5/20/10

OK, so the stripper clips I was bidding on went way above what I was willing to pay. I did put in what I thought was an exorbitant bid of $8.10 but was out bid. They were sitting at $8.60 when I last checked. $8.10 plus the $1.90 shipping would have been ten bucks for three little bent pieces of metal, which may not have even worked. No thank you. Of course once I began to look at the gun again, I noticed that I wouldn't have been able to use stripper clips with the scope anyway. So the choice is clear, no stripper clips for the Mauser. As for the Auto 5, I found a synthetic stock and fore end, on Amazon.com of all places, and ordered it. The real wood stocks I was finding were running anywhere from $200.00 to $600.00, plus another $150.00 to $300.00 for the fore end! Amazon.com’s price? $59.00 for both pieces. So, they may fit and they may not. They were cheap enough to take the gamble. I might not even attempt to put them on. We'll see. Feh, my eyes are drooping pretty badly. I think I'll shut down for a bit. I may be back later. Well, I'm back. I had some kind of ham and swiss sandwich with asparagus on it for lunch. I'm dreading my next few pees. They are going to stink to high heaven. Oh well, I knew the job was dangerous when I took it. I've been thinking about that Auto 5 some more and I'm beginning to regret ordering the synthetic stock and fore end. Part of me doesn't want to “mess with” the thing and keep it original, in memory of my grandfather. Of course, he died ten years before I was even born so it wouldn't be my memory of him. Then there’s the part of me that says, “Yeah, but isn’t it also honoring him to keep the gun alive and useful?” That’s the part that wants to justify the synthetic stock, in case you were wondering. I think I might be able to “sell” that argument to my sister if I actually took up skeet shooting with that gun. Of course I'd keep the old wood furniture so it could be put back to original spec if need be. Then there’s the side of me that says, “If you’re going to get into shotgunning, why not get one with after market support?” I don't really have a good answer for that guy’s question, other than, “I’ve already got this one.” Oh, I guess another answer to that would have to be that I'm not into the “belly button” guns. I don't want an AR because “everyone” has an AR. Sure, I want an AK but... shut up! Hmm, a Saiga 12 is beginning to sound better and better. No, I do not need that. Now, a little “coach gun” double barrel 12 gauge would be neat. Larry has put that bee in my bonnet. No, I think I'm going to have to keep my head here. I'm not going to get into 12 gauge shooting unless it is with the gun I already have. I don't need to go out and spend a bunch more money. So, I'll do some more cypherin’ and figgerin’ once the synthetic stock arrives and decide then if I'm going to make that gun into a more modern weapon. For skeet shooting, of course. Well, I need to go stink up the urinal with asparagus pee right quick. I think I'll call this a rant.