Lightning_man, you really don't think the ATF would ever admit that, do you? Seriously though, whats good for the goose is definitely not whats good for the gander. All political correctness aside, in this day and age, dealing in firearms paints a nice little target on your back that says "sue me". Any disgruntled family member who's relative was killed by a gun purchased at your store can sue you for negligent homicide if even one iota of your record keeping is judged to be not up to snuff. And even if it is "up to snuff", nothing prevents them from sueing you anyways. Andy, I'm not trying to discourage you from getting your license, don't get me wrong here. If that's what you want to do, then by all means pursue your dream. It's just that I believe people should always enter into a venture with "open eyes". Which is why I presume you asked the question in the first place. Good luck.

TheRev

At the risk of sounding redundant, Kevin (KenCasper) is mostly correct. The process of elimination works well when dealing with an inexpensive problem. Certainly a new mag (like the versions mentioned by Kevin) is a good start. Since you are dealing with a non-Colt import that uses Colt (or other) 1911 type magazines, this may, or may not solve the problem. I mean "may or may not" simply because of inherent differences in tolerances in clones versus originals. Also, mag to feedramp interfaces may be slightly different as well. I have found that if the round "stovepipes" or sticks up in the feedramp, that the usual culprit is the magazine (such as a deformed or out of tolerance follower). Another issue is when the round leaves the mag but jams somewhere in between the mag and the chamber. Two reasons will cause this to occur: One, the feedlips on the mag are out of tolerance, or two, the recoil spring is weak. Neither of these issues are too expensive to repair. On the feedramp issue, I would offer this... Be very careful on changing the geometry of the ramp. Polishing the ramp and throat are as far as I would ever go to improve feeding and reliability. To remove too much metal from the ramp may cause the round to become unsupported in the critical area near the rim. This can cause catastrophic case rupture and rim separation which can cause serious injuries or death (not to mention a broken gun). I hope this information helps.

TheRev

Let's step back and get a little perspective here. Any red blooded American who enjoy's his (or her) right to keep and bear arms would (and in reality should) be upset at ANY governmental intrusion into their rights. Remember folks, we're dealing with RIGHTS here. Not allowances, or permissions or some other legislation that gives the governments blessing. We, as citizens of this great country, have an inalienable right, to own firearms. And, according to the framers of the constitution, that firearm needs to be suitable for military purposes. The idea behind the second amendment of the Constitution is that in order for Americans to be truly free, we need to be able to secure that freedom (and consequently hold that freedom) by the use of arms. It is the only tool outlined in our Constitution that provides the method and means to guarantee all the other freedoms outlined in the Constitution. And if you really want to get down to brass tacks and nails, we, as citizens, are obligated... no, commanded, to take up arms against our own government if they ever became as totalitarian and egalitarian as the former British government was at the time. Hmmmmm, something to think about isn't it. It is no wonder our government wants to control (or outright ban) such military weaponry as the .50 BMG. They've already controlled and banned such weapons as the 20mm Solothurn or Lahti (anti-tank rifles used in WWII). It seems the logical "next step" to get rid of the .50. So, this brings us back to the Constitution, and our little discussion here. We should not be quibbling about the usefulness of a weapon or it's suitability for a particular purpose when talking about the next ban. Any ban, no matter how well justified in the eyes of the public, or in the eyes of our all knowing government, is just plain bad. It erodes the very basic tenet of the purpose of the second amendment in the first place. So what if a particular weapon doesn't serve well as a hunting arm. So what if a pistol serves no legitemate purpose other than killing. This is not why we have the right to keep and bear arms. We have the right to arm ourselves because the framers of the constitution knew that someday our government would become just as totalitarian and intrusive as the previous government was. The framers of the constitution knew that the only way it's citizens would be able to keep that government in check was if that citizenry was armed to the teeth and didn't lack the stomach to check that government, by force if necessary. This, by the way, is not sedition or treason. It is the right of the people, to consent to be governed. Our government is at our leave, not the other way around. This is why we vote. Our government is here to serve us. So the next time you hear about some plan by the government to control our rights (particularly our right to keep and bear arms), remember this; If a right can be legislated, it is not a right at all, but a priviledge. And priviledges can be revoked.

TheRev

Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of criminal negligence, creating a public nuisance, reckless endangerment, etc. Although you're right, unless of course. the tailing balloon had a red flag or other warning device affixed so as to comply with the laws governing the length of obstructions attached to vehicles (are the laws the same in Kali?).

TheRev

Early on when I started playing I felt that my uniform was an extention of my accomplishments when I was in the Army. I figured "dammit, I earned these, I'm proud of what I did..." so they (my rank insignia, achievement awards and unit affiliations) were a part of my airsoft uniform. I have a different mindset now. Not that I feel differently about what I did or what I've earned, but that I don't feel the need show it. With only a few exceptions (like my name tape, and my branch of service) I have removed all insignia that is not airsoft related. I keep the Branch tape because I'm proud of my service and I feel it does no harm to display that fact. That is just how I feel. It's a personal choice. Others may feel differently. In actuality, we are all sort of wannabes. Whether or not we have served. We all participate in this hobby for a myriad of reasons. I enjoy a level of comraderie with my fellow airsofters that harkens back to the days when I was "in". It's not the same really, but it's as close as you can get as a civvie. Others of us have their reasons as well. The "game" part of it (the shooting, running, falling, having an aneurism... oops) is just a small part of the overall experience of airsoft. For me, it's the hanging around with friends during the AAR and after, sharing war stories over a cold beer and comparing gear and guns. It's seeing a bunch of my fellow countrymen (and women) gathered together, all dressed to kill, and honoring a fallen hero. We all love the game, but we also love the part of airsoft that is not the game. So for some it's the gear, others it's the game, still others it's the uniforms. For me... it's all of the above, and more.

TheRev

It is unlikely that the balloons would be illegal just by themselves. The illegality comes in the use, or misuse of the balloons. If they were used in the manner suggested by the photograph, then any number of anti-nuisance laws would be violated. Also laws regarding creating dangerous conditions, and I'm sure others (any LEO's care to step in here?). As interesting as it would be to see the faces of your fellow drivers as you speed by them at breakneck speeds, it would just take one driver to panic and cause a chain reaction collision. The civil liability alone would be astronomical, let alone the criminal aspect. Still, it would be funny (in an evil sort of way).

TheRev

Just for clarification Sniperwolf88, the AK and it's variants have been around for less than 60 years (hence the moniker "47" in the name - Automat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda). Mikhail Surgeyavich Kalashnikova developed the weapon in 1946 as an improvement to captured German Mp44's which used a similar gas system. In 1949 the rifle was officially adopted by the Soviet military. Just the facts folks.

TheRev

Ok folks, this topic got a little out of hand. We all represent airsoft in Arizona. Unfortunately a few of us got a little mad with power and flamed a guy before he had a chance to prove himself, or before we could fully disprove him. As a result, there is a good possibility that we have alienated someone in our community. Need I remind you that this sport (or hobby if you will) hangs by a tenuous thread at times. Going around pissing off people just because they sound a little bloated is not the way to win friends and influence people. As representatives it is our responsibility to put the best picture forward about who we are and what we're about. I'm sure everyone of us cringes each time we hear about some stupid kid who gets busted brandishing an airsoft gun in public. Stupid stunts like that only bring the light of scrutiny to an unhealthy level. Laws like the ones passed in Kalifornia recently are the result of too many idiots doing idiotic things (although that seems to happen alot in Kalifornia). However, the same holds true for when we alienate visitors to this forum. They end up leaving with a bad taste in their mouth and a story about how arrogant and pissy we are. Is that the reputation you want AA to have outside our borders? I should hope not. Remember that as ambassadors of good will, we reflect the values we espouse in this hobby we call airsoft. Let this be a reminder of that high calling.

TheRev