ltwguns.com

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday, America!

President George W. Bush

As a result of the Internet and the people who we are lucky enough to have as members we are going to conduct an auction over the Fourth of July holiday. One of our members graciously gifted a brand new Emerson Specwar CQC-5 knife. (Thanks, again!) What is unique about this one is that it is one of the last handmade custom Specwar CQC-5 knives that were built by Ernie Emerson. The donor was obviously willing to give this up to help others.

This knife is a perfect carry setup due to size, material, blade shape and ergonomics. It has Ti bolsters, a 154CM Satin blade, green canvas micarta handles, with a blade length of 2 7/8 inches with and OAL of 6 7/8 inches.

The best part about this auction is that the proceeds will go to benefit a new acquaintance to LTW. A soldier named Eli, who recently befrieined Ned Christiansen is going to Iraq to further our efforts. LTW has decided to use the proceeds of this auction to ensure that one of our soldiers has exactly what he needs. This young man comes from a fine family, has been an avid hunter, and is now going to serve our country. Not sure what he will need but we don't really care what it is....flashlights, boots, magazines, etc...As soon as we know he will get it.

This auction starts today July 2nd at the time of this posting and will end Friday July 7th at 5:00 pm Arizona time. If you would like to make a private offer please PM Ted or myself here on LTW, we will post your bid. Open bids can be made directly on this thread in Comments.

Thanks to the donor and good luck to Eli. Hurry home.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

I'll bid $200.00

God Bless America and Eli..

Walt...

I'll bid $500

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John Del Pinto

I'll bid 600.00.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

$700

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John Del Pinto

Unbelievable.....Thanks to all of you guys.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Bailey hinted about this but didn't tell me it was up..... dang.

You guys..... what to say.

Not gonna say anything to Eli yet. For now:

"Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the land of the free and the home of the brave"...... true...... and we must never, ever forget that every day, tens and tens of thousands of Americans are away from the land of the home of the free and the brave, away from families, even away from their own children, to keep us all and this great place safe. Now that's a sacrifice, assuming you make it back and make it back whole. You know they must miss the little things, too...... being able to pop into a Burger King any time you feel the need for grease and salt; being able to browse through the beer section at the store and pick something good for the evening..... having a chance to smile at a leggy gal pushing her cart the other way down the aisle.....

Much as I appreciate what they do I have to believe I still don't really know the extent of their commitment since I have not been there myself. But.... my humble thanks to those doing it and those who have done it in the past.

Guys, a little background on Eli. Below I've copied and pasted some of the info on Eli I sent to friends:
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Secondly, he (Jim T. in Afghanistan) wanted to counsel me on something I had asked him about, a young acquaintance of mine who will be deployed to Iraq in 6 weeks or so. Kid looks about 16 but he's 21 (well.... I assume he's 21 since at the bachelor party I drove for last weekend he was keeping up with the more experienced drinkers and did not puke or get belligerent or all squishy like some of them did). I found out the kid was getting sent over and managed to get him snuck into our next week's 5-day class which you might call "AR15's for Coppers". This is a police-only thing and everyone in the (Chicago-area) organization I mentioned this to said, "we'll find a way to get the boy in". Every one else was practically ready to fight over who would provide ammo, gear, lodging, etc. Buncha weathered, hard-assed cops and this farm boy's a hero to them. Rightfully so. Me, too.

So I asked T. about how the Army will set Eli up in terms of gear, and what latitude he might have, once he gets there, in modifying things or purchasing his own stuff. O' course Iraq is not Afghanistan but I think Jim's in the groove as far as what works and what does not. Basically I wanted to get Eli geared up for the class with equipment that as much as possible, emulates what he'll be issued or using over there. Got some, no, got a load of, good info from Jim. Thanks, Captain. He's doing some good work over there, and of course just thinks he's doing his job, he's just doing what soldiers do. Interesting thing about his particular job description, I think anyway, is that he's not just killing the enemy, he's making friends. That is surely a big part of the solution. Maybe the biggest.

So, passing on to all of you, warm regards from Captain Jim T. Will keep you posted on Eli's progress, I expect great things since he seems like a kid we could all like, polite, respectful, and fortunately, comes from a rural family of hunters and trappers, so he's not new to guns, although he might be a bit new to this particular type. I'm looking forward to getting him through the class and hopefully filling any training gaps the Army might be leaving (popular opinion being that the gaps will be many). Gonna make him do our qualification with both the M4ish and an AK74 (oddly enough, at the National Guard base we do the class at, we can't fire any .30 cal, so I have a 5.45X39 AK74 for the guys to do a little familiarization with).

So, from June 12 to 16 I'll be outta the shopand probably unable to do any internetting.

0980980980980980980980980980980980980980980909809
Report on the class, short version.

Eli is a shooter. Qualified on his first try, which many don't, and shot some perfect scores thereafter. Qualified with an M4 and then, at my suggestion, with an AK74. I have to shoot the qual every class (to maintain credibility as an instructor) so this time I did it lefty..... Eli wanted to try it weak hand too (he's a lefty) and passed. Our qual is not super-difficult but a slouch can't pass it, either. It's probably harder than most actual street-cop rifle shots.

On the standard military pop-up range (out to 300M), he did well from the start. We shot the military version of FATS and he had the temerity to kick my ass in "kills".



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Thanks Ned, that was said much better than I could have. Happy 4th to all!

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

$800.00

Happy Fourth incase I dont get a chance tomarrow...

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"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin , 1759

This just keeps getting better.

BTW, had a nice voicemail from this same front-liner in Afghanistan today, wishing LTW-ers a good Fourth. So sorry I missed your call! If you're still watching, tell your boys and girls that there's a beam of good kharma directed at you all, from the many of us back here that recognize that our daily walk in the park is a ride on your shoulders.

Imagine patriots of the young America believing so strongly that they would suffer the privations of Valley Forge. The people that today are keeping the fight at a safe distance for the rest of us are as selfless.

God Bless ya Cap.....Take care and Thank You.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Now we all know the good Capt. just sits in his hotel room in Kabul and directs the strategy on his X-Box while dining on lamb and yak

Seriously, to Eli and all those out there wherever they may be. Past, present and future, I-no we all thank you for the sacrifice you perform without hesitation.

To LTW, all who mean so much to us, there are few words I am capable of other than thank you. So, THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.

AL Shear

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

I want to say something, but don't know what to say. You guys are too much.
It sure makes me feel good to see this.

Ned, thank you for honoring our soldiers and Marines so eloquently, and with such great power & truth.

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NRA Endowment Member

actions truly speak louder then words. pass a happy 4th to your buddies from us eli, let us know if you are lacking anything necessary to get you back home. thanks ned- happy 4th all-cameron

A happy and safe 4th to all of you, and to those serving our country right now, thank you so very much. Now, I think this auction needs a bid of $2,000.00 to help Eli out.


Steve, if my bid wins send the knife to Capt. Jim T.

Al, thanks.

Ned, thank you also.

Now thats a bid!!!! and a fantastic gesture sir...

However, Steve if you try and send that knife anywhere but to it's rightful owner I don't think Ill be overly happy.

Sir you put that knife where people can admire it's craftsmanship and know that a soldier benefited from your generosity...

Thanks
Jim

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"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin , 1759

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......First I am not going to mediate what EXACTLY happens with the knife.

Jim, your the Captain, I am used to following orders so no problem. The knife goes to Keith. However, if Keith decides to keep the knife, no problem. If Keith decides to gift it to a soldier stationed in the Middle East, no problem.

You see, everyone is happy including everyone at LTW.

Now, this has become more of a scholarship fund. Maybe as a result of Keith 's unexplainable and gracious gift we can do something to help a larger number of soldiers. Eli first and then maybe something for a couple of others? I can't see anyone having a problem with that.

Keith, you are unbelievable. No words can explain it. I think we would probably build you a gun but you would give it to your neighbor.

Capt Tighe, how many of you guys are shooting 1911's over there? Just curious.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Steve,

Im always happy....

Actually Ive seen only one in both tours here....Ive heard of some folks carrying them but theyre few and far between. It's still not a standard issue weapon.

Unfortunately, I probably wont see them re-issued to the general population before I retire. (Although, when I first came in they were still standard issue.)

Jim

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"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin , 1759

My hats is off to you Keith!!! I was trying to scrounge up enough to hit $1k and then you blew me out of the water!

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John Del Pinto

Well done Keith!

A very happy 4th to you and to all of you serving so that we may live in freedom.

Jim

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An amateur practices until he gets it right. A professional practices until he never gets it wrong. Anon

Zounds!

Keith, that is stupendous.

Steve, I'll look to you to tell me when I should tell Eli what we've been up to here.

Captain Tighe has been sending suggestions for how Eli can most wisely use the money for his "trip".

Let 'er rip.....let's get a list of what Eli could use. Capt. T's experience and knowledge should make things clear for us.

For Eli I was thinking since he has been away from home maybe some of those pajamas with the feet in them.

Seriously, don't want this one to go down hill, but Ned, when you compile a version of the first list let me know we will start finding those items.

_________________
Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Please post the list. I'm sure some of us can help out w/boots,"super tactical gear", etc., even if we don't win the bid. Please include sizes.

_________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

Simply Amazing! To actually know the finest representatives of the American spirit. As corny as it may sound, when I hear the National Anthem I get a lump in my throat and my eyes tear. When I see what goes on here I get that same feeling.

To those who put this together I applaud you. To those who bid to help Eli I salute you. To Keith, well, your in another league my friend. I can only hope to raise myself to your heights. Thats the embodiment of the human spirit, striving for enrichment. Yours is the richest spirit I know.

REMARKABLE!

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Well done Gentlemen, well done!!!

Thanks Keith.

And a special thanks to the donor.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

I feel lucky to be associated with this group. You guys are something else!
Please do post the list of items needed so that some of us little people can get involved.

OK-- I'm on the list. Have had a bunch of Emails from Captain Tighte in the last few days, I'll boil them down to some specific items (there was also a ton of great advice in there).

Of course-- we may have to factor in the volumetric factor here too. I mean, if there are ten essentail items that take up 2'X2'X4", and five other essentals that take up two shoeboxes, we may have to go with the five, at first anyway. We can always send other stuff later when we find out what his APO is.

So's everybody knows, he's leaving next week for mobilization training. Not clear if this is a month of two, or what. I think two-ish. So he's not jumping the pond for a bit yet.

Some items copied and pasted from Captain Tighe's emails:

--Oakley shooters package...M Frame Pros...along with a few extra lenses
--A few Nalgene bottles (4) and a carrying pouch for the MOLLE system
--Two sharpening stones...I have a medium and a soft stone....two small stones in a nylon carrying case fits on my belt or in -my pocket.
--Flex Cuff cutter
--A Kydex holster (Beretta) that he can mount to his vest...so it has to be Molle compatiable...not the Blackhawk rig because of the lock.
-- Garmin Rino 130 is a should have. Katadyn water filter is something he should have even if he never uses it.

Just got an Email from our man in the 'Stan. There are some repeats from the above post:
1) Sunglasses w/ replacement lenses or replacement lenses for his issue glasses.( I recommend a shooting type lens...amber or orange with a high UV protection ratting)

2) Underarmor T-shirts(loose or tight which ever he rather)& boxer shorts (tight fitting) or some very wicking T-shirts and shorts - Tan (I just read in the American Rifleman that the USMC is not permitting Marines to wear anything polyester due to the burn complications, since it melts; that includes Underarmor-- Ned)

3) Watch (Dual time w/ date and a canvas or natural material band)

4) Heavy rigger belt (blackhawk makes a decent belt thats lasted me three tours.)

5) Nylon pancake holster for off duty wear

6) Wicking socks...the woold is way to freaking hot

7) Garmin Rino 130

Katadyne water filter

9) 2ea - Nalgene Bottles

10) Kydex Holster that will fit on a Molle system...

11) Molle Pouch for

a) GPS

b) each Nalgene Bottles

12) Survival kit

a) Silva Ranger Compass

b) Iodine Tablets

c) Fire Starter

d) Zippo Lighter

e) Power Gel

f) space blanket

g) super glue (the glue is actually to close wounds)

h) small roll of gauze

i) medical tape

j) AT&T phone card

k) small pouch to carry this stuff

13) Wrist compass (silva has good ones)

14) Good pocket knife ( Emmerson Commander or a Greber Tanto Automatic are both what I recommend since they both work and take a beating (both with the half serated edge)) (I have provided Eliwith an Al Mar (Benchmade) auto. Will this work, Jim? -Ned)

15) Fixed blade ( Airforce Survival knife is what I recommend...not to big but can be used in a lot for different uses)( Eli's uncle has this covered--Ned)

16) IR strobe light (double AA type)

17) Flashlight (small pocket type heavy duty, rear activated with momentary and continous settings recomend one of the Surefire line like the executive line with the presuader besel)

18) Head Lamp Petzel has some great options...I recommend one of the AAA versions since theyre easier to carry...but then a small supply of extra batteries would be a good thing to take...they have one with a red lens cover so it makes it a bit more tactical...

19) Gloves:

a) Hellstorm has a decent pair of gloves I like the kevlar & leather (not the flight gloves you wear through them too fast.) Full finger contrary to what the cool guy wear is.

b) I also have a pair of wide receiver gloves winter...I wear them under my leather shells...they give you great grip on your weapons and they keep your hands warm.

20) Portable DVD player - not operational equipment but it will help pass time when he's relaxing

21) Mp3 player - see above

22) AT&T phone cards (the minutes go really fast...he'll be able to get some from various places but a small personal stock would be better)

23) Digital Camera - with a 1GB memory card and a hard case...Cannon 450 is my choice...this serves two masters, it will help him record his experiences

24) A small monocular, 4X minimum, something that'll not take up a lot of room.
Ancilary stuff that should be mailed after he gets into country - soft toilet paper, Gold Bond medicated powder (body and foot), I use Centrum vitamins I know theyre supposed to be for old folks but in the enviroment he'll be in he'll be thankful for them..I also have Geritol and Ensure...they all work and the Ensure is easier to carry than three days worth of MREs and is a lot more healthy...Hot sauce...good stuff not tobasco...Texas Petes is a fairly decent brand but theres better...honey in a squeeze bottle..individual serving powdered beverage mix...again something he can easily carry and sometimes water just doesnt cut it one packet makes one water bottle of drink...you can also get individual serving honey...great source of quick energy...more Power Gel...the stuff tastes funny but it replenishes the body pretty fast...(Carbs go fast if he ends up at altitude..Power Gel helps control Altitude sickness...reading material...magazines are great but some sort of novels periodically works his mind andd gives him an escape...DVDs...some sort of hand generator light in case he ends up out in the middle of nowhere.Lastly a smal transistor radio...one with Shortwave reception...they have one with a handcrank incase he runs out of batteries...

Now, if they will let him and if he is driving I recommend a tactical LBV...Tactical Taylor makes the most used over here...it's great for a driver because then he doesn't have to have the crap on him behind the wheels and when he gets out he can grab it and he's ready to rock...but thats something he'll need to figure out in country...[/i]