A few of the Shootists specials.

These are some of the special guns The Shootists had built. I don't have all of them. Maybe John Taffin will post the ones I have left out.

The first Shootist gun is a Ruger .22 Bisley. Terry Murbach was a driving force behind this gun being built in honor of Tom Ruger. We got them in 1994. These are a rare Ruger being there were only 50-some made. Mine wear a set of elephant ivory grips by Paul Persinger carved with our cattle brand and a longhorn steer skull.

The next Shootist gun is a USFA .44 Special. These were built in 2005 for the 20th Anniversary of The Shootists. I use this gun more than any of the other Shootist guns. The fit and finish is as good or better than any Colt SAA. While not everyone had a gun that shot to the sights, this one does. I found that using the Keith 250 gr. SWC bullet, 6.5 gr. of Unique and 16.5 gr. of 2400 hit near the same POA. This year at The Shootists Holiday I spent some time pounding rocks out to 300 yards or so with the 2400 load. The one-piece walnut grips are by Paul Persinger. This gun is serial number 3, John Taffin has Numbers 1 and 2 and Paco Kelly has Number 4. John was the first Chairman of The Shootists. I was 3rd and Paco was 4th.

Some of the brass I use:

In 2005 The Shootists voted me as Shootist of the Decade and presented me with a really cool plaque and a Freedom Arms Model 97 in a custom made presentation case. Shootist Gordon Marts made the presentation case. The pistol is .45 Colt and .45 ACP. A few years ago I sent this gun to Gary and had him turn the cartridge rim recess off both cylinders. I also asked him to re-letter the engraving on the frame and while he was at it, to "pretty it up" a bit. He did a wonderful job! This is a gun a really cherish.

I was living in Africa when The Shootists celebrated the 30th Anniversary. The gun built for the occasion is a Ruger SR1911. Two-toned, it is specially engraved and wears custom grips designed I believe by Jeff Quinn. (If I am mistaken perhaps John Taffin can correct me) I did not order one as at that point in life I did not know if I would be returning to the USA or not and I did not have the extra funds at that time. After my wife passed and I returned to the USA, unknown to me the Shootists Board voted to send me one of the SR1911's. It was a total surprise to me and the gun is one that I cherish also. The only thing I have done to it is I removed the warning label on the bottom side of the frame. This is my Church and Barbecue Gun.

I count it an honor and a privilege to be part of The Shootists. Friendships begun in 1986 continue to this day. Those of us who were there at the beginning had no clue how this group would grow. Many of the oldtimers have gone across The River now and wait for us on the other side. I am hoping they are keeping a campfire burning with coffee boiling and bacon frying. I will be coming over one of these days and look forward to a grand reunion.