Ummm, I have a problem ....

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 4:57 pm

I haven't looked at or handled my rifles in over a year

And of the short guns, I haven't looked at any of them except my S&W 25-5 and IJ since April of 2011. To be honest, they could have dissolved away and I wouldn't know it.

Been too busy doing other things to bother with them. Shows you just how IL has ruined me. Oh well, we'll see what happens next year.

You know, I wonder if this might have something to do with all the whimpering and whining I hear sometimes.

Joe

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:12 pm

Indiana is but a short way East of you...

COSteve · Post by **COSteve** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:27 pm

Sad, very sad.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:37 pm

AJMD429 wrote:Indiana is but a short way East of you...

You have no idea how many times I've suggested that to my wife. Somehow I can't get her to cooperate. I've even considered hog tying her and tossing her into the back of the truck. Not sure how she'd go for that.

COSteve wrote:Sad, very sad.

Ain't it though.

Joe

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:58 pm

Hang in there Joe. You do need to go blow the dust out of a few bores though and the best way to do it is with lead and powder.

Dan 444 · Post by **Dan 444** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:08 pm

Joe,
Being trapped here in Connecticut, I understand. Can't wait to retire and escape.

Best,
Dan

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:45 am

earlmck · Post by **earlmck** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:45 am

Hmmm -- this is bad, Joe. But the bunch here is about to pry Dixieboy out of his swamp in Florida -- what would it take to get you and the wife out of the horrible state of Ill?

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:55 am

I hear ya Joe. I hadn't handled any of my firearms since June of 2011 when I took my visiting nephew to the range. About 2 weeks ago I can across a larger bolt handle for the 10/22 on fleabay so I bought it and it gave me an excuse to open the safe to get my 10/22 out to install the new handle. Looked the guns over and wiped down with an oil rag as needed. This weekend the first of upland bird season but 60 mile drive there and back just not doable with current gas prices and my very fixed income. I sure do miss Maui with great weekly deer hunting 5 minutes away.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:08 am

Sorry to hear. That's rough. Chuck is right though, just get to the range and fire a few rounds. It will transform your outlook like magic. Hang in there!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 8:38 am

BlaineG wrote:You ain't getting any younger.....

No kidding. Nobody knows that more than I do. Every morning I look in the mirror and stare at the old man that's looking back at me. Where did he come from? Who is he? And why does he haunt me?

earlmck wrote:Hmmm -- this is bad, Joe. But the bunch here is about to pry Dixieboy out of his swamp in Florida -- what would it take to get you and the wife out of the horrible state of Ill?

You got email.

Friends Call Me Ji wrote:I hear ya Joe. I hadn't handled any of my firearms since June of 2011 when I took my visiting nephew to the range. About 2 weeks ago I can across a larger bolt handle for the 10/22 on fleabay so I bought it and it gave me an excuse to open the safe to get my 10/22 out to install the new handle. Looked the guns over and wiped down with an oil rag as needed. This weekend the first of upland bird season but 60 mile drive there and back just not doable with current gas prices and my very fixed income. I sure do miss Maui with great weekly deer hunting 5 minutes away.

It's probably just as impossible for you to move back to Maui as it is for me to get back to Arizona.

Chuck 100 yd wrote:Hang in there Joe. You do need to go blow the dust out of a few bores though and the best way to do it is with lead and powder.

OldWin wrote:Sorry to hear. That's rough. Chuck is right though, just get to the range and fire a few rounds. It will transform your outlook like magic. Hang in there!

I will have to see if I can find a range nearer to me that doesn't cost an arm and leg to join. The "clubs" around here know they have a limited space to shoot and a large batch of members so many of them charge rich people memberships.
I'm poor folk, just can't afford it.

Dan 444 wrote:Joe,
Being trapped here in Connecticut, I understand. Can't wait to retire and escape.

Best,
Dan

ESCAPE is the word. Ain't no other way out of here.

Joe

Dave B · Post by **Dave B** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:23 pm

Don't feel too bad Joe, here in Arizona I haven't looked at my rifles since last November's deer hunt.
I might go over to Ben Avery just to fire off a few 348s before my December hunt.

Dave B

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:11 pm

J Miller wrote:
AJMD429 wrote:Indiana is but a short way East of you...
You have no idea how many times I've suggested that to my wife. Somehow I can't get her to cooperate. ...Joe

She did once, and a good time was had by all.

Just because I'm not there doesn't mean you cant go...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:41 am

Dave B wrote:Don't feel too bad Joe, here in Arizona I haven't looked at my rifles since last November's deer hunt.
I might go over to Ben Avery just to fire off a few 348s before my December hunt.

Dave B

Dave,
I know that wonderful range as "The Black Canyon Shooting Range". I simply cannot call it the Bxx Axxxx range.
Anyway, do they still have the big trays of brass for sale? Last time I was there they had several wooden trays and a trailer filled with brass for sale. I spent a lot of time digging for calibers I was shooting.

I used to go there every Wednesday morning. Most times I had the range to myself.

Old Ironsights wrote:
J Miller wrote:
AJMD429 wrote:Indiana is but a short way East of you...
You have no idea how many times I've suggested that to my wife. Somehow I can't get her to cooperate. ...Joe
She did once, and a good time was had by all.

Just because I'm not there doesn't mean you cant go...

OI,

Making a trip to IN is OK, it's moving that's not happened. We're still trying.
Although I didn't want to get into this subject again.

Joe

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:00 pm

Joe, you just need to plan it out, make it happen. Get the heck outta Dodge. Pick two or three areas that you'd find acceptable and then do the search - get the job, do what you have to do to make it happen.

It will all be worth it after you move and like said, the longer you wait, the harder it'll get.

Now's the time - Romney will win the election and things will pick up - business will be hiring.

Have you looked at Montana and Wyoming? Where the oil business is booming and they need workers? And pay is good? And you can shoot your guns without hassle - no FOID cards needed.... IL is a communist state.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:04 pm

Arizona has changed drastically since we were there Joe. There's a swarm of people there now....buzzing around like angry bees and housing covering many of the old stomping grounds. You can't walk/drive out into the desert and shoot anymore, at least East of Mesa and pretty sure it's the same all around that area. My brother and dad have a hard time trying to find somewhere to shoot and usually drive to Casa Grande. I think there are better places to look at now, which are more like the places we enjoyed then. Up towards Mescalero wouldn't be bad, if you could find an affordable place to live. Where there's a will there's a way.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 1:21 pm

Joe,

Comforting words don't work here.

Once they throw the dirt in your face, its all over.

We are all in control of our own destiny. Like OSOK says, "Make it happen". Our forefathers saw to it we all have that opportunity.

No excuses--------------------Sixgun

tman · Post by **tman** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 3:19 pm

Took the shotgun for a walk in the woods yesterday trying to scare up a turkey for it, no luck. First time out since end of january

. Workinging too many hours. Know how you feel.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:05 pm

Well I finally got back on...........
Thank you Dixie Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All I am waiting for is the reclamation bond to take affect, and the mining endeavor will move forward.
Perhaps some opportunities will present themselves.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 8:52 pm

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 9:12 pm

Topic shift in progress. Joe isn't going there.

Joe

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 9:14 pm

Never been to Cornville, but Cottonwood is nice, right by the Verde River, lots of open space, folks tend to mind thier own buisiness.
Known you on the forum long enough to know that you probably would not " jive " with the folks in Sedonna.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 9:33 pm

I think I put this reply in the wrong post?

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:08 pm

Joe -

Sorry to hear this. I haven't been able to shoot much at all the last year. Between the new job and the car accident in March, I just haven't had the time. I have been looking at my guns plenty though!

Gotta dream!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:20 pm

Mescalero wrote:I think I put this reply in the wrong post?

No, I deleted the topic shift

Sedona, and it's "vortex" is weird. I have real good friends there that have a shop, but, they live in Cornville....Me like mucho

Might be someplace to settle into someday, or, at least a lot I could put a camper on whenever I wanted to....I miss having stuff around that can crawl in your shoe and kill ya

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:32 pm

My girlfriend and her daughter wanted to go to the " harmonic convergence " in Sedonna some years ago.
The only thing I saw converge was Chevy 1/2 ton pickup and a Toyota Corolla, it was not very " harmonic "

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:49 pm

Mescalero wrote:My girlfriend and her daughter wanted to go to the " harmonic convergence " in Sedonna some years ago.
The only thing I saw converge was Chevy 1/2 ton pickup and a Toyota Corolla, it was not very " harmonic "

Yep.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:54 pm

Got a kick out of that did you?
It happened.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:01 am

Mescalero wrote:Got a kick out of that did you?
It happened.

It was funny the way you put it, but thinking about it more deeply, I hope no one was hurt!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 6:42 am

When a Toyota crashes, it sounds pentatonic, harmonically speaking....Zen, it burns....

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:14 am

I'd also forget the Valley (phx area). I never really cared for it in any event, waaay too many people. The Verde Valley is good country. Camp Verde and Cottonwood (and cornville) are very gun freindly country, with plenty of public land to get out on and shoot, hunt and roam around. The Sedona area sure is pretty, and some nice country to explore, even if the freaky new age folks have claimed it. Didn't hurt my appreciation of the country though. Some really pretty areas to hike and take pictures. Only a few people seemed annoyed that I was packing a sixgun. I figured they were tourists. They got over it, I guess. I didnt take a poll.

I used to get down that way in the winter to visit, but it's been years since I made that trip. Sure miss that country in the winter. Not was warm as Phx in winter, but not as hot in the summer either.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:41 am

When I left Phx in 99 I could go pretty much anywhere around the area that was not within the city limits or State Trust Land and shoot to my hearts content.
When I went back in 02 to visit my brother my two step sons and I went out and ran into no shooting signs where ever we went. Made me a bit peeved.
So I'm pretty much aware of the anti shooting movement ruining the Arizona concept.
When I say I want to move to AZ, I do not mean the Phoenix valley area specifically, but somewhere in AZ. My wife has been researching areas other than Phx and has found some really nice places. She's pretty infatuated with the Camp Verde area.

The only time I was in the Sedona area we went swimming in the creek and I found an ice cold bottle ( remember deposit bottles ) of 7-UP. Mom, me and my Grand mom really enjoyed that bottle of soda.

One of the problems I have is about 5'5" tall and is named SWMBO. She has arthritis in her knees and the cold is beginning to make her life miserable.
I have mentioned Wyoming many times. But she counters with the "I don't want the cold" thing. So somewhere in between I guess.

OK, so I stumbled into the topic shift.

Oh well.

Joe

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:10 am

Joe, I think the dry county and overall fairly mild weather in the Verde would be good for both of you. The Verde Valley encompasses Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Cornville and Sedona. There's mountains all around that get snow, making it real pretty, but it doesnt snow much or last long in the Verde, as the days are generally sunny and warm in the winter, at least in the 50's.

As much I as I love Wyoming, I sure wouldnt mind being able to winter down that way. There's a lot to do in the winter there.

I ran into a bunch of older guys out on Forest Service land once, they were a regular group that got together to shoot 22's once a week. There was a dozen or so of them, and they were having a blast. I shot with them a time or two. That country is full of shooters and decent gun shops. Flag is close enough to go enjoy the snow in the winter, or get out of the moderate heat in the summer. It's a real pretty drive either way you go also. Oak Creek Canyon being the most scenic.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:23 pm

You need to get out here and get me started on where The Lost Adams Diggings are /is actually located.
The problem is I think I actually know where to look.
Forget the earthquake covering uo the hole theory, a check with the US Geological Society shows no significant activity in the area.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:48 pm

On my one and only visit to the States I found Sedona and especially Oak Creek Canyon to be absolutely beautiful....I hope to return someday.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:40 pm

I am glad that you, as an Englishman; got to see it.
I think people from other countries view our natural resources from a different perspective.
We americans tend to take these things for granted, where outlanders are sometimes stunned by how large and grand this land is.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:41 pm

game keeper wrote:On my one and only visit to the States I found Sedona and especially Oak Creek Canyon to be absolutely beautiful....I hope to return someday.

. I love it there too GK....lots of great memories driving from Flag down there with my Dad. Slide rock was always fun and neat exploring around Sedona. I don't think most of us quite fit in there now. They wouldn't like our "harmonic convergence" I'm betting!

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:49 pm

Chris,
I should have never told you about that trip to Sedonna

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:50 pm

C. Cash wrote:... I don't think most of us quite fit in there now. They wouldn't like our "harmonic convergence" I'm betting!

You can just chuckle at them when you see them. Not everyone is Sedona is into the vortex voodoo stuff. Not that there's any shortage of them around Sedona, but they certainly dont own the place. Even us old fuddy duddy gun cranks can come and go as we please, and chuckle at anyone we please.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:54 pm

The girlfriend still gets mad at me when I trll that story

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 2:00 pm

Some friends of mine there called it the moronic convergence.

One family had a motel room there, they left all their stuff on "The Day", with a note that the motel could do with it as they pleased, as they were going up in the space ship that day (the story was that on "The Day" of the harmonic convergence, that if enough people gathered around it and prayed hard, Bell Rock would rise in the air, and the space ship trapped underneath would be freed, and would take people up in space with them).

They came back later and sheepishly asked for their stuff back.

Dave B · Post by **Dave B** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 2:15 pm

Joe, I don't remember if the range has brass for sale, it has been 4 or 5 years since I was there. I do remember the guys that worked there in 2005-06 were picking up my brass like they were keeping it for personel use. (This was before I got smart and started reloading).
There have been changes on BLM land regarding recreational shooting that is for the better.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/19603 ... thern-ariz
I remember we used to go shooting years ago above Lake Pleasant off of Table Mesa Rd. on BLM land. I might look into if we can shoot there again, I enjoyed it much more than the range.

Dave B

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:09 pm

Malamute wrote:

Some friends of mine there called it the moronic convergence.

One family had a motel room there, they left all their stuff on "The Day", with a note that the motel could do with it as they pleased, as they were going up in the space ship that day (the story was that on "The Day" of the harmonic convergence, that if enough people gathered around it and prayed hard, Bell Rock would rise in the air, and the space ship trapped underneath would be freed, and would take people up in space with them).

They came back later and sheepishly asked for their stuff back.

At least they didn't leave their "shells" behind...

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:12 pm

Mescalero wrote:Chris,
I should have never told you about that trip to Sedonna

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:04 pm

J Miller wrote:I know that wonderful range as "The Black Canyon Shooting Range". I simply cannot call it the Bxx Axxxx range.
Anyway, do they still have the big trays of brass for sale? Last time I was there they had several wooden trays and a trailer filled with brass for sale. I spent a lot of time digging for calibers I was shooting.

I used to go there every Wednesday morning. Most times I had the range to myself.

Joe

I was at Black Canyon just a few days ago (that's the name I know it by too). Up in Phoenix on a business trip so I took the boys to the range on a down morning. Went to the funshow on Sunday, scored a Czech CZ-52 pistol with two boxes of Wolf Gold ammo and the mil-surp holster for $200. Taking the boys to Cabella's tonight to look around and score some ammo for another range outing. Nothing like blowing off steam following days-long meetings with a morning at the range!!

My buddy John shot my Uberti 1871 open top in .45 Colt like a laser but he and the boys loved my Uberti 1873 .357 the best. They were blown away by how well they shot them vs. the cop guns they usually shoot. Single actions! Love 'em!!

Ya gotta get out and shoot Joe. It does the heart and soul good.

Best,
Oly

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:55 pm

Oly,

Oh Lord does those pics make me home sick.

Yeah, I'll give it a good try. I usually go shooting on or the day after election day. Not sure I can dig up the range fees this time though.

Joe

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:26 pm

Good thing I have a good supply of Vodka,
I think I will need it before the night is over.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:48 pm

Mescalero wrote:Good thing I have a good supply of Vodka,
I think I will need it before the night is over.

Same here Amigo!!!

jb

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:53 pm

Going to be a long night!

DixieBoy · Post by **DixieBoy** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 7:05 pm

That is very good news about all that BLM land being opened up to shooting in Arizona. Last time we had a thread about this - and yes, Joe Miller was eyeball deep in that one too

- it ended on a kinda sad note, like an awful lot of the shooting opportunities were closed off. So, any opening up of shooting areas is welcomed.

My Arizona shooting experience is not nearly as extensive as a lot of you guys, but in one area I think I did pretty well. Our family lived out there - Scottsdale - in 1962 and Dad took me and my brothers to Elephant Butte to go shooting the .22's and his Stevens .22 Hornet, and his Marlin .30-30 a number of times. I loved the place.

We talked about this too in that old thread. Mescalero was in on this one too. Some of you guys had me thinking that I was crazy, remembering Elephant Butte, and I got to wondering if my own memories had gone haywire. Well, there is an Elephant Butte, and it's in Pinal County, and yes, we did shoot there. Found it online, and some darn nice photographs of the place as it looks today too. I pretty much doubt that there is shooting that goes on there now, as it looks like hikers have come to love the place. Can't say that I blame them. But this news about the opening up of more shooting areas in Arizona is welcome news to my thinking.

Hmmm... wonder if Mescalero needs a strong back to help out with his mining operation ? - DixieBoy