XUSNORDIE
Single-Sixer
As a new member, and currently on medical LOA for a recent surgery and limited to minimal physical activity, I have been spending a lot of time scrolling and reading the various forums available here. I have been thoroughly enjoying them. Many memories have been jogged. I have already ran across another Navy Vet that knew some of the same folks I did, including a very good friend. Small world.
Just this morning, I was reading posts in this Ammunition, Gunsmithing, & Reloading forum and came across a surprise that brought many great memories of my time in Southern California. The OP (from a 2009 post) was asking for recommendations for Mini14 work....and a member mentioned Poway Gun Works. That's a real blast from the past for me. I knew the owners Ray Peet and Bill Simpson well. Ray took me under his wing and showed me many things about smithing 1911s and others. I remember Ray showing me how to stone/fit a 1911 trigger. He was very patient.... My very first handgun I owned was a Ruger Security Six. It was the first revolver I ever completely disassembled, polished, tuned, and reassembled. All under the watchful eye of Bill, who was a great guy but not as patient as Ray...I remember fitting Millet Series 100 front and rear sights on that gun...bill handed me the sights, files, a punch and a brass hammer. Explained what to do, and said "get to it and I don't want to see any love marks"....well, I still have that Security Six...and it has several love marks lol. I think of Bill every time I hold it
I spent a lot of time in both Poway Gun Works Shops (they moved to a new shopping center around '87 I think) on both sides of the counter. I met a lot of great folks that hung out there. Together we worked on guns, shot, and hunted. I could go on with many memories but won't bore you. These memories being jogged are keeping my mind off my recovery, reminding me of a time everything was so good. I only wish my Son could find a Gun Shop and folks the caliber of Ray, Bill and the others I met there.
Just this morning, I was reading posts in this Ammunition, Gunsmithing, & Reloading forum and came across a surprise that brought many great memories of my time in Southern California. The OP (from a 2009 post) was asking for recommendations for Mini14 work....and a member mentioned Poway Gun Works. That's a real blast from the past for me. I knew the owners Ray Peet and Bill Simpson well. Ray took me under his wing and showed me many things about smithing 1911s and others. I remember Ray showing me how to stone/fit a 1911 trigger. He was very patient.... My very first handgun I owned was a Ruger Security Six. It was the first revolver I ever completely disassembled, polished, tuned, and reassembled. All under the watchful eye of Bill, who was a great guy but not as patient as Ray...I remember fitting Millet Series 100 front and rear sights on that gun...bill handed me the sights, files, a punch and a brass hammer. Explained what to do, and said "get to it and I don't want to see any love marks"....well, I still have that Security Six...and it has several love marks lol. I think of Bill every time I hold it
I spent a lot of time in both Poway Gun Works Shops (they moved to a new shopping center around '87 I think) on both sides of the counter. I met a lot of great folks that hung out there. Together we worked on guns, shot, and hunted. I could go on with many memories but won't bore you. These memories being jogged are keeping my mind off my recovery, reminding me of a time everything was so good. I only wish my Son could find a Gun Shop and folks the caliber of Ray, Bill and the others I met there.