Ozark shoot and meet for TFLers = great time!! [except for Shorty..:)

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12-34hom

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The weekend of 08-11 - 13 - 2000 was spent by some 20+ TFL members in Springfield Ms. for a shoot hosted by Gunslinger & Terri... :)

After arriving and settling into our hotel [late friday nite] we meet our hosts early Saturday morning and many others while sharing a TON of doughnuts. Our agenda was laid out, and at @ 8:00 all that had arrived headed for the range that we were to do our shooting at. This range is owned and operated by the Missouri Conservation Commission and was a 1st class operation! There were 20 covered bays with ranges = from 7 to 100 yards to shoot pistols and rifles on. A short orientation was given by thier range master as to its rules and regulations for the members present. This range also had 1 trap & skeet range along with the rifle and pistol range. There was an air condition meeting site along with other amintities that provided information about other projects on site. Gunslinger then took over and ran our shoot for the 2 days, giving range commands and insuring the saftey fot all present.

There were all manner of firearms brought and shot here..:} I got to shoot and inspect various 1911's, Glocks, Sigs, Revolvers = [strong showing!], rifles, [varmint, ar-15, etc..] shotguns. [The trap and skeet ranges were used both mornings by members having a great time]. Most of pistol shooting was done from 25 yards or less, but there were a few brave souls who ventured out to 50 & 75 yards with fair results. Both morings were a resounding sucsess for all and A round of applause should be given to Missiouri Conservation Commission & Gunslinger for thier efforts.

The evenings were spent with members meeting and sharing thier thoughts over great food and hospitality provided by our hosts and some other members who whipped up some fine eats which all enjoyed.

My wife and I had a great time with all there; and want to thank ALL members there and esp.. Gunslinger & Terri for opening up thier home and sharing it for us and others there.... :) What a great time and a fine group of folks! Hope to see all of you and others next year... 12-34hom.
 
I was waiting for this report,Now its really tearing me up that I couldn't be there :( Next year I hope if they do it again. ;)
I'm glad to hear all went well.

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
Thank you Terri and Gunslinger.

Everyone had a great time, except for maybe Clo. She spent an awful lot of time sitting by the road by herself, but she did get a lot of attention from people driving by. The most common question seemed to be "Do you want to shoot it?", and of course, the answer was always some form of "yes". The range was impressive to say the least. Saturday night featured a fireworks show put on by Coineach, firing tracers from an AR-15, and later by Mother Nature with a meteor shower. Many people got to try Shiner for the first time, and everybody but ScottMO found it good. (Scott you knew somebody was going to mention that.) Grayfox and his wife made the dessert, cobbler cooked in a dutch oven and Smoochies, I'm not sure exactly what they were made of, but they were very good. Sandy now suffers from 1911 addiction, which she evidently caught from ArmySon.

I want to thank everyone that came for a very enjoyable weekend.
Eric

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Thaw shorty!
 
I would just like to thank everyone that got to participate for coming. Slinger and I have enjoyed each and everyone of you, you all are some special people. We are counting the days till next years meet. We haven't had so much fun in a long time. We will have many Kodac moments to show and stories to tell for a long time. People go out and spends many of dollars to see professional comedians believe you and me TFLer's and TFLer's family are some of the best I have ever seen and it just comes naturally for them. Scott from MO and Mrs. Grayfox really needs to be making money at this, they will make you laugh so hard they will split your sides out. Mrs. Grayfox decided that ArmySon (from PA.) needed to talk like us hillbillies so she was giving him some lessons and he has learnt quite well because unconsiosly today when he left he said "youl all have been great" and someone ask him if he wanted to go out to eat today before he left and he said "yawantoo" LOL, I don't know if PA. will be able to handle his new language. LOL Foxfire brought enough duct tape to tape everyone up here but he just couldn't bring himself to taping anyone up. LOL Everyone here played in some type of role to keep everyones spirit up.
I just want to thank everyone again for coming, it was worth every minute of planning it took.
Fal308 you deserve a big thank you, if it hadn't been for you being here from Wed. to today we would still be working.
Next year will be bigger and better. :) :) :) :)



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WHEN IT COMES TO FRIENDS THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT
 
I've uploaded some photos of the meet. You can view them here. There are many more to be developed and scanned; these were taken with my digicam.
 
It was a great weekend, but out of 20-30 TFLer's, our 7-10% casualty rate was a tad high. There were two casualties, both victims of vicious, politically-incorrect assault handguns:

1. Our own Miss Demeanors was viciously attacked by an evil "Death Dot" red-dot scope mounted on an overpowered, military-style 1911 "antique death-dealer" handgun. Eye relief, Sandy, eye relief!

2. My lovely wife was the victim of an unprovoked attack by an evil antique "Pocket Rocket"--a Remington 1951 in .32 caliber. She will probably have a cute scar to remind her never to cross one thumb over the other with a semi-auto. :rolleyes: But she's ok now. I should have melted that evil hunk of steel down into something more politically correct (like a small dagger) by now, I suppose, but it was manufactured in a less enlightened and peaceful era and holds great sentimental value. Foxfire and Gunslinger rendered great assistance to my injured bride by first commenting "Boy, y'all bleed a LOT" and then looking up the exact model and specifications of the pistol in question.....

Unfortunately, the meteor shower consisted of only two meteors as far as we know. The only person to observe said meteors was my lovely wife, who had, by that late hour, consumed a great deal of Shiner Bock and begun to wander around outside the tent for no apparent reason.

The best thing of all, to me, was that I spent two days carrying a pistol with me. Sure, I had no real need of it, encamped as I was among 20-30 gun nuts who were better armed than the local police department. But it was a wonderful feeling to walk around a town with a pistol on my hip and have people treat me as if I were a normal human being. I walked into several gas stations, a McDonald's, and a Chinese restaurant with a SIG 220 on my hip and no one seemed to care. I was just an average citizen exercising an unquestioned right, and if it bothered anyone, they kept it to themselves. This experience has greatly strengthened my resolve to get out of Illinois at the first opportunity.

Oh, and finally, the range staff was indeed excellent. Twice I committed minor infractions of their rules (hearing protection) and they were perfectly polite but firm--as they should be. More importantly, when Missy came out of the shooting bay with blood running off her hand as if she'd dipped a handful out of a bucket, they helped us clean and wrap her thumb and then gave us written directions to an inexpensive clinic after calling ahead for us to make sure the clinic would stitch lacerations.

Bill and Terri, your generosity and hospitality were the most I've seen. Thank you. And thank you also to Son, Coinneach, Foxfire, Jeff, Futo, Glamdring, and all the others who taught me so many new things this weekend. My head is still spinning. See you next year.
 
We really had a great time. :)

I think I only fired one shot the entire time, but I had so much fun meeting everyone. Wish we hadn't had to leave early, sounds like we missed out on all the fun!

Terri and Gunslinger, I know I keep saying this, but thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!
 
Oops, I almost forgot, we picked up an "addition to the family!"
In honor of our hosts....Little Gunslinger :) :) :)
He was an angel all the way home (why can't my kid be that good???) ;)


Also, I got one of Terri and Bill's "concealment rigs." I've been wearing it all day under my overalls. It's great! It doesn't hurt my back like the fanny pack and it's far more secure. I can wear it around the house all day and I know Ricky won't get it by accident. Thanks, guys! :)



[This message has been edited by CindyH (edited August 15, 2000).]
 
Cindy's only shot fired this weekend was from Gunslinger's Desert Eagle .44. I'd say that counts. ;)

Little Gunslinger: Saturday morning, after the first group headed out for the range, this adorable little gray and white kitten wandered into the yard, spotted us, and came over. After the requisite "aww-he's-so-cute" stuff, he started licking cookie crumbs off the table. We figured he was hungry, so DJ went into the house to get sandwiches (for us and kitty).

The cat ate a whole ham sandwich, with cheese and mayo, by himself. He looked like a little softball with legs by the time he was done.

After he recovered from lunch, he took it into his head to mess with Wolf. As in, a real wolf who resides with Bill and Terri. That was the funniest thing I saw all weekend, a little 4-month-old kitten teasing a wolf (pix to be posted). Good thing for him that Wolf is rather, well, fearful, else he'd've been lunch himself.

After much debate, Cindy and I decided to take him home. He was in excellent condition, very friendly, assertive but not agressive, and very restrained with his claws. Since our male cats are in need of playmates (the females suffer from fine-itis... thanks, Spectre ;), we figured a kitten would be good for them. He didn't appear to be a runaway, with no collar or tags, and no apparent desire to be somewhere else; in fact, he actively sought out Cindy and me for petting during the day.

I was cringing inwardly at the thought of traveling 750 miles with a kitten... surely loud, most likely not litter-trained, and a handful to keep occupied. Surprise, he *never* complained, used the cardboard box that we filled with litter, and slept most of the time. He occasionally came up to the front of the car to check on us and sit in our laps, but that was the extent of his intrusiveness. He's now sleeping with Cindy's kid.

All in all, I'd call the EOSM a success. :)
 
It's late and I'm tired...but I am home (Don't ever fly TWA if you can help it!)!! What a great weekend! It was so fun to meet such a fantastic bunch of people, and kudos to Terri and Bill for being the hosts extraordinaire!! I must say, I don't think I have ever felt safer in my life!!!

I am a little disappointed that we missed seeing the elephants and the Shortysicle...but I guess you can't have everything, right? ;)

Coinn and Cindy...glad to hear that LG was such a good traveler and that he has a new home as well.

I raise a glass of Shiner in toast to all my new friends! :D

52 1/2 weeks to go!!!!
 
Got back to middle GA. Whew! what a drive!

Good pics, Coinneach. Thanks.

It was a great weekend. Gunslinger, Terri, you two are the greatest. Gracious hosts. You deserve something special (I'm thinkin' ...).

Besides Gunslinger and Terri, it was my special pleasure to meet, talk and shoot with Slowpoke Rodrigo, Packrat, ArmySon, fal308, 12-34hom, Eric of IN and Foxfire (all our shooting stalls were close together).

12-34hom brought a fine Rem 700, 6mm Ack Imp, tack driver. ArmySon showed me what a really fine 1911 looks and shoots like (really fine!). Slowpoke is seriously good at the firing line and showed us what a revolver can do. Fal308 ... I never saw so many guns in one place (they were stacked to the top of his pickup bed ... almost). Fal308 is my new technical advisor, he just doesn't know it yet. Packrat made me jealous with his Mech Tech in .460 Rowland.

Gunslinger served as Range Master and didn't get to shoot. Terri continually worked to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. That's what kind of hosts they are. I am glad I didn't miss it. I won't miss the next one either.

Here's raisin' a Shiner toast to Gunslinger and Terri! ... clink! Glug, glug, glug ...

Bud Helms (sensop)

[This message has been edited by sensop (edited August 15, 2000).]
 
Yup. FAL308 knows everything. If not, he comes close enough for my purposes! Bill has almost enough guns, and ArmySon is my new hero--I want to be just like him when I grow up. :D
 
Cindy! You guys got a pic of me with the pup! That made my whole day! I wish I could've taken them both home with me! Too bad my dog would eat them if I did...

When I get my pictures developed and scanned, I'll put them up on photopoint too.

I miss all you guys and gals already! buwahh!!! It was so nice to be around friends that share the same interests. Fal308, Sensop, Don, Ken, Cindy, Terri, Jeff, Eric, Scott, Charlie, Slowpoke, the list goes on and on... I felt like I just completely clicked with ya all.

Certain events happen to people in the course of their lives that change them. This past weekend showed me that the gift of giving has not died. Terri, Bill, and Fal308 gave me hope that generosity is still alive and well. I thoroughly enjoyed the many conversations and bonding. Although many of you are hundreds, even thousands of miles away, you will always remain close to my heart. Thanks again for a memorable weekend.
 
Yes this meet was indeed a success! We all had a great time ! Slinger and Terridarri really went out of their way to make the meet a wonderful time!

It was so nice to meet everyone! It was great to try the Shiner too ;) Although I think I passed out before the meteors hit :D

There was lots of duct tape. Clo and Gertie didn't talk to much. Not sure what happened to Shorty, didn't smell anything.

Coinneach thanks for posting those pics, those are the first of many! Can't wait to see the women and the AR's! That ought to be a riot!

Thanks for telling about the 'dot' Don! Yep, I now have a bruise on my nose and two slighly blackend eyes lol! But it didn't hurt at all, I was too charged at shootin that 1911 I really didn't care until Monday morning.

Shot lots of AR's it was GREATTTTTTT! Son taught me how to use the shotgun, but my allergies/cold was so bad, I couldn't hit that clay thingy. Plus standing next to Blue didn't make me look too good, she is awesome!

Son let me pack his Kahr MK9! That was the first time I ever carried and let me say this, it was very cool! I took it back to my room with me and slept like a baby, no worries of anyone breaking in. I gotta get me one soon! Got a few looks from the management because we open carried, but I just smiled.

I have an awesome target here at home, I will take a pic of it later and post it. Done with an AR at 25 yards, just wait till ya see it, I am so proud!

I can't say enough, if I posted everything there wouldn't be any bandwidth left. We all had a great time and it was so nice to meet everyone. I really hope more can make it next time, but you will have to realize that Slinger has something planned for the 'newbies'. ;)

Whoooo hhooooo I am a GUN NUT and proud to be one! Thanks again to everyone especially Terri, Slinger, Fal, Eric, and my new buddy Son (who can drive a stick just fine lol)

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We are as one as we all are the same fighting for one cause -Metallica
 
It was nice to finely meet some of you folks...they call them gun NUTS for a reason! ;)

Special thanks to Teri and Slinger. Also, thanks, Sensop. I appreciated the ride, and you were darn good company. And I needed a spiritual advisor, anyway.

I had a good time, and hope everyone else's life was equally enriched. But I forgot my duct tape! (and, Otter, please tell me you managed to snatch a certain role of film from Brad on the way to the airport?)
 
A great time was had by all.
A little open carry story:
Now I normally carry a Commander concealed, But, I figured if you're gonna carry open then make sure the people get a good look. So I spent the weekend wearing my S&W 25-5 .45 Colt right out front in a crossdraw holster. Friday evening about a dozen of us decided to go to dinner at Lambert's Restraunt. There was a short discussion on while open carry is legal, it does tend to spook some folks. So in order to prevent panic in the streets, I take my gun off. Just as we are about to load up the cars and go, everybody shows up heeled! Ok, I go get my Smith and put it back on.
The Mrs. and I ride along with Terri and ArmySon. When we get to the restraunt, the only two people carryin' are me and Son. Seems the others had second thoughts about walkin' around with the hardware hangin' out. Son is wearing a 1911 in an IWB holster so he just pulls his shirt tail out and covers it up. So here I am, the only one carrying open. So I consider the options. I don't want to be seen taking the gun back to the car. Ya never know who is watchin', ya know. This thing is way to big and in the wrong holster to hide under my shirt. So I decide, the hell with it, I'll stay just like I am. Open carry is legal and if anybody don't like it, tuff.
Now I don't blame any of the others for not carrying open. I sure had some second thoughts about it myself. Frankly, If I coulda, I woulda hid my cannon. It sure feels odd to carry open, like the whole world is staring at ya.
I did get some "looks", but nobody said a word. The was an LEO at the cashiers window as we left and while he looked pretty hard, he never said anything. Funny part was when I went to the restroom. The towel rack is right by the door and as I was drying my hands this little boy about seven or eight burst in only to come to a screeching halt with his face mere inches from the gun. His eyes got as big as silver dollars and you could see the shock on his face. But, he gathered his wits, walked around me and went on about his business without a word.
At one point while waiting for our table, the wife and I had some pleasent conversation with total strangers who didn't seem to be bothered by the revolver at all.
In no time at all, it didn't bother me either.
Live and learn.


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Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
 
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