Grayfox54

I don't know of anybody in TN. Nickle can be tricky and a bad job will hurt the gun's value badly. I recommend Ford's Refinishing in Florida. Many S&W collectors swear by them. However, be aware that it won't be cheap and will take quite a while. They stay backed up for months. Just how bad is the gun? Can you post pictures?

I've been wanting to try one of these. But of course, you're at the other end of the state.

Depends a lot on just how many guns you plan to sell and how much you want for them. Selling to dealers is always a losing proposition. Especially if trying to sell in bulk. They will offer far less than they're worth because they have to resell at a profit. If around 10 or less and you want to sell locally, I suggest the forum here, other forums you may visit or Armslist. If its more than that, Consignments at a gun shop. especially one who does internet sales, Gunbroker, etc can be the least troublesome, but will take a good sized chunk out of the profits and take time. The real key to selling quickly is to know what you paid and what you want out of them. For fast sales, I suggest allowing a reasonable profit over the purchase price, but still below current market. Don't make the mistake of going for maximum value on everything as that takes much longer to sell. High priced guns require you find just the right buyer. However, a good gun offered at a good price will often have non-buyers thinking "Hmm....maybe I should?" Several years ago I liquidated the large collection of a good friend who had passed for his wife. I priced everything as mentioned because her goal was to simply sell fast and be done with them. Some I sold here, some on Armslist, but the bulk of it we took to the Gun Show in Jackson and rented tables. We took 98 guns to the show and came home with 13. She made a profit over what her husband paid on every one, but every buyer also got a bargain over the current prices. It was a very profitable weekend. Just to add: If you choose to go that way, there's a gun show in Jackson Nov 12 & 13. Just over a week from now. I'm sure tables are still available.

I prefer the shorter barrel. All 3 of my pistol caliber lever guns are the 16" Trapper length. Makes for a handy and great handling rifle.

One Hell of a rocker. Somewhat questionable as a person. But never dull.

You got that right!

IMHO it would be the older pre-lock S&W L-frame 586/686. This gun was designed specifically for the .357 Cartridge. The older K-frame was nice to carry, but proved to be a bit light in both strength and weight for continuous use of Magnum ammo. The N-frame was plenty strong enough for whatever ammo you wanted to use. However, it is a big, heavy gun. S&W designed the L-frame to be beefy enough for any magnum ammo and still be readily carried. its the perfect .357 revolver. Just for the record, I'm also a big fan of the old Ruger Security Six line. But Ruger stupidly quit making them a long time ago. Never cared much for the GP-100 or the SP-101. They just feel clunky to me. But then if you truly want the best of the best and can afford the price : Korth!

Yep, been there and done that. Many years ago, I accidentally arced out a cheap watch on the circuit breaker panel of a GMC Astro. Lucky for me the cheap band burnt in half and fell off. Still left a nasty burn and a scar that took many years to fade. When I was working I wore those cheap all plastic Wal-Mart watches. No electrical problems and if it snagged on something the band would just snap off. I remember when they sold for $2. By the time I retired they had gone up to $12! Quit wearing my wedding band after about 3 weeks of marriage when it tried to rip my finger off at work. My wife wore it next to her's from then on.

Just a simple old $30 Timex. Keeps perfect time and its all I need. I've never been much for fancy watches or jewelry. You do realize that those of us who still wear a watch are dinosaurs don't you? Younger folks today just check the clock on their phone.

When I worked for the City, new hires were given all the study manuals for the written tests and a senior driver would teach them the driving part in our trucks. Actually Public Works and all government employees got a break when renewing. We weren't required to have a current physical like commercial drivers did. But we still had to renew in person and deal with the hassles of DMV. BTW: CDL holders are subject to random drug testing at any time. When I worked for the city DOT would show up once or twice a year completely unannounced and all our drivers had to pee in the cup and take a breathalyzer. I have some good stories about those days.

Have the requirements changed? When I had a CDL, in order to get one you had to already have a job and pass the physical before you could take the test. Road tests were normally done in company vehicles. That's how it worked when I was working for the city. New hires were given a certain amount of time to get their CDL. The city provided everything they needed including the vehicle.

Try local heavy equipment rental places. I'm sure they will have a dump truck with a manual transmission and air brakes. I held a Class A CDL for 40 years. Funny thing is that way back in 1976 when I took the test for what was then called a "Special Chauffeur's" license , I road tested in a 1973 Mercury Comet. Yep, it was legal back then. Then when TN went to a real CDL, I was grandfathered in. Never did take a road test in an actual truck.

DAMN! I hate to hear that. ZZ Top is one of my favorite bands.

If he fires that 50 BMG, that young lady won't be doing much for a while.

The only real gun auction I ever went to only had one gun I wanted. When it came up, the bidding went past me so fast all I heard was SOLD! before I could even raise my hand. I haven't bothered with them since.

Complacency breeds contempt. You get so used to handling guns that you don't pay attention anymore and just blindly go through the motions.

I'm no expert, but my understanding was that 80% was legal as long as it is owned by the original builder. After that, it gets kinda fuzzy. They're also on the Fed's hit list. Could become illegal at any time. I wouldn't buy it.