My Chirstmas Wish Fulfilled - My Wife gave me a Shotgun (Vanity)

N/A | irish guard

[irish guard]

With all the news about Iraq, I have hesitated posting this but I can no longer resist. Just prior to this Christmas, I asked my wife for a shotgun. But not just any shotgun.

I had always wanted a .20 gauge over/under for upland bird hunting, but what I really wanted was a gun with a "story" behind it. You know....some 80 year old guy who had used "Old Betsy" all his life and had three girls, none of whom liked to hunt and wanted to find a good home for his favorite gun.

My wife put her brother on the job and came up with something much beeter. Something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

A man in North Carolina had won a limited edition Beretta .20 gauge over/under in a shooting contest sponsored by the NRA. There are only 10 of them in the country (mine is number 7 out of 10). On its side, engravced in the metal, besides the number 7 out of 10, is engraved the signature of CHARLTON HESTON! Needless to say, I was stunned. It was a gift for which I had no adequate words of appreciation. Accompanying the gun was an autographed photo of Heston, with the words "To a survival of the NRA, Charlton Heston"

The photo takes up too much space on the public websites for me to post it there, but for anyone who would like to see it, I would be happy to email you a copy.

Clearly this beat the story of the old man and his "old Betsy".....by the way...it shoots well too. I figured, why save it, why not use it, I think Heston would have said the same thing to me.

[irish guard]

Sorry if this kind of Vanity post bothers anyone....I just had to tell the story.....

[Tijeras_Slim]

Glad it found a good home.

[irish guard]

I was kind of surprised the guy wanted to sell the gun, but I guess he had quite a few and losing this to a stranger (my brother-in-law) over the internet and subsequently the phone didn't seem to bother him. His loss and my gain!

[EggsAckley]

"You'll put your eye out with that thing!"

couldn't resist

[shiva]

WOW!!!! I wanna see it!!!!!

[irish guard]

LOL....Actually, I have three sons, two of whom are old enough to hunt(19 and 16...the youngest is 12). Each has taken a hunter safety course and loves to go hunting with their old man (me).

The first time my oldest shot a rooster pheasant, he turned to me and said, "that is the coolest thing I have ever done!" My second son shot his first rooster that was going away and ended up being a 40 yard shot, one of the best I have ever seen......seemed like I could have said an "Our Father" in the time it took him to aim and pull the trigger.

I can still remember the first pheasant I shot. I can tell you the day in October, the time of day, the height of the sun in the sky, the terrain and everything about who was with me (my father!) I know hunting isn't for everyone, but for me and each of my sons, it has been a great thing to do together.

[irish guard]

The picture of Heston is a real "bada$$ special"...unfortunately, it is too large (too many KBs) to post on one of the public websites for it to be able to be posted on the thread). I will be happy to forward it to anyone who wants to see it.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Life is too short to own ugly guns. And beautiful guns are not art, they are meant to be fired.

Sounds like you can look forward to many a wonderful day afield with your boys.

If you haven't read "The Old Man and the Boy" by Robert Ruark (published mid-50's but available new and used), I think you'll find it a real treat.

[irish guard]

Thanks for the suggestion...I will find it and read it.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Great story. I bought my son a .22 bolt action rifle when he was eight and made sure he understood all safety aspects of shooting and hunting. I hate to say it, but few in his grade school class knew anything about guns and a few were even afraid of guns.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I've worn out and given away more copies than I can count.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

Great story; you'll get no argument from me about this vanity.

Few people get to experience the joys of upland bird hunting with a sweet 20 ga O/U, over good dogs. It is truly a fantastic time.

My personal tastes run to the Browning, but that's just how I was brought up. Enjoy your Beretta!
Semper Fi,

[kAcknor]

You have private mail. I'll be glad to resize and post it for you.

[arly]

that is awesome!... I own several firearms but nothing like that you are a lucky guy. It sounds like you have a really great wife.

[lodwick]

That is great bttt

[irish guard]

yes, my wife is great....thanks

[irish guard]

I use a Browning for duck hunting and really like it. Since I received this gun as a gift, I could hardly complain.....O/Us do take some getting used to....

[Ches]

It is an extremely dangerous weapon of questionable utility. Please ship it to CHES. Rest assured, I will dispose of it safely.

[Ches]

BANG!

[Shooter 2.5]

Wonderful!

I understand that Heston won't be the President after April when they have the Annual Meetings. I don't know who they picked out to replace him.