New member introductions thread ......

[frankie]

Just found the new site today. I'm a novice collector who sometimes makes a lucky find.

[tdevinney]

New here, came over since Culvers Shooting POst Closed.

[roland beaver]

If this works, I have made the move from CSP. Many will know me from postings there, but for others I offer a brief introduction.

I served in the Marine Corps 58/62, during which time I graduated from Small Arms Repair School, worked in depot level rebuild program refurbishing all small arms to near new condition. I was on the rifle team and pistol team representing my base (Barstow) in USMC championships, California State Championships, and other matches. I served as a marksmanship instructor between matches during that period. I was selected to become a RTE Gunsmith (Rifle Team Equipment) and became one of 26 men Corps wide that build match M1's & .45's, sniper rifles and various other precision weapons. Upon being reassigned overseas I served as an instructor in Small Arms Repair School on Okinawa.

After completing my enlistment I entered Law Enforcement, then moved on to employment in business operations. I continued to do gunsmithing on the side all those years. In 1970 I purchased a Sporting Goods Store in Delta, Colorado and expanded it into a full line gunshop with full gunsmithing operations. Initially I did all the gunsmithing, but as demand for that service grew I employed several graduates of the gunsmithing schools at Trinidad and at Denver.

I sold out the Sporting Goods store in 1983 and "retired" to Arkansas. I soon found it convenient and enjoyable to resume Service Rifle Competition and began working on rifles belonging to fellow shooters. That soon became a full time business and I outfitted a machine shop and a wood working shop to enable me to perform most all services "in house".

I have for many years machined my own barrels from blanks and carved my own stocks and handguards from planks. With these capabilities I offer many options of calibers, barrel lengths, stock configurations, wood selection, etc. in building fine custom M1 and M14 type rifles. I do my own parkerizing and make several special components for various purposes.

I build very neat, reliable, and accurate "Tanker" rifles, do "Scout" scope installations, and convert M1's to use M14 magazines.

I have enough acreage to have a 200 yard range out back for testing, practice, and pursuit of my own pleasure. I test fire each rifle at least 16 rounds on the range to ensure proper function, and to test the accuracy of match grade rifles.

My work is almost exclusively dedicated to M1 and M14 type rifles although I do also offer limited services on carbines, .45's, and '03's.

I have a large body of printed information and photos that I am working toward making available on a CD and will announce its availability here when ready to ship.

[soldierofhistory1898]

Hello to all !
I am a collector of U.S. military arms, uniforms and equipment.
I bought my first rifle fifty six years ago (at age 15)when I was too young to legally own one. I had my heart set on buying a Civil War musket that cost $35.00. But I could only come up with $15.00. So I had to be satisfied with a 45/70 rifle w/a four digit s/n + 100 rds. of 45/70-500 ctgs. in tinned cases that came out of a 1000 rd. crate the dealer had gotten from Bannermans. I sure wish I still owned that rifle( and still had those cartridges too)!
I used to be a reenactor till I got too old. I've done ''War of 1812'' at FT. Meigs in Ohio., Civil War with the NSSA in 50's & 60'S (C.W. centenial), Indian Wars (late 60's), went back to C.W. for the 125th, missed the S.A.W. in '98 but did W.W.ll for a number of years.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
Regards to all. R.J.Gray
P.S. I am in favor of a forum to discuss Black Powder as was suggested by another member. R. Gray (s.o.h. 1898)

[greasepot]

I'm comming over from CSP to try out the waters. I'm a Garand collector and am here to continue to obtain knowledge on Garands...hope to see some of the old experts.

[Mike N]

New member and just want to say Hi. Just wondering if anyone knows how many (Lee Enfields) L39A1's were made and how much are they going for.

[Country Gent]

Hi Everyone,

My user name of "Country Gent" was chosen with tongue in cheek. I do live in the Fingerlakes area of NYS and I try to be a gentleman, but there the similarity ends. I live in a modest ranch home - not a country manor.
Have been an avid CSP fan, but never joined or posted before. Have a small collection of rifles, but a big interest in everyones input on this web page.

[j-man]

Hey guys! j-man checking in. Generally into Canadian-issue blasters and love the Enfields. Great to have another resource available and look forward to learning a few things!

[tom gray]

Hi to all
I am a new member up in the wilds of NH
I have come over from CSP which was good. This looks like a great
sight & I hope to continue learning & sharing knowledge
Tom

[EMMANITE]

hello Y'ALL I'M A RETIRED GAS MAN 70 YRS OLD & VISIT THIS FORUM EVERY NITE SURE A LOT OF GOOD INFO. I LOVE GARANDS & carbines but i collect all military. hope this finds y'all well don arnett oh i live in eastern KY.