Posted on 12/07/2009 5:34:36 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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.
Last week, 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 the gun dealers, many of them still counting the post-election profits of an "Obama rush" that saw shoppers stockpiling in case a new administration banned firearms.(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at scrippsnews.com ...
I asked Santa (AKA Mrs. Thorne) for ammo this Christmas.
I’m looking for a nice centerfire semiautomatic .22 plinker rifle if anyone wants to make a recommendation.
.223 is too expensive to plink with. ;)
I just purchased a gun that will be a Christmas gift for someone.
I have plenty of ammo but I asked Santa for another Colt Python. I have no idea why I traded mine years ago.
Ping.
Ruger 10/22
You will never regret it. It is a wonderful rifle.
Centerfire?
Check out the little Marlins in .22LR. I remember thearing that they are inexpensive and reliable.
Centerfire?
Sorry, my ignorance here is showing.
I read there are centerfire vs rimfire .22’s.
Colt and S&W are making AR-15s in .22lr.
We’ve purchased four so far if you also count the air rifles.
A rifle behind every blade of grass.
I don’t want guns for Christmas, though I would gladly take one someone gave one to me. I want AMMO lots and lots of ammo!!!!!
Only 15?!?!? Liberal!
a stainless-steel Smith & Wesson Model 686 revolver.
At least he's got good taste. I've had two of them, thought very well of both.
Got my Remington 870, 12 gauge, 26” barrel, pump action. Next to the sound of an M2, .50 cal and a Huey, the “chambering” sound of a shotgun sends a “tingle up my leg”.
PS: If any of you FReepers out there want any gift ideas(because I just know I’m around the top of all of your shopping lists).
I’d like several cases of .308, 5.56mm, .45ACP, 12 gauge, and 9mm. Remeber, it’s the thought that counts! :p
Ruger 10-22 in .22 LR.
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