The Rohrbaugh Forum
Miscellaneous => Other Guns => Topic started by: DDGator on March 22, 2005, 12:16:17 PM
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Well, seeing a few Gemini Customs guns pictured here and elsewhere recently pushed me over the edge...
Yesterday I sent off my new SP-101 .357 3" to Mark at Gemini Customs, to build me one of these:
http://www.geminicustoms.com/Gallery/Dsc01113.jpg
My gun, however, will not have the hybraporting. (After talking with Mark, he has agreed to loan me an identical gun with hybraporting for evaluation/comparision and a write-up in Concealed Carry Magazine! ;D)
I am also having him install a Meprolight front night sight.
Further, Jim Badger at Badger Custom Grips is building me a set of Rosewood boot grips!
The only other thing I am considering is possibly sending the cylinder off, when it gets back, to be cut for moonclips. When this is all said and done, it should be a fantastic CCW piece!
Chris... are you drooling? :o
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Just for fun, here is the "before" picture:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/Ruger.jpg)
I have Fed Ex confirmation of arrival at Gemini Customs. ;D
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You're going to be very pleased with the result..I know you've seen the pics of my .357 3" SP.
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Duane - I can feel the onset of salivation - and may have to have a bucket to hand when I see the final results!!! ;D
Did notice on the pic on Gemini site - there is a scuffing of finish on upper rear of trigger - doubt that can be avoided as there will be some rubbing there. No biggie I guess.
I won't ask (yet!) about the bruise on the pocket book!! LOL.
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I have Fed Ex confirmation of arrival at Gemini Customs
We all remember that thread! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Duane:
I'm salivating, and I'm a semi-auto type.
RS
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.........
I won't ask (yet!) about the bruise on the pocket book!! LOL.
It's really not too bad considering all you get in the package.
(http://photopile.com/photos/logical/family/170104.jpg)
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Very - very nice, indeed! :)
I have too many guns and would probably have to sell something to do this to my SP - reckon it'll stay plain ol' std for now - tho I do have the CT's on it.
(http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/sp-101-s.jpg)
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Chris,
Still cheaper than an R-9... ;)
Ruger SP-101 $375
Gemini Customs work $250 (including return shipping)
Shipping to GC $35
Night sight $50
Badger Grips $60
The customized, tweaked-out Magnum... Priceless!
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Hmmm - at a quick count that makes $770 or so - gettin aweful close to the R9 !!! :P :o
Oh well - I 'll save up the saliva for now - and look forward to seeing your new ''Belle of the Ball'' :)
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I am not denying that it is getting close... :D
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Dang it, You have got me to wantin' one of these Pups... :)
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>>Very nice, Duane...! Can anyone suggest a good source for an SP 101 in .357 or 9mm...?...TW<<
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TW,
You probably know that the 9mm SPs are no longer in production. I think they were last made around 10 years ago. They can be hard to find and will generally fetch a higher price than a .357 model. I stubled across a great deal on mine -- actually paying less than FMV, in my opinion.
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I heard from Mark this week -- he is rushing my job because I need it for an article I am doing for Concealed Carry Magazine. He says my gun should be ready next week -- which would be a two week turn-around. I think normal turn about is maybe 3-4 weeks, so I am thrilled.
"After" pics coming soon! ;D
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>>I don't know how much longer I can stand this before I do something drastic...! I keep looking at these guns...especially the one posted by Logical, although I would probably go with the CT grips - love those things and have found them to be a great asset in practice for instinct shooting...have them on an assortment of my guns.
I did know the 9mm was no longer in production but was hoping someone might know of a place to look for a nice used piece. However, I suspect I will go with a .357, which I also like a lot. This will compliment the S&W 649 which I have factory stock, and like a lot.
Oh my...it's sounding like I am already on the move for the SP 101...lol...! I think I will go back a few posts and look at the Gemini customs again...TW<<
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I really need to get in touch with Gemini about my commissions.
I see used .357 SP's go for around $325 once in a while on the auction sites, and if I was getting one to customize right away, why not go used...everything is going to be reworked anyhow. 9mm's on the other hand are pretty rare. I've seen one listed, although not sold, for over $700.
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I actually lucked out. I got my 9mm SP WITH a set of CT Lasergrips, for $400. I am not sure the dealer knew exactly what he had... but it was without a box or papers or even any moonclips.
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TW:
Here ya go:
http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=362421
;D
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Hmmm - at a quick count that makes $770 or so - gettin aweful close to the R9 !!! :P :o
Oh well - I 'll save up the saliva for now - and look forward to seeing your new ''Belle of the Ball'' :)
Or, for the savvy shopper:
Used SP $300
Fed Ex to GC $25
Gemini Pkg + shipping $250
Stock sights
Houge grip $25
_______________________
$600
'course I'm not near that savvy
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Yep -- no doubt it can be done cheaper... And that $600 will be well spent I believe. ;D
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>>Thanks for the tip, K-man...! I am already on it...! Gemini...here I come - lol...! As the guy on TV used to say... I LOVE IT when a plan comes together!!!!...TW<<
P.S...to Logical... Does what you do for commission from Gemini include transit of the gun and rushing the order...? Just thought I'd ask. LOL...! It is amazing what they do for the SP 101...!
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I guess I should have kept my 9mm SP-101, huh? I bought it new in around 93-95 and probably kept it less than a year. I'm not much of a revolver guy; every DA revolver I've ever bought I ended up selling. Still, I found myself "almost" purchasing a 340PD a couple of weeks ago! I think I prefer to shoot the SP over the S&W j frame revolvers though.
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I guess I should have kept my 9mm SP-101, huh?
>>You HAD a 9mm SP...and got RID of it... AHHHHHH. If only, if only... Well - I'm still waiting for a response from the guy over on Glock Talk who was offering for sale a .357. Fingers crossed as I am REALLY excited about my own ideas for a project gun here. **TW slaps forehead**...Good 'Ol Sharp HAD a 9mm...and sold it...to someone else. **sigh**...TW<<
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>>I'm feeling rather bummed tonight. Thought I had a deal going for a very nice, used, SP 101n in .357 off another forum. I was on it just as soon as I saw it advertised, at a great price too, I might add. Took over a day for the guy to respond to me, at which point he informed me the gun had been sold the day before I inquired about it...which was a little odd, because I responded within hours of his last posting...go figure. Kinda makes me feel like he just changed his mind about selling it. Or maybe my feet stank, or something. Whatever the case, it sucks. And can you believe it - my wife has offered absolutely nooooo sympathy towards me about it at all...! And this, after I fixed he a nice dinner tonight. What's a guy to do to get a little lovin...?...! LOL...! Actually, she is a GREAT Lady...and I am very fortunate to have her in my life...! I just wish I coulda had the SP 101 in my life too...!...TW<<
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TW:
Keep your chin up. I'll keep an eye out for one as I cruise around, both on the internet and through gun shops. They are generally snatched up very quickly. The 2" version is much easier to find than the 3".
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>>Thanks, K-Man...! I just hope I have the resources the same time the next nice SP comes along! I thought about the 2" version, but then decided to go for the 3" because I already have a 2" S&W which looks similar to what I envision the final product of the SP will look like.
So for now...it's a NEW day, and an awesome SPRING day at that...! I've passed on my pouting and am back to appreciating what I already have in life, which, gun wise, includes a couple beautiful R9s...!
You know... I have poked around a couple other gun forums myself looking for that elusive SP. But bottom line, the Rohrbaugh forum is the ONLY gun forum I spend any time at...! Of course, it was here that my whistle got wet over the SP in the first place with some of the sweet examples folks around here have...!...TW<<
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Nice photos of the SP101's!! Does anyone have any photos of the Ruger speed six 2" stnls? TW would love to see some. I can't get a photo into my computer and then find it and get it out where I can e-mail it to him. Thanks, Tom
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Update: Marc tells me my gun is finished. Friday is his usual Fed Ex day, so I should have it next Monday. "After" pics are coming! ;D
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I'll be sure to get my salivary glands cranked up ready to drool! ;D
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>>OK...OK... Thanks to Duane for putting me on to a guy with a relitively little used but much loved SP 101 in 9mm with a 2 1/2" barrel...!!!! After a short banter I just sent off a money order and FFL papers to this fellow. Hopefully it will all make it there in time for the FFL dealer to ship by the end of the week - cause next week the dealer is off Turkey hunting for a week...AHHHHHHHHHH.
I am sooooo excited to say the least! I've looked at a couple other nice Rugers this past week but decided to hold out for the gun I really wanted - the 9mm, which has been stuck in my mind with drool all over it from the first time Duane posted pics of his on this forum...! To have found one, at a reasonable price no less, is Cool Beans to the MAX...!
Breathe...breathe... Once I get the gun I will shoot it a while before considering a custom job...breathe...TW<<
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Darn it TW - if'n I didn't have mine in .357 already I too would be on look out for a 9mm - it is ever more appealing. Oh well - I'll bask in the enjoyment of your gun and Duane's!!!
I suddenly decided (oh dear me) that I have another rifle I ''need'' - a Ruger #1 in .45-70. So any new handguns will have to go on back burner anyways! ::) :P
Damn - I have no self discipline at all! ;D
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That is great, TW. You will find the 9mm moonclips are great to use.
A word of advice, skip entirely on the Ruger style factory clips. Worthless for serious defensive use. Order some traditional styled clips from TK Moonclips.
My 9mm SP has a high polish stainless finish. Does yours? Or is it the satin/brushed finish?
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TW, I am happy that you got your new toy, a 9mm SP101!! Enjoy and have fun with the update. Tom
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>>Thanks guys for sharing in my excitement. Duane...what is the difference between Ruger factory clips and TK moonclips...?
Now if that gun would only arrive... Took FIVE days for my check to arrive, and yeah...I stupidly sent it US mail...dunno why...it's probably all the drugs, ya know...?...TW<<
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The Ruger factory clips have a solid ring around the perimeter and the rounds load into half circles from the inside. They are not very secure at all and don't work well in most moonclip carriers. Drop one and you are sure to have 3-5 rounds pop out.
The ones from TK are the standard "star" shape and load from the outside. The are very secure and work great.
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>>Well, Duane... Even before reading your inciteful explanation about moonclips - I had a pack of ten clips ordered and on the way...! I suspect the clips will arrive before the gun...kinda like the experience of ordering/waiting for an R9 - lol...!
Now...before I get going on my 9mm project - how goes it with your Gemini .357...? Arrives this coming Monday...yes...? Weren't you going to find some special grips for it...? You psyched...?...!...??
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Yep -- Monday! It was shipped on Friday and is actually sitting at the Fed Ex facility in Tampa today, waiting for Monday afternoon delivery!
It will have a set of Badger Grips -- installed by Gemini as well.
I have a top secret kydex holster project in the works too... Can't say anything about that yet. :-X
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Duane, Its now Monday, D day. Have you got your new Gemini SP101 yet? How does it look and shoot? I bet you are a happy camper today!! Tom
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ARRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I was tracking the package on FedEx.com waiting patiently for its arrival at home (I am at work) and it showed up as "Customer not home!" My wife left the house!
I am going to try and get it from the Fed Ex office later tonight. Pics later tonight if I can track it down... :-[
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O.k. My wife made good on the deal and picked it up at Fed EX. It will be there when I get home late tonight. 8)
I will try and post some pics.
I should mention that I will actually have two pieces of eye candy to show you. My gun with the standard Gemini package (minus the porting) and a "loaner" Gemini gun with the full-house conversion including hybraporting and, I believe, hard chroming. :o Marc has loaned me a second gun for an article I am working on for Concealed Carry Magazine.
Stay tuned...
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"O.k. My wife made good on the deal and picked it up at Fed EX. It will be there when I get home late tonight."
>>Duane...I guess it's fair to say then that you should keep the wife, afterall...TW<<
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Yeah -- she is a keeper. No doubt about it. ;D
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TW!!! - LOL - (http://www.acbsystems.com/images/smilies/lol.gif)
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Here we go....
Sorry for the pic quality -- taken inside with poor lighting, but you get the point!
Here are the two. The one with the walnut(?) grips is mine. The one with the rosewood grips is my Gemini Customs loaner with hybraporting and hard chroming.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/TwinSPs.jpg)
Here is the loaner gun by itself:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/SPwithHybraporting.jpg)
Here is my gun in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/SPinMiltSparks.jpg)
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Let me say that Marc's work is VERY impressive. The bead blasting on my gun is very nice. The hammer and trigger have been high polished. The action job is fantastic -- a 9# pull, although Marc included a 10# spring if I wanted to change it. He also installed the Meprolight front night sight, which I like a lot.
The hard chroming on the loaner is very nice too - but pricey. The look is very similar, but apparently more durable. The hybraporting looks impressive. I look forward to shooting it to see how it works.
So.... what do you think?
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>>INCREDIBLE...both of them...speechless. Myhobbit, myhobbit...?? Speech back...
Can you get three fingers on that handle...??.? Looks like you might be able to fit two fingers in the first cut from trigger guard. WOWZERS...!
Do you know if it is possible to get a recessed hammer for SA, like on the S&W Bodyguards...?...advantages and disadvantages...??
I would be tempted to pass on the stainless and chrome...maybe go for Gemini Blueing, or rather, blacking. Anyone have an example of this from Gemini...?...pics...?
You one lucky fellow, Gator-man. I wish I could find copy of the Concealed Carry magazine locally so I could see your article on these guns. Duane - you know anything about this or are they strictly subscription only...?
I have always loved the build, lines, and rounded edges of the SP 101...much more so than a S&W, actually. Gemini have turned these Rugers into a deadly art form. Did I mention...myhobbit...?...TW<<
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TW - http://www.concealedcarrymag.com/ ( I think) - subscription only but you can register there. Tim the Editor has said, newstand sales not practicable - due to volume needed and that is also ''sale or return'' - just not economically viable.
Duane ------- what can I say. I think ''exquisite'' comes to mind ... I am sure you are totally thrilled. Now - I have to go get a cloth - and mop up some of this drool that is inhibiting the operation of some keys! :P ;D
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You can no doubt guess I like it. I'll be interested to see what you think of the porting.
(http://photopile.com/photos/logical/family/169976.jpg)
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>>Thanks for the info on the magazine, Chris. I went ahead and signed up for a one year subscription. I'm surprised Duane doesn't have the folks at Concealed Carry signed up here with a banner ad...! Maybe they can't afford to market their mag on the street, but certainly they would be wise enough to realize the potential for picking up customer base from a forum like Rohrbaugh...?...!...or (this) one would think. Duane... Tell those boys at CC Mag to anti up and come join the fun here on the Rohrbaugh forum - lol...!...TW<<
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Thinking on it TW - Tim Schmidt the owner/editor posts on combatcarry.com - I will try and remember to mention this forum to him - in case he feels a small banner might be useful.
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As for the gun -- No way you will get three fingers on that grip -- its two fingers with one tucked under the grip -- which is not unlike most of my small guns.
For for CCM -- they have newsstand circulation in their home state and are working on a national deal. The problem is, as Chris notes, it is not a money-making proposition. The hope would be though that increased visibility would increase subscription sales. I have discussed CCM other places on the forum -- its a great magazine run by great people with their hearts in the right place. Tell everyone you know! 8)
The article I am doing for CCM with these pieces is not a straight up review of the SP -- which has already been done by another author for an upcoming issue. My article is a bit different -- but its still a few months out and I don't want to give too much away yet. CCM has always granted me permission to post copies of my articles as I write them, so I should be able to post it here once published.
A banner ad for CCM is a great idea. I support those guys 100%, so I don't want their money. I am going to contact Tim about giving him some banner ad space.
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A banner ad for CCM is a great idea. I support those guys 100%, so I don't want their money. I am going to contact Tim about giving him some banner ad space.
>>That's real nice of you, Gator...! I should think both of our organizations should compliment one another well. I'm certainly looking to learning from them. And I'm glad I sent in for a one year subscription even if you can post your articles here for free...as you say = a worthy cause...TW<<
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I am very interested in how much the porting decreases the recoil. Seems as though you should be able to let us know too because you have one of each. Could you please post that here? Or do we have to wait till its in Concealed Carry Mag (I have a subsctiption)? I'm most concerned in how it affects recoil w/ .357 mag ammo.
Thanks.
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Bob,
Sounds like an interesting idea for an article -- having two guns with identical set-ups to compare the effects of porting. ;) I will let you know what I think.
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Is it really recoil or more muzzle flip that it helps...I always thought it was strictly keeping the muzzle down to speed follow-up shots....but then again I've never shot a compensated gun.
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IMO the recoil with a particular gun, barrel length and ammo combination - recoild is a constant - Newton and all that.
Muzzle flip tho yeah - a well ported piece should show some small decrease in flip, tho personally with snubs I tend to think the benefit is rather marginal - considering the possibility (probablity!) - of more potential for flash - depending on propellant.
I reckon porting/compensation works better and better the longer the barrel - longer moment if you will. So most effective on rifles.
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Very nice looking gun Duane-Congrats!
dick
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Any impressions of ported vs non-ported yet?
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Yes... some. Ultimately this will be the subjected to an article for CCM.
The porting is much more effective that I would have thought. Muzzle rise much reduced, even with hot .357 loads. There is certainly recoil (can't change Newton's laws), but there the potentially painful wrist snap is almost entirely eliminated.
The porting just paint WORKS. The question is whether it is worth the trade-offs. In some situations, the answer will be "yes" I am sure.
I am also trying to get some chrono results to compare as well.
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Here is a photo of the ported SP taken by my wife:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/DDGator/ported.jpg)
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Duane,
I looked at the SP101 custom in the gun magazine and it was tempting. Best of luck with it and great photograph.
I have to use pistol permits as issued by my state and I already comitted to the FN Five-seveN.
Ugly gun. I'm in it for the 5.7X28mm cartidge.
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Dang 1 That is impressive ! Great photo.
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[size=18]WOW!!![/size]
Duane - awesome pic - congrats there - these shots are not that easy to get. Kudos to Mrs Gator!! :)
This is (sorry!) an excuse to (yet again for many) repost my pic of the ''Raging Lunatic'' .454 spouting fire - my own fave pic, obtained with help of my dear son.
(http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/shoot/jb_shoot/454_flash.jpg)
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Chris, What a great picture and an interesting way to BAR B QUE Tom
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Great shots!
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Duane & Chris:
I just saw those fantastic photographs. [glb]Wow![/glb]
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My baby's muzzle blast still beats them all.... ;D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/flyandscuba/lg_blast-lg.jpg)
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Fly:
OK, you win -- unless I can find an old photograph around here of an M60A1 Patton Main Battle Tank engaged in night fire. ;)
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Fly - I concede!!! Great pic. :)