My Gunroom | Larry's Short Stories

My Workbench — My workbench is a little less cluttered than normal, but I didn’t “clean it up” for this picture. Flintlock on the wall is a 1976 reproduction of the 2nd model Brown Bess, used by the British during the Revolutionary War.

Being of an earlier generation (in those kinder, gentler days of the last century), this story is about my “Gunroom”, not my “Mancave” – because I don’t have one. My serious interests are very narrowly focused; I like shooting, hunting, reloading, gunsmithing, and reading about all those things. Of course, I like guns, especially older guns and “fine” guns. This is what my gunroom is all about.

Now, you won’t see a lot of these guns when you open the door; you must spend some time there, because they are all in vaults. Vaults are not a guarantee of security, but they do provide a comfortable feeling that the guns will be there the next time I want to use them.

You will see a lot of reloading tools and equipment, for both rifle and pistol – and shotgun. Reloading has been an important part of my life for 50 years, and likely always will be. Those of you who enjoy reloading know that there are a great many process steps required to create “high performing” ammunition – and many of those steps require some type of equipment. Actually, you don’t need much equipment to reload ammunition, but seemingly you can never

I only have three vaults, Shotguns (open), rifles and handguns in the middle and antique rifles on the left. There’s still room in each of them for at least “one more.”

have enough. Today’s reloading products are amazing, compared to the first reloading tools of the 1870s.

There’s no lathe or mill in my gunroom, but of course we have both on the MidwayUSA campus that I can use any time. Most of the work I do here is cleaning the bores and wiping down the metal of guns I bring back from the field or range. This requires cleaning rods and accessories, screwdrivers, punches, and of course brushes, solvents, and rags. Sometimes, when I add a new gun to the collection, a complete disassembly, inspection, and reassembly is required. On older guns, this can be quite a project. Finally, from time to time, minor adjustments are necessary.

The walls are covered with pictures and memorabilia, all carrying some special significance to me. You won’t find any books; there are too many to fit in the gunroom, so I keep them in an outer room. Also, you won’t find a bar or sofa, not that I don’t take a drink on occasion, or enjoy a sit-down chat about guns or hunting. Truth is, my gunroom is a working room, not a place to loaf; and it’s much smaller than I would like.

Pictures and other memorabilia — The walls are covered with pictures and other memorabilia. Everything represents a great memory.