Thoughts on Tactical accesories

I read quite a few blogs and have many friends who have what many would call "Tacti-cool", that is firearms with many tactical accessories attached. You have seen the pictures and many of you have probably checked out the various web sites and printed catalogs, drooling over this or that. One of my friends once accused me of being Tacti-cool with my SKS and 2 of my shotguns. I've posted pictures of them before so I won't now as I don't want to look through the several thousand photos in over a hundred different directories on my computer. But yes I have a folding stock on my SKS and my Maverick 88 shotgun and my High Standard is a pistol grip only weapon. The high standard I purchased from a retired sheriff in Missouri, and the only thing I've done to it was get rid of the ridiculous 3 point sling it had on it and removed the heat shield from the barrel. That's it. I'm not adding on something to one of my weapons unless I have an actual need or use for that accessory.

My Romanian SKS has an ATI folding stock, TAPCO fully adjustable rear sight, and green neon front sight. I do have several detachable 30 round magazines for it but I've had to spend several hours hand fitting the magazines to the rifle to allow them to function properly without double feeding, FTF's or FTE's. Most of the time I have the 10 round non-detachable steel magazine it came with in it. Why? The detachable mags are only used when I take the kids out plinking at cans and empty plastic bottles. They enjoy being able to shoot 30 rounds without having to reload. Me I HATE the 30 round detachable mags. Why? they had to be hand fitted, which took me over 6 hours, I have issues when trying to shoot from a prone position with them, whereas the 10 round mag I have no feeding problems and can shoot from the prone position quite comfortably. I do have a 4x scope and mount which replaces the reciever cover, however this is a 100 to 150 yard rifle The scope and it's mount is bulky, throws of the center of balance of the rifle and I cannot get a good cheek weld when using the scope. For some long distance plinking from the bench it's not bad but With the scope the target still better be inside 200 yards or it's useless. Inside 200 yards I can still use the iron sights quite well.

The Maverick 88. I installed an ATI folding stock and an 18.5 inch barrel on it. Besides using some white ut on the front bead that is about it, other than smoothing up the shell elevator, extractors and ejector with a needle file and some emory cloth. My next addition to it will be some good sling mounts and a decent sling. The only reason it and my SKS have folding stocks is so they can pack away better in the truck. They won't fit behind the seat with the stock extended. Folded I have an extra 8 inches of room for my .50 cal ammo can full of ammo.

The High Standard, was the duty shotgun of a sheriff, he carried it since he bought it new when he got hired back in I believe he said 1962, and it went with him every where. It had the original stock cut down to a pistol grip, and side saddle shell holder, barrel heat shield and a funky 3 point sling on it when I bought it from him for 180.00 in 1991. Well I removed the sling and the heat shield. I am actually looking for a new buttstock so I can put this back to original other than retaining the side saddle. It too fits behind the seat of the truck easily. But after I get the new stock for it it will probably become a safe queen.

All of my pistols, are either factory stock, for plinking, or have pachmeyer grips for my carry guns. My 2 carry guns are my 1911A1, the only mods are the wrap around grips and some white out on the sights. That is it. My .38 special Taurus, pachmeyer grips and I stoned the sear to get rid of an annoying burr when fired double action.

All of my mods are for my ease of use. I don't need laser sights, an ACOG, night vision, flashlights etc ad nauseum. I need reliable, easy to transport, easy to use with no confusing geegaws hanging off it that will either get in the way or it's batteries will fail at an inopportune moment.

The adage's I try to follow are very easy to remember.

The 7 P's

Proper

Prior

Planning

Prevents

Pretty

Poor

Performance

And the KISS method

Keep

It

Simple

Stupid

I've found that the way I have my weapons setup, serves me and my kids just fine. Plus it means I have more $$ for ammo to take the kids shooting more often.

Your Thoughts?

Mark