Best value all things considered? Hands down the IWI Zion 15.
Best value if you want 'top tier'? LWRC DI
Best "Sh*t-Tier" value? PSA or Aero - both will largely run just fine if assembled correctly. You can roll yourself a wholly capable rifle for sub $700, but I'd argue if you plan to follow...
Springs should be an easy swap. Continental Arms in Timonium could probably do it. I know they’ve got a few gunsmiths on staff that can do light work like that.
That said, if you or your son are reasonably handy, I’d bet you could swap those parts out easily yourself. Youtube is your friend.
I have two pinned rifles and the rest are set screw. All have been dimpled, some by the factory and some by me. I’d say if your gas block is twisting from punching out the gas tube roll pin, your set screws may not be torqued correctly or you’re absolutely walloping the gas block.
Alot of the...
My very first handgun was a PT92. That thing is long gone but I’ve since picked up a Beretta m9 just because.
Truth be told it’s prob the worst feeling handgun in my hand that I own. It shoots fine, but it just doesn’t feel right.
Similar thing happened at Continental not too long ago I believe. Admittedly it's been a while since I've been at those ranges but was always under the impression that they rented pretty freely.
Disagree with the pressure cooker, as no safes are really air tight and in 99% of circumstances the rounds wouldn't all cook off at once.
That said, I do feel that ammo in a safe is not completely necessary. Perfect world, sure it's secured in a hard to get to space, but ammo by itself is...
You can also qualify for the Blue Label Program with a the purchase of an annual "Double Card" Glock Shooting Sports Foundation membership
https://gssf.pro/
https://gssf.pro/membership/pistol-purchase/
It's fairly inexpensive and gives you a good discount on two glocks (blue label coupons...
Welcome from Timonium. It sounds like your head is in the right place with wanting to educate yourself on the various aspects of responsible firearm ownership.
^this. Your best option at the price point mentioned no doubt. That said, the Sig Romeo5 is pretty tough to beat at around $125 (used to be able to find them for under $100). I’d still go with the Holosun personally since budget allows.