Posted on 12/03/2009 1:24:12 PM PST by Red in Blue PA
On Kevin Wence's 10th Christmas, he opened a gift from his father and discovered what would become A Christmas Story legend: a Red Ryder BB air rifle. His first gun.
On Monday, Wence bought his 15th, a stainless-steel Smith & Wesson Model 686 revolver. Unlike the air rifle, this gun won't sit under the Christmas tree, he said. But it would be a family gift that he, his wife and his 24-year-old son, all trained in shooting, could use to protect their St. Petersburg home.
"In responsible hands, they're safe. They're fun. It's a hobby," Wence said as he signed a form authorizing a background check at the Pinellas Park Bill Jackson's Shop for Adventure. "Once you fire a bullet, you can't take it back. But you can still have fun with them."
The desire for fun, the hunt or self defense has drawn shoppers looking for the perfect Christmas gift to gun stores across Tampa Bay, dealers said. At most stores, the shopping is a family affair — a father and daughter firing at the range, husbands semiauto shopping with their wives, parents price-checking hunting bows for their young son.
"It's a feeling of confidence, like having a shield," said Tony Orifici, a salesman at Dunedin's Florida Survivalist gun shop. "Grandpa wants a shotgun. Mom wants a revolver. … We had a family come in and buy an AR-15, a shotgun and two handguns, one for each of them."
But the season's real present may go to gun dealers, many of them counting the post-election profits of an "Obama rush" that saw shoppers stockpiling in case a new administration banned firearms. As other businesses hope for the year's low sales to turn around with the holidays, firearms dealers say they're simply waiting for their revenue to shoot even higher.
(Excerpt) Read more at tampabay.com ...
I recently bought a smith and wesson model 642 airweight centennial. It’s so handy its crayzeeeeee
A Taurus Judge in caliber .410 / LC .45
Kicks like a mule with 3 inch magnum 000, but the 15 foot pattern is the size of a big man's torso.
Awesome home defense weapon. 000 and slug alternated in chambers. Slow 'em down with buck, coup de grace with slug.
And is good for snakes with 6-8 shot.
Getting an early Christmas present tomorrow a Glock 20 10-mm Auto.
Good choice.
Thanks and it has lots of firepower in terms of both volume and stopping power.
Model 94? 30-30? Looks a lot like what my dad has had for years, but it’s been a long time since I last looked at it.
They still don't get it. Arms and ammo are flying out the doors because we expect that we're going to have to use them.
Damn straight - I put a concealed carry piece on my list (the Sigma .40 cal’s just wearin’ a hole in my backpack and it prints too easily in a holster).
Colonel, USAFR
Kel-Tec P3AT for the pocket. SigP220 for the house.
Sorry about being boring, but No new guns, just some a shovel, plastic pipe and fittings to make it ‘watertight’.
Saw my little brother, his wife and sons over the Thanksgiving weekend for the first time in about a year and half.
Both he and his wife have CCL and the oldest boy is learning to shoot.
I would of never thought.
That’s a beauty! I haven’t had the opportunity to handle a Fausti yet.
November was a good month though, found a bargain priced Beretta 409 (1959 SXS in 16 gauge) and a LNIB Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Special.
Wife’as company getting *employee* pricing at Cabelas this weekend.
We’ll see what transpires.
My present to myself was a S&W Model 66 snubbie, made in 1974 and NIB. Cost an arm and a leg, but it’s the only pinned and recessed 66 that I’ve seen with a target hammer and target trigger.
I love leverguns. What’s it chambered for?
Many thanks! I shot some porting clays this past week and someone commented on the gun before I even took the first shot. Never thought I would love a shotgun so much!
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