The first step.

Is admitting you have a problem.

Hi, my name is Jim and I'm an addict.  I can't help myself.  It is beyond my control.  I am a oldguncollectoraholic.  I see old guns and I just can't stop myself from getting them at reasonable or better prices.  Today, I went down to Jackson Armory to pick up my Martini Henry I had some work done on and walked out with this as well.

 

 



It's a Smith Corona WW2 vintage M1903A3.  Original stock, but otherwise a good arsenal example.  Gauged at less than a 1.5 on the muzzle and throat. So, in general, a good shooter.  Which is what I have been looking for.  Honest.  No really! I've been looking for an 03 or 03a3.  No, I'm not lying. I was.  I swear.  Fine, don't believe me.

Anyway, I've found a oldguncollectorsaholics anonymous group.  We meet every Tuesday afternoon at Jackson Armory.
 

I can neither...

Confirm nor deny that the following pic may or may not be a representation or not of the Savage rifle that may or may not have been mentioned or not in the last post

or not....

 

The things you find when you're not looking...

So, I'm driving through $SmallTown Nebraska today. Don't ask.. okay, you can ask, but I'm not explaining why.  And right smack dab on my route south is a gun and pawn shop.  "Kismet?", thinks I. So, I stop and skip on in. I'm still trying to find ammo for my Springfield Trapdoor and I'm having an extraordinary lack of luck in that department.

Other than on guy in North Dakota who's convinced that ALL .45-70Gov is low pressure. Because, you know, it's a hunting round.

Yeah, I'm still trying to figure that one out too.

Not wanting to blow a 135 year old gun up in my face, I told the guy he was flat wrong.  I think those were my exact words too.  That felt sort of good and liberating.  Ya'know?

Anyway, so I saunter up to the ammo case below a rack of consignment guns in the pawn shop and the owner (I assume) greeted me and asked if he could help.  Told him I was looking for ammo. He asked, .22? And we both had a little chuckle over that one.  Then I told him I was actually looking for .45-70Gov for a trapdoor.  He said the only .45-70 he has was a box of extreme and he pointed down to the bottom shelf.

Low and behold, what is sitting under it, but this.

Now, the box is slightly yellowed like it's been on the shelf for a while and I couldn't remember how rare or common or easy or hard to find 7.65 Argentine is. So, after a couple of quick calls to a couple of my guys...

Yes, I have guys, thanks Lawdog and NFO, to see if anyone we knew had anything to use this, I bought it on principle.

So, I've got a box of 7.65 Argentine. Possibly rare, possibly not. possibly old, possibly not.  Anyone need it? I'll trade you straight up round for round for .45-70Gov. I think Remington make a low pressure black powder safe round in .405gr.

Oh, and I bought the Savage 1899A lever action rifle made in 1911 from the gun rack above it too.  Did I forget to mention that?

Tyranny Alert

Via Tam:

http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.ca/2013/07/cradle-and-grave-of-liberty-part-deux.html

This is what a police states looks like folks.  On the day when we in this country are supposed to be celebrating our freedom FROM tyranny we have those who would subjugate us doing their best to do just that. 

We need to mobilize the gun owning public and make this go viral.  We may be beyond the point where shining the light of day upon this kind of action will kill it, but we are never beyond the point of fighting against this.

Happy United States Independence Day

I hope you all have a great 4th of July. For those of you who can, be careful with the fireworks.

And please, while you all are going about your day today, seeing friends, cooking out, whatever, take a moment and remember those who have served in our armed forces.  They have made, make, and will ensure that this day's celebrations remain possible. Also, please say a prayer for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our country and our way of life.