Yesterday I was 102 also. Today for some reason I’m 35. I think I will go for a jog so I can be 86 tomorrow. Very rarely am I my true 54.
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"What IS it with you old guys "?
- Thread starter Gerry52
- Start date
You guys want a good laugh? Here’s me in 1988 risking an Article 15 and dishonorable discharge over a stupid airgun.
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Yeah, its like I would tell my students when I was a scuba instructor “A full kit of dive gear is cheaper than a jet ski”.
An airgun and compressor and a few accessories are also cheaper than a jet ski (or personal watercraft).
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That’s a restricted area badge on my chest. My M16, web belt, ammo and radio were left in the truck. Had to lose the gear so I could stalk.An article 15 seems harsh for shooting an airgun on base.Guess it depends upon your CO.
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Simple really... these aren't $25 Daisy Cubs or $50 Crossman 760 Powermasters.. We're older now and have a lot more disposable income and enjoy buying nice High End airguns.
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It seems that the sport has progressed - with PCP technology - that it gives a new dimension to what we all did in our youth and growing up. My kids - in their 30s - have CO2 full auto BB guns and PCP guns, so they really don't know where it started. Fortunately I still have my .177 Benjamin pump rile and pistol and a Hy Score 700 that was my grandfathers and they have "gotten the progression."
I graduated to a Stoeger suppressed break barrel when they came out to hold down the varmint count in my yard. It was still fun, but not quite like the the pump guns that had literally no movement when you shot them. I would shoot off and on, but not regularly. Then I fell into PCPs. This brough a dimension to the sport that was unavailable (IMHO) without this technology. Shooting targets (or even small game) at 100 yards was not something I would attempt in the past and certainly not shooting out to 200 yards! Wow - what fun! The fact that you can "tinker" with a lot of settings and tweak the shooting can be quite satisfying it itself. Then I've seen some members that have the ability to machine/CNC/print parts and things that again show the "sparked thought" in old guys - I'm 68 but not for long. Just the practice of steadying the gun on a bench or on a bipod or tripod and pulling the trigger without my nerve jerk is work in and of itself! Off hand shooting is not as accurate as it use to be! And NV... well I never thought I would enjoy ratting so much!
What is also nice about being an old fart and going to the range is simply explaining and showing off the PCP guns. Everyone is amazed at the capabilities and after they shoot them - which I'm happy to let them try - many become instant converts! Even the young guys shooting tactical weapons have gotten on board.
It's great to hear from the "older guys" that they are still enjoying the sport and I hope that I will be in that camp at some point in time. And I notice that there seem to be a lot of musicians that also like the sport. If only I could get as many PCP guns as I have guitars, then I would be in 7th Heaven! LOL
I graduated to a Stoeger suppressed break barrel when they came out to hold down the varmint count in my yard. It was still fun, but not quite like the the pump guns that had literally no movement when you shot them. I would shoot off and on, but not regularly. Then I fell into PCPs. This brough a dimension to the sport that was unavailable (IMHO) without this technology. Shooting targets (or even small game) at 100 yards was not something I would attempt in the past and certainly not shooting out to 200 yards! Wow - what fun! The fact that you can "tinker" with a lot of settings and tweak the shooting can be quite satisfying it itself. Then I've seen some members that have the ability to machine/CNC/print parts and things that again show the "sparked thought" in old guys - I'm 68 but not for long. Just the practice of steadying the gun on a bench or on a bipod or tripod and pulling the trigger without my nerve jerk is work in and of itself! Off hand shooting is not as accurate as it use to be! And NV... well I never thought I would enjoy ratting so much!
What is also nice about being an old fart and going to the range is simply explaining and showing off the PCP guns. Everyone is amazed at the capabilities and after they shoot them - which I'm happy to let them try - many become instant converts! Even the young guys shooting tactical weapons have gotten on board.
It's great to hear from the "older guys" that they are still enjoying the sport and I hope that I will be in that camp at some point in time. And I notice that there seem to be a lot of musicians that also like the sport. If only I could get as many PCP guns as I have guitars, then I would be in 7th Heaven! LOL
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I'm 76 but was young when I started with airguns. Air Rifle Headquarters was a true blessing when Robert started as it finally gave access to the European rifles so I didn't wear myself out pumping. Now the big springers have given way to PCP, lighter and easier to cock for old shoulders. I tuned a lot of spring rifles, all gone except for an R7. I do miss a lot of them and should have kept the HW55's.
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Always raised some farm animals with them eventually comes rats so there was always a 760 and huntsman springer lying around also a 1377 first year made that I couldn’t hit the barn with, then about 4 years ago I found this site , HOLY CRAP upgraded 1377 valve couple barrel spacers with picatinny rail $30 cp red dot gun shoots awesome since then got a Cayden ,Brocock concept xr ,2240 xl, and a Diana Bandit,all with scopes except 2240 and suppressors, I don’t think I’ll buy anymore guns but who knows. Besides the 22lr ammo my gun likes is impossible to find and pellets are economical to shoot, and back yard friendly.
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I’m 72 and shoot with a friend that is 86. He got me into airguns about 40 years ago. Started out with springers then got a Career 707 when they first came out and have had a lot of pcp’s since then high and low end. Have gotten back in to springers again somewhat recently but still enjoy shooting the pcp’s. Thank God for the electric compressors those hand pumps are killers.
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Back in the mid to late 70's Eglin AFB,FL had a dedicated area for shooting air guns. I went there once, it was just some unused sand dunes along the edge of th e bay, no specified target area, no supervision, no signing in or out, just go and shoot. I did not care for nothing but sand so living in base housing I made a pellet trap, that held old magazines, catalogues, ect, and shot from one bedroom down a hall and into another bedroom. I would shoot my FWB 124d and it was quiet enough that it never woke my infant son when he was sleeping, nor did it bother neighbors next door in duplex housing.
Looking at that picture, it makes me think that some places like Lackland AFB needs to promote airgun hunting of jackrabbits. I stayed in temporary BOC while awaiting transport overseas for Desert Storm back in 91 and upon return and that place was overrun with jackrabbits. Went up to McGuire AFB/ Ft Dix, NJ a couple of years later for a long medical evacuation course and could say the same thing about groundhogs there. some areas of their golf course and housing area were totally ruined by those animals
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How do you keep up with that many. I have 13 long airguns, not counting handguns, both co2 and springers and single stroke pneumatics, and sometimes have to think about what I want to shoot. I just turned 77 a couple of months ago.
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I only have 4 Airguns 1 of which hasn't worked in 2 at least. I've got more invested in support equipment than guns lol. My Sumatra is my main power rifle and my liberty is my target/tinkering rifle. My 1377 just for rattle snakes.
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I'm being thrifty by just shooting pellets, I've only spent about $4,000 or so by being thrifty. I figure about another $4,000 and I'll be set.
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I imagine some of it comes with home ownership. I was trying inventive new ways of killing yard pests and protecting our chickens. Walking around the hardware store looking for something that would help me "reach out" and get the raccoon way up in our tree. . . found a nice springer at Canadian Tire. One year later I had a 1322, and a year later I had an Edgun.
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A man have two choices with his wealth. Spend it like a drunken sailor or leave it to ungrateful kids. Back to the net looking for airgun bargains.
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D
Deleted member 48013
Guest
Home ownership with critters digging up mulch beds got my interest in air guns. Also had just been watching some iguana hunting videos from South Florida. Then I found this forum with tons of information and pictures. So bought an FX Wildcat a couple months ago, got all kinds of accessories, built a backstop and shooting trap in my backyard. Got my best score on the 30 yard challenge today, a 194. I guess I fall into the old guy catagory at 67. Like others have said stay active. I walk, workout, play guitar, do woodworking, inshore fishing on my boat, property maintenance, some remodeling work, do stuff with my kids and grandkids. Now I have another hobby in air guns. Best thing I ever did was retire at 62, so I can do all this stuff!
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In 1984 I bought my first airgun that cost over 50 bucks, a FWB124 deluxe @ 336 bucks. It's been down hill ever since. I just turned 70 and have probably spent over 30, 000 on airguns and related accessories maybe more. I spent 7000 last year.
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I think I should show that post to my wife —
as an introduction to "the talk" —
the talk in which I propose to buy a cheap used Prophet Compact .30cal...!
)I started airgunning much later in life than so many here... — I doubt I can spend $30,000 on airguns before I kick the bucket.
Matthias
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