Sigh....people that do this should just die.

[JamesE30]

Holy fuck was your cd player made of gold?? I can't fucking believe someone would actually do this.. Sorry Jean, I'm pissed for you

[BDK]

That sucks Jean....
McGuard Wheel locks FTW...

http://www.mcgard.com/

This is why I went with a BMW Business Radio...
Good enough for me and looks stock....

[BeLzEbUb58]

Wheel locks on the way, stopped by alarm place as well. REALLY want to get a gun now too....i've been thinking about it for the longest time and I think this is putting me over the top now. heh

This might help:

What is the Best Handgun?

At various gun boards we see "What is the best automatic for me to buy?"
It is my belief that more important than action type, caliber, "stopping power", or brand firearm is competence. It has been said that the mind is the weapon and the firearm the tool and this is true.

In self-defense circles, the .45 ACP 1911 has a huge number of supporters and I'm one, but this might very well not be the "best" handgun for some folks. For the non-shooting enthusiast simply interested in protection, this single-action's manual of arms will very likely be forgotten in a heart-pounding, terror-filled life-or-death situation. The very attributes that make it extremely efficient in competent hands can work against the less experienced user. This pistol frequently comes with a trigger light enough to be negligently fired by panicked people who've forgotten how to use this type weapon. This assumes that they remember to disengage the thumb safety.

In experienced hands, I think the single-action automatic is a top choice and it is my first choice if I knew I was going to be in a pistol fight and there was no other way. Does that mean it's best for all people? Nope! Such a weapon would probably very well serve some police officers or shooting enthusiasts, but a person not interested in firearms would be better off with something different. Remember that I'm talking about folks who will actually wind up with minimal shooting and training with whatever gun they choose. Folks who actually learn how to use 1911's, Hi Power's, etc, will have what I consider very fine defensive arms.

I really don't find the DA/SA automatic much better in this regard. The hammer will usually be cocked if there's time and I'll bet the trigger has a finger on it with all the slack taken out. In most instances, there will be no safety engaged, as many such pistols don't have one allowing for cocked and locked. Assuming that shooting does occur and the first shot's fired double-action, the gun is now cocked and a much lighter trigger pull is all that's required for subsequent shots. Will the person who's not fired the gun but rarely remember this under stress? The potential for an unintended, negligent shot looms.

The SIG-Sauer pistols are generally well-respected for their reliability and accuracy. This P-225 has never malfunctioned, but like so many of this type action, it does not have any external safety. Like the double-action revolver, it relies on a long, somewhat heavy double-action trigger pull for that and an external decocker for lowering the cocked hammer after a shot's been fired. It's surprising how many times I see folks manually decocking such firearms by easing down the hammer after pulling the trigger. Would this even be remembered after a shooting? I wonder if keeping the pistol pointed in a safe direction might not also be forgotten?

What about Glock pistols or DAO automatics?

I think that in general they are better, but the Glock has a trigger pull that is easier than most DAO automatics' and I've also seen non-shooters cause normally very reliable pistols to malfunction, usually from not a firm enough grip.

You probably see where I'm going.

It's my opinion based on several years of teaching my state's concealed handgun licensing course that the "best" handgun for the new shooter or a person into protection but not handguns is the double-action revolver. I do not necessarily think a snub is the way to go, particularly if the gun's to be carried in the glove box or just kept at the home. The very things that makes the snub desirable as a carry gun work against it for the inexperienced shooter: light weight enhances felt recoil, shorter sight radius, and they don't point so well as longer barrel versions, and they do usually hold one less shot. Yet, women seem to really like these "cute" little guns. More than a few gun shop folks will recommend these for first-time defense handguns. It's been my observation actually watching newer shooters that they do significantly better with a medium frame revolver having at least a 3" barrel and preferably 4". Certainly this contributes to marksmanship via the longer sight radius, but also because the guns don't recoil as much as their lighter, smaller cousins. The felt recoil transmitted is also over a wider area and doesn't feel nearly so "sharp."

To me, the best handgun for the less-experienced person is the K-frame (or L-frame) S&W chambered in .357 Magnum and having a 4" barrel. I also strongly suggest the use of .38 Special ammunition in such cases. Probably the very best is something like the 4" Model 65, 3" Ladysmith, or now discontinued Model 681 as they have the universally popular K-frame grip and fixed sights and heavy barrels to reduce muzzle flip. As these revolvers are stainless steel, they're more tolerant of less than ideal maintenance. These can be fitted with grips that are compact to oversized, whatever the owner prefers. The discontinued Colt Police Positive would also serve well in my opinion, but is usually in blue. Next up would be the blue versions of these guns like the Model 13 and the Model 10 even though the latter is chambered only in .38 Special, precluding possible future use of magnums should the owner actually get into shooting.

While not the "best" or most powerful defensive round, I think the .38 Special strikes an adequate blow when loaded with proper ammunition and in a medium frame revolver, the vast majority of inexperienced shooters can still handle the recoil. A person who can actually operate their gun when terrified is a plus and it gets better if they can handle it so that they actually get hits. I think the thirty-eight lends itself well to this. The person not having fired their gun in a year or two is probably going to do better with the lighter kicking .38 than a .357 Magnum especially if more than one shot is required.

If a snub just must be chosen for the inexperienced, I'd definitely recommend an all-steel one like this Ruger SP101 and I'd go with the 3" version if possible. Likewise, with the S&W revolvers, I'd go with steel, either stainless or blued over the lightweight models. Felt recoil is considerably less, but not as reduced as when firing the same loads from a larger framed revolver.

In this picture we see the K-frame S&W Model 19 (top) and the J-frame snub. Yes, the Model 19's heavier and harder to conceal, but IF the gun's not being carried on the person, this makes no difference and it's much easier for most folks to handle when loaded with .38 ammo. It would probably be better if these guns were stainless if owned by people not really into shooting and how to properly care for their handguns.

These two S&W J-frame revolvers are of stainless steel and chambered for .357 Magnum. If a very compact revolver is insisted upon, their extra weight will be appreciated when shooting. I strongly recommend that they be loaded with .38 ammunition for the inexperienced. While I firmly believe that the K or L frames are better EXCEPT for concealment, these or the Ruger SP101 would be high on my list for small frame revolvers. A 3" Model 60 in .38 Special would also be a top choice IF going with the snub. At one time a 3" version of S&W's hammerless Centennial was available in .38 Special and in stainless. This would also be a good choice in snub-nose revolvers as only a deliberate double-action shot could be fired in a panic situation. Certainly, any of the revolvers shown can have their single-action capabilities removed, but I seriously doubt that many people actually do this.

[Wh33lhop]

Agh, I just saw this. I'm sorry dude, my old car was been broken into TWICE in my underground parking spot where I live. Luckily I had comprehensive so I was actually able to come out ahead from it. Do you not have full coverage or what?

[Jean]

BeLzEbUb58 - thank you. Regarding CA c&c law... http://www.californiaconcealedcarry.com/

Carrying a Concealed Firearm in California
In about 40 of the states, any law-abiding citizen may carry a concealed firearm. In two of these, a license is not required; in the others (“Shall Issue” states) the weapon license, or permit, MUST be granted. Two states (Wisconsin and Illinois) have no provision for concealed carry (these may change shortly). The remaining few are known as “May Issue” states, and permits are frequently granted, or refused, at the discretion of Sheriffs, Police Chiefs or Judges (depending upon state law).

California is a “May Issue” state; the decision to grant a CCW (Carry a Concealed Weapon) Permit being granted (or refused) at the discretion of the County Sheriff or Police Chief. Some sheriffs/chiefs issue on a reasonable basis, others can be next to impossible to persuade. Many of them operate illegal policies that are ripe for a challenge.

This site is designed to help California residents to understand the law concerning Concealed Carry Permits in California, how to determine whether you reside in a city or county in which it is relatively easy or difficult to obtain a permit and how to make the best of whatever situation in which you find yourself.

Second Amendment
Having a CCW is a privilege, not an entitlement, and the Courts have ruled that a Californian CCW is not guaranteed to anyone under the 2nd Amendment. However, the 14th (Due Process, Equal Protection) is extremely relevant, as many Sheriffs/Chiefs issue on a discriminatory basis.

Wh33lhop- Nope, that will be changing soon though. See, in most cases having full coverage is like throwing money away since e30 like any other old car in the eyes of insurance company is not worth fixing... I've been with AAA for 10+ years and they don't offer a "stated value". I'll probably have to switch.

[bear]

sorry to hear it, my kid's car got it in the high school parking lot while school was in session, broad daylight, left greasy fingerprints on the black door frame, and the cop wouldn't even take a print, said they are more worried about all the cat converters being sawzalled off cars in parking lots, wtf. anyway get an alarm and a car cover fits right in the trunk, if you have a bad feeling throw the cover on the car, they'll hopefully go on the next one.

[george graves]

I never even thought of the car cover. I wonder if that's more of an attraction or a deterrent?

[Asbradley21]

Holy shit. This is why I love not having a head unit. Stealth sub FTMFW.


That fucking sucks dude.

[Van Westervelt]

It murder time... Seriously. Never had a deck stolen, but I have had my car broken into and emptied.

The last time was perfect though. I had bought a coat from the place I was working, worn it once and put the tag in the pocket. It was a $600 coat.

On a whim, I figured since it got broken into 5 blocks from my work, that the d bag might try to return the coat for cash. And he did. Came in twice actually so that I was there. I arranged it with my other managers. With no receipt I got his ID etc. Told him I just had to get authorization for that big of a return. Went to the back called the popos and waited 5 min.

Once the cops got there, I realized he was wearing a shirt and sweater he stole out of my car too. My blood started boiling. Thank goodness he was already in cuffs and police present. Cop took the shirt and sweater off him, handcuffed him to a light pole outside my store. Mind you this is mid January at 8pm, so it was an easy 35 degrees.

Filed my full statement with the cop, found out he had a 540i/6, so we sat and talked cars for about 45 min while the d bag froze outside yelling that he was being battered and abused. lol

He got 13 months in jail. I lost about $500 in cds and a new 1/4 window ($200).

This was a fluke and almost like winning the lottery to catch a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles days after from a smash and grab.

Sorry, but justice gets served in many different ways my friend.

[Schniddy]

What an idiot!!

[Kershaw]

im sorry man. that really sucks.

[Hodge]

People seriously still steal stereos?

No they don't...the only people who do are JUNKIES looking for quick cash (what $15 or $20) for their next fix.

[will61]

sorry about that man that really sucks, what a bunch of dumbfucks who were too stupid to take the radio cleanly

[graphikg]

Same thing happened to my e30 right where I grew up. I bet it was some gangster kids too trying up their so called street-cred. Sad... Happened to me twice actually and I still worry about it daily and think more as to where I am parking. It does suck.

They actually stole all my work shit and I could have even been written up for it. I had to call each of my client's and apologize for a breech of confidential information. I bet they thought there was a laptop in it. But they didnt steel my wallet HAHAAHA stupids. And they did take my phone which was a model you could basically buy at a flea market for 10 bucks.

[BeLzEbUb58]

BeLzEbUb58 - thank you. Regarding CA c&c law... http://www.californiaconcealedcarry.com/

Carrying a Concealed Firearm in California
In about 40 of the states, any law-abiding citizen may carry a concealed firearm. In two of these, a license is not required; in the others (“Shall Issue” states) the weapon license, or permit, MUST be granted. Two states (Wisconsin and Illinois) have no provision for concealed carry (these may change shortly). The remaining few are known as “May Issue” states, and permits are frequently granted, or refused, at the discretion of Sheriffs, Police Chiefs or Judges (depending upon state law).

California is a “May Issue” state; the decision to grant a CCW (Carry a Concealed Weapon) Permit being granted (or refused) at the discretion of the County Sheriff or Police Chief. Some sheriffs/chiefs issue on a reasonable basis, others can be next to impossible to persuade. Many of them operate illegal policies that are ripe for a challenge.

This site is designed to help California residents to understand the law concerning Concealed Carry Permits in California, how to determine whether you reside in a city or county in which it is relatively easy or difficult to obtain a permit and how to make the best of whatever situation in which you find yourself.

Second Amendment
Having a CCW is a privilege, not an entitlement, and the Courts have ruled that a Californian CCW is not guaranteed to anyone under the 2nd Amendment. However, the 14th (Due Process, Equal Protection) is extremely relevant, as many Sheriffs/Chiefs issue on a discriminatory basis.

Wh33lhop- Nope, that will be changing soon though. See, in most cases having full coverage is like throwing money away since e30 like any other old car in the eyes of insurance company is not worth fixing... I've been with AAA for 10+ years and they don't offer a "stated value". I'll probably have to switch.

Jean: California is an "open carry" state. You can carry your gun exposed, subject to check by law enforcement, as long as gun is not loaded. So, ammo/clip can be on other side of holster.

http://www.californiaopencarry.org/CaliforniaOpenCarry.pdf