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OMG, Stephen, that's amazing. When I first looked at that photo I thought it was a Yeti. Upon closer inspection I thought it was my first wife. But, nope, it's a bear. If you ever see one get hosed by a skunk, please don't try rubbin' 'em down with tomato juice. And for gosh sake don't try the Michael Bell technique by showering with the big black bugger.

07/02/15 11:45 AM

#1377

Jan Barnes (Nimtz)

My cowboy heading for some target practice.

07/02/15 01:01 PM

#1378

Jan, your cowboy is so lucky. I have a fair collection of flintlock and percussion rifles and pistols (all black powder stuff) but never get to shoot them. How great it would be to just step out back and plink away. Tuff life, lol.

07/02/15 07:00 PM

#1379

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

My new targets will be set off of the back porch in about three days. The field got cut and bailed and when the cutter comes to pick them up, he is setting me two ranges with two bails behind each other. I'm not into powder but have a nice collection of rifles, etc for target practice. The coyotes are frequent around our neighborhood. Sorry, Roger, you don't live up here - you'd be welcomed and Jan can bring her cowboy. Now we have lots to talk about at the reunion.

07/03/15 10:49 AM

#1380

So happy Ed is enjoying his well earned retirement.

07/03/15 07:13 PM

#1381

Sue Aiken (St. John)

Jan, I noticed the Cattle Raisers sign on the fence. I have a strong connection with that as my brother-in-law has been President of that organization as well as the National onw I think. What's your connection? Been active in the organization?

07/03/15 10:18 PM

#1382

Dianna Dudley (Westmoreland)

Thanks for the welcome, Joannna. That really would be great and a fun topic to chat about at the reunion. I do have a few "modern" guns...an AR 15, a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle and a 1911 pistol. But I prefer the muzzleloaders because they are fairly accurate out to 200 yards or so which, for open sight shooting, is far enough for my old eyes. And I can shoot all day long for 50 cents instead of the $150 the others usually end up costing me for a day of plinking. But mainly I love the nostalgia of experiencing how our ancestors slung lead around. The new lower residue powders are great, too.

Now all I need is a ranch and I'll be all set!

07/04/15 08:29 AM

#1383

So very interesting reading these posts! Funny how so many our age are politically incorrect with guns! I have a CHL And have had guns my entire life. Living in the country it is a must as I am not fond of racoons killing my small animals and getting in my feed, skunks smelling up the surroundings, armadillos digging holes in my barm and possums making messes! Not to mention snakes & turtles ( eating my baby ducks)! If critters do not work and play well with others, they are not welcome on my ranch. I am in charge of a charity gun show in Navasota (July 18 & 19) and it is a big event every year. Actually I lead a very laid back life, but.... :-)). So looking forward to the reunion Hope everyone has a fabulous Fourth of July!!

07/04/15 08:38 AM

#1384

Roger, I'm up there with you. My favorite of the hand guns is my 1911 that my husband customized for me. I can pull that triger all day long without any kick. I do have a Blazer 6BR (beautiful rifle) and the 223 not to mention my Volquartzen 14 and a 22. Bill has his own guns he likes to shoot with. It has been a while since I've done any of my bench rest shooting. Now that the targets are set in the back yard (field), all my husband and I have to do is to set our large bench rest table up shoot from. And, if a stupid coyote just happens to come by, I'll have a "moving" target I need to get pictures of my SW Comander 1911 and the 6BR so I can share them with you.

07/06/15 12:32 AM

#1385

I would love to see those photos, Joanna. Wow, you have the really cool stuff! Also, I would love to learn how he customized your 1911 for so little kick. I bought a compensator for mine but it only helped a little.

I would love to make it to that Navasota gunshow this month, Diana. Love going to those things. I just go to look around though. Never to buy anything. I just can't ever figure out how I manage to leave with more guns and stuff than I arrived with! How is that possible?

I was at a range in Rockport a few months ago with an employee of mine and he brought his collection of about 8 or 10 pistols. The one that really amazed me was his .44 Magnum revolver (I forget the manuf.). At 50 ft. standing I put a group of 6 rounds in a circle just slightly larger than 1". I couldn't begin to do that with any of his other guns or mine...not even close. And that was using his reloads that he said weren't as accurate as factory rounds. Mighta been a fluke but I loved that gun and will probably purchase one soon...but in a smaller caliber. Think I'll take it skeet shooting....LOL

07/06/15 11:41 AM

#1386

William "Bill" Hand

It is nice to see that so many of us "Senior Citizens" are interested in shooting. We still make it a family thing a few times a year. My son recently got me a almost mint condition M-1 Garand through the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program). Still my favorite old school rifle. I can keep a tight group at 100 yards with open sights inspite of my aging eyes. It was also the first weapon that I qualified on in the Army right before the M-14 and later the M-16. Being on the rifle team at Waltrip and the Army gave me skills that have lasted a lifetime.

07/07/15 09:52 AM

#1387

Hey Bill, thank you for your service to your country. I get a strange feeling every time says that to me because in 1968 upon my return from 'Nam I was met by hostilty and indifference. Now I am given honor and praise for serving. I have thought a lot about why the change. I think the current gratitude has alot to do with the current all volunteer armed forces and the guilt and relief of those that do not or did not serve are experiencing. I had a chance to buy an M1 back in the'70s through a gov. program offer to police officers for $125. I regret until this day not being able to afford it.

07/07/15 10:02 AM

#1388

Hey Johanna and Roger. Roger, you probably would not like the conversion of Johanna's 1911. Since she said it has no kick it is probably a .22 conversion which changes it from a self defense beast into a plinker.

07/07/15 10:17 AM

#1389

I still have my original service revolver, .357 S&W model 19-2 Combat Magnum and my '70 series Colt .45 Commander. A few years ago I inherited a S&Wt post war 38/44 Heavy Duty revolver which was the forerunner to the .357. If was shipped to the original owner from the factory in 1946. The 38/44 has an interesting origin and is sought out by collectors.

07/07/15 10:42 AM

#1390

Hey Roger, I forgot to tell you about my black powder rifle. I was working a hail storm in lexington,KY as an insurance adjuster in 2012 when I purchased a .36 caliber flintlock Kentucky Long Rifle built by Carlton Kemper in 1968. Kemper was the most prolific maker of handmade repo Kentucky long rifles, over 3,500.

07/07/15 12:48 PM

#1391

Yeah, Benny, my flintlock is a Kentucky long rifle too. Part of my fascination is my personal belief that they are one of the most beautiful rifles ever made. Beautiful, yes, practical, no. But they're darn fun to shoot.

My 2nd choice is the M1 Garand. Fell in love with them in NDCC at Waltrip. All that beautiful wood and built like a Sherman tank.

07/07/15 02:08 PM

#1392

Benny, my 1911 commander is a full blown .44 and is a full defence .44 - not a .22 plinker. I'm going to bring pictures to the reunion for Roger to see. Just because I am a woman, I handle a lot of fire power from all of my guns and rifles. I am a bench rest shooter. At my new home in Como, TX, I have a full 200 yd and 300 yd range right off my back porch. Roger, I think you will really like what you are going to see.

07/07/15 02:23 PM

#1393

James King

Wow, I'm surprised at the number of M1 Garand owners. I owned two at one time; serial #3609525 produced in March 1945 and #7006354 produced in 1984. Both produced by Springfield Armory. I sold the older rifle and still have the other. I was very impressed at how well the old rifle performed; shot straight and never malfunctioned. I have not fired the newer rifle.

Joanna, are you sure your Model 1911 is a .44? Mine is a .45 ACP.

07/07/15 04:32 PM

#1394

Typo. It is a full house custom colt 1911 .45 auto commander. It is beautiful and I am so proud to own it. I asked Roger Felton to send me his email so I could send to him the picture of it. My husband is going to write out exactly what he did to lighten the recoil for me. I got myself into the handgun and rifle sport years ago and it is a thrill to finally have a big piece of property whereby I have my own range.

07/07/15 05:14 PM

#1395

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

My 1911 is a Remington .45 cal. Nothing special about it. I hope you know how lucky you are Joanna to be able to step out the back door and poke holes in hay bales. Back in 1968 I became a member of a muzzleloading rifle club. There were about 10 of us I believe and our President met with Governor Preston Smith and formed "The Texas Army". It's grown a lot since then and I'm not active in it anymore but I still have my parchment certificate signed by the Gov making me a Colonel...gee, never got a promotion in 45 years!

One thing I'll never forget was when the club president found an old gatlin gun with his metal detector and rebuilt it. He took it out to the range and fired it bam bam bam at a bed sheet target almost a mile away. He also mowed down some pine trees. Awesome gun....

07/08/15 12:42 PM

#1396

Ok, reading all the gun comments, I gotta put my 10 cents in lol. Roger I have a Remington 1911 SR1 gov. issue with 5" barrel 45 cal in nickel. Also a Sig Sauer P290 .40 cal, a S&W 357 magnum 1" barrel, a Remington 870 pump action 12 gauge ,Beretta PX4 Storm 40 cal, Beretta carbine CX4 Storm 40 cal, and my fun fun AK47. My sister here in TN. has a farm and we have a shooting range set up for practice. In Memphis, I never leave the house that I am not armed. There are 2 things a woman should never leave home without. A cell phone and her gun, or guns. I will bring some pictures as well. Time is getting closer. I am starting to get excited. One saying I can say is very true. You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl.

07/09/15 09:28 AM

#1397