{posted by Amanda Bennett, VP}
The adventures of Jeff (my husband) continues...if you know him at all, you probably wouldn't be surprised if I told you that this showed up at my office today...
In the winter months, he replaced his love of golf and the putting green in our front yard with air gunning. After Jeff inquired about purchasing a firearm, and I gave him a firm "NO", Jeff decided he would go out and by a powerful air rifle instead. His clever rational was that it was technically not a firearm even though it can take down a 300lb wild boar. After this first purchase his typcal relentless research began and endless hours on forums and internet sites were spent. He has sent some of the guns to a special gunsmith in South Carolina who is known only as "Charlie Da Tuna" to have them "tuned". Soon after he started to learn about airgun tuning and taught himself how to do the work himself. One day I found him in the garage building what he told me was a "Mainspring Compressor". What it looked like to me was a bad science project. Nevertheless, he managed to completely disassemble one of his favorite rifles and rebuild it to shoot smoother and more accurately. He wouldn't admit it, but I have a feeling he wasn't completely confident in his own safety when he pulled the trigger for the first time. Did I mention there are about six scopes laying around too? I won't get into that, but his most recent interest in the sport is night vision.
Currently, a gun rack now hangs in my basement with four different airguns... and containers of pellets line the shelving units in the basement. Every couple of days another little trinket arrives on my doorstep, just symbolizing his love of the sport.
Recently he attempted to get in touch with Tom Gaylord,a living legend in the air gun world, celebrity contributor to Pyramid Air and host of American Airgunner tv show. He wanted to thank him for his knowledge in the sport and let him know how much is has meant to him through a tough year or so. Jeff purchased Tom's picks in air rifles. Thinking that his efforts would go unnoticed, he received this email back shortly thereafter:
Jeff,
I read your very nice email about all the pleasure airgunning has brought you. Edith (Tom's wife) and I will pray for the safe delivery of your daughter in July.
I hope you join is on the daily blog, because I think that's where I have the most fun. Airgunning is still a great source of pleasure for me, and when someone like you tells me how much you enjoy it, I feel rewarded.
As for my picks, I think about guys like you when I write them and when I select them. They aren't just picked for convenience or money. I really mean it when I pick something. And so I'm pleased to hear that you are enjoying them as well.
You have a long time to enjoy this hobby. Airgunning has never been as alive and vibrant as it is right now, so you are in on what will perhaps someday be called the "Golden Years." When you get to be my age others will ask you what it was like to live through these times, and you will have wonderful stories to tell.
I hope you continue to grow with the hobby and that airgunning continues to be a source of pleasure for the rest of your life.
Tom Gaylord
In appreciation, his staff sent us the Daisy Pink 1998 BB Gun as a shower gift for our baby on the way. While I don't necessarily want my child having a gun, especially BEFORE she is out of the womb... I appreciate the the thoughtfulness :-)
So he can't buy a firearm because his wife says 'No'? Will the wife be defending the family if they get carjacked or their home invaded? Hope the BB gun and the nine iron is enough....
Posted by: Don | 29 July 2010 at 05:28 PM