Local Forum Gathering (Jackson, MS - U.S.A.)

[Alan Smith]

I was recently contacted by 17 year-old Grant B. (a/k/a "Col. Klink") who lives in my area and sent a PM to introduce himself. Grant indicated that he would like to shoot an MP-40, so over the holidays Grant, his father and I had a little "meet and greet" at a local range. Grant is a very enthusiastic young collector and and has a much better collection of WWII-era German weapons than I did at his age (six 98k's, including a sniper version).

Enclosed are a few photos of the group having a nice time. Needless to say, I was very impressed by the 98k sniper rifle that Grant brought for show, so I'll post detailed photos of it in a separate thread. The MP-40 (bnz 41) is mine and the Beretta 38/44 belongs to a local WWII vet friend of mine (who brought it back). The P.38 (byf 44, if I recall correctly) was Grant and his brother's Christmas gift to his father.

Here is a photo of the gang with Grant in the center, me on the right, and Grant's father on the left.

[Alan Smith]

The guns.

[Alan Smith]

Grant firing the MP-40.

[Alan Smith]

Grant, with (to anyone who has live fired a machinegun) the infamous "30 Shot Grin", i.e. his facial expression after having just fired his first magazine through a fully automatic weapon. In this case, I guess it's the "32 Shot Grin".

[Alan Smith]

Grant firing the Beretta MP38/44.

[Alan Smith]

Grant's father firing the MP-40.

[Alan Smith]

Grant and his father enjoying the firearms.

Grant's father is a long-haul truck driver working as a civilian contractor for the U.S. military in Iraq. Grant's father came home for the Christmas holidays but is headed back to his job in Iraq today. Frequently hauling loads of aviation gas, on several occasions Grant's father has been in convoys that have fallen under insurgent attack. Some of these attacks consisedt of RPG's being fired at the convoy which, according to Grant's father, the rockets "look like a child's Nerf football with a fireworks sparker burning behind it" as they pass between trucks in the convoy. Needless to say, we wish Grant's father the very best and that he return home safely.

[Alan Smith]

Grant and his father enjoying the guns.

[ChrisCook]

Gathering

Very cool! Nice weapons as well. If we could take more of the younger kids out to get them hooked on this hobby it would be nice. When I was a kid everyone I knew had shot a weapon or had gone hunting (late 70's, early 80's), now it seems like very few of them have enjoyed this experience. I can remember the first time I had that "30 shot grin" as well. Chris...

[Col.Klink]

Well, I would just like to thank you again Mr. Smith! My dad and I had the time of our lives! It was great meeting you AND your machine guns!
Grant

[Alan Smith]

Good deal, Grant: I really enjoyed meeting you and your father.

Also, you will see that I've posted photos of your 98k sniper, so it will be interesting to see what comments and opinions it elicits.

Alan

[Gene]

Great pics!

[MG34NZ]

Alan, I take my hat off to you . So few collectors today take the time to encourage people into hobby, beleiving they are in an elite bracket.
Thankfully when I started out collecting it was very different.

I also do my best to bring on the new blood, its the only way to keep the hobby alive for the future.

Great guns and good times.

regards
MG34NZ

[FestungSpanien]

WOW I'm green with envy
Glad at least you had a good time
Ace

[Bill Grist]

Great picts. and thread...BILL