ECVMatt
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2004
- Messages
- 2,866
I have been working on this one for a while, but was finally able to seal the deal today.
A quick bit of back story first though...during college I worked in a local gun store. A good percentage of our customers were local police officers. Being a smallish town, we interacted with them regularly and for a lot of guys my age, they were our role models. A lot of the officers were veterans as well as local guys who cared about our community. They were great to us, forgave us for our smaller transgressions and allowed us a certain amount of freedom as long as we did not disturb other folks. We also shot together at the local range and would sometimes make desert trips together. And...I sold a ton of great guns to these guys.
Fast forward about 30 years and I am lucky enough to remain in contact with some of them. I still hold them in the highest respect and am grateful for the guidance they provided us in our youth. It just so happens that one of these gentleman was selling an unfired Smith and Wesson 14-3. These go for a pretty nice sum around my parts but I have wanted one forever so I jumped at the chance. Coming from a friend adds to the intrinsic value of the gun. Like a true gentleman the seller offered me the gun for slightly more than he paid for it 20 or so years ago. I offer more, but he refused. It took us a couple of weeks to meet up to do the transfer, but we got it done today.
So here it is...
I have to wait a few days for my background check, but I can't wait to get this one out the range. I will do my best to keep it pristine, but this gun was meant to be shot. I am working on some loads in the meanwhile and can't wait to see the accuracy potential of this beautiful gun.
A quick bit of back story first though...during college I worked in a local gun store. A good percentage of our customers were local police officers. Being a smallish town, we interacted with them regularly and for a lot of guys my age, they were our role models. A lot of the officers were veterans as well as local guys who cared about our community. They were great to us, forgave us for our smaller transgressions and allowed us a certain amount of freedom as long as we did not disturb other folks. We also shot together at the local range and would sometimes make desert trips together. And...I sold a ton of great guns to these guys.
Fast forward about 30 years and I am lucky enough to remain in contact with some of them. I still hold them in the highest respect and am grateful for the guidance they provided us in our youth. It just so happens that one of these gentleman was selling an unfired Smith and Wesson 14-3. These go for a pretty nice sum around my parts but I have wanted one forever so I jumped at the chance. Coming from a friend adds to the intrinsic value of the gun. Like a true gentleman the seller offered me the gun for slightly more than he paid for it 20 or so years ago. I offer more, but he refused. It took us a couple of weeks to meet up to do the transfer, but we got it done today.
So here it is...
I have to wait a few days for my background check, but I can't wait to get this one out the range. I will do my best to keep it pristine, but this gun was meant to be shot. I am working on some loads in the meanwhile and can't wait to see the accuracy potential of this beautiful gun.
