Tag: Rendezvous

9/11

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Tam (once again) has said it better than I could, so go read (as if you don’t go there first).

On a related note, part of what we do here at the GBR is raise money for Project Valour-IT. Last year we raised over $8,000. The economy sucks this year. Several regulars were unable to make it, and things for most of the rest of us are tight, But we still have soldiers coming home with severe physical injuries – even after the “end of major combat operations” in Iraq. One (anonymous) previous attendee who could not make it this year still donated to Project Valour-IT via the link I gave above in honor of the Rendezvous. If you can spare it, please consider doing the same. Even if you can’t, please spread the word.

GBR-V Update

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About a dozen of the expected 30 or so people have already shown up, about half are new faces. There’s no WiFi in the hospitality room this year (the hotel discovered they could charge convention goers extra for that service) so no live-blogging this year, at least from me. I’m going to HAVE to look into a Verizon net card next year.

Oh, and no Überpost this weekend. I didn’t have time to finish it (well, I didn’t take the time) and I’ll be busy the next four days, but I promise it’s coming.

OK, Another Post

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On the way up to Reno, I’m stopping by this place: Special Interest Arms. They do…interesting things with Lee-Enfield rifles, and I have a couple that I’m interested in selling. I’ve got a No. 4 MkI* Savage barreled action that has a bad bore, and a No. 5 MkI that has way excessive headspace on a #2 bolt head (instant case head separation). Besides, Gardnerville isn’t that far out of the way. I have another No. 4 and an original No. 5. The No. 5 shoots pretty well. The No. 4 not so much. I might try to partially trade the two I’m bringing for a 7.62×39 conversion kit for my other No. 4.

On the other hand, those suppressed .45ACP carbines look wicked cool . . .

And the proprietor has said that he might drop in on the Rendezvous this weekend, which would be cool.

No Blog for You!

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I’m in final preparations to head out for Reno tomorrow, and of course I’ll be on the road for most of tomorrow. I’ll check either tomorrow evening (assuming I find a hotel with WiFi) or Thursday once I get checked in at the Silver Legacy.

Hopefully the long-promised next Überpost will be finished and up by Saturday. We’ll see.

I Could’ve Used This a Couple of Weeks Ago

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The latest update from the upcoming Gun Blogger Rendezvous (Sept. 9-12, Reno, NV):

As the Gun Bloggers Unite this month in Reno Nevada, MidwayUSA would like to extend our special appreciation for what they accomplish in shooting industry. First, we would like for each Blogger to receive a special gift from MidwayUSA when they arrive at the Rendezvous. Second, we would like to extend some exclusive discounts for each of the Bloggers and their respected communities/following to take advantage of. We hope these exclusive discounts help as many people and Bloggers as possible to enjoy the shooting sports industry.

Mr. Completely, would you please forward the following promotion codes and guidelines along so that people can start saving on shooting and outdoor gear.

1) Place regularly priced in-stock products in your shopping cart and receive:

* $10 off a Purchase of $100 or more – Use Promotion Code 19410
* $50 off a Purchase of $500 or more – Use Promotion Code 59410
* $100 off a Purchase of $1,000 or more – Use Promotion Code 109410

2) Enter the promotion code in the box entitled “Promotion Code” on the shopping cart page.
3) You will see the discount on the Confirmation page before placing your order
4) Remember, this promotion code is valid for orders placed on MidwayUSA.com.
5) Limited to one per Customer and one promotion code per retail order.
6) Offer cannot be combined with Birthday, Special or Dealer Pricing.
7) Offer not valid on MidwayUSA Gift Certificates, Nightforce, Sale and Clearance products.
8) Offer valid on regularly priced products only.
9) Hurry, offer ends at 11:59 PM CT September 15, 2010.

Cool!

Oh, and here’s a list of blogs and websites that will have representation at this year’s Rendezvous. More of y’all need to pull the trigger and come on up!

Random Nuclear Strikes
True Blue Sam
Traction Control
The Smallest Minority (Me!)
The Molly Minute
The Packing Rat
Our Gun Thing
(Yes, we’re being “infiltrated” by a gun-owning Lefty! Come show him the error of his ways!)
The Clue Meter
Anthroblogogy
AR15.Com
NSSF Blog
NRA Blog
* Joe’s Crabby shack (Inactive)
CS Tactical
* Gunup blog (launching soon)
Mr. Completely
Keewee’s Corner

Hell, all we need now is Oleg Volk and his cameras. And, of course, YOU. You don’t need to BE a blogger, just read one or more of us. We don’t bite! And we’ll let you shoot our guns!

Twelve Days to the Rendezvous

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Are you going? Still plenty of time to make travel arrangements. Here’s some more incentives to come:

As you’ve already been told, Hi-Point is donating a pistol caliber carbine, Glock is donating a certificate for any standard model handgun, Ruger is sending a factory representative, the NRA is sending a representative, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is sending a rep, SFC Toby Nunn will be representing Project Valour IT, and Molly Smith will be there again, so you too can be beaten by a little girl at the game of Steel Challenge.

But in addition, Leupold has donated one of their new VX3 scopes, and Derek of The Packing Rat (who has won, I believe, two firearms at previous GBRs) is donating a Venturi Bronco air rifle for the raffle.

And last but not least, Mr. Completely says that something major is going to be announced at GBRV:

At this year’s Gun Blogger Rendezvous the head of a major internet start up endeavor will be announcing something new and big and cool! It will involve the internet, guns, shooting, hunting, shooting sports, forum-ing (is that a word? Should it be?), 2nd. Amendment Issues, blogging, and a lot of other stuff too.

Sounds interesting!

Make your plans. It’s one of the most enjoyable weekends you’ll ever have.

Another Reason to Attend GBR-V

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I’ve attended all four Gun Blogger Rendezvous so far, and never won a gun there. I gave one away, but I’ve not won one yet. Maybe this year will be different.

Now I’m not a fan of Tactical Tupperware™ but neither would I turn my nose up at a free GLOCK. Mr. Completely has the details, but on this one you must be present to win.

I wonder if it will be one of their certificates for any standard Glock? I think I like the one Robb Allen just got, a Glock 20 in 10mm Auto. Ten millimeter speaks to me for some reason . . . .

I’ll be present. Will you?

Quote of the Day – Another Reason to Attend GBR-V

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One of the things the Gun Blogger’s Rendezvous does is raise money for a very deserving charity – Project Valour-IT. For today’s quote of the day, some words from the founder of that charity, Maj. Chuck Zeigenfuss, who does not care for journalist Michael Yon all that much:

You recently said you couldn’t adopt a kid because you couldn’t return to war. Guess what, Mikey? I go to war because of my family, because I want them to live in a better world. This is me after 34 reconstructive surgeries (and more to go.) Guess what else, Mikey, I am going back to war, Again. I am going to go back to Iraq right before Christmas. How do you think the kids will enjoy that, considering last time daddy went away, he died several times before coming home? I know sacrifice, but not like they do. You, mikey, have no idea what personal sacrifice means. If you write her a nice letter, maybe my 7-year old daughter could explain it to you.

THAT left a mark! There’s very much more, along with some pretty graphic graphics, but I strongly recommend the entire piece. I’ve met the Major at GBRs II, III and IV. He is a very no-bullshit guy. He and his family are currently stationed in Hawaii as he prepares for his upcoming deployment to Iraq, living in insufficient housing, and unable to get sufficient housing before he ships out. Anybody over there able to help him out?

T-Minus 60 Days and Counting

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I’m making my hotel reservations today. Since Reno is just 15 hours away (and I’m bringing enough stuff to make a GREAT “junk-on-the-bunk” spread) I’m driving as usual, but getting to Reno isn’t really that expensive if you must fly.

Dallas to Reno: $339

Knoxville to Reno: $440 (OK, that one’s a little spendy)

LA to Reno: $169

Baton Rouge to Reno: $420

Cleveland to Reno: $324

Indianapolis to Reno: $358

Seattle to Reno: $234

Orlando to Reno: $328

Hey, if reader and commenter Phil R. can come all the way from Cambridge Oxford, England to attend, you can come from wherever you live! As Mr. Completely says:

The Gun Blogger Rendezvous is like no other event as it’s all about the gun bloggers themselves. We don’t have a big name celebrity speaker where the attendees sit in the seats and are basically spectators. That’s not to say that there won’t be some really interesting people there, though. Last year Alan Gura was there, and we all got to learn a lot about the legal stuff he’s been up to lately from an insider’s perspective.

The Rendezvous is not a side event for some other much larger happening like the NRA convention. No, at the Rendezvous the attendees themselves are the reason to be there. The discussions in the hospitality rooms go well into the night every night of the Rendezvous.

Sure, during the day we get in plenty of shooting, including rifles and pistols at targets out to 1,000 yards, Steel Challenge against the clock, even with a bit of coaching from Molly Smith, who’s not only a blogger, but is also the Steel Challenge Pre-Teen World Champion! Plans are also underway for some Cowboy Fast Draw practice under the watchful eye of Quick Cal Eilrich. Quick Cal is the “Intergalactic Fast Draw” Champion (Not really, I made that up, but if it DID exist, Cal would win it!) in addition to numerous National and World Championships. I am also looking into some range time at a new indoor lead-free range in Reno that rents guns, including FULL AUTO goodies! Interested? I thought you would be!

So c’mon, make your plans now! I want to meet you, or see you again!