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Articles by Joe Trapalino
New Mexico State Shoot
The NM State Shoot starts May 20 and runs until May 24. You can't ask for a cooler place to go for a state shoot, the premier NRA facility in Raton, NM - Whittington Center. I'd love to hear from anyone that is going. I have to miss the first day, but I'll be there to shoot on Thursday to Sunday. That's me on post 3.
Looking for a .410 OU shotgun
$3,000.00 Check price Albuquerque, New Mexico Like it says above, I decided I need a .410 Over/Under. Don't want to spend more than $3000, unless it's really something special. Thought I'd see what might be here before I start looking on Guns International and Gunbroker.
Decked vs. Truck Vault
Decided to get a drawer system for the truck bed. I know Truck Vault offers the best protection but Decked looks pretty rugged and is a lot less expensive. The bed is covered with a Retrax aluminum Tonneau cover already. And I'm not concerned how much vertical space is left in the bed. I'd like to know what the folks here think.
Trigger for TM1
$1.00 Check price Albuquerque, New Mexico I'd like to get a spare trigger for the TM1 I just bought from James Balog. The amount shown is just a place holder. Please let me know your price if you have one for sale.
Sight Picture
Just recently I bought the TM1 that James Balog had for sale (see above). BTW, he is a great guy to deal with! So I get it, adjust it, and with the comb all the way down, I have a huge volume of space between the front and mid bead in my sight picture. There is a lot of rib showing between beads. Now I have never cared about a figure 8, but I also have never had a comb this high. So I take it to the trap club and first thing, I shoot 24 out of 25. then 25, then 25.
Kreighoff K20
$12,000.00 Check price Albuquerque, New Mexico Looking for a K20 to use mostly on 5 Stand and Sporting Clays. Prefer 30" or 32" barrels and adjustable comb. Ideally, I'd like to keep it under 12k, but open to spending more. Thank you, Joe
CSMC 20 gauge SxS RBL Launch
I just bought the above shotgun and I am using it on the 5 Stand course. But the auto safety is making me crazy. Anyone know a good gunsmith that can disable the auto safety? I have heard such bad things about CSMC that I am afraid to send it back to the factory. Thanks, in advance, for any help.
MidTenn Outdoor Supply, LLC
Has anyone done business with this place? They have a shotgun I'd like to buy, but my internet research advises caution. Thanks in advance for any information.
My apologies to Tron
If you reference the post - "Is there such a thing as defective bluing?" you will see the issue I have with a Caesar Guerini product. Tron has tried to tell me, and everyone, to stay away from CG and I didn't listen. Pick any side of this issue you want, but I will never purchase another CG product. Tron was right and I'm sorry I didn't listen.
Is there such a thing as defective bluing?
..............I'd like to get some thoughts on bluing. I did not come here to bash any manufacturers but I bought a shotgun in July that was a bit over 7 grand. A few days ago I noticed some rust out on the end of the top barrel (see pic). Now I live in New Mexico with an average humidity of 15%, have never used the gun in the rain, and can't imagine where any moisture could have come from.
Italian Shotguns - expensive vs. really expensive
I just bought a CG Magnus in 20 gauge from Indiana Gun Club. I am very happy with the purchase and would recommend this shotgun without pause. Now, here is the way I see the difference between a 7k CG and a 16k Perazzi. When you walk up to the line for the first time, the Perazzi is already broken in. It opens and closes exactly like you want it to. It is perfect out of the box. The CG functions perfectly, but is stiff and requires x amount of shots to smooth it out.
Impulse buys.
I am the most impulsive buyer of guns/knives/anything that you're ever going to meet. I've really tried for the last couple of years to curb this habit and I haven't purchased a new gun in about 10 months (which is incredible for me) but it seems that this urge has moved on to other stuff. This week, we were spending some time in the town of Montague, on the west side of my state. While the wife was window shopping, I walked into the hardware store and just had to have this axe.
Nevada State Shoot
I was just going over the program and might have found a little mistake. On Tuesday, Oct. 28th, the Dial in Doubles starts at 9am, followed by the Handicap Tune Up, and finally The Get Ready Singles (page 23). The Get ready Singles shows a start time of 9am. Since it follows the doubles and handicaps, I don't think this is correct. Or do the doubles and singles start concurrently? If anyone has an answer, please chime in.
Pig hunting in Texas
Does anyone here have any experience with Dos Plumas Ranch. I was searching Google and found this place. They call it the working mans ranch. I'm thinking about giving it a try, but wanted to see if anyone has been there, and if it is as good as they claim. Also, if anyone has a recommendation, I'd sure give it consideration. Thank you
Choke tube installation
I'm thinking about getting choke tubes installed in my Perazzi RS combo O/U barrel. It is fixed M and F right now. I always thought Briley was the place to go, but I have read so much about Tom Wilkinson here that I am wondering what other shooters think. I know about Tom's retirement so I guess Robert Hight would be doing the work. What do you think, Briley or Hight?
Spring Grand in Tucson
Does anyone have any idea when the program will be ready for the Spring Grand? Or when pre-squading will begin? Thank you
Clean Trigger
I am looking for a soft case for my shotgun. Found this website called Clean Trigger and like the looks of the all leather model Green Leather Shotgun Case | USA | Doe anyone have experience with this company? Any information would be appreciated.
Another cool pouch
#1 · I have a thing for quality leather work and just had this pouch made by Randall Copiskey at Diamomd 8 Leather. A true work of art. I am totally pleased and satisfied. 589.5 KB Views: 0 354.9 KB Views: 0 294.4 KB Views: 0 See less
What to do if:
I have a Perazzi HiTech bought in 2022 and just broke my first leaf spring. It was no problem to replace but it got me thinking about what happens if a spring breaks at an ATA tourney. Since I will be shooting at The Grand next week I'd like to know what happens. Please bear with me as I'm trying to phrase this question correctly. Lets say the spring breaks after 10 targets have been shot. I go to replace it and the squad keeps shooting and I return to shoot the last 5 targets.
Trap Clubs with a view
#1 · The Pennsylvania State shoot post got me thinking about trap clubs with amazing views. Living in Albuquerque, I pretty much get a desert view. Anyone have any thoughts on the most beautiful trap clubs in the USA? Pics would be amazing and thank you in advance. The pic posted here is from Whittington Center to get things started. See less See more
Grip Cap
#1 · I saw a post here about an engraved grip cap, which got me thinking I need one. Does anyone know of an on line source for gun jewelry? See less See more
Soft Gun Cases - if money was no object
Since I'm looking for a really premium soft case for my Perazzi, I thought it would be fun to see what people here have to say. So far, this is the nicest case I've found: Welcome to Murray Custom Leather Looking forward to other ideas.
Be careful when ordering from Graf and Sons
I got an email from Graf and Sons for free freight so I figured I'd buy some shotgun shells. I ordered 5 flats and when I got to checkout, this is what I found: Customer is responsible for Full freight on orders for Target Loads (trap, skeet & sporting clay ammo sold by the case.) Please note that freight can range between $30-$40 per case depending on weight and shipping destination. And they won't process the order until you sign this: It's their company and they can do what they want.
High Gun versus 700X
I'm am wondering about the differences between 700x and High Gun. I can read that one is extruded flake and the other is flattened spherical, but that doesn't mean a lot to me. Would there be any notable difference when loading them in a MEC Automate. Would one burn cleaner than the other? Would there be any problems with the crimp using all the same components? My current load is - Rem. STS hulls, Cheddite 209 primers, 17 grains of 700x, CB 8118 wads, 1 1/8 oz. shot.
Question About: Cole Custom Negrini Case 1654lxx
#1 · Does anyone own, or have seen in person the Cole Custom Negrini case 1654lxx that they have listed on their website? I want to make certain I know what I am getting before I purchase it. On the Negrini website all of the 1654 cases have a separate compartment for the barrel and the hand guard. The picture on Coles website does not have a separate compartment. It also says it has leather trim in description and it is not on the picture. Any personal feedback would be appreciated.
Plan early for The New Mexico State Shoot
Come to the New Mexico State Shoot at Whittington Center. I doubt there is a better facility in all the world. Check it out here - NRA Whittington Center : The Country's Premier Shooting Facility You can book accommodations right at Whittington or find great places to stay in nearby Raton. New Mexico State Shoot May 22-26, 2024 at NRA Whittington Center Raton New Mexico.
Range cart recommendations?
#1 · Does anyone have a recommendation for a range cart to carry guns, ammo and other gear? This would be nice to have at some of the larger shoots where the furthest trap field can be somewhat distant from the clubhouse. The cart could be ordered on-line or home-built from plans. Thanks.
Oryx hunt
#1 · My son-in-law has an Oryx hunt at the end of January down at White Sands, NM. He is shooting a Browning X Bolt in 300 WSM. 300 WSM Ammo is scarce around here so I am going to order him some. Is the Barnes VOR-TX 300 WSM 165gr. TTSX BT a good bullet for Oryx?
New Stock
#1 · I have a Perazzi HiTech RS combo with decent wood, but also have discretionary funds available. I am thinking of a fancy root walnut stock made by Wenig. The current stock has an adjustable comb and everything is set just right for me. I am looking more toward a new fixed stock. What is the possibility of Wenig copying that stock and the finished product fitting me like my current stock. I'm not too worried about adjustments in the future as I have been shooting this gun, as is, for a long time.
Questions about the Nevada State Shoot
I'm pretty excited about attending the Nevada State Shoot in a couple of weeks. Been to Vegas 100's of times but never got to the Clark County Shooting Range. So now I'm wondering if any vendors will be at the shoot. Also, is there a bar and restaurant? I'm guessing no bar as it's a government facility, but this is Vegas so....
Nevada State Shoot at Clark County
This will be my first time shooting the Nevada State Shoot. I can see there are 24 trap fields. What I'd like to know is how they usually shoot the events. For singles and handicap, do they shoot in banks of 4, or shoot 50 and move right? For doubles, do they do banks of 2 or just shoot it all from 1 place? If anyone has past experience, I'd love to get an idea. Thank you.
Pistol Braces
To anyone concerned with the erosion of our constitutional rights, and especially the issue of pistol braces: I AM A PROUD NEW MEMBER OF FIREARMS POLICY COALITION AND MADE MY DONATION! (This information is from an email I received from my local gun club) If you've been following ATF rulemaking, you'll know that the ATF recently made an administrative change that would, effectively, lead them to consider most stabilizing-brace equipped pistols as short-barrelled rifles, NFA items.
Trap Shooting Book Reviews
These are simply my opinions. I purchased all of these with my own money in an attempt to learn from other people's experiences in trap shooting. I'm also amassing a collection of all of the trapshooting DVD's and will post a review summary once I make it through them. James Russell Trapshooting Secrets and The Trapshooter's Bible ($35 each) These books were tough to read.
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