u/KrypticAphex

I’m exhausted, stressed, (kinda) broke, and it’s nowhere near done but we successfully saved a falling house.

Lifted her about 4” and added columns into the new rear wall, and new replacement sill joists (LVLs) along with other sistering/joist replacement/leveling. We even managed to tack on a bulkhead within budget.

It’s not the prettiest, it’s not the best, but it’s keeping another home from being leveled. There’s still a lot of work to be done as is evidenced. But this is what kept me up at night for years. Hope to tackle all the exterior siding/trim work next year (and yes reroute our gutters).

Bonus picture of our next ongoing project: ripping out all the cast iron. Served its purpose but it wasn’t well taken care of over the years and we’re having more frequent leaks and clogs at the main.

Sorry about the lack of j-frame (working on it) and Zyn (they made me puke). I’m not big on carrying a bunch of stuff around unless at work when my pockets are usually filled to the brim with tools.

Current knife, light, and pistol are all fairly recent additions. Wanted to replace my well-worn Benchmade Mini Grip of about six years, and the Pelican 1920 I had was just constantly burning through batteries. I downsized from a ‘duty’ modded G19 and took it as an opportunity to treat myself as I hadn’t picked up a new gun in roughly two years. Loving it all so far.

• iPhone 15 Pro

• Coach Bifold

• Seiko 5 SNK809

• E91 Key

• H&K VP9CC / Vortex CCW / Tulster Oath

• Kershaw Blizzard

• Skilhunt M150 v.4

If you’re reading this and you don’t own a century home, but want to: get the fucking engineer to inspect the foundation. Get a second home inspection on something you really think is the one. We didn’t know this at the time, and wish we did. Our inspector clearly missed some shit.

Compromised rear wall sagging in on itself, rotted sill joists, 4” drop in elevation over 10’, missing portions of the foundation altogether. This thing is still standing out of pure spite. I guess they don’t build ‘em like they used to?

I’m not happy. This is the uglier side of (century) home ownership and it’s a major blow to morale. We’re staring down the barrel of $50k+ on top of a slew of other work. I’m happy something is being done and I’m trying to convince myself it’s worth it to save, but I’m tired boss.

I think after this we’re cutting our losses because there’s no endless supply of money at our disposal. This is eating up nearly half of the equity we were able to pull and I just can’t do it.

Spotted a while ago and actually spoke with the owner about it. If memory serves me right this thing was Lemon Lawed more than once.

I’ll happily oblige! This is my current 3 Gun Solution and goes to show sometimes less is more, and that despite being in MA you actually can* have cool shit.

A Homebrewed 12.5” “We Have URGI at Home”, G19.4 “We Have Roland Special at Home”, and the VP9CC for when I don’t want to shove a… duty… pistol down my pants.

I’ve been around the block so to speak and started building ARs well before 2024. This lower has been a mainstay with various configurations over the years and a handful of uppers. Started filing a Form 1 this week but this letter regarding the NFA might put it in limbo, so.

*I’m terribly sorry to the poor souls who have to pay nearly $1k for a lower and I truly hope those days are numbered.

• HK VP9CC w/ Vortex CCW (in a Tulster Oath)

• House + E90 Wagon Keys

• Pelican 1920

• Seiko 5

• Heatwave VISE

• TOPS Mini Scandi Folder 4

• Coach Wallet

• iPhone 15 Pro in Otterbox

• Field Notes, Pen, Sharpie

HK is a new pickup to swap out my G19.4. Have a Kershaw Blizzard and Skilhunt M150 inbound to enter the rotation, but the rest is tried and true.

This is a follow-up post from yesterday. For anyone who was kind enough to offer up insight, thank you! I think about halfway through the engagement peak I had a decision made.

Lotta great points were made for/against moving down to a Micro (for my situation). Ultimately feel it made the most sense to have a second option that excelled for ‘deeper’ concealment instead of trying to force my G19 into doing everything.

As is evident I followed through on the VP9CC, my first HK. I fawned over the SFP9CC when it released, so I’m very happy this finally got brought over. I’ll be honest, it’s a lot of dough to cough up for a micro (anything, really). I paid $1,100 OTD w/ Vortex CCW. I mean, we’re well into nice mid/full-size steel frame DA/SA options, and approaching entry level Gucci shit.

I do not think this gun is for everyone. I think for many, the CC9 is the better choice given it exists. If you already have something in your rotation that fills this role, rushing out to buy something that could at times be twice the price is foolish. If you collect, or are an HK enthusiast, that’s a different story. In my case I fell into none of these categories.

All things considered, I could justify the bump in cost over the more economical CC9, for the features offered. And honestly, I wanted to see the hype in a “premium” fit and finish (given I’ve exclusively run Glock, which is… not that despite my love of them), and hadn’t bought a new firearm in almost two years. Call it a splurge.

Time will tell how it holds up. Hitting the range tomorrow to break it in while I wait for a holster!

Might drag this out a bit so, TL;DR: current CCW is a G19 DPP + TLR1HL in PHLster Enigma AIWB. Is investing in a Micro/SC worth the cost for another option and the form factor/comfort - an aspect that prevents me from CCing 90% of the time? If so, VP9CC, CC9, or 43x MOS

I’ve had an array of handguns over the years.
• Started with an M&P Shield EZ in a Kydex claw clip holster (strong side)

• then went to a CZ P-10C (509T + TLR7) in a similar holster that I couldn’t conceal well (strong side or AIWB).

• then a Shield Plus (factory) that I owned briefly and only off-body carried in a sling bag (sold before getting an on-body holster because it didn’t run right for me)

• to now my only handgun being a G19 Gen 4 (DPP + TLR1HL) pulling double duty as my nightstand gun that I only occasionally CCW with an Enigma setup AIWB.

Now, I’m 5’-8” slowly pushing 130lbs, slim build/small frame. Concealing has always felt like an uphill battle, and the Enigma has been the only system I’ve gotten to work after a lot of hours adjusting. For years I was convinced I couldn’t conceal my G19 (or larger) despite being the most proficient/consistent with it when shooting.

I can safely say in most outfits, moreso in cold months, it both conceals ‘good enough’ and is mostly comfortable. While the Enigma is great, it isn’t perfect, and the whole package is not small by any means. In many cases I walk out of the house wanting to CC, choosing not to because of that. Especially in the summer or if I’ll be driving/sitting most of the time. The other times I’m not carrying are usually due to only ever going to work where I can’t or it makes zero sense.

I’ve gone back and forth about getting another Micro for about two years. Most of them that I’ve handled I didn’t love, or convinced myself out of buying because “I shoot my G19 better.” Which does me no good if it’s at home. I’ve also changed my perception of CCing where I consider concealment more pertinent than how precise you are (all things considered). This also means pushing to train with another platform with my already limited time.

Other reasons for wanting to downsize is I used to be able to carry my 15/17rd magazines and due to state laws no longer can, so the larger frame feels moot sometimes.

I’m considering a VP9CC or CC9. I’d prefer the former but the cost feels ridiculous against its still well reviewed counterpart and I’m very used to button mag release. Runner up is a 43x MOS (I like Glock, sorry) but its footprint is a bit larger and I’m worried won’t solve the problem I have with the 19. Same issue I have with any of the DA/SAs I’ve been drawn to (P2KSK mainly). Any option would only run a dot, most likely EPS Carry, in a ANR or Tenicor.

A car so well built it makes you want one of your own.

Jamestown RI. I <3 Trains.

Probably my favorite gen of the Evos and the only one I’d bother importing. This one was in pretty nice shape with mostly all period correct mods.

[deleted]