Across this forum and experiencing this hobby for more than two decades, it has been a privilege to interact with so many of you in so many terrific ways. We have learned from each other and shared countless hours of shooting together, generating and sharing information, and spreading the gospel regarding this terrific sport.
Those of you that have visited me know that my outdoor range has been one of envy to most, in a subdivision, but supported by terrific neighbors, where even though I work a busy schedule and demanding job, I was able to walk out the door and shoot in most any conditions, covered, and easily accessible.
Over the last few days, as three more new homes have broken ground, children and pets are becoming more prevalent, and new neighbors that I have not met are moving into homes proximate to my range that I don't know, I figure it is only now a matter of time before the police show up at my door due to the noise of pellets banging targets, or an errant shot from a high power pcp causes an issue I will forever regret. I assess risks of various types for a large construction company each and every day. And when I am truly objective, I know I have been pushing the envelope for too long as it is. It is now time to pull up the back yard range targets and backstops, and I intend to complete that task this weekend.
And while I belong to a beautiful private rifle range only 20 minutes away, the 30 minutes it takes on each end to pack and unpack, the planning that goes into making time available from a demanding job and the priorities of a beautiful family, and working in between scheduled range events, the spontaneous fun I have been so privileged to enjoy with this hobby is now no longer in play.
One of my problems in life is that I am an "all in or all out" kind of guy. To this end, I wish to thank each of you very much for your friendships and sharing of your expertise, but it is time to move on to other things life has to offer.
Those of you that have followed-up my posts and reviews over the years, know that I have a vault that contains nothing but very meticulously tuned and super accurate air rifles. That is all that I have left. The mediocre and very good rifles were weeded out over time to where all that are left are spectacular and dependable performers. Over the next days, weeks, and months, I intend to begin offering them up to enthusiasts that will appreciate them and continue to put them to great use. These rifles beg and deserve to be shot.
It will take me considerable time to go through and sort out all of the seal kits and parts that I have accumulated to service my rifles and those of others, but little by little I will offer the parts and accessories I have accumulated over time, including more than 200,000 pellets and slugs.
Will I keep anything? Yes, I do intend to keep three or four of the rifles that mean so much to me, including my first .22 Air Arms S410, a Weihrauch HW97.20 that will shoot 10 shot groups averaging less than an inch at 50 yards, a super accurate Charlie Frear tune .22 Cricket long, and maybe one other rifle, but all less than 40 FPE and all "backyard friendly." That leaves about 18 or 19 other rifles including a Panthera, Skout, King, multiple Wolverines, a fantastic Red Wolf, BRK rifles, multiple RAWs, and well you get the idea. I will keep a Joe Brancato Great White 97 cu ft tank and my Alkin W31 air compressor.
I can't thank you all enough for your terrific friendships. A particular thanks to Ken Hicks at SPAW, Bin at the Pellet Shop, the Skout team, all of the AOA Team, Pyramid Air, Charlie Frear, the UTAH Air Guns team, Tom at Vortek, and of course Martin and Sandra Rutherford of now Airguns USA. There are too many to thank and I don't mean to leave any one out.
One final tribute - to Scott Schneider, wonderful gentleman whom I never met personally, but performed fair and terrific services for me on several occasions, and helped me learn a lot along the way.
Thanks to each and everyone of you on this forum who have been so terrific to associate with.
