Thoughts of days gone by

[Dave Grubb]

When my sons were all home we shot a lot of trap, often with friends that shot trap. We have a trap range beyond the barn. In those days I bought shells by the pallet. We would shot on a frequent basis and on one Sunday in the middle of Oct of each year we would have a grand meet---we would begin at 9 AM and shoot until dusk---complete with a spread of food and non-alcoholic drinks.

It would correspond to the end of the garden season and I would pick all my remaining peppers and turn them into a "pepper relish", on occasion pilled high on a hot dog by some unfortunate soul----to everyone else's great glee

In preparation for a "reunion" shoot this weekend, my grandson brought a case of shells up from the basement---and announced I needed to buy more shells because there was only one case left.

I think my days of buying pallets of 12 ga shells is past, as are most of my friends who used to shoot with us, I'll settle down to buying them by the case now

Today our only guest will be my SIL---but I will think often of those past shoots and past friends.

[Truckman]

I haven't burned any powder in about 12 years now, even though yesterday I bought my 129th and 130th gun since kickstarting my old collection last September...I should probably at least shoot the ones I carry on a daily basis, but ammo is just priced plumb out of reach for a retiree on a fixed income......Ben

[Dave Grubb]

Ben siad: "....my 129th and 130th gun".

That is a number I refuse to know---so that when my wife asks me how many guns I have I can truthfully say: "I don't know".

[Truckman]

That is a number I refuse to know---so that when my wife asks me how many guns I have I can truthfully say: "I don't know".

I didn't say I still have them all...I also trade...Right now I'm in the middle of washing & waxing the newly acquired family members so I don't have an accurate count, but my best guess would be about 65 on premises...Including my various business FFL's, I've owned approximately 18,000 guns, some only briefly, and only the aforementioned number currently...

I don't know either......Ben

[UTAH]

Just thinking: Anyone else follow Rick's interest in firearms on Pawn Stars? Personally, I think he takes advantage of sellers, but they aren't forced to make bad deals.

I find the history behind the items bought/sold on Pawn Stars fascinating.

Hunter

[Dave Grubb]

I do watch Pawn Stars on occasion. I have to admit to being a little less bold when first firing old guns. That is a good use of Chum---if I were Rick I would classify Chum as expendable.

Anyway---I always test fired antique rifles on the bench---tied down to the bench and a string around the trigger. I never had one blow up on me but I wasn't about to be holding the first one that might blow up in my face!

Ones that I will not fire at all are Damascus steel barrels---that is risky beyond my limit. I have a few beautiful Damascus steel double barrels---and they are like beautiful ladies---I stop with looking.