The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on October 20, 2017, 07:30:28 AM
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I'm noticing lately that this forum is really starting to die. I'm not going anywhere, but it sure would be nice to see it pick up to what it was a few years ago. The problem with dying forums is they are very hard to resurrect. Especially once they start a downward trend with people leaving and returning less and less, until they're gone for good. This is because the people like myself, and you guys that are left, stop by less frequently. And many move on and get involved in other more popular forums. Once that happens they are usually gone for good. Then it becomes like a snowball rolling downhill, in that fewer new people visit and post because of the lack of traffic.
This forum has a big advantage, in that it is connected to a major outdoor program and television channel. Few, if any other firearm forums have that advantage. Perhaps a word in the closing credits of Shooting Gallery with a link to this forum might help. It certainly couldn't hurt. And it would take little to nothing to make happen. I'm afraid if this keeps going the way it has, we are all going to be on borrowed time here. I sure hope that isn't the case.
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I think you're right, Billt. This forum is definitely in need of life support. I continue to stop by on a near daily basis in the hopes of seeing something, anything, that looks like it needs a comment. Anytime I see a today indicator, I read the new comment/subject and if it looks like it needs a comment from the Rabbit, one gets made. That happens less and less frequently as there are fewer today indicators.
I guess the only reason I'm not already out of here is a deep reluctance to say an actual goodbye to the many friends and acquaintances I've met here in years gone bye.
Coming here daily is like visiting a friend with a fatal condition. You keep hoping for a miracle, but you expect to see a black wreath at the door on the next visit.
Sad,
Crusader Rabbit
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I see a few things as causing the decline:
1. Most recent is the starting of the Facebook page. I see several regulars (now becoming former) from here posting there. I believe that since most of us don't live and die by our computers and social media, we take limited time for these communications, and one is replacing the other;
2. I blame Outdoor Channel. Since they took over these group of shows their commitment to regularity has been poor. The shows that were tied to this forum come and go, are moved around in the schedule, and they are repeated sparingly, if at all, on Wednesdays;
3. When I make the following statement I am not ripping Michael or Marshal in any way! With Outdoor Channel in charge there is a change in the drive and diversity. Once again, I am not calling Michael lazy or cashing it in, but there is a difference when it is your company, you call the shots, and then you sell the product, and when you are employed by or contracted to a parent company. It is easier to produce a product, gain sponsor support, and then sell it, then it is to produce what someone else calls appropriate.
These three things, and others smaller items, are what I see as taking away from this forum. Ruger giveaways drew in many one time members who were just here for the giveaways, but some hung around and played a little. But, as diversity in programming declined and leadership by some field experts disappeared on here, the participation has dropped.
I still come here for two reasons:
1. I much prefer this platform over the book of faces;
2. And, I love you guys ;)
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I'll admit to being social media ignorant. I have no idea how to navigate Facebook pages. Or how to find anything or anyone gun related there. This forum is easy and simple like most forum formats. I just hate seeing it in decline. It's one of the few firearms forums I really fit in with. Many of us are older and retired, and several of us share the same views on life. And like Mike, I love you guys.
And for me, like many retired guys, my social life was somewhat diminished after retirement, because I no longer had the social interaction of my co workers. So this type of correspondence becomes even more important to my day to day routine. It's like we've all been living on the same block for years. And now I'm watching everyone slowly move away.
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It truly is a shame that this forum is so slow. I think Mike is onto something because I noticed a difference right after "Corporate" took over in several ways.
First, this was a place where we found like-minded friends and, well, I have made a great number of friends here. We also DID a lot of things...technical stuff, jokes, questions and information. There was also a lot more involvement, not only from Michael, but also Marshal and Marshallette, who jumped in and ginned up a lot of interest. We had shoots, we had giveaways, and we shared other things between ourselves AND with the principles. A lot of us got to know each other and support each other.
Facebook is what it is, but it's convenient. All good things are replaced at some point, and it's a shame,
but we really shouldn't let this go. I keep coming back just to check in. Thanks for being here.
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I’m a midwestern kid living in the Northeast so I’m used to having very few friends.
You guys and a gal or two are entertaining, informative, supportive and like minded. I’ll keep ya...
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If I'm not gone on vacation I'm on here twice a day to see what's new. There are only certain parts of the forum that I read and a lot of the time there's nothing new when I get up and nothing new before I go to bed. More often than not there's a single post here in the cafe, if there's anything at all. I think Facebook is single-handedly killing the forum. A lot of people have migrated there and quit coming here, instead of going to both places. I don't want anything to do with Facebook so I'm here for the duration. I was one of those people who came here for a free giveaway and stayed for the camaraderie. It feels like home and you're all part of my extended (dysfunctional) family.
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I can say my lack of presence here reflects a couple of life changes. First, we are now empty nesters and I can go to the gym after work without feeling guilty. Second, my FIL died and we inherited, among other things, 24 beautiful acres which require some of my time. Third, I am back working on the floor and no longer surfing a desk (good thing too, it almost killed me). And finally DRTV needs an app, looking at this on my phone isn't all that great of an experience.
Between an app and MB popping in here more regularly I think you could revive the Forum but I think neither are very likely. :(
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Yep. The drift is that-a-way.
I noticed a change not long after the corporate acquisition.
MB is also noticeably AWOL on his blog. A mid July post and two at the end of August.
I'm old enough to accept nothing lasts forever.
But did you guys post or vote in my latest poll on John McCain?
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=32638.0 (http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=32638.0)
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One really, really, really, really disadvantage of FB is that you can not sell, or mention selling firearms. Plus there are trolls, who at the slightest non-PC language will complain to FB and potentially shut you down.
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One really, really, really, really disadvantage of FB is that you can not sell, or mention selling firearms. Plus there are trolls, who at the slightest non-PC language will complain to FB and potentially shut you down.
I would last about 5 minutes in that environment.
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like many have posted, I check in a couple of times a day...hopefully contributing something of interest technically...the shooting sports have been good to me... 35+years of good friends... sadly many of them like me are getting a little slow and too crippled up to run and gun with the young kids... we jokingly refer to ourselves as the "mature PCC squad"... and speaking of PCC (pistol caliber carbine for USPSA) is still gives us old guys a place to shoot and have fun.. if you still haven't tried it, give it a chance
Les
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Facebook has been killing forums for years now. :-[
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Facebook has been killing forums for years now. :-[
Yeah....I never subscribed to that thing because of the personal data tracking issues.
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Yeah....I never subscribed to that thing because of the personal data tracking issues.
No shite!
I was looking at some Justin boots on Amazon earlier and when I took a look at my wife’s FB page to see a pic of my granddaughter, an Amazon add with the same boots I was looking at popped up...
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The biggest draw about fb is that it is more instantaneous than most forums in the interaction between folks.
I use both, but prefer the forum format over fb simply because we self-policed and it worked well even at the height of member activity.
I still check in every day if I can and sometime more than that.....just not many posts to comment on. :(
I think I'll go post on the reloading board about my recent score on powder. :D
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No shite!
I was looking at some Justin boots on Amazon earlier and when I took a look at my wife’s FB page to see a pic of my granddaughter, an Amazon add with the same boots I was looking at popped up...
I don't think I would have that kind of problem if I was on Facebook. I have the latest version of Firefox with add-ons to protect my privacy. Better Privacy has been removed from Firefox's site by its author but can still be found other places if you want to risk downloading it from any of them. Privacy Badger is still around and will let you know who's trying to track you. Blur, formerly known as DoNotTrackMe, by Abine, blocks trackers plus does so much more. I run all 3 add-ons at the same time and it doesn't seem to cause any problems.
Also I quit using Google and switched to Ixquick as my search engine. Google gathers a lot of private information about you and sells it to anyone who wants it. Ixquick will give you Google search results except there aren't any targeted ads trying to manipulate you based on your private information. You just get the results Google should have if they weren't spying on you. I highly recommend everyone switch to Ixquick. DuckDuckGo is another search engine that doesn't track you.
https://www.ixquick.com/
https://duckduckgo.com/
https://www.eff.org/privacybadger
https://dnt.abine.com
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I use duckduckgo as my search engine. Our IT guy uses it.....
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Look at today's activity!!!
Keep it up and maybe we can change the Title to
IT'S ALIVE!!
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Look at today's activity!!!
Keep it up and maybe we can change the Title to
IT'S ALIVE!!
Indeed....just a few "regulars" posting regularly does make a difference.
There are a lot lookers (you can look at topic views per thread to see it), just very few posters.
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I don't have nor will I ever have a Facebag account or twitter or what ever else the cool kids are using - I use forums, email and phone -
While not as active as I once was, I'll always hang around like a bad penny - I like the non-specific type forum over a brand specific -
So, sorry to say - still here... like it or not.
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Facebag. I never heard that one before....I'm gonna' steal it.
Facebag....reminds me of the mother-in-law.
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To her face to this day I STILL call my Mother-In-law my MONSTER-In-Law ... been doing that for 25 years now... still pisses her off, Job well done.
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I usually refer to it as Face***k. However clean or dirty your mind is will determine how you choose the missing letters.
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I had a face book account for about 3-4 weeks. What a pain in the ass. Took 2 weeks to get rid of it.
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I do have a FB page but only check it maybe twice a week.
I call it Fake Book.
I do visit here more than FB but you guys have already expressed my opinions. lol
That's way I don't say too much.
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I do have a FB page but only check it maybe twice a week.
I call it Fake Book.
I do visit here more than FB but you guys have already expressed my opinions. lol
That's way I don't say too much.
That whole "birds of a feather" and "like minds" thing, eh?
Sometimes all I can add to what others have said is, "Yep." ;D
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That whole "birds of a feather" and "like minds" thing, eh?
Sometimes all I can add to what others have said is, "Yep." ;D
Yep
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Yep
Ditto
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Ditto
+1 ;D
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The good old "+1"! Our version of liking, but for players willing to type 😁
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The good old "+1"! Our version of liking, but for players willing to type 😁
Another forum I'm on has a :yup: smiley holding a sign that says, "WHAT HE SAID!" and it has an arrow pointing to the post above. I've used it myself when I agreed but didn't want to type anything.
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Another forum I'm on has a :yup: smiley holding a sign that says, "WHAT HE SAID!" and it has an arrow pointing to the post above. I've used it myself when I agreed but didn't want to type anything.
;D ;D
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;D ;D
:) :D ;D 8)
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I'd like it more if we changed the Subject to "I'm Afraid Tom Wasn't Wrong"
He doesn't need to be encouraged....even if he isn't here.... ;D ;D
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I'd like it more if we changed the Subject to "I'm Afraid Tom Wasn't Wrong"
He doesn't need to be encouraged....even if he isn't here.... ;D ;D
How about, "I'm Afraid Tom Wasn't Wrong, This Time."? ;)
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That works too. ;)
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I would be willing to bet he is still lurking around here a bit. 8)
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I would be willing to bet he is still lurking around here a bit. 8)
Yep.
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Who would really want to give this place up?
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Who would really want to give this place up?
Tom dropped his membership, but he said he would monitor. I'm sure that his curious and combative sides will not let him not show up at least weekly.
No matter how busy I am or how slow the place is, I try to stop in daily, because we are like minded ... brain dead, but all brain dead ;D
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Yep
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Still coming by on a regular basis if for no other reason than to see how far we have fallen...
I miss the old "us."
But, I also miss my youth... I miss a good night's sleep without bathroom breaks... I miss being able to go on a five mile hike without needing the car... I miss eating really spicy food without needing a Maalox chaser... I miss 360 pound bench presses... I miss seeing my willie without needing a mirror... I miss getting off the sofa without grunting... I miss hitting a 3" group at 200 yards without needing a good scope...
But, things change and life goes on.
Crusader Rabbit
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Bring it in - we'll hug it out. Common' come over here...
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That is so wrong dude...don't do it wabbit.
Crusader, have you tried Saw Palmetto to help with the getting up at night thing? It works wonders for some of us.
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That is so wrong dude...don't do it wabbit.
Crusader, have you tried Saw Palmetto to help with the getting up at night thing? It works wonders for some of us.
Saw palmetto was one of the things my dad took but he was really stupid about it. He quit taking all of his prescription pills and started taking a bunch of herbal supplements that were supposed to treat various conditions. He almost made it to 80 years old but died from complication of not taking his prescription pills. My mom on the other hand just turned 95 and shows no sign of stopping. She takes prescription pills and no herbal supplements.
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My own pappy is still kicking at 92. Takes about a kilo of daily supplements along with a few 'scripts. Mom made it to 95, but didn't really know it. She took a few herbals and a few prescriptions.
So, I'm convinced it's largely genetic.
I've worn out a pair of hips and the titanium replacements are getting kind of worn, too. My knees could use replacements, but with worn out hips there doesn't seem to be much purpose. I've got a couple of bum shoulders that used to serve me very well in the gym punching out multiple sets of bench press reps in the 360 pound range. My elbows would allow multiple sets of curls at 180-plus pounds on the machine and 150 lbs of free weight. And I did all this for better than 40 years--until all the joints wore out at the same time.
So, I'm not complaining, really. I earned every bit of discomfort I have now. And, I've got a book of memories that most would envy.
And when I say I miss something, that's just what it is. There are things, places, people, dogs and skills I once knew and loved. Many are history. Some are still hanging around. some new and very different skills are coming over the horizon. One is coming up kinda soon as Bunny and I are taking a boat ride up the Amazon. That's one of the blessings of getting older--I don't need permission; and I can afford the trip.
So, that's the tale. This place is changing and I miss communicating with old friends, some more than others. I loved getting into it with the Fighting Quaker, and Benny was a great source of wisdom and knowledge. Tom could drive a saint to sinning, but he was right more than he was wrong. And I loved reading the arguments. Rastus, Jumbo, Billt and Peg are friends I wouldn't recognize on the street but friends they surely are. And Tab is certainly Tab. Deepwater and Hazcat are just around the corner... But I do miss the Flying Monkeys and being sent to the corner. There are so many others I can't immediately pull from memory (another thing I miss) just know you weren't intentionally overlooked.
Still, I'll keep dropping by. If you don't see or hear from me for a couple weeks here and there, don't sweat it. I'm probably out of town. Arizona, Israel, Hawaii and other places are already penciled in. I'm not going to ruin the experience by a dependance on any sort of social media so you won't hear from the Rabbit when I'm hopping down the bunny trail.
I love you guys,
Crusader Rabbit
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And I shouldn't forget Jaybet. Love your music, brother.
CR
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I'm happy for you CR and Bunny too for getting out and traveling while you're still able to enjoy it. I hope you both have a great time and have lots of stories to share. It's a honor to be among people you consider friends on the forum. Many people here feel as much like family and friends as the people I have in my life outside the forum. I couldn't even list all the people I miss seeing on here.
And as far as changes go I feel for you. I hope my "good" shoulder doesn't need surgery like I had on the bad one. Just within the last month the range of motion has decreased by a very noticeable amount. I can't even wipe my butt without twisting around and hurting my back now. I've been taking naproxen every 12 hours for quite a while for arthritis and daily headaches and it's not enough anymore. PT may be enough to fix it but I'll wait until I see the doctor next month to see what she thinks. I didn't think I'd be such a wreck in my mid-50s but I've had arthritis for 35+ years and it was bound to get worse. I'm still better off than a lot of other people and don't feel sorry for myself. At least I didn't get arthritis when I was only 7 like a girl down the street.
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March will make ten years since I joined this great menagerie........ and I have more regard for and connection with the core group on here than I do with some of my own kin.
Ten years ago I never would have thought that such a relationship with others over great distances was possible via the impersonal avenue of electronic communication. But over these years some of us have shared in laughter, anger (from time to time), joy, and even tears for and with each other.
The forum itself has changed from what it started out as, and has been diminished because of other options, but as long as you guys are here, I'll be here.
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I've been here 10 years today and don't plan on going anywhere. I didn't even know I had a computer that long, but I remember coming here because there was a gun giveaway. I signed up and liked what I saw on the forum. This is actually the only gun forum I'm a member of and I don't like Facebook. If I'm not out of town I'm usually on here early afternoon and again in the wee hours of the morning before I go to bed. Sometimes I'm on here more often than that.
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Thoughts...
I'm a pretty decent guy, lived hard, partied much, loved a few, married the "ONE" and have hundreds of friends who don't live anywhere near me. I'm not one to take friendship lightly, in fact, I've been known to do more for people I've just met than for acquaintances who've known me for a while, simply because of my ability to filter through the bullshit of daily life. Not that I'm judgmental but rather, that I'm a good judge of character.
I've known men and women for decades whom I haven't talked to in years and can take up a conversation with them as if we just discussed it yesterday. Anyone who's spent time in the military or in some desolate or remote place can relate to that as we humans rely on each other whether we admit to it or not. You have become part of that community that I can say anything, anytime on any topic and be understood!
I've found a place, though my wife thinks you're all probably crazy loons like me, that I can call my comfort zone, a place where my thoughts, though extreme in some respect, can be taken in context and not judged by any societal boundaries. My happy place and your happy place coexist in this forum. We may bicker and sling a bit of poo-poo, but we always seem to come to the center of our universe which, I believe, is to put others needs above the needs of ourselves, to put the countries best interest in line with our own existence.
Family, Friends, Countrymen, Brethren.....thanks for being what and who you are!
Not much has changed since I posted this 7 years ago!
Our ranks are fewer, sadly...
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I agree with all of you...the friendships here are fantastic.
I know NJ is not on anyone's travel list, but you're all always welcome.
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I agree with all of you...the friendships here are fantastic.
I know NJ is not on anyone's travel list, but you're all always welcome.
I went to a concert with the wife last night in our small town, and I sat there wondering if we could get Bluebone to a concert in one of the local events.
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With the talk of longevity I went an checked myself out. October 3, 2007, must have been a show night, because there were a lot of us that signed up that night. Page five is where I fall in, and there are a couple of you regulars still ahead of me in time. Then I went and checked out number of posts, and I am number five on that list. Most ahead of me no longer play here.
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Mike you made me check up on when I got in. Mostly because I couldn't remember when the sweepstakes occurred for that really cool blue 10/22 with the practically unheard of TacSol barrel and wicked looking stock.
When I got the call on Thanksgiving from MB that I had won it I answered the call from the "strange number" in a guardedly hostile way (guardedly hostile...I like that). I'm surprised he didn't hang up on me and give it to someone else. I remember when we shot it out at USSA. Know what....there is still probably less that 200 rounds though that thing...I don't want to shoot it out! It's too purty.
I wonder if those pics are still in photobucket?
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4/2/2008 and it was a free gun give away that enticed me to join. That I won.
I came for the gun I stayed for the friends.
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I went to my profile and checked my stats. Over the years I've been on here almost 95 days. It was time well spent.
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June 03, 2008, 03:53:59 pm, 133 days, 10 hours and 36 minutes for me...
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Geez....I'm only like 48 days online. Started 10-FEB-07.
It also looks like I'm 3,000-4,000 posts behind.
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Mike you made me check up on when I got in. Mostly because I couldn't remember when the sweepstakes occurred for that really cool blue 10/22 with the practically unheard of TacSol barrel and wicked looking stock.
When I got the call on Thanksgiving from MB that I had won it I answered the call from the "strange number" in a guardedly hostile way (guardedly hostile...I like that). I'm surprised he didn't hang up on me and give it to someone else. I remember when we shot it out at USSA. Know what....there is still probably less that 200 rounds though that thing...I don't want to shoot it out! It's too purty.
I wonder if those pics are still in photobucket?
I had forgotten! That is a sweet gun. I might still have some photos. I'll try and remember to check it out.
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I joined on 14 March 2008....but didn't make my first post until June that year.
115 days spent with good friends.
Man, time flies when you're havin' fun......... or, as Kermit the Frog would say, time's fun when you're havin' flies.
8)
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Some forums list the month and year you joined along with your profile pic, etc. every time you post. You can tell at a glance how long everyone has been here without looking at any of their profiles. I like that.
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I figured this board would wane and wind down over time. Nothing in this life lasts forever. The big turning point was when OC gained ownership. I don't blame MB for selling it (I asssume that's what happened) but it could be a little more active if he'd engage the board from time to time. He must have something going on...because he went then entire months of September and October not posting in his blog. He did a post a few days ago (I just checked) and it was on his 22LR Ruger Vampire gun. He had links to some neat kit I didn't know anything about....like a charging ring for the Ruger 22's and some red dot stuff.
I think the infusion of knowledge of people involved in competition...which I'm not....that bring us news of new kit and ideas to improve performance is what elevates the board. We haven't had that in abundance for a while....
Edit: Plus since we virtually agree on all things politic there's not much need to comment on some events. And where we don't agree....well, I think we just accept each other for what they are.
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I'm still here, joined in February 2007, says I've spent 68 days , 16 hours and 59 minutes before I posted this.I check in a couple times a day, post when I think I can add something to the conversation. I'll be here until they close it down. I consider all Y'all friends.
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I've been here a total of 41 days, 12 hours and 49 minutes. That surprised me that it was that much. But it was well spent with great friends.
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I think the infusion of knowledge of people involved in competition...which I'm not....that bring us news of new kit and ideas to improve performance is what elevates the board. We haven't had that in abundance for a while....
Edit: Plus since we virtually agree on all things politic there's not much need to comment on some events. And where we don't agree....well, I think we just accept each other for what they are.
Agreed.
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Joined 1/23/2008
I'm here for the duration. 8)
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Joined 1/23/2008
I'm here for the duration. 8)
Good deal. I think the board will be a bit more active in the winter months.