16 replies to this topic

[full auto 45]

Well just back from Fairfax. Great show or should I say shoot. But the real deal was the tour of the FBI Academy, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Smithsonian. Then to top it all off, we shot at the NRA's indoor range! There was a film crew there from a show called "The Shooting Gallery". They did interviews and filmed several of us firing our Thompsons, and interviewed me, and some editor from shooting magazines were there to check it out. Two of them had never held a Thompson before. Well let's say that when they left, they had that big grin on their faces. I had them fire my 1928 and my M1 and they just loved it. Now I find it almost more fun to let some newbie fire a full auto for the first time then me standing around shooting it. Then Tracie Hill gave a personal tour of the Thompson exhibit at the NRA museum. He was very informative about most of the stuff, he should be, most of it was his! And then there was this chap from New Zealand that came all the way here just to hang out with us! Thanks again Murray! I've got a shit load of pictures. I haven't even pulled off the disk yet to see. I'll post some when I wake up! And special thanks to Phil, Murray, Dave, Dave, Linda, Peter, Jan, Kathy, Frank, Gordon, Tom and about a dozen others including myself. When we left the basement bar, they had no beer left! Until next year! Yup, next year won't be as far of a drive either!

[John Jr]

Sounded like fun.

DAMN I MISSED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Walter63a]

Sir Mike, I couldn't make it either. I'm glad you had a great time. Please post as many good pics as possible. Regards, Walter

[Sig]

I was not able to make the Arlington Cemetary or Smithonian visit but did make the FBI Academy and shoot/tour at NRA headquarters.

It was nice to get to put some faces to the names from here and some other places.

I had to run off at 4AM Saturday so did not get to visit the basement bar, Mike sounds painful!

For those who did not make it the NRA - National Firearm Museum is awesome and has ton's of great stuff even the Thompson lover will appreciate. I highly recommend this to anyone who did not make it. I also understand that the Thompson exhibit may be extended to I forget either March or May of 2005, maybe one of the other attendees could pinpoint that better.
michael

[gijive]

Hey Mike.

Glad you had a good time at the TCA event. Sorry I couldn't attend this year and sorry I missed the last call at the bar. Looking forward to seeing the regular crew next year.

[Roland, Headless Thompson Gunner]

Great Mike, so you introduced some magazine editors to the glory of the Thompson. Now they will go off and write glowing articles of the ultimate Amercian Icon and how every devoted shooter/collector should own one, at any price. I can hear the tumblers rolling on Ebay and subguns.

We can only hope that Kerry wins the election and the econony goes in the dumpsters so that all you working stiffs have to open your vaults and flood the market out of desperation so that we independently weathly can add to our vast store and relish in our Thompson greed....

Tongue firmly planted in cheek, or course

[TM76]

It sure was a nice show and shoot, the FBI Academy tour was outstanding thanks to Tom Rasch ( FBI and club mem. ) and another FBI agent at the school. They had a indoor range that would make your mouth water,58 position and the size of a empty bowling ally. We had lunch there at the cafe, and it was all you could eat. We went outside to the outdoor range's watching all the new cadets fire ther weapons . I never been to the Arlington cemetery ,so it was a interesting tour. The shoot was fun meeting olf friends and makeing new ones Tracie and the directors did a fine job of putting all this together.
Mike you for got one more name " Joe the bartender " he was a lot of fun and ended up haveing a few brewskies with us , he ran out of draft, bottles, and we were down to Chinese beer ( at least it was cold ) plus he brought out the rot gut Tequila on the house !!. Joe was a 22 year vet. of the Korea and Vietarmis I hope there's a "Joe the bartender'" where ever we go from now on.


See Ya
Tino

[hawksnest]

Sorry I missed it guys. Sutton was kind enough to bring me back a poster and a program. Joe the bartender? Wasn't there a Jackie Gleason character by that name? I hope to see all of you at next year's show and shoot.

[TM76]

Yes ,on the Jackie Gleason show , he had a Joe the bartender on it and this guy was just as funny, for a guy that was 74 years old ,he had a sharp
menory. He remember useing the thompson, he thought it was to heavy to carry.

See Ya
Tino

[giantpanda4]

Mike!

Where's the PICTURES??!!!

[Phil Askew]

My head still hurts, I guess I should have skipped the Tequila. These shows just get better and better. What a great group! I think we have a tradition on our hands, great seeing everybody again.

[aut-ord-co]

It was a great show & a safe shoot! Always good to see old friends and some new faces. The tours were exceptional and the Thompson collection in the Ruger Gallery of the NRA museum is something to look at again and again.

As Michael (Sig) has said, if you didn't make the show try to get to Fairfax and view the Thompson collection at the NRA Museum. I heard a four month extension beyond 31 Dec 04 has been granted for the collection also.

Bill Menosky

[Murray]

Hi Guys,
We, Jan and me, finally got home to our Island after about 20 hours flying time and are both now waking up at 1am each day.
What a great time and what a great show and display. It was well worth the trip and was made more wounderful by the tremendous hospitality all of you extended to us both.
We are now planning for the SAR show in December.
I only took a few photos, 900 to be precise! I will try and post some .
Were are yours Mike!
Kind regards
Murray and Jan.

[Ron A]

Murry - hope to see you at the SAR show in December - Post photos - piease
Thanks

[JimFromFL]

Hey, no one told me about a basement bar!!!!!!

I would not have taken such an early flight home.

It was a great show.

1 - Who won the 50-50 raffle?
2 - What were the scores from the morning shoot?

[Phil Askew]

Jim, It was in the basement of the Comfort Inn. Bill Yenglin won the 50-50. George Rich shot a 100. You have to quit going home so early!

[Murray]

John Anderson got second place in the shoot much to his surprise.
Phil. how much money do I still owe you. It's all a bit of a bad dream after the friday nite. I once drank the Tokyo Osaka bullet train dry but it was the first time we ever drunk a hotel bar dry!!
My head still hurts!