Several years ago, I was parked in front of my gunstore a good hour before opening. I was heading for a archaeological survey in the desert, waiting to pick up my .30-30 with newly installed tangsite. I had coffee and a few donuts with the sparkly things. The radio was playing a full performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Yoeman of the Guard by the D'oyly Cart Company. Life was good. This guy pulls up and walks over. " Isn't the Pony Express open yet? Nope, opens at 10:00. Oh, I'm here to pick up my AR-15. I did 2 tours in 'Nam." I'm thinking , wow, you and a million other people. "Yea, I homeschool my kids, vote PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. and am born again." By now I'm missing my favourite chorus and my coffee is getting cold. " Yea, none of them Gays are gonna bother my family." I couldn't take anymore. " I'm GAY!" He retreated to his truck and rolled up the windows. The shop opened a 10 minutes later. I walked in first with my new friend behind, avoiding my very shadow. The cashier was a ex marine, nowhere near pretty, but what people would call good genetic stock. She could also outshoot me. I walked behind the register and planted a long kiss on her. She half fainted when I let go,asking what that was all about. "Oh, I don't want anybody believing any more rumours about me." Theres a time and place for everything ; light opera, half stale donuts, even firearm posts @ equipped <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So, how did the new sights work out?

I never got to try them. One of the new crewmembers was this 5'10 greek goddess named Nikki who disliked firearms. Everybody else was walking around like Bogart inTreasure of the Sierra Madre' armed to the teeth with bowie knives, revolvers and ( our native monitor,) a compound bow. My carbine remained under the back seat, replaced with visions of Ouzo wine and stuffed grape leafs at the oasis of 29 Palms. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Remind me not to stand too close to you if you're trying to chase off an annoying heterosexual woman! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Chris, I've neen to 29 Palms, you NEED a 5'10 goddess AND the Ouzo.

Exactly, besides, out there the only things worth shooting are coyotes ( against my religon) and flying saucers.

1) just so there is no mistake : I'm NOT gay ...
2) even if the contents of this forum were not as interesting as they are, I would still come here, just to read Chris's stories ! Chris, I love you ..... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
You are my favorite writer, right after Tony Hillerman ...
P.S. : I love Garfield too .... <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Alain,

<<...right after Tony Hillerman ...>>

Good stuff! It is great fun to wander around with a copy of "The Tony Hillerman Companion", a map of Indian Country, and some good topos... plus all the folks I've talked to have been kind and tolerant of an anglo wandering around... if you enjoy Hillerman's books, plan to make a self-guided tourist trip through the 4 corners region someday - you will recognize many things as soon as you see them, just from Hillerman's descriptions.

Regards,

Tom

You earthlings are all alike.

Chris,
You really are great <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Gotta say it man, I like your style!

LMAO. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Did the uptight guy ever say anything else to you?

No, and sadly the gunstore clerks no longer do either. The store closed under pressure from increasing L.A. regulations. At least that was the lamented excuse. Firearms are probably one of the most polarizing subjects in American society. We need to stop the shopworn rhetoric, flagwaving, meaningless statistics and demonising. As NRA life member and writer Edward Abbey said," I support the right to bear arms, and the right not to bear arms."

In what context was the statement made? I certainly don't think prople should be required to bear arms. I think laws, such as the one in Kennessaw,GA, that require the head-of-household to have a firearm are a little overboard. But in turn, thay have no right to tell me that I cannot have a firearm.

If I remember my US history correctly, during colonial times, all males between the ages of 15 and 50 with at least two front teeth were require to bears arms and serve in the militia. Pete

I believe the "two front teeth" requirement only came into play when they started using paper cartridges with the powder wrapped in the paper which was used as wadding for the ball wrapped in the same paper.

Bountyhunter <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> : <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That is correct. Pete

Sorry to be a bit slow, but what has having front teeth got to o with paper cartridges?? <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I know some of you here are involved with historical reenacting so please feel free to correct me and/or add your comments. When loading a musket, members of the militia had a paper cartage consisting of the ball, powder with the paper acted as wading. To load the musket the individual would tear open the cartridge with their front teeth, prime the pan, pour the powder down the barrel, then add the ball with the paper wadding and ram everything down. Pete

Liz:

In the early days of black powder, the powder was in a flask, the ball was in a bag or pocket, and the wadding that gave the ball a tight fit in the barrel was in another bag, pocket, or simply hung from the garment and was cut off as needed.

Someone (I don't know if the idea was French, American, or British.) came up with the idea of wrapping the ball in greased paper or cloth, tying it off, and then wrapping the powder in the remaining paper or cloth which was still attached to the ball and tying it off. That way the entire requirement for one shot could be retrieved in a faster manner. You tear open that part of the paper that holds the powder, pour a little of the powder in the frizzen pan, pour the rest of the powder into the barrel, put the wrapped ball in the muzzle with the remaining paper attached, and ram it into the barrel on top of the powder, and you are ready to shoot.

Bountyhunter

Well, like they say, you learn something new every day! <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks