[KyAggie]

Yesterday I was able to attend the NRA Annual Show in Louisville and I must say its quite a show; probably the best industry show a normal civilian can attend outside of shot show which is larger. I looked at the list of business attending and made a list of booths I wanted to stop by. I still didn't get to all of the list before it was over and I probably only passed by a third of the total booths there. Sadly, I can not go back today, too many honey do jobs. Here's some of the highlights:

AG Composites: Probably spent an hour talking with Matt, Adam, and Steve about stocks and M14's. They did not have any M14 stocks displayed as they are focusing on Remington stocks right now to keep the company going. I understand, they probably sell a 100 Remington stocks to every M14 stock. They said they plan to get back to the M14 stocks in the future, but right now, they need to make some money. If you have a Remington, you should take a serious look at what they offer. They are super light and ridged, a real quality piece of work by craftsmen who really care about their product. I was able to see their M14 CBR at the Bula Defense booth and I'm in love!! I'm now lusting for one to drop a Scout into outfitted with a M14.ca forward rail, BCM Gunfighter grip, minimalist butt stock, and an Aimpoint T2. I bet that package would be around 9 pounds with no mag.

Bula Defense: Talked with Jeff for a good while regarding what we liked and disliked about M14 products. He had several AG Composite stocked rifles on display; it was nice to be able to pick them up. As you can read elsewhere on this forum, his products are top notch.

Vortex: They had a huge display with every scope you would ever want to look through that they make. I talked with Reuben regarding a throw ring for my 1-4 PST. I have an older scope with the rubber power ring, but when I ordered a throw ring last year, I was sent the one for the metal power ring. He walked me to a nearby vendor selling their scopes, got the correct throw ring for me, and said send the wrong one back when you get he chance. Talk about customer service!! Also, if you don't quite have the coin for a Nightforce, take a good hard look at their 2.5-10 front focal plane PST with illumination. Its a great scope and I believe the reticle would be very useful.

TNVC: I could have spent more time there, but they ran out of paper towels to clean up my drool!! Seriously want a IR Hunter 35mm scope; seriously have no NEED for one, but what does that matter. Also, don't have the funds right now, maybe in the future. I love my kids, but can't wait until I no longer have to pay for private school. Public schools suck beyond comprehension in Louisville.

BAD, Battle Arms Development: Great guys and great products. Sadly still no one that can make the handy M14 tool, for a reasonable price. Glad I bought one when they were available!!

CrossBreed Holsters: Huge display and you could try out everything they make. They had a 20% discount if you ordered their, so I picked up a horsehide mini-tuck for my LCP.

Of course, I stopped by many other vendor booths, too many to mention. It would have taken me 2-3 days to hit every booth. No junk at this show, all good stuff and very friendly people. If you are ever near the annual meeting location, I highly recommend you stop in. You will not be disappointed!!

 

[XM25Ren]

DuPont Manuel and Ballard high schools are some of the best in the country.

These schools have been written up in Newsweek and Redbook magazines as some of the best in the country.

My oldest son went to Ballard and is a full scholarship winner at the University of Kentucky. Oh and has made the Dean's list all but one semester and he will be entering his senior year.

XM25Ren

 

[KyAggie]

I agree, if you get into one of those schools, you can get an excellent education. As you know, you have to apply and you can't apply to both, you have to choose which one you want to apply to and they take only a fraction of applicants. I have friends who teach at Manual as well as other's whose kids have gone there in the past. Those schools are not for everyone, even a friend who teaches there is not sending her daughter there. I know others who have pulled their kids after several years and put them in private schools where they are thriving. They are not open to everyone nor are they good for every student. Our kids went to the Highland Latin school for years and will transition to the Catholic private schools for high school. Our oldest was in AP and IB courses at Atherton, which is one of the better schools, and that school was full of drugs even in those tougher classes. Some can manage that type of distraction, some can't. We pulled him after his sophomore year.

I'm glad to see it has worked out very well for you!!