Shot History Today

[Tinman507]

Today I cut out of work a little early. My son and I went to our club to do a little shooting. Beautiful day, warm weather, no one at the range...Perfect.

We're shooting our carry arms, his G26 and my K9.
One of the club old timers, drives up. He's kind of the self appointed rangemaster and weapons expert. We stopped to say hello and to let him set a target. He said I'm not quite ready, you guys keep going. He offered my son a few pointers on grip and stance that helped him get better groups.

Then the old timer sets up in his stall and gets ready to shoot. He first pulls out a BEAUTIFUL old 1911. I looked over and said my God that's gorgeous. He walks to me and hands me the gun. It's an original 1911 US Army from 1918. It's a beautiful faded plum color. He sets it down and hands me a mag. Says go for it. I shot this work of art and with standard GI sights, I shot a 2" group at 7 yards. God that thing felt awesome. He then loads another mag and hands it to my son who was equally impressed.

He walks back to his bag and pulls out a P08 Luger in pristine condition. Hands it to the kid. It's got a stamp on it: 1914. This thing is beautiful as well. Felt so awesome in the hand. It didn't shoot as nice as the 1911 but it was thrilling to hold something that fine and that old.

Today was a really great day. I got to shoot some real history.

[kahrseye]

I'd be willing to bet that the old man felt the same way you did. Meaning that he saw the appreciation you had for his old guns and I'm sure he felt a lot of pride. It's so great when you can feel what others might have felt almost 100 years ago. Nice story.

[CJB]

My Luger was not a jam waiting to happen... shot GREAT... accurate considering the sights, and was a work of mechanical art.

I gave it to the doctor that fixed my back. A worthy exchange.

[RedRyder]

What a great experience tinman. Now that I'm getting up there a bit, I realize how much I need to appreciate the old people with experience that we'll never see. I'm actually surprised the old 1911 shot that well as they used to be so loose you could hardly keep it on the paper. Bet he's done some work on it over the years to keep it tight. I used to know an old guy at our club in Albuquerque. Many years ago he was on the Army's National Match Team. He had several guns that had been made up for him and he finally sold me a 1911 that originally was a .38 Super that had been rechambered for .38 special. What a tack driver that was. Sold it years ago after I quit shooting the 2700 paper matches.

Glad you had a wonderful day with a man of wisdom.

[Snidely Whiplash]

Tinman507,

I'm trying really hard not to be envious. What a treat for both your son and you. I love meeting and talking to old timers like the one at your range.

[Alfonse]

Not avoiding it here. I'm envious, but happy just to hear the story. It was history in many ways since you and your son won't soon forget it either.

Thanks,
Al

[Bawanna]

Good for you Tinman. I see a 1911 in your future. Sounds like a great day.

[LorenzoB]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like good times, glad your son got to experience that too.

[wyntrout]

Thanks for sharing! Sharing at the range like that can be rewarding to all.

Wynn:)

[JFootin]

Good for you Tinman. I see a 1911 in your future. Sounds like a great day.

Yeah, Tinman, those 1911s are highly infectious!

Sounds like a great day at the range. I am trying to arrange a time for me to go to my relatives' idyllic country acreage for a shooting session this weekend.

[espresso]

Very cool!
I would be grinnin from ear to ear to put some rounds down range through those history pieces.

[Planedude]

My favorite history gun is a 1903 Colt pocket auto in 32acp.

I was able to buy it from a collection after helping the poor guy who was handling the estate sort out all the old guns (about 105 of them). The collector must have really liked .32 cal guns as he had about 35 of them, including 5 of the colts. The executor (my Son-in-Laws cousin) was very greatful for the help. He asked if there was any part of the collection I wanted to pick up. I told him I would buy one of the lesser Colts one with about 10 to 15% finish left on it. I planned to send the little Colt to Doug Turnball up in OKC and have it refinished thus "ruining" its collector value. All I wanted was a good shooter.
The deal was struck, but hooking up with the executor was tough as he works the oil feild and at that time was out of town most of each week. When home, he wanted family time and I understood. A month later I heard the collection had been sold as a lot and the funds plowed back into the estate. No word came down about my 1903 and I pretty much wrote it off.
After two months my Son-in-Law asked if I had the cash for the old gun "handy" as his cousin was in town and they were going to meet up at a family event. I sent along the cash and a few days later I was delivered my Colt.
It was not the gun we discussed. I was surprised and pleased to find that for $200 bucks he had sent me the pick of the litter. He also sent a nice note of thanks as my notes had helped him understand what was a fair offer for the whole collection and weed out the folks trying to steal the collection away preying on his ignorance.
My Colt was built in the fall of 1916. It was refinished at some point in its life and it needs nothing done to it. That Colt will be in my family now and forever.
Shoots cool too. They really knew alot about building guns back then.
Guess I was getting back some good Karma for a change.:D

[Snidely Whiplash]

Planedude,

Got any photos? I'd love to see some. Thanks.

[Iggy]

Kinda like standin' on the firin' line with a Hawken reproduction. A feller walks up and compliments me on the rifle, then hands me his rifle and says "try this one, it's an original."

That was '"fat cow" doin's it was!!

[Iggy]

planedude,
Those old Colts were built when folks knew what a pocket pistol should oughta be.
I've got a 1903 .32ACP and a nickel 1908 .380 ACP. Only trouble is they're too durn nice to pack.

[Bawanna]

I have a little 03 .32 also. I totally agree they knew what they were about back in those days. Just a joy to hold and fondle.
Only shot it a few times but it's not going anywhere.

[Alfonse]

This old thread reminded me, how great it was having Tinman and JFootin participating. Sigh.