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Fred's
Articles
Fred Talks Synthetics
The phone finally stopped ringing.
I was waiting by the front door when Fred finally appeared out of the darkness from the back of the warehouse.
Piled to the side were packages awaiting shipment. In front of me was a neat stack of synthetic M14 stocks, next to them, neatly lined up, spanking new birch and walnut M14 stocks.
"Darn phone is hard to hear in the back" - Fred was a little out of breath - "oughta get an answering machine, but I hate 'em, so it'll be a cold day in Hades."
Grabbing my arm, Fred pointed. "Let me tell you about these synthetic stocks". Fred motioned me over.
"I said last time that these would sell like hot cakes, once shooters realized what a bargain they are. Cheaper than wood stocks, stronger, lighter, impervious to water, and - best of all - unaffected by long-term changes in atmospheric humidity, meaning they retain 'zero', meaning they shoot to a constant point of aim, rain or shine...
"I was right. We have shipped a lot of these babies since we last spoke. People take the basic military brown stock and - since it takes to paint so well - finish it in any number of camouflage patterns. People will go down to the auto parts store and buy black bumper paint and spray it black. I got to admit that it looks spiffy - and is no trouble at all. But look at these."
I looked around the corner of the stack. A half-dozen gorgeous camouflaged stocks leaped out and grabbed me by the eyeballs.
"Those are NEAT! Where did they come from?"
"Did 'em myself. Got tired of hearing how easy it was and decided to find out. You know what? - it is easy."
Picking up one in a beautiful green with black, earth red, and earth yellow waves, Fred smiled proudly: "I call this my 'Ambush' scheme. Comes from a successful WWII German pattern, and blends right in."
Then, picking up another: "This is a six-color blotch design like they used in Vietnam, so I call this pattern 'Sniper'. Again, it breaks up the outline of the gun so it blends in.
"This three-color - earth brown, earth yellow, and green - is based on the Rhodesian camo, which is ideal for the north American continent also.
"And this is my piece de resistance." I looked.
"Never saw anything like that", I said. The stock was dark shades of green and black with a light dapple overpattern.
"This is 'Tiger'. It is based on the Vietnam tiger stripe camo pattern. Looks spiffy - while it conceals."
"You sell these?"
"Sure do - lots of 'em. But a lot of people buy our 'Ambush' and 'Sniper' paint sets along with a stock and follow our instructions - it's an easy job for the do-it-yourselfer."
"I did samples myself to see what can be done, and to verify that the average person with little skills can do a nice-looking job. I wrote up exactly what I did, so I know anyone who can follow the instructions can do a good job.
"Best part is how cheap the synthetics are at twelve and a half bucks - and that includes the buttplate - or you can buy 2 for $18. But I hope people will jump at the special 6 for 50 bucks. For an additional buck each I will throw in the handguards.
"At those prices everyone can afford different stocks for different climates - a 'woodland' for summer, a 'snow camo' for winter, etc.
"Fred, how do you do it?"
He just smiled.
"Wait until next time."
I thought we were through for the day, but Fred suddenly turned serious on me:
"Y' know, shooting is the only sport endorsed by the Founding Fathers. It's an American tradition. Golf, soccer, tennis - none of these have the history and the tradition of shooting. But if shooters don't get their kids - and others - into the sport, that tradition can end - in one generation."
"What really worries me is the polling data that shows that 49% of gunowners voted for the most-anti-gun candidate in the last national election."
"This year is another election year - and a chance for gunowners to get them and their friends to the polls - and vote for the right people."
"It's not too early to get started NOW...to send them a message in November!"
What could I say? I agree. And I'm starting now to talk to my friends. We need to get to the polls!
[Since this was written, Fred has sold all his camo stocks, but they are available from several sources - usually the camo covers a stock from Fred's!] |
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