

Thanks. Yours too. Really like the look of that LBZ. Nice and clean.

My dad had the LLY. Until someone last August decided they needed it worse than he did. Truck was a beast. Was what inspired me to buy my lml

Heck of a deal when you try and be a good citizen and perform your civic duty (jury) and your truck gets stolen while at the courthouse. (Downtown Houston) have yet to see it again.

At the deer lease


Headed to the lease only two months old here. Sept. 2013