Traveler

W3TWG here. Congrats! For me General was just going trough the question pool on QRZ dot com until I could get over 80% more than three times in a row. Went in and aced the exam. Being tech oriented in the military and personally, it wasn't all that difficult. And the additional bandwidth is a plus. I do want Extra, but I'm not to caring about it, might study during some down time... @Armed Eye Doc do it! There are a lot of old school pain in the arses, but it is pretty cool to chat with someone 800 or 7000 miles away like they are local.

You all oughta try a Honda Valkyrie - 6CARBS!!! But holy shyte does it move!

I count it as a blessing - I'm phucking wonderful! Those that believe me cursed? I embrace it!!

Sometimes a good tequila, most times a great clear whiskey. I don't like to dilute my alcohol, so I do try my best to pace myself for the long evening!

First time was in the Corps, buddy of mine made a few runs on his back porch - he almost didn't know what he was doing, but his stuff came out good, right around 100 proof and tasty. He gave me a quart I sipped on for quite some time, and when I left the Corps, I took a quart with me. I made that quart last as long as possible. That was '92. I tried for years to find that taste again - finally, a brother I served with and I got together about twenty years or so later, I was telling him about my dilemma, he also knew the guy that I originally got my first taste from, and the following year, when we got together again, he handed me a half gallon and told me to put it in the car and leave it there till I got home. THAT WAS SOME GOOD SMOOTH $HITE!!!! That was made with corn as the starch medium. Since then I have have had, and stock in my pantry, peach and apple as well as the corn. Does it have a bite? It does, what it does not have is a burn - it's got a warmth that will put a smile on your face! It runs at 96 proof - you can get higher - I've had 130, but the taste is not there and I like the skin of my tongue and throat right where it is. I could go on and on about the advantages of good unregulated whiskey - I'll leave you with this - you can try all the store bought 'shines you want, they can say what they want about their product, if it's in a retail store, it will likely taste like gin or $hit. I managed to stumble onto this outlet because of my brother - he is deep south born 'n bred. Nobody local will talk to me about it, seems I don't sound like I'm from around here, go figure. @BrianK if you're ever out of the north and come this way, look me up, I'll treat you to a fine libation!

I tell ya - you are all a bunch of slow learners!!! 61 and still perfecting the process!!! Over the last ten years I have learned to moderate enough to keep a good buzz for most of the day, I do not prefer any commercially available whiskey or whisky or bourbon. I kinda like Maker's and Jamison, most big name bourbon you can pour back in the horse, but I have had some (and bought for the cabinet) fabulous small batch bourbons! My booze of choice is unregulated whiskey, mostly out of "middle-of-nowhere" Georgia. All copper distillery, no additives - the taste is all from the starch medium. In over ten years I have not had a hangover or a bad next day - well, I've been still inebriated, but no ill effects. No kidding, best stuff I've ever had.

High Point here.

I have had ARs in 556 since the day I got out of the Corps. I traded away more than a few for better, and worse, choices. Best one I had was 20" COLT HBAR, but, got out of casual competition, so it went away too for a shorter version 🙄 The last few years (8 or so) I have been thinking that while I do love the AR and 556, I don't like that no matter what bullet and barrel you use, unless you are that good and have the time to make a specified eye, temple or artery shot - you are not gonna stop a man or deer with one shot. You may well not even incapacitate for long - with just one shot. 308 though, whole 'nother story. Every cartridge has it's use, and I choose the 308 because "havoc in a hurry" for me is immediately close, and served by better close range cartridges than 556. The AR, I want for 200 yards deterrents, practiced by woods and field deer hunts! I have a DPMS DR10 that I am getting sorted out with lots of help. If it gives me less than 6" groups over it's point blank range, I'll be satisfied.

The Ruger in my pocket, when the occasion warrants, is an LCP Max. I can't say anything bad about it, it works, just like its predecessors, but respectable capacity. In addition to the 10 round flush fit magazine, I have a 12 rounder that is perfect range assistance (pinky rest). I know, not all that sexy, but I like the firing mechanism a whole lot better than any Glock - right on par with a Kel-tec. Peace of mind in a small package for those quick trips down the road for milk, bread and eggs when it decides to snow in NC 🤣

I have only met three semi auto pistols I could shoot well - this Bersa, a 1911A1 CS and a CZ 75D. I was always meant to be primarily a rifle shooter. I do have a Ruger LCP Max I pocket on occasion.

Not got the svelte waistline for appendix carry, and never cared for it there. When i was working, it was all urban carry so the trimmer profile, the better.

The RIA is four years old, I've had it over three years, the original owner either didn't like it, or shot it once and put it up for whatever reason because there was almost no wear in of contact surfaces. As it is i've only put about 150 rounds through it, and it's the first 1911 I have truly liked shooting. i like it enough and am consistent enough that it goes traveling with us out of state.

I bought this one new in 2009? SA Loaded model, trigger was for poop. Got that figured out, I shoot it ok, don't care for it much. Now this RIA? i love this guy! Out of the box dream! And, I can actually do damage to an eight inch bull at 15 yards. And it's not a fluke! I suck with semi-auto pistols, just sayin'. I'll take a decent revolver any day...

Been a seriously mild winter, and I am just as ready for true spring! Daffodils are up, hyacinth are budding, all is good!

Pleasing manual labor can be so cathartic. Nice cuffs!

When there is scalding hot water on tap, a roomy shower and streaming tv services - all the comforts of home - I'll never say it's anything other than glamping. I won't say I don't care for it, I did enough real camping growing up, and then again while in the Corps. Still, if there were no TV, and if coffee were made in a percolator on a Colman stove, I'd be happy!

And this is just one day into a two week stay.

My wife and I glamp. 36ft 5er usually on a lakeside for no less than two weeks at a time. We don't go far, we just get away. My idea of big fun is a well appointed and insulated 27 - 30ft bumper pull behind a 2500 or 3500 Duramax, visiting the "flyover" states that I have not yet seen. I enjoy sitting on my back deck and watching the critters come in to eat and drink. I am an amateur radio operator and enjoy talking and listening around the world, mostly listening. But most of all I love to shoot. 22LR and 357\38spl are just too fun!

Same here! Although here is where I found out that my DOMS DR10 was a PSA 10. So happy I landed here!

Welcome from central NC!

I'm getting that! I was just up in Grafton WI officiating a wedding of a Marine I served with for many years. Have a plan to go up to Melrose next fall for deer season at another Marine brother's place, this AR will go if they are allowed in WI.

Looks like you have the best assistance you can get! I for one am looking forward to hearing about your range trip. Welcome from NC! Semper Fidelis! Mike

Welcome from NC! Semper Fidelis! Mike

Welcome from NC! Semper Fidelis! Mike

Welcome from the Triad of NC! Semper Fidelis! Mike