What a day.  At first it didn't seem busy but as the day progressed the number of customers increased and we were quite busy.  We did 15 background checks, and about 4 times the normal business for this time of year.  I don't really know just what we sold as we have darn little people ask for as we await product from the distributors.  Boss man went to NYC to attend a "show" and try to line up more ammunition for the store. 

Of course, some product has been coming in.  That we are taking pretty much what we can get makes it possible to have something and get some other things and it is all selling.  Some ammunition is in short supply and apparently this will last for some time.  Our shop has a shortage of most "ball" ammunition and hunting and plinking type .22 LR.  We are about out of .22 WMR and .17 HMR.  People are warming to the idea of buying match ammunition at $7.99 a box rather than not have any .22 LR.   Demand hasn't slacked but our ability to satisfy that demand is severely curtailed. 

I can not find the words to explain the diverse nature of the potential customers that come through the doors.  Age, race, national origin, gender, and shooting experience of our customers are tremendously varied.  If the President is bringing people together it is in their desire to own a gun and have sufficient ammunition for that gun (or guns). 

I wish I had a lot to report.  Some ammo, 9mm ball, came in and started right back out the door.  I personally had to let a dozen people know we had none before this came in the door.  Dittos on Brown Bear .223.  2 500-round cases left at $300 each.  We are selling the .22 LR match, i.e. competition grade, ammo to people just wanting regular .22 LR.  The shelf is bare.  ALMOST out of .22 WRFM.  Short several types of primers.  Short on powders now.  Had 4 AR-15 type rifles, 2 out the door today, other 2 on layaway.  M1A with camo paint job and scope sold on Gunbroker for $2500.  MORE women buying guns worried that they won't be able to get one later. 

Best part of the day?  Your great-great grandfather's .410 shotgun came back with the stock repaired.  I asked Vic A______ to do it and he did a fine job.  I can't see the crack.  You should be able to enjoy it for another generation and hand it down to YOUR grandchildren.  By the way, it has a 2½-inch chamber, don't do what your great-great grandfather did and shoot 3" shells in it.  That is what caused the crack. 

It was a pretty busy day even if we didn't have the volume of sales we've had since mid-December.  One of the problems is that we have darn little anyone wants to spend money on.  Most of our time was spent explaining why we couldn't get things or didn't know when we would get things that we could order.  We had several cases of Brown Bear 5.56/.223 ammo at $300 per 500-rounds.  Only 2 Glocks remain, only 2 (collectible) Smith and Wessons remain, we have one AK type rifle and one AR type.  Waiting on a LOT of orders.  People are so accustomed to the immediate supply of all sorts of things that they've forgotten what "backordered" means.  Had to explain that 3-4 times during the day.  We had Glock 23 magazines but no Glock 19 magazines.  Have CCI small rifle primers but no small pistol primers of any kind. 

We have a Contender in .357 Herrett and a 10" .45/.410 Contender barrel and that generated a lot of talk.  Lots of people through the shop.  I was glad to get home and off my feet today.

SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS
MODEL			SIZE
For ALL Smith & Wesson "J" frames; models: 30, 31, 34, 36, 37, 38, 47, 60, 63, 649, ect..., made after 1955. Chief, Kit Gun, Bodyguard, Centennial, hand Ejector, ect, also most Charter Arms, Rossi 38 Special, Taurus 85, R.G. Model 31. All guns must have standard factory panel grips, will not fit oversize or rubber grips.			1
For Smith & Wesson "J" frame revolvers made before 1955. Chief, Terrier, etc. Also for EIG E9, INA, Tiger, Llama X111, some late model Charter Arms, with standard grips.			2
For ALL Smith & Wesson "K" and "L" SQUARE BUTT frame revolvers; models: 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 48, 64, 65, 66, 67, 547, 581, 586, ect...,. Also fits Astra Cadix, Falcon Revolvers with standard size regular grips, will not fit oversize grips. SQUARE BUTT "K" & "L" FRAMES.			3
For ALL Smith & Wesson "K" & "L" frame ROUND BUTT: models: 10, 12, 13, 19, 64, 65, 66, 547, 586, ect... and all "K" frame ROUND BUTT models with regular standard size grips, will not fit oversize grips.			3R
For ALL Smith & Wesson "N" frame; models: 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 57, 58, 629, ect... Patrolman, Outdoorsman, Target Military, 1918 Military, also Miroku, Aster 357, Llama Heavy Frame Revolvers all with standard size grips, will not fit oversize grips. Round or Square butt does not matter for N-Frame Revolvers.			4
COLT REVOLVERS
For Colt "D" frame Round or Square Butt models. Agent, Cobra, Detective Special, Diamondback, Police Positive made after 1941, with standard size grips.			5
For Colt "I" & "J" frame models. Python, Trooper, Official Police, Officers Model, Target, 357, MK III, New Service, 1918 Army, with standard size grips.			6
For Colt, old model made before 1941, Police Positive, Police Positive Special, Detective Special, this model has a very narrow butt, narrow between trigger guard and butt stock, Grips are 1 1/2" at bottom width.			7
RUGER REVOLVERS
For Ruger, Security Six, Speed Six, Police Service Six, Red Hawk Revolvers with standard factory grips.			8

I bought a few months ago, now, a Browning 1911-22. This 85% size copy of the 1911 is a pretty cool little pistol, sort of a kit gun version of the 1911. For a holster I've been using the Bianchi foldaway which I picked up at work. It is adequate, I suppose, but not ideal for any use. Yes, Browning sells a nylon holster for this gun. Not so sure that's what I would think of as an improvement. There is also the 1917 style marketed by Browning. That would be neat to have as an accessory but not so sure it is a great field holster. I'm sure Rob or Mike could make up a neat little piece of work for it. What do you think would work best? I always liked those neat little holsters Heiser made for the Colt Woodsman.

BTW, Browning has got spare magazines into the marketplace for these. I've gotten two (the gun ships with only one magazine) and have more incoming.

I'd love to be able to tell you all about the wonderful and interesting things that happened at or passed through the gun shop yesterday but there isn't that much to tell.

A publisher has reportedly been found for the Walt Lesser book on the Ryman Setters. I'm looking forward to it. From Walt...

"We are starting to get material from the publisher to review, edit and return so it’s exciting to finally see something happening! At the moment we are working on promotional stuff for the Schiffer catalog, website and a flyer announcing the book. Books will be sold by the publisher, Lisa Weisse, my coauthor, and me. I suppose they will be distributed elsewhere but I really don’t know right now. "

We had one of the 1971 NRA commemorative Winchester 94 muskets in the shop. No box and the boss man want's somewhere about $750 for it. I liked it yesterday much better than I did in 1971 when I got to handle one and the Model 64A NRA commemorative that was also released.

MANY guns have gone. Of those mentioned last week, only the S&W 16-4 and 37 remain. Glocks and other guns using greater than 10-round magazines continue to go out so fast they don't even make it to the cases from the incoming shipping cartons. I sold a 19 to a woman from Norfolk yesterday. Yes, she drove all the way to Staunton for no purpose than to buy a Glock 19. In other words she spent 6 hours of her time and $55 in gasoline just to be able to buy a pistol.