I'm a late B(l)oomer. Shows I grew up on was The Rat Patrol, Combat, Adam 12 etc. Always wanted to be in the military and a cop, gosh, it looked so manly and fun. I did have fun but after a few years it was tedious, boring, monotonous, sprinkled with sometimes interesting and occasionally the odd adrenaline rush. By the time I was old enough to get paid to plant a flag on some new Iwo Jima, America entered a very peaceful period, and toting a Thompson like Vic Morrow gave way to the M16 and M16A1, god I hated that cheap plastic forestock that was two half ellipticals and later the spiney round forestock that was just plain uncomfortable without gloves. I threw a few training grenades, could take apart 5 different weapons, graduated and was sent overseas to motor pool duty. The most excitement we had was pulling guard duty at night when a guy copped a squat on top of a porcupine. When I became a cop, I was lucky to sign out a M38 but not for long and being forced to carry a nine, I chose a SA/SA BHP. Closest thing I could carry that reminded me of a 1911.
Arthritis now determines many decisions, including no longer being strong enough to enjoy a Springfield M1 or even a Bushmaster Patrol Carbine. My eyesight also has changed and the grooved fixed rear notched sights with the slim front blade means I usually miss the entire target.
Funny (not ha ha) but now I'm appreciative of Glocks and lasers, Shotguns are my main battery after I rid myself of Enfields and other too heavy WW1/2 Battle Rifles.
I still visit the gun shop and always make sure to at least buy a box of unneeded ammo, I like to browse but for the most part, gun design has become a bit ridiculous, a lot to do with Tactical stuff. Last time I was there, two fellas were contemplating going 300 Win Mag or 338 Lapua and I can't remember if they were out to shoot Elk, gongs or what but then they started discussing the 6.5 Creedmore and I had enough, but they were in their late 20s so what the heck, their generation is going to have to defend this country from the enemies from within, apparently we were asleep at the wheel. I did mention that the scope should be of a good quality and they should be prepared to fork over a goodly sum for which they didn't take into account.
I actually crave an M1 Carbine, had one issued to me (always asked the armored if there were older weapons to check out instead of the M16 and they were always surprised) and it fired fine, now I'm reading everywhere that it's just a piece of junk that's worthless but I know better, my dad carried one in Korea (being an FAO), he needed something light that wouldn't weigh him down once the incoming artillery realized where he might be. I did a stint with the UN as a Liaison NCO, Jerusalem, Golan Heights (both sides), Lebanon, Sinai Desert, that was interesting. Weapons were everything from Uzi's to FN FAL's. The Fijian army dominated and I was impressed that their NCO's were very British like. It could take 10-15 years just to make Corporal, Sergeants were gods. The loose bolt of the M1 was very good in this sandy region and there was a reason that the AK, Galil and Uzi dominated the arena, they were designed to work dirty.
Idk, give me a 1911 and an M1 carbine and I could be very happy.
Should it be T rex, not e rex????
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