I've been "outed". My apologies to my "po" GTA brothers and sisters...

[larspawn]

I feel I've been outed with regard to the post about the AVA! LOL That poster was ME! I feel like I've just insulted my family!

Okay the post from brother Redfeather below was a bit out of context and was a poor choice of words by me. Let me explain...

My comment was about the true gentlemen of AVA who are absolutely a wealth of knowledge about the history of some fine vintage rifles. Much like GTA, I've received lots of friendly help from them about restoring vintage rifles. They, also like the GTA are a good band of airgunners just more focused on older rifles.

So my full comment was:

The AVA seems to be "the gentleman's airgun forum." Don't get me wrong because I go to the other forums too but the Yellow seems too impersonal, Dianawerks can be a bit crude and mean and the GTA seems to be more focused in on cheaper guns (I have lots of those too).

I come here because I'm constantly impressed not only by the gentlemanly way of the forum members but the knowledge they possess.

So while I may be on the younger end of the demographics (45) I'm old enough to appreciate wisdom and knowledge!

Thanks to all for shareing your collections, experiences and knowledge!

That was verbatim but I added the bold emphasis to what I said. That wasn't included in the post below and I think it may have lead you to believe I was slighting the GTA brethren.

So here's where the poor choice of words comes in and that should have been inexpensive guns and not cheaper guns.

Here's where I'll elaborate...the reason I like GTA is because there isn't snobbery and like others have said in the thread below it is more like a family somewhat like AVA. What I also appreciate is that the guys here like to understand what makes a rifle work and aren't afraid of working on them. Yes, I'm that kind of guy too. I get great personal satisfaction over something I've taken and improved with my own two hands. While I joke it is because I'm cheap it really is that I like to understand how things work and the challenge of learning the concept and improving...or at least having fun trying. Good reward for hard work.

I do stand by my comment that the Yellow is too impersonal. Yeah I see some familiar names over there but there are just so many people it doesn't have the same sense of community. I'll also say if I post up my Quest for sale it won't because its so pedestrian. I'll also stand by my comment about the DWC. I'll eventually get back over there but as stated it did have a tough time a while ago with quite honestly rude and hostile behavior. And it was by more than just one poster. It was a free for all. There was also postings over there with what I will call "soft porn" in response. I was reading some posts with my 10 year old son who I'm introducing to shooting sports and I was shocked and disappointed when we opened up posts with p0rn0graphic pictures. Yeah I'm no prude and I have no problem with this being in parts of the Yellow that are well known for that type of stuff. I just know not to go there. But to be reading a post on a Vortek tuning kit only to see swearing and name calling and then have naked ladies posted up was just too much. I haven't been back to DWC since.

Anyway, trust me that I'm no snob and that mine wasn't a jab at the GTA at all.

So, please don't "vote me off the island!"

[snookman]

Andy, I personally, was not offended in the least. I have read many of your posts and was grateful for the information. By the way, with the information and endorsement that You and many others here at the GTA gave me, I have a " cheap"  B26-2 low comb on the way from Mike Melick.  I don't think anyone was truly upset, and if they were , well, they will get over it.   Your friend, snookman

[ezman604]

Andy, I'm not a suit & tie guy, I'm a blue jean & t-shirt guy. I like tearing into stuff, especially broke stuff, to challenge myself to fix or make better just about anything.This is especially true with my AGs. I dropped by here a few months ago and was so impressed with the atmosphere and the friendly helpful folks, I just didn't bother venturing anywhere else. I AMregistered on Yellow just to post in the classifieds and I've made a couple of posts in the Crosman forum. But I've made this home. I get all the help I need here and try constantly to give back to those that come here like I did looking for assistance.

Looking at my list of guns below, you can call me a "low rent" user. I do have a Benji SS that listed for $325 which is my highest priced toy. The rest are Turkish or Chinese guns that don't amount to a lot of value to anyone else. But to me, they are part of my family since I've torn into them and tried to massage the best out of them I could get. I love my guns and thoroughly enjoy taking them out to play. All this rambling just to say I'm not offended at all, and never gave the comments a second thought as a put down. Maybe others did, but I didn't. The good from the members will generally FAR outweigh a comment or two anyway. I've taken personal offense to some comments before but 2 minutes later, it's usually passed and we're back to being a family again. Family should be understanding and forgiving. If not, none of us would have any family left.

GTA is what it is. Everyone has their right to an opinion and there are MANY different folks out there and therefore MANY different opinions and thoughts about a GROUP or site. That's fine with me. The vast majority of the folks here are the best, and help keep this forum the greatest family of helpful folks on the internet. I say if we are to be catagorizedas a certain class, so be it.. I'll button up my Levi's and slip on my t-shirt and enjoy my hobby HERE with my fellow GTA brothers and sisters!!!!

Happy Shooting!!!!

Dave

[Meann-Machine]

Amen bro'

[Gene_SC]

You did good Andy and I get misunderstood allot... also because sometimes I use a poor choice of words..

[tjk]

No offence taken here bro'. I've always taken stock in what you've posted on the GTA! Free thinkers have always been a plus in my book. Sure the other forums might go a bit more in-depth,....expertise, experience, etc....but the GTA  is the best forum,.....and the most friendliest site for anyone just getting into the AG sport. Like many here, I've learned a wealth of info on the GTA. Andy, you haven't insulted me one bit. Post on Man!!! tjk

[shadow]

No burning at the stake here at the GTA clubhouse and we don't worry to much about being labeled this and that, were still a family here and except new family no matter what their shooting.  We also don't kick anyone off the island.........we just move the island lol. Ed

[Bogey]

Andy,  I don't sweat the small stuff.   Or most of the large stuff.   I was not offended.  My vote would be to keep you on the islalnd.

[RedFeather]

Stand back, boys, I'm makin' my response.

First, concerning the Dianawerk. There was a heated debate over the newly introduced Vortek kit. It fell into two camps and words were thrown around rather freely. FWIW, the owner, ZVP, was in hospital with MERSA and could not ride herd until he returned sometime at the end of the fracas. I posted two pictures which CAP (remember him?) called poornographic and I was soundly branded a degenerate, etc. Both pictures were from the Yellow's Off Topic Lounger and can be considered rather pedestrian by today's standards. Neither contained nudity. The first had a girl in a short school girl's skirt with some cheek hanging out. The second was of the rear of a shapely lass in cut-off jeans with a Mercator map of the world inked on her butt. How times have changed. Back in the late Sixties, both would have looked right at home among the mini-skirted crowd. So, no, I don't post poornography. At least by the non-Puritan definition. If such offends you, best not turn on the TV.

Second, the AVA is a nice forum but it is niether Olympus or the Papal Court. I, myself, was rudely insulted there by a "major collector" who got miffed when I asked the same question on another forum which he felt he had answered. This expert then went back into all of his posts to delete/remove text and pictures, then proceeded to ban me from his own forum, striking out every single post I had made there, related to the gun in question or not. No one on the AVA made comment. The Vintage is a good place to ask about certain guns but don't go there thinking it is a gentleman's club. Can be very much a clique at times.  And it helps to have at least one HW55. (Don't care if they read this or not.)

I participate in several forums, including the three mentioned. I don't try to troll or upset the apple cart. If I see something going South in a hurry, I sometimes try to inject a little levity to put things back on an even keel. Such was the case with the pix of the two girls over on the DWC, A lot of thanks I got for that.

Now, take your best shots. You can't hurt my purty face.

[airiscool]

Red, your cute when ya get mad !!!      

Paul.

[airiscool]

I've been in too many gutters to be pointing fingers, ..... or to be insulted about being poor. Known lots of differant folks, but some of the best folks I've ever met had less than I have, .....especially less worries !  


Laughter, it does a body good !!!  

Paul.

[RedFeather]

Yep. "And the pig got up and slowly walked away."  

[airiscool]

"...Yep.  "And the pig got up and slowly walked away." ..."

 

Paul.

[airgunandy]

Weird thing about the "American Vintage Airgun" forum is I don't see a whole lot of posts on American vintage airguns. Mostly all they talk about is german stuff.

[larspawn]

Au contraire...ther's often discussion of fine English rifle, the odd Czech rifle here and there and an occasional Spanish rifle.  Just no Chinese rifles!  LOL

I thought the same thing at first but I believe now that the name doesn't mean per se that the forum is meant for only American rifles. I think it is just supposed to be an American hosted forum?  Although there are guys from NZ, Europe and Asia on it. Geez now I'm confused!  

Oh well, I just think of it as "old airguns" forum!

Oh, despite my opening comment I've never seen a post on French airguns. Could be they just laid them all on the ground and went home at first sight of the enemy!  Okay I'm gonna be in trouble for that one!