airedale

This site goes over a bit of the history of many US firearms manufacturers that have ceased to exist or have changed dramatically. Most were located here in the northeast and it is sad to see the way they have gone and what has happened to them. I found the historical photos especially interesting, the old Savage factory in Utica was a place my Dad was employed before he joined the Navy, I have his old model 99 30-30 produced during the time period he worked there. http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2016/02/ghost-gun-factories.html

Agree about the anonymity, I surely do wish I had the opportunity to attack and ridicule and debate this 16 year old lib puppet face to face and I would not be gentle about it! Al

Will hit the big Seven O this fall, as long as I am physically able I will continue to hunt, there is no doubt that I have slowed down a lot from when I was a young buck. I make a concerted effort to keep my weight under control and to stay fit enough so I can get in the woods among other things that require condition. As of now I can get along pretty well, dragged out the smallish 115 lb Deer I took last fall by myself with no problem, something bigger would have made me take it a little easier and would have taken more time to get things done. My favorite hunting has always been with dogs but Coon hunting days are pretty much over, following dogs at night through swamps and woods for hours and miles at times would be tough at this stage of the game. Most of the time I was by myself and you never know for sure where you are going to end up and if I happened to keel over and drop dead it may be tough to find and recover my old carcass. Sometimes I wish I was out in one of the western states where they ride mules when they hunt Coon. I still can get out and follow my bird hunting dogs without too much problem, a big plus. I do know that taking game is not so important to me as it once was, when a young guy if I did not limit out be it hunting or fishing that day was a bust. These days I think with a totally different perspective and admittedly have become a bit soft in my old age. Many times I have a critter in my crosshairs and do not pull the trigger and let them walk, in my mind they were as good as dead and on that particular day that was good enough for me as I just enjoy being out there. And then there are days when get the yen for some game meat, have the same type of scenario happen and I say as I draw down "kiss your ass goodbye" and dump whatever where it stands. As for hunting equipment it is part of the whole hunting picture and there seems to always be something that catches my fancy that I would like to try even though I have everything I need. New firearms and their accessories are my Achilles heel and I am still a buyer. When involved with a sport like hunting a whole lifetime and have to actually come to the point of calling it quits would suck big time and be depressing as Hell when Fall rolled around. Al

Always amazed about human edgenuity especially hunters to come up with ways to insure maximum results. Talk about a mega blaster! A punt gun is a type of extremely large shotgun used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for shooting large numbers of waterfowl for commercial harvesting operations and private sport. A single shot could kill over 50 waterfowl resting on the water’s surface. They were too big to hold and the recoil so large that they were mounted directly on the punts (a small skiff boat) used for hunting, hence their name. “Used for duck hunting” isn’t the right expression for aiming this piece of artillery in the general direction of a flock of ducks, firing, and spending the rest of the day picking up the carcasses.

Hell no! Weapons development is never ending. As we have progressed from crude matchlocks using black powder to our modern weapons we have today the real good stuff like lasers, phasers, death rays and who knows what will be viable weapons in the not too distant future. I won't be around to see it but when they hit the market I am sure there will be squabbling on who can own one just like they are squabbling about the bullet firing weapons we use today. Al

So back in the days when I worked in a sporting goods store I had a good customer who was a Rome cop come in with a Fenwick rod he had just purchased a few days before with a broken tip. He told me he hooked into a nice fish and the tip just snapped. I told him man I am sorry that happened, Fenwick rods are top of the line and we have had zero problems with them, but have no fear Fenwicks warranty will cover this deal no problem. I will box it up and send in back to the company pronto and get it replaced. So the rod was sent back and in a few days a brand new replacement rod arrived at the store and I called the cop to let him know his rod came in and was ready to be picked up at his convenience. So that afternoon the customer comes in along with his young daughter to pick up his rod, he is very thankful and appreciative that all ended well. And as he is leaving his little girl chimes in and says "now the next time you go fishing Daddy don't close your fishing pole in the car door!!" Al

Same deal for me, I had a floater for the tractor added to my homeowner's policy. Al

Mine is one of the early Ithaca SKBs imported and sold by Ithaca Gun, a 280 model with the straight English stock, it is the same length as yours Dan, imp/mod-25 inches and also I bought mine used in the early seventies. Al

There was a time when I lived for Hare hunting with Beagles, the best part about Hare hunting is you actually like winter and want some fresh snow on the ground every day. Nice photos and like Dan said they bring back some great memories. A blast from the past me dressed up in my Woolrich PA tux, Sorrel Boots along with my old SKB 20 ga double that I still have and use today, I would be after those Hare from dawn to dusk.

Congrats, Franchi is a great brand that has been around for many years, the Affinity is carrying on their tradition of lightweight reliable auto loading shotguns. They stopped producing the long time favorite 48AL long recoil operated models for the newer Benelli inertia type that is supposed to be an marked improvement. Good luck on the upcoming season with your new Franchi, will be interested on how she performs for you. I have some experience with the older Franchi 48 ALs and they were no slouch even with their old outdated design, I have my Dad's mint 20 ga 48 AL, he had a Buck-Slug barrel on it for deer hunting. I picked up a 24 inch vent rib bird barrel that utilizes screw in chokes and use it for upland hunting. Weighs just slightly over 5 lbs, I can shoot that gun exceptionally well and it is a nice carrying light gun for an old geezer like me. Al

The TYM model I have is the 433 (Perkins 43 HP Sync/Shuttle-16/F16R trans) and have owned it now for 8 yrs, in that time it has been worked hard and I have zero complaints. TYM not only sells under their own name but makes and sells various models under other manufacturers badges such as Mahindra, Cabelas and Branson I think. Knock on wood "So Far So good" Al

Hey you are still a young buck, have a happy birthday. Al

Especially snow removal!

The wife's back gives her problems every now and then, she would be laid up for several days at times, ibuprofen and rest was the best she could do for relief. For the heck of it I picked up one of the Aleve tens units for her to try and it has been a game changer for her. Once she got the hang of using the thing she she is pretty much good to go and swears by it. https://www.cvs.com/shop/aleve-direct-therapy-tens-device-prodid-1090314?skuId=439364

What in the Hell are these goofs supposed to be doing? I see on some movies this what is supposed to be the cool way to fire a handgun, "Gangstas" running around blasting away in a gun fight firing their weapons sideways with their pants hanging half way down their asses. maybe that is why they have to hold on to their crotch so the drawers don't fall down!

Add this pile to the list! And most of these accidents are caused by young people but you will not see them marching on Washington to outlaw and ban those precious cell phones! Every year in the U.S., almost a half million people are injured or killed in traffic accidents attributed to the combination of texting and driving. The statistics are shocking, especially in view of the fact that this danger could be completely avoided. With the latest statistics available as of 2018, in 2015, according to statistics compiled by the Department of Transportation, 3,477 people died and another 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by drivers who were distracted because they were texting or using cell phones

She is a beauty, my tractor has been has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. I am going to be picking up a flail mower as soon as things warm up around here. Al

Nice rig Jerry, she should be a shooter, as for the sun shade it is just that, while not needed for most shooting it will allow you to see clearly through your scope with a bright sunny situation when facing the sun by eliminating glare off of the objective lens. Al

Would you move from new York State to a place just for better gun laws ? YES But that is just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more than the worst gun laws in the country this state has implemented that make it suck! I ain't even going to waste my time listing the mountain of negatives this state has!

And I bet they also both have severe GAS!!!

I am a sucker for single shots and a few years ago Savage reintroduced the little Steven's Favorite 22 LR boy's rifle and I picked one up. Back in their day they were a low priced starter gun for youngsters these latest versions were made in Canada and have been discontinued. They are a little rough around the edges but mine shoots really well. Because of my old eyes I had to do something about the lousy factory sights, I put a fire type sight on the front and changed out the rear for a Marble's peep. I also true oiled the rather dull finish on the stock for a little snazz, came out pretty good I think and I like it a lot and it is a nice little fun gun. Al

I would just contact Cabelas, they will make it right with you, nobody chomps at the bit more than I when it comes to firing a new gun but personally I will wait a couple of extra days before Dick's gets one nickle out of me!!! Al

To continue on our current path we will just keep adding billions and billions of more debt to China, I say it has to be stopped and we need to get back to manufacturing our own stuff, screw China! Al

This question of the best rifle ever made is getting two different interpretations and answers here, some are putting forth what they consider the best "design-platform" and others are naming an actual model of a manufacturer's rifle that has been produced and sold. Al

The "Rifleman's Rifle" the controlled feed Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action. I have been drooling over the tiger tail maple stocked Super Grade version for some time, I would love to own one in 264 Winchester mag. Al