[WhiskeyMike]

Hi all.
I haven't wandered THR in a while.

I had to move to Japan a few months ago (Military) so I thinned my heard and stored the rest with my brother in Arkansas.

I have tried to stay away from anthing that reminded me of them.

Well here I am again. Wandering the boards, wondering what's new in the firearms world. Wishing there was a LGS here to browse.

I have bought a few lights and a knife or two though.....

Is there anyone else out there in the same boat?

Whiskey Mike

[Thernlund]

I am genuinely sad for you. :(

Keep the faith, brother. You'll come back eventually. Hopefully we haven't screwed it up for you too badly by then.


-T.

[Mannix]

You could get some air soft guns and do a little pop can killing. Last I checked Japan was then biggest market for air soft guns(and so I assume they are mostly unregulated).

Keep the faith, brother. You'll come back eventually. Hopefully we haven't screwed it up for you too badly by then.
+1

[WhiskeyMike]

I wish

Airsoft guns are NOT ALLOWED on military installations. They might be mistaken for the real thing. There are even Armed Forces Network commercials about it.

[esheato]

I'm in Korea...been here for nearly a year. I finally go back to the USA in two weeks.

I'm more than excited. I've been restless for going on a month now.

I'm so thrilled to get my reloading stuff set back up. There is soooo much catching up I have to do. I have to test a Colt pistol I bought my son, chrono some loads through a Marlin I bought, mount a scope on an inbound .243 Ackley....that's just gun stuff! The wife and family have a few lists also!

Thankfully, my year went pretty quick....that doesn't mean I want to do it again either. ;)

Ed

[ir3e971]

WhiskeyMike,

Many have been in the same boat. I had a tourin England, followed by a tour in Japan. When I was able to go home on leave I would go shooting with the family, but the rest of the time was gun free.

However, your service is appreciated and needed.

Where are you in Japan?

[WhiskeyMike]

Thanks for the support. Maybe I should start a group that meets here each Tuesday night. "Hi my name is Bernie, I've been firearm free for 98 days......"

I am at Misawa AB. Its up north. LOTS of snow. Very cold.

WM

[ir3e971]

Take the opprotunity to travel around. Especially in the spring and fall. Japan has a lot of neat stuff to see. If you stay inside the fence of the base your whole assignment it will be a long assignment.

Also you can set aside some of your COLA each month for a future purchase on your return.

[WhiskeyMike]

I thought if I found any good deals, I'll have it shipped to my Bro's FFL in Arkansas.

We do alot of driving over here. My wife is a teacher in the DoD system so i will have to take my leave when she is off for the summer.

It is a pretty cool, very polite, society.

WM

[peyton]

I am here sitting in Camp Victory Iraq, unarmed. Contractors are not "trusted" with firearms. Unless you are one of the "special people" so I have tried to keep up with what is going on in the world. One side effect of the "NO GUN" policy is "NO CONVOYS", I have been denied a seat in vehicles going to the place I need to get to. Pre combat convoy check Helmet, Body Armor, Weapon?? NO WEAPON NO RIDE!!! So I cruise above on Black Hawk helocopters. Flight Briefing: Soldiers deploy around helo to provide security if it has to land unexpectly, contractor hands out candy to kids if they show up.

[Matthew Temkin]

Is there a gun club on your base?
How about some military advanced training in forearms?

[Jdude]

Peyton, that is where I am. Active duty military.

Matthew Temkin, if you are referring to Camp Liberty, then no. there is no gun club or public shooting range on post. There are ranges, but they are all unit events and require Captains (O-3) to sign in and play. And the way the military runs a range... they just take all of the fun out of it. Show the slightest skill and Quote 'your day is over. There are other people who need the time more' endquote.

[YZR]

WhiskeyMike,
Thank you for your service and the same to all the others that have walked in the same boots. We truly appreciate it!

[Officers'Wife]

Hi Mike,

One of the sadder parts of service is that are people must forego the use of certain freedoms to protect all freedoms. Take heart, hurry home and thank you for being willing to sacrifice for the many.

Selena

[El Tejon]

Do your job, stay safe and come home. I'm sure some THR member or two will set aside some ammo for you.:D

When I think of Japan, for some reason I think of the Tsukiji fish market and sushi that melts in your mouth. Get down to Tokyo if you can. Amazing city.

[Checkman]

Boy do I feel for you. I served three years in Germany and all my guns stayed back in CONUS. I also tried to avoid anything to do with firearms during that time and ended up having my dad send me gun magazines on a consistent basis. The was pre-internet or at least pre-THR.

For me it was actually a good time when my knowledge of firearms began to get deeper and broader. All I could do was read about them.

[harmonic]

Yeah, I've been in a similar boat re firearm deprivation.

The good news is that when you make it back to (gun) civilization, you're likely gonna make up for it with a vengeance.

[Grizzly Adams]

Mike, just know that you are appreciated. Be safe and God Bless!

[Hogfan1911]

As stated already by others, thanks for protecting our freedoms. If you're worried about your guns getting lonely or out of shape from just sitting around, tell me where in AR your brother lives. I'll be happy to give 'em a good workout for ya!:D

[DogBonz]

I had to move to NJ for work...:mad:

[Justin]

Perhaps a trip here (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/drinkin-and-shootin/beer-guns-combined-to-predictably-awesome-effect-at-tokyos-hollow-point-bar-318280.php) is in order.

[MD_Willington]

Same here, in my state I need a license (legal resident alien needs an Alien Firearms License), my license expired and they will not issue anymore this year, so my firearms are stored at my friends house...

[rayman]

I guess you'll have to cope by drowning your sorrow in a six pack of Asahi dry or Sapporo draft & chase it with some good sashimi, yakitori... Maybe a few good shoot-em-up movies. I feel your pain. You know what though, Japan is a really safe place to live.

[BullsEye10x]

Hang in there bro'
You'll be back before you know it, and with a greater respect for the things you've been away from. Just have fun and make the most out of it! My last year in the Corps had me stationed on Okinawa, but I spent 6 months of that camped out on the side of Mt. Fuji. Tokyo was a few hours away, took the bus or train there every chance I got. Lots of fond memories in Roppongi, the women there are somethin' else :evil:

Semper Fi!

[Arkie]

Sorry about not being able to have any trigger time over there.

I bet your brother is taking really good care of them for you. If not I know there are plenty of people here that would. LOL.

[cookekdjr]

You know, I spent years in my 20's when I never/rarely shot a gun. Honestly, I didn't miss it that much. I spent most of my free time boxing, kickboxing, and hiking. It was fun.
Sometimes you just go through a time in your life when you can't shoot. I say, get a different hobby and enjoy it. Go to THR when you want, but have another life. When you get back, you can shoot all you want.
Good luck and have fun,
David

[WhiskeyMike]

It really wasn't that difficult when it was warm here. Did alot of sight seeing and wandering around.

I shoot alot of pool. The bar is a 5 minute walk from my house so its not bad even with a couple feet of snow.

But when I am at home I wander around the boards, looking at good deals on the classified, thinking "If I was home I would buy that".

I guess while here I can add to the knife, flashlight collections.

The food is good, the locals are nice. I think I'll make it, if not I can retire at pretty much any time.

WM

[Thernlund]

But when I am at home I wander around the boards, looking at good deals on the classified, thinking "If I was home I would buy that".

Oh man... with your brother state-side, I bet a straw purchase is tempting when an awesome deal comes down. Must resist. Must resist.

That's rough.


-T.

[plumberroy]

Must be a bummer not to get to shoot, Thank you for your sacrifice you guys are why we have any rights and you have my gratitude
Roy

[WhiskeyMike]

What is a straw purchase?

I have thought about buying him something and have it sent to his FFL. Sort of appriciation for storing my stuff for me. He can do the paperwork/background. (and satisfy my buying itch)

Is that Legal or no? Is that a straw purchase?

I have a Security Clearance and must not risk that.

WM

[Thernlund]

This should explain it well enough for you...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_purchase

:)

How that applies to you is if you wanted a gun for yourself, but you obviously can't buy it (as you're in Japan). So you enlist your brother to buy it for you. He does the paperwork and gets background check on himself when in reality YOU'RE the real purchaser/new owner of the firearm.

Doesn't apply to gifts exactly, as the purchaser is the real purchaser. They're just giving it away as a gift after the sale. It would still be illegal for them to give it to a prohibited person. Funny how that works, eh?


-T.

EDIT: What your planning to do is perfectly legal. The gun is FOR HIM, he gets the background check. No problems. Doesn't matter that it's your money.

[WhiskeyMike]

That's cool. I was kinda thinking of getting him a G19 for Christmas. Then I don't have to worry about him messing with my stuff too much.

I was going to get him a Strider PT but I'll be danged if I can't find one.

Thanks for the info.

Dang its good talking to like minded folks. Believe it or not, there arent that many Firearm, knife, flashlight enthusiest in the Air Force. They are mostly computer geeks. (I am a network Engineer by trade)

Plenty of beer drinkers though!!! And the Japanese make some FINE beer.

WM

[DrewH]

I feel for you :) Spent 2.5 years abroad no guns. Read boards like these a lot.

One benefit: I saved a_lot_of money. Blew about half of it on guns when I got back, but did put the other half on a house as well. :)

[Thernlund]

I saved a_lot_of money. Blew about half of it on guns when I got back...

Now THERE'S an idea. Put money aside just like you were actually purchasing guns. Then go bonkers when you get back! :D


-T.

[lgcal20ga]

Just thought I would give you a quick update on the Ruger Pac-lite I bought from you in 2006. You were just on your way to Japan. (Are you still there??) Its doing well, and still living in the green Nato Pelican case. I can't tell you all the compliments I have gotten whenever I take this to the range. I try to shoot in our Thur evening indoor league during the fall and winter. It always gets looked over by everybody present. I bought a demilled stainless Ruger MK II from a dealer in ********** and then found a Pac-lite upper for it a couple months ago. Still have not had time to put the package together, but your old Pac-lite may have a stainless sister very soon to help occupy the Pelican. Won't get so lonely that way. Hope you are doing well, and thanks for your service to our country. I had a Vietnam Force Recon "Tunnel Rat" in my office this afternoon. I think when I thanked him for his service, he seemed genuinely taken aback. Maybe that was the first time anybody ever told him that. Anyway, thanks! for the service and the Ruger!!

Here's the pic WhiskeyMike posted on THR, still looks the same::D:cool:

http://www.huntingpictures.net/photo/011295

Larry

[Mortech]

Damn Lgcal , no need to rub it in J/K ! Pray for a tour in Germany , after the 8 years I spent there I had quadrupled my gun collection ! You should have seen the BATF agent's face when I went to their center in Pittsburgh to pick up all my toys .

[Solo Flyer]

WhiskyMike,just looked up Misaba on my Atlas.I see its on northern Honshu Island,the same latitude as Chicago,hopefully with better politicians.
It must be cold as a bear in the winter.
Thanks for serving.You'll be back soon enough.As others have said, in the meantime, try to experience that different culture as much as you can.
You have a unique oppuntunity most of us will never have.

[lgcal20ga]

Certainly didn't mean to rub it in, I have really enjoyed this Ruger, and WhiskyMike did a great job putting it together. I paid him well for it. Just thought he might like to see the old girl again. Hope you're out there reading this WM, and I too thank you for your service. I do that to all veterans whenever I meet one. It really must be a pain not being able to shoot. I don't get too enough, but I can go any time I want. Got to luv the ole USofA!!! and the 2nd Amendment. Molon labe!!

Keep saving while you're in Japan, you'll have a great time when you get back catching up on your collection.

Larry

[bogie]

You know, we -really- oughta point the kiddies who are breathlessly inquiring about joining the military or a police force, because they want to play with guns, to this thread...

[no_problem]

Sorry to hear that, as anyone who has been deployed overseas can attest, those years without your prized toys are misery.

Adds to the pleasure of coming home.