Finally bought my first AR platform (M&P 15) and my wife has a little S&W .22LR pistol, so figured I would sign up.
Forty-something, land-bound squid and former big truck driver (amongst other trades - military and driving did me in). Active duty USN from 04 APR 88 to 23 SEP 93. Fire Controlman 2nd Class, when I got out. System tech (AN/SPG-53F radar and MK 47 computer) for the MK 68 Gunfire Control System. An old analog/digital 5" main battery.
Served during and in Desert Shield/Storm. Combat Action awarded for taking part in the main offensive into Kuwait (brilliant bait and switch on the Iraqis) and some other stuff.
As I was Weapons Department, smaller ships, we were in charge of ship's security and I ended up being tasked to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure detail, also. For the Gulf that was blockade enforcement. Then we did drug ops in the Caribbean with the CG. Though, they handled VBSS in that situation, as we would be under CG flag for boarding... but we had the benefit of being trained by some real pros. We also, were their backup, once suspects were brought over to the ship.
Fast Foward several years, no guns, working as a big truck petroleum driver for Pilot Truck Centers. Doing some stretching late one night, before my next shift and I suffered a catastrophic Type A/B (ascending/descending) aortic dissection, 3 aortic aneurysms and 2 major strokes (yes, all at the same time). Same thing that killed John Ritter, for those scratching their heads.
13 hours of surgery and they were able to fix a whopping 6cm. It happened to be the 6cm that was killing me at the time, but after spending 4 hours in the ER with them wondering what the heck was killing me (dissections appear as multiple/conflicting major crisis), time was not a luxury I had.
After (the only odds I've ever heard from a doctor) 1 in 1000 odds, I awoke wondering what on Earth happened to me, 4 or 5 days later. All I remembered was the initial *POW* in the chest, then a dreamlike state, waking up my wife, walking down the hall... then waking up in the hospital, with a zipper in my chest. Been classified 100% disabled (though I look the best I have in years after losing 80 pnds) and terminal with a supposed 2 - 10 year life span, I'm just over 5 years into. I'm holding out, until they can grow me a new aorta and replace it.
Also classified Disabled Veteran by the military for their role in the health issues (I was exposed to all kinds of lovely stuff and untreated for some pretty major issues)
Had purchased some firearms, just a year prior to that, with "the election"... though they sat for years, until my wife and daughter (she was the catalyst), finally showed some interest in shooting. Most of my firearms were purchased with certain roles/jobs and other than the .22s, plinking really wasn't one of them. I had always wanted a Mini-14, after my dad bought one (yeah, he had an AR also, lever actions, bolt actions... he has in excess of 40 firearms, I believe)... and I finally found one around here, on consignment. Snapped it up immediately and started taking the family (or by myself) shooting.
Sale at the LGS one weekend and my wife, was the final push towards purchasing a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport. Did a lot of homework on them, before buying and being an old school guy, that likes and was trained on the M14 platform... I appreciated the K.I.S.S. aspect of the Sport. Other than some inexpensive setup/profile changes, I think it makes one of the best HD and uhm Zombie Crisis *cough* firearms on the market.
<big breath>
So... if you stuck around to read all that tripe... happy to be here and hope I can contribute, pick up new info, tips and pointers.
Peace.
Oh yeah... some pics of my 582-series Mini.
Upgrades are; UltiMAK Scout handguard/rail, Primary Arms fixed base microdot, TechSight rear adjustable sight, Specter 2-point tactical sling. Currently, she weighs in at 8.2 pnds, loaded w/ 10 rnd magazine. Probably rip off that Picatinny rail above the ejection port, soon. I'm not going to be using it, as I get a lower 1/3 co-witness with the PA. Only FTF/FTE I've had, out of 1500+ rnds, were magazine (ProMags) related. They FTE on first round and FTF the last one, both of them, every single time.
Don't pick up my M&P until this coming Memorial Day.
n00b from California
Welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania!
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