Aw gee...you guys are just teasing me now.

Seriously though, I would love to visit over there and spend some time bustin' caps and doin' a little in both the US and Canada. I really appreciate the offers..and as Crackshat says...Sounds like one heck of a vacation to me! ..I reckon he's got that right in one.

Rick65Cat wrote:

Vince, you guys have pistols "down under"? If y'all ever take a vacation to the great white north I'll let you have a go with my .44 magnum 240gr "tin can basher" or my "1911 230gr .45 auto.

Yes mate...we have pistols, although ownership is extremely heavily controlled by the Government. To own one you must be a member of a Pistol Club and then get approval in writing from the Club to apply for a license. You then apply to the Police for a pistol license and then go through a very detailed background check by the Police...can take up to 6 months. If they approve, they will allow you to have a license for a Category H Firearm (pistol). After all that you can then apply for permission to purchase a pistol, from the Police. The pistol MUST be approved for one of the "approved matches", and the Club you belong to must shoot that match...otherwise the Club won't sign approval to apply to the Police for a Permit to Acquire. Once the Police have approved your acquistion of a pistol then you are able to purchase the approved, designated pistol. Then you have to put the purchase through your local Gunshop, even if you are buying it privately. They record the purchase and send off the relvant paperwork to the Police. Each and every one of these steps (applications) carries a fee of course, as does putting the sale through the Gunshop's books.

I gave up my pistols 6 years ago...wonder why!! I had a .357 MAG S & W 586, 6" barrel, adjustable foresight, Millet back sight and Hogue grip. I used it for shooting our Service Match and Police and Service Match as well as a bit of Action Pistol. I also had a Ruger Mk1 in .22 and my very favourite of all...a Thompson Center Contender in 30.30 WIN, 10" BBL, Packmyar grip and fore end, that I used to shoot IHMSA. My daughters were very disappointed when I handed in my pistols and surrendered my license because they loved going to the range with me and having a shot.

Mind you, we have to go through a similar, but much easier process, to buy a rifle.

Cheers, Vince

Vince wrote:

Aw gee...you guys are just teasing me now. Seriously though, I would love to visit over there and spend some time bustin' caps and doin' a little in both the US and Canada. I really appreciate the offers..and as Crackshat says...Sounds like one heck of a vacation to me! ..I reckon he's got that right in one. Rick65Cat wrote: Vince, you guys have pistols "down under"? If y'all ever take a vacation to the great white north I'll let you have a go with my .44 magnum 240gr "tin can basher" or my "1911 230gr .45 auto. Yes mate...we have pistols, although ownership is extremely heavily controlled by the Government. To own one you must be a member of a Pistol Club and then get approval in writing from the Club to apply for a license. You then apply to the Police for a pistol license and then go through a very detailed background check by the Police...can take up to 6 months. If they approve, they will allow you to have a license for a Category H Firearm (pistol). After all that you can then apply for permission to purchase a pistol, from the Police. The pistol MUST be approved for one of the "approved matches", and the Club you belong to must shoot that match...otherwise the Club won't sign approval to apply to the Police for a Permit to Acquire. Once the Police have approved your acquistion of a pistol then you are able to purchase the approved, designated pistol. Then you have to put the purchase through your local Gunshop, even if you are buying it privately. They record the purchase and send off the relvant paperwork to the Police. Each and every one of these steps (applications) carries a fee of course, as does putting the sale through the Gunshop's books. I gave up my pistols 6 years ago...wonder why!! I had a .357 MAG S & W 586, 6" barrel, adjustable foresight, Millet back sight and Hogue grip. I used it for shooting our Service Match and Police and Service Match as well as a bit of Action Pistol. I also had a Ruger Mk1 in .22 and my very favourite of all...a Thompson Center Contender in 30.30 WIN, 10" BBL, Packmyar grip and fore end, that I used to shoot IHMSA. My daughters were very disappointed when I handed in my pistols and surrendered my license because they loved going to the range with me and having a shot. Mind you, we have to go through a similar, but much easier process, to buy a rifle. Cheers, Vince

WoW! Vince thats an even worse handgun regulation then the
one we have here in good old Canada!
i feel for ya!

I may not have many guns left by the time you get here because of Dr.s bills. But the offer stands if you ever do.

Any time you combine shooting guns, drinking beer and BBQ's has to be a good time.

d_hoffman wrote:

Any time you combine shooting guns, drinking beer and BBQ's has to be a good time.

Beer doesn't come out (atleast with me) till after the shooting is done and the guns are locked away.

Dimitri

Same here Dimitri! I only drink after the shooting, especialy the MG's.

Crackshot,

I compare drinking and shooting to drinking and driving. You just shouldn't do it.

Dimitri

Yep! Its definatley asking for something bad to happen.

Hey, guys, Hoffman didn't say that they all had to occur simultaneously. While I believe that alcohol and gunpowder don't mix, I have nothing against alcohol and Hoppe's #9 or beer and Sweet's 7.62. Especially while the pork butt is slow cookin' over hickory coals...

Thanx for clarifying that for me Phil. There's been plenty of times after shooting at the range to go home throw a couple steaks on and enjoy a beer..... or 6.

Dont forget the 12 year old Scotch!

Dimitri wrote:

d_hoffman wrote: Any time you combine shooting guns, drinking beer and BBQ's has to be a good time. Beer doesn't come out (atleast with me) till after the shooting is done and the guns are locked away. Dimitri

Depends who/what I'm shooting.... (OK bad joke, tracker, bad joke) Actually, I've turned down a few "hunting" partners invitations over the years cuz I don't think they separated the two, it was good you made the point clarification big D.

Hunting, shooting, ATV rideing, Bow shooting................ Dont go with Beer or booze.

As FALPhil pointed out and if you notice the order in which I listed them, you should be able to see that's what I meant. So far only one person on here can see that point. Thanx again Phil.

Crackshot wrote:

Dont forget the 12 year old Scotch!

Only 12 year old Crackshot??? Nothing less that 18 year old thank you. But...a fine single malt Scotch is out of place at a BBQ...only beer is totally at home at a barby.

'Mitri...I believe that you have taken d_hoffman post out of context mate. The vast majority of us shooters/hunters enjoy a beer...or 3...at the end of day's activities. Nothing at all wrong with that mate...so long as you have finished everything and locked away your firearms and ammunition and don't get them out again until the next day.

I think we are gonna have to take you under our wing mate and initiate you.

Cheers, Vince