Woe is me...

I guess I need to roll the change in the gun savings. I'll need the extra. I'm very close to committed to two guns at once! Oh the shame of it all. I don't know what I'll do with this monkey on my back... Oh, please pity me. Find a government program to help me with my problem (preferably one that puts me on a maintenance program, say by loaning me new guns every month...).

All the above was said mostly in jest. No persons were harmed in this joking around.

S&W 34-1 "Kit Gun" and Instant Obsession

I've been reading Xavier Thoughts every day and then he posts about this S&W 34-1 that he's found and I'm suddenly drooling and otherwise exhibiting signs of firearms acquisition addiction. I've looked everywhere for one just like this. Round butt, blue, 2 inch barrel, in good shooting condition but what do I find, nothing under $400! Surprised me. Really surprised me. Disappointed, too. Now I'm exhibiting the classic signs of the addicts non-fullfillment of desire, namely, wide-eyed desperate running back and forth searching for the object of my desire accompanied by panting, shaking hands, and obsessive-compulsive checking of the gun-money in the wallet!

Pray for me. Better yet, write and tell me where one of these beauties might be available.

UPDATE: Exhaustive research shows that while folks are asking higher prices for these guns they are actually selling for prices $50 or so less than what is being asked. Thus a 90-95% gun sans box and tools is asking $400 but actually making a sale for about $325-350. Put that gun in a box and it seems that it will actually get another $10-25. Make it complete and new in the box (NIB) and suddenly you're looking at $400-450 depending on the condition of box and tools. Nickel? Bump that price up another $25 or so and condition is everything. A nickel gun with flaking is actually worth less than a 80% blued gun (it looks worse). Model 63s of both barrel lengths seem to be in the $375 range across the board, finish wear being less apparent on these guns.

As with all things, some folks seem to think that their particular gun is worth more and won't be talked down. Somehow you're cheating them, or trying, if you tell them that other guns of the same configuration are actually selling for a certain range. These are guns from which you must step back leaving your name and number if the owner reconsiders.

Game Sighting and Upcoming Seasons, et al

My licenses are in hand (except for the Federal migratory bird stamp), I've seen several deer at Mom's along with dove, rabbits, squirrels (of course). It has been forever since I've seen quail or even heard a call and turkeys won't come through until later (usually). I haven't jumped any grouse yet either but we do see them in this farm country (close to the National Forest). I think it could be a good season!

Bill of Sale

I was reading Xavier Thoughts and noticed this article on having a bill of sale. Yessirreee bob, that's what you need. Always. And please do add the seller's driver license number. You know, just in case. I once had an acquaintance who nearly went to jail for buying a stolen gun (unknowingly) and got out of it only because he saw the guy in a bar and dropped a dime on him.

Good stuff Xavier. (BTW, you've got me looking for a S&W 34...)

GPS

Could it be anymore confusing? This things are priced from less than $100 at the bottom end to more than $800! I've yet to suffer because I use a compass and a map and terrain association. Am I really missing something? Do I really need one? I've toyed with the idea for many years now but, when it comes down to it, I can't bring myself to spend the money. Am I cheap or wise?

It is so bad that I've put off posting this. Mapping I understand, navigation I understand (even using a sextant), I fail to see how they choose the combination of features, button location, etc. Maybe I'll just ask for a cheap $100 something model and see what it can do for me.

• Brunton


• Garmin


• Lowrance


• Magellan

Of course, as I write this my copy of Primitive Archer magazine shows up with an article on GPS. I think I need to read some more.

And Hank put me on to GPSDiscount.com

Concealed Carry Guns - Update

After reading a discussion of concealed carry guns on a forum I was forced to recognize that I had 3 .38 Spec/.357 Mag guns with essentially the same grip size. Those Pachmayrs essentially convert even the J-frame guns to K-frame concealability. So, I pulled the Pachmayrs off the M36 and will now try a Tyler T grip adapter (the ones for the K-frames won't fit in case you're wondering). This did wonders for concealability. I'll post a good pic when I get the Tyler T installed.