Why are or aren't you an NMLRA member?

[smo]

Guys , I’m not taking sides here but , I’ve been too Friendship several times in the past 10 years and don’t recall seeing one of those plastic stocked creatures y’all are referring too.

I know they have matches for them , but they also have a Primitive Range.
It’s across the road from the Main Firing line.

I’ve never shoot any on the non primitive side of the road, I figured the only business I possibly had over there was greeting something to eat, shopping on Traders Row or possibly finding a deal at one of the Flea Markets.

The “New Officers” seem too be wanting too up date the facility and they have improved the Magazine.

Will it have articles in it about the “other side of Muzzleloading “ sure .... but just like here or any other Forum I visit , If I don’t like the contents of a story I just simply skip over it and move on too one I do want to read.

 

[PluggedNickel]

I am amazed at the talents of some of the members here. I wish my hands weren't so danged arthritic, and I had been able to take wood shop in school. Class was full, as I transferred from another school. Lucky to get Drafting, Typing, and Electronics. No machine shop either those classes were full as well. I learned those machinist skills as an apprentice. It is the wood work that would give me the most trouble in a build. I have the chisels, have done some whittling, carpentry, but I could never produce the Victorian Era style fine furniture work needed for a rifle like some make on this forum. It is a art, thankfully, not a dying one yet. And I hope it never is! Takes a steady hand, and excellent eyesight too! I've still got the 20/20 vision, and I have a LED magnifier light that I use for metal work in gunsmithing. I've seen knife makers, and gunsmiths on the TV shows have an awe manure moment working the wood, after hours of work already done. Sometimes fixable with some epoxy, but never invisible if you look hard enough at it.
I had a crack in my D28 Martin guitar that I took to a Master Luthier to repair. It was purchased in 1975 with my Ohio Vietnam Veteran bonus. It had developed the classic Martin crack at the sound hole and into, under the pick guard. J.Thomas Davis did the work, he is a Guitar Maker, and Master Luthier for all fretted instruments. I can see where the repair is, but mostly because I knew where the crack was before the repair. Tom, told me, he has customers that can't see the repair work sometimes, but he always can. I try to keep the humidity at 45% in the winter when the heat is running so much. Tom also trimmed the fret wire, the neck ebony had shrunk with age and I was getting some snagging. The old Martin has some scratches from belt buckle, rings, or a spaz attack (does anyone say that anymore?) here and there, but overall, I'd say it's aging better than I, and of course the tone and harmonics just improve with age. My pipes ain't what they used to be either, but Betty hasn't put me out with the cat yet!
Man, I'm way off track here. Better Git out of here for someone has a fit!

 

[Michael Comer]

I joined when I saw their booth at an NRA convention. Did not renew because I never saw any articles on percussion system guns which is my main interest. Maybe they address historic percussion weapons in their magazine at times but I never saw any in the year I was a member.

 

[uno676]

They have AR15 magazines, an I bet not (one) muzzloader article. All I am saying is this, If you can only afford the Hawkins, plains rifles,etc, then joint a club where you fit with others as yourself.But, do not squeeze into a purest organization with custom builders an hand made historically accurate components an give me amendment rights, to let them join so they some day! may get a custom made weapon. NO NO NO, if I was the NMLRA president, it would be traditional , just like the good ole boys wanted it, an made it. sonny

And in my opinion that is the closed minded thought that is killing traditional muzzleloading. Because somebody doesn’t have a custom built gun they should not be included in something that interests them. I’m not saying that a inline should be included in PC stuff or anything like that. This was started by a lot of people that only had cheap Hawkin replicas. Not everybody can afford a $1500 or more gun but are still interested in historical period activities. Everyone starts somewhere. Obviously people were voted in to change the direction of the organization and at that point if you don’t like it vote more traditionalist people with your views in and watch your “purest organization” wither away. They have declining numbers and are trying to boost interest.

 

[wildlifelady]

Because I have a friend who was a past board member and he told me things about the members and their actions and the stupid things they did. I find it hard to accept that adults can find a way to help this organization succeed and prosper. We quit paying dues long ago.

 

[52Bore]

I support them because they promote ML - all aspects.
History - like to read about all the different ML made over the centuries.
Education - they promote it and offer educational classes - Western KY classes for decades. They also have an Ed building that they offer classes.
Shooting - That's their history since 1933 - Walter Cline book, the range is named after him, look at the different rifles he shot; including ones with scopes.
Commercial Row - ML and related vendors.
Gun Makers Hall - Unbeliveable displays of makers work along with demonstrations all week, well into the night.
Primitive area - dedicated to those who love to shoot, this was added in the 60's, I believe.
Long Hunter Record Book - records for all ML North American Big Game animals.
Magazine - 12 issues. (Just got my CLA renewal - $60 all I get is 4 issues, nothing else)
Range - I'm 5hours away, but I know I can go shoot for free for a day, week or month if I wanted.
BOD - the new group is going in the right direction the last few years to assure it will be there in the future making tough decisions the old didn't have the know how, glad to see some of the old resigning. They don't take any money from manufactures - don't think they ever have, they don't need to - they have money and rightfully so, they are cautious with it. Membership and what I listed above is key to their survival. Inlines, ha maybe 5 matches for them out of 350 rifle matches, they may have 30 that shoot it along with other ML disiplines - remember, 1000 registered shooters are shooting everything. Last I looked, their massive range was not full. Some of the latest issues of MB have had articles by the Ex Committee about rate increases, reorganizing staff (reduction), shooting increases to assure those shooting there are paying for it.
People - probably the BEST PART - some of my greatest friends gather to shoot, eat and talk ML.

 

[Baxter]

This is what I was responding to - they are not as close to the originals as one can expect to get when it comes to HC. They are great starter guns that superficially resemble HC/PC guns in that they load from the muzzle with black powder. One can purchase muzzleloaders that are far more PC/HC, but one must venture away from the Thompson Centers, CVAs, Pedersolis and Lymans of the world...

I sincerely appreciate your post, Black Hand. It is spot-on and said in a tactful manner. My early bp arms were a CVA and a TC from kits, after owning a factory made TC Hawken for a few years. My eldest son and I deer hunted with those rifles in MI. I finally found the money for a custom-built early Lancaster in mid-2013 and 3 months after receiving it I was struck with neuropathy. I did manage to shoot the Lancaster a few times but for the past nearly 4 years, it has been above the mantle, well oiled and ready to go if and when I am able again.
I guess that my soul has no longer been damned since I gained possession of my traditional FL.
I had never considered joining the NMLRA, just had not even thought about it. Now, I will think about it.

 

[Juice Jaws]

NRA LIFE Endowment member. My wife is also NRA member.
SASS members for many years, until last year. VFW, SAR, USCCA at one time, range member, Buckeye Firearms Association, Navy reunion VA-65 member. All these add up. I joined NMLRA after finding this forum. I thought I would enjoy the Muzzle Blasts mag. We are only a couple hours from Friendship, probably won’t ever visit it though. As others have said there is only so much cash to spread around. We not only are members, or have been, but like many others here support beyond just annual dues.
My entire family are staunch supporters of 2A. We do what we can to preserve our liberties. With so many billionaires on the left of the political spectrum diligently working to outlaw gun ownership in US, us working class, grass roots folks, do what we can, if and when we can, to support pro 2A organizations.
Having said that, I am in a better position to support now, than I was as a young man with a family to support.
Also, least you think I am recruiting for NRA, or any other 2A organization. I encourage others to join IF, they choose to. If not I get it, no judgement here. And yes, I’ve been boiling mad at the NRA, at times in the past. Case in point, when they gave Harry Reed $5,000 for his re-election for example. But, these things are never as simple as they seem on the surface. Sometimes, politics do make for strange bedfellows. And sometimes, supporting someone who’s views are not pro 2A, is done because, the guy or gal that could or would replace them could be far worse!
Sorry, for the long, meandering reply. I sometimes envy folks who choose to pay no heed to politics, I try not to watch too much of the BS these days myself. I do know the billionaire globalists will never relent their assault on our freedoms, and so I try to stay ever vigilant. And as we all can agree, once our 2A liberties are taken, all the others will follow.
I often delete a reply like this. I’ll probably regret posting this one.
This is after all, a very OLD thread. If you want to tell me to p__s off, have at it.
Back on topic (finally), I found an old Dec ‘95 issue of Muzzle Blasts on eBay. It was in mint condition, and It had a short article on a Souder Village custom build of one of my Patriot ancestors Pennsylvania long rifles. Adam Yerian (Jerian) was a gunsmith, as was his father, and some of his brothers. I suspect those Yerians, who served in the militias used long rifles in the Revolutionary War.

With all the dues you paid you could buy a few more guns. Where have you been, thought you fall off the edge of the earth?

 

[rp77469]

In 1993 I had been an NMLRA member for about 20 years and had recently published a story in Muzzle Blasts. The NMLRA sent their "Rendezvous Coordinator" and a group of other Friendship people to the independently run Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in Colorado that July and announced that if that event wasn't run to NMLRA rules they would remove the elected rendezvous Booshways and run it themselves. Their Coordinator also announced that if anyone could not produce a paid up NMLRA dues card they would not be allowed to vote in the camp election for future Booshways.
I had sent in my dues in January that year and had not yet received my dues card in July. That's when I decided to stop sending them my money.
There floats my stick.
Tanglefoot

They pulled a similar stunt with the Southwestern a bit later. These high handed attempts to intimidate a bunch of buckskinners did not set well. As a result, the major rendezvous west of the Mississippi broke with NMLRA (still often referred to as the Need More Looney Rules Assn. in these parts) and incorporated as independent organizations which are going strong today. With Nimler no longer mucking about in our business and having ticked off the rendezvous community in half of the United States, there was absolutely no reason for any skinner to send them money. Most buckskinners declined to renew their memberships. I was a 20 year member at the time mine expired, and remember checking the declining membership numbers in MB with a mixture of sadness and satisfaction until the magazine quit coming.

The 35th Southwestern Regional Rendezvous will be March 9-16 between Dallas and Waco if any of you snowbirds want to come visit. Be glad to see ya.

https://www.facebook.com/southweste...QRY0JW0C-4JXo1Vh-NGfx9LAJPBfnG-IUQlgvtvQH_gyH

 

[PluggedNickel]

With all the dues you paid you could buy a few more guns. Where have you been, thought you fall off the edge of the earth?

I have so many guns now I have started giving some to family. SASS guns, tactical guns, fun guns, Airsoft, Pellet, BP. A rather large collection, and most have upgrades like laser/lights, trigger work, upgraded night sights.
We have been ill, the wife and I, but doing better now. My sister in-law is battling throat cancer, we lost her baby sister last year to cancer. I shaved my head in support of her losing her hair from the chemo, and radiation.
I go MIA from the forums time to time, when life gets busy. I’m on a lot of gun forums too.
I have probably given away to family over $10,000.00 in guns in the past two weeks! Roughly 1/6 of my collection.
Let me guess, your pretty sure we are related right?

 

[Juice Jaws]

I have so many guns now I have started giving some to family. SASS guns, tactical guns, fun guns, Airsoft, Pellet, BP. A rather large collection, and most have upgrades like laser/lights, trigger work, upgraded night sights.
We have been ill, the wife and I, but doing better now. My sister in-law is battling throat cancer, we lost her baby sister last year to cancer. I shaved my head in support of her losing her hair from the chemo, and radiation.
I go MIA from the forums time to time, when life gets busy. I’m on a lot of gun forums too.
I have probably given away to family over $10,000.00 in guns in the past two weeks! Roughly 1/6 of my collection.
Let me guess, your pretty sure we are related right?

I hope things calm down for you and yours and 2019 is a healthy and happy year for all of you. Oh, remember that long lost brother your grandmother talk about, look no more.

 

[Eutycus]

Glad to see you can smile and do in the face of cancer.I wish more people could. Cancer is a terrible thing.

 

[helwan9]

I have been enjoying thew muzzloading experience for more than 20 years. I am a NRA and NMLRA muzzloading instructor. This is mostly so i can work with the Boy Scouts. I came to muzzleloading by way of an inline rifle. From there I explored the traditional aspects of the activity. I beleive all aspects of the hobby are valid. We need to enjoy what we are interested in and let others enjoy the aspects that interest them.

George

 

[Howard Pippin]

Like everything else, follow the money. just can't seem to find the cash for a membership. Yep, I'm cheap, the main reason for using, and building my muzzle loaders.

I can understand your feelings on money. I've been in the back 40 my entire life, and yet I've gotten by. First let me tell you, I don't always agree with the NRA, Or with the second amendment foundation or the citizens committee to keep and bear arms, but they are the only things that I've got going to ensure my right to the second amendment. I am a life member of the NRA and an old man now, but I have put in two of my four kids into life membership, and when I get the money I will try to get the other two in. The gun grabbers are not going to give up. I try and contribute to the other two organizations every year also. Sometimes they don't get much, often is just a $20 bill.
I can only tell you it's a matter of priorities. It's kind of like skipping church. It's not hard to do so, and go hunting instead. It's just a matter of priorities. So part of the year I do one, and part of the year I do the other.
Please reconsider your stand on what expense is. When they come and get your guns, I sincerely doubt that they let you keep the muzzleloader's. I believe they've lied before.

 

[steam1993]

I am A member of the Traditional Muzzleloading Association, as i HAVE no interest in the so called modern muzzle loading guns. To me there are for want to be muzzleloaders, who don't want to take the time to learn the art of muzzleloading.

 

[helwan9]

As Benjamin Franklin said " We must all hang together or we will hang separately " . I belong to the NRA, NMLRA and OGCA. The Socialists are determined to outlaw the ownership of ALL guns. Just listen to them, they are telling you of their plans.

George

 

[Stony Broke]

I am a life member of the NRA and belonged to NMLRA for years. I just got to the point where I could see no reason to belong to NMLRA anymore. The only thing I ever saw they did for us was provide a magazine that was basically all about activities from the east side of the country. I was living on the west coast and got to the point where I couldn't even find anything I was interested in with the magazine.

 

[BrownBear]

I am a life member of the NRA and belonged to NMLRA for years. I just got to the point where I could see no reason to belong to NMLRA anymore. The only thing I ever saw they did for us was provide a magazine that was basically all about activities from the east side of the country. I was living on the west coast and got to the point where I couldn't even find anything I was interested in with the magazine.

Dang, sounds like you been looking over my shoulder!

 

[PluggedNickel]

I hope things calm down for you and yours and 2019 is a healthy and happy year for all of you. Oh, remember that long lost brother your grandmother talk about, look no more.

Thanks. We are hopeful for a better year in 2019. With,14 great grand children, a host of aging, sometimes ailing old buzzards, and too many deaths in the month of December. The Holidays are always somewhat exhausting to get through.
The babies never fail to put a smile on my face though!

I hope things calm down for you and yours and 2019 is a healthy and happy year for all of you. Oh, remember that long lost brother your grandmother talk about, look no more.

Ha, I knew it, I should have seen it right off! Anyone can see the family resemblance, and of course we are 1/gazzillianth Native American! Seriously though, I served with a tough little guy that is direct descendant of Crazy Horse! His grandmother still lived on the Rez till she passed a few years ago at the age of older than dirt. He was a hoot to party and go on liberty with, I can tell you! His grandson just finished Marine boot camp.

 

[Robby]

I am not a member because all the spare money I have for such things goes to organizations that are sworn to protect my God given right to bear Arms and the NMLRA doesn't do squat.
Robby