The Gun Gypsy

I often have items that I am searching for, but they seem to be sold as soon as they pop up. This can be very frustrating, especially if it was a screamin deal. This is why I use google alerts. Google alerts is a way that I keep up with any posts for a very specific item.

I share this information reluctantly, it feels as if I am sharing my trade secrets! But I hope that I may be able to share with others some things that have helped me to be successful in the buying and selling of guns. I will make multiple installments of this topic.
The first tool of the trade that is the greatest, is the use of forums. Now I am active on quite a few forums, here is a list of forums that I commonly use:

• longrangehunting
• predatormasters
• coueswhitetail
• shootersforum
• 24 hourcampfire
• snipershide
• rimfirecentral

Now I would highly recommend being involved in these forums for more than their classifieds, because there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from each, and always abide by their rules. Now each forum has its own niche of items that can be found within its classifieds. For example for custom rifles I most commonly use snipershide, shootersforum, and longrangehunting. While on the other hand if I am looking for an accessory I will most often use 24hourcampfire, snipershide, and predatormasters. Now searching the classifieds every day can be rather exhaustive....thus I have the first tool of the trade. The site I use is www.riverofguns.com this site searches tons of forums for you. As long as you know what you are looking for. 

My first custom rifle was a .264 win mag built off of a model 700 action. I got the rifle in a trade, for a sig p226 elite. The rifle was nice aesthetically, but what made it unique was the gunsmith. Greg Tannel of Gre-Tan customs built the rifle, and his masterful touch was on every component. Greg's work was evident in each and every part of the rifle from the crown at the end of the barrel to the bedding of the stock, his work and care was evident. What really sets Greg Tannel apart from other gunsmiths is that he makes the tooling that many other gunsmiths use! He truly is a master gunsmith. 
When I took the rifle range out to a local range for the first time I wasn't shooting anything special, just some Nosler Accubond 130gr. But, once I got the rifle sighted in, this was my first group at 100 yards: 

I cannot remember every gun I have owned , or how I got the funds to purchase it, I will try to provide a general idea, but from here on out I will log all of my gypsy ways. Here is a list of guns from my past five years (mostly in the last 2 years, keep in mind I am only 27):

• Weatherby Vanguard (300wby mag)
• Custom Mauser (.22-250)
• Taurus pt 24/7
• Sako Quad Package (.22,.17hmr, .22wmr, .17 mach 2)
• Steyr m40-A1 (.40)
• Sig p226 elite (.40)
• Savage (.17hmr)
• CZ 452 (.22lr)
• CZ 527 Prestige (.223)
• Winchester model 700 (300 win Mag w/ Boss system)
• Model 700 (6.5x284 Hankins Custom)
• Model 700 VTR (.308 w/ Knoxx axiom stock)
• Model 700 (.264 win mag Gre-Tan custom)
• Model 700 (6mmx284 Dave Tooley Custom)
• Sako L461 (.222 Dan Dowling Custom)
• Cooper Arms of Montana (.243)
• Model 700 (Dietz custom .22BR)
• Sako L579 (6mm/22-250)
• Sako L461 (.222)
• Sako L579 (.220 swift)

The first rule of being a gypsy is: Do Not Spend Money. The second rule of being a gypsy is: Do Not Spend Money! Now "not spending money" is a relative term, money is anything that my wife can see deposited or withdrawn from a bank account, everything else is....fair game! Now I am not saying that I  am running some ponzi scheme with my wife, rather we have an understanding that as long as I am not spending "our money", than I am free to do whatever I want with buying, selling, and upgrading. The funds that are considered "my money" are those that come from birthdays, holidays, the profits I make from selling anything that is mine. This makes my habit self contained, where it does not drain our families funds.

     My first experience shooting was with my uncle Brian. I was eight years old, and he stuck me behind a 12 gauge shotgun, the sheer power of that weapon astounded me, from that point on I was mesmerized by firearms. My next gun was a daisy BB gun. My grandfather is the one that taught me how to shoot, and I would like to take a moment to honor him, as he passed earlier this year. My grandfather served in the Army in a special operations unit that operated behind enemy lines in Burma, this unit later became known as Merrill's Marauders. My grandfather was awarded the bronze star and many other medals and recognitions, but the medals that we are left with after his passing only show a small amount of his greatness. He instilled in me the value of a persons character, the importance of temperament, and power of empathy. Here is a picture of him with my daughter Kali.