[IrishCop]

Monday this week, my wife and I were out and about. She wanted to go to Wally World and I didn't. She offered to drop me off at my local favorite gun store in the little town of Hartselle, with admonishments not to go nuts. You'd think after 34 years of marriage she'd know better than that.

Honest, I wasn't planning on buying anything. But as I was shooting the bull with my favorite salesman, I looked up at the shelves behind the counter, and my eyes widened (I'm pretty sure the guy knew he had me on the hook right there).

There, hanging on a nail, was a used Colt's Detective special, second issue. I asked to see it. It was in pretty good shape, showing only some honest wear at the barrel and a few very minor dings. It was also wearing a pair of Barami Hip Grips, which I had heard about, but never seen or owned. The price was fair.

In all seriousness, my wife and I have an agreement; we never make a major purchase without consulting each other, if for no other reason than to prevent an inadvertent bank overdraft. So, when she came back to retrieve her lump of a husband, I begged, pleaded, whined and cajoled her until she gave in.

The serial number dates the Colt to 1970, and I am pleased with just how that simple little tab on the grip holds the gun in my waistband. They are pretty slick feeling, but the little Colt seems to kick substantially less than my Model 49, so a grippier grip (?) isn't missed much.

Oh, and the guy behind the counter threw in a box of Hornady 110 grain FTX Critical Defense. When was the last time you seen that happen?

 

[shep854]

That sounds like how my M-10 followed me home, except no ammo nor having to explain to the Significant Other.

Some deals you just can't find by hunting; you have to stumble upon them!

 

[IrishCop]

Ain't that the truth, Pete? In my more mobile days, I stop by that shop 2 or 3 times a week, and would go months without seeing anything I just HAD (or could afford) to have.

Now I go weeks or months between visits, and still don't spot that one I-Gotta-Have-It-gun.

 

[shep854]

Ain't that the truth, Pete? In my more mobile days, I stop by that shop 2 or 3 times a week, and would go months without seeing anything I just HAD (or could afford) to have.

Now I go weeks or months between visits, and still don't spot that one I-Gotta-Have-It-gun.

Sounds like you've been doing pretty good recently, though. What I have to wrestle with is that I really don't have money to spare, but when I know that I'll likely not see such a deal again, well...

It seems like the, "I don't have the money to spare" ploy is what brings those rare deals out of hiding. When I'm flush, everything is common as dirt and priced out of sight.

 

[IrishCop]

Yeah, same reason I hardly ever go to gun shows. When I have the time, I don't have the money. When I have the money, I don't have the time.

 

[stand watie]

IrishCop,

fwiw, the BIG SATX show is this weekend & "duckie" was "dumb enough" to tell me that she & Terri (her best GF) are going out both SAT & SUN to "do girl stuff" AND that i should go to the gunshow BOTH days!

i wonder what i "just cannot live without"?
(CHUCKLE!)

yours, sw

 

[IrishCop]

Good Luck and Good Hunting, SW. Ain't it great when the girls say "We're going shopping!"? And during a Gun Show! Ahhh, sweet serenity.

Jeez, I haven't been to San Antonio since 1980. I had lived there for a year '69-70 when my Dad was stationed at Kelly. Then of course basic and tech school at Lackland. In '80 I was on the PACAF team shooting the SP Rifle/Pistol matches there. The wife joined me from Georgia. We did get to take in the Alamo and River Walk. Maybe we'll make it back one day.

 

[WaltGraham]

My wife went shopping and left me with the dog...

...and a mop...

 

[Charlie Petty]

Geez guys you're making me homesick. I was at Lackland long before you but the Alamo and river walk were good for me too. They knew my name at the Pearl and Lone Star breweries for as long as you didn't cause trouble- or stay too long- you could drink free. I went to Topperweins gun shop and the gun show. Sadly airman pay didn't leave a lot of room and most of that was spent on flying at the aero club. But now and then I'd score a $25 1911 and after the torch and beating on it a bit it would magically turn into a $100 bill and if I was smart and lucky I'd get two guns and lots of hours in a Cessna. It was a simpler time.

Now I can't afford to even look at airplanes and GI 1911s are out of reach and now I have to be content with old S&Ws and the occasional King gun and I have to pay for the beer. Poor me...:cryinlaugh:

 

[shep854]

Guns and Cessnas...the good life...

 

[IrishCop]

Topperweins Gun Shop? Was that the exhibition shooter, Charlie?

Never made it to any of the Gun Stores there, but when I was stationed at Minot, there was a mom and pop gun store named Harvey's. He actually financed guns. A little down and a little a month (pretty high interest of course) allowed a young E-5 with 3 kids to not only acquire a nice collection of handguns, but to start reloading, which actually allowed me to shoot the guns I had. That store was the only good thing about Minot.

Now days it's cash and carry, with the occasional beating taken on a trade in. (Sigh...)

 

[IrishCop]

My wife went shopping and left me with the dog...

...and a mop...

Don't feel bad, Walt. I can't clean gutters yet, but the little woman does remind me when it's time to vacuum or dust. Other chores are added after one of my impulse buys. And I always have the dog.

 

[William R. Moore]

What kinda dog? Would you consider a trade for a (few) horses? One's real affectionate and another's an attention sponge.

 

[SpecialEd]

I love threads like this, you guys crack me up. I feel like I'm sitting in Floyd's Barber Shop with old friends.

 

[IrishCop]

What kinda dog? Would you consider a trade for a (few) horses? One's real affectionate and another's an attention sponge.

She's a 4 year old Chocolate lab...smart, but goofy if that makes any sense. As a puppy she'd run down our hallway, her rear end would try to overtake her front end and she'd run into a wall. On seeing that, may wife said,"graceful, isn't she?" So we named her Gracie.

As to the trade, if my grandsons read this board, I'd be in trouble. They'd vote for the horse(s). But I'm kinda fond of the hound.

 

[IrishCop]

I love threads like this, you guys crack me up. I feel like I'm sitting in Floyd's Barber Shop with old friends.

But you are, SpecialEd. You are. It's just the 21st Century version. :thumbsup:

 

[WaltGraham]

This would be the dog...

although he's a lot bigger now...

 

[stand watie]

to: "the barbershop gents".

fwiw, the MAIN thing that i'm looking for at the SA gunshow is a Remington semi-auto rifle in .35 whelen. ======> a WV friend of mine's wife is about 5'4" & weighs about 115# dripping wet. she shoots a Remington 750 carbine in that caliber comfortably as her deer/elk/bear/everything rifle, so i'm guessing that i can do OK with it even with my "current physical issues" with back/shoulders.


fyi, Molly took a pronghorn doe, 4 mulies, a black bear, an elk & a puma last year. AND she & my "crossbow buddy", "GuideGirl" are planning a 2013 trip to Africa to hunt Cape Buffalo. (GG is planning to take a buff with her 170# crossbow! - GG took a 15ft gator & a HUGE elk in 2010 with her CB!) = she should have been named: DIANA.
(i keep hoping that she & "duckie" will become "best GF" & that hunting/shooting is "contagious".)

yours, sw

 

[Charlie Petty]

Yes it was the exhibition shooter. I don't know if he was gone by then or not, but the shop had lots of pictures and memorabilia.

I went to the Louisville gun show over the weekend and was shocked by prices. I think I found the only bargain in the show, a King gun that followed me home...

 

[SpecialEd]

But you are, SpecialEd. You are. It's just the 21st Century version. :thumbsup:

Pass the cyber Witch hazel will ya...