If a Rifle could talk

[Ron-P]

Last night, after watching Band of Brothers, Part 6: Batogne I headed over to the gun cabinet and pulled out this little gem pictured below, my battle scared M1 Garand.

I sat and I wondered, if this rifle could talk what would she tell me? Where she'd been, what she'd seen...I wondered, which was all I could do.

These Hollywood movies, no matter how realistic, could never-ever come close to the real thing. All I know is that I owe these men and women a life-time of gratitude for their sacrifice.

Every time I look at her, I wonder...

[Dr. Spec]

The M1 was featured prominently in SPR. I love the characteristic "ping" when the clip pops out the top of the receiver.

Patton referred to it as "the greatest battle rifle ever designed" or something to that effect.

I knew a woman who lost her husband in WWII. She was vehemently anti-gun.

I told her that it was quite possible her husband's very own battle issued M1 Garand was sitting in a predominant place of honor in a collector's home - a silent testament and symbol of freedom and the ultimate price many paid to protect it.

She visibly softened at that point and I think she realized that gun violence in this country is a software problem, not a hardware problem.

The Ron P's and Dr. Spec's of this world, aren't the ones shooting crackheads on the street corner and teacher's in the classroom. We're the ones celebrating our liberty and freedom by exercising our rights guarateed therein.

It is a long standing tradition for me to clean my firearms on July 4, and while doing so, I often solemnly contemplate some of the very same things Ron did today.

Doc

[nadams]

I've never seen one of these IRL, but they were a very impressive tool in MOH:AA. I love the weaponry from this time period. Call of Duty has some nice examples in it, too.

[Ron-P]

Well Doc, Patton wasn't too far off. This is one great rifle. I shoot her on every trip I take and she preforms flawlessly. Although, she is one tough rifle to field strip and clean. A lotta damn parts.

I don't know why, but something about part 6 got to me more-so then any of the others so far. I'm still thinking about it today.

That pic of the rifle makes her look much better then she actually is. She's beat up, chunks out of the stock, dings on the barrel and such. I could order up a replacement stock and fix her up nice, but I never will. She's perfect just the way she is.

Every time I hear the 'ping' I get goose bumps. They reproduced that sound to the tee for these movies.


Peace Out~:D