Forum History- Any members from 2000 left?

[S&WIowegan]

I joined in the spring of 2004 but I don't remember how I found the site. Parabellum owned it and the mods I remember are Osprey, Smithnut and VL. Walosi became a mod for a while then passed away very quickly. I had been an owner and active shooter of S&Ws, Rugers and Colts for a long time before becoming a serious collector.

This forum brought me up the knowledge curve very rapidly. Those were the days when Michael Stern and lowriderfxr were buying and selling Smiths at a rapid pace....often back and forth with each other. I became their willing patsy for a while taking a lot of iron out of the market. They both had a higher quality grading system than I did but live and learn is the rule in this game.....whining takes all the fun away. My motto is: If you can't afford the tariff, keep out of the game.

I think people drift away as they get bored with all the silly, even babyish questions that repeat endlessly on this and other forums. I can't imagine why all the newbies won't use the Search function.

[fungunnin]

Another 2003 here.
I had the pleasure of a few range session with SmithNut as well as the opportunity to trade a few pieces back and forth. I hope you still have that 3" 66.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[sgt.207]

I watched the site for a while, then joined in December 2002. Lots of great information and good people.

[s&wchad]

Originally Posted by Marvin Gardens

What was SmithNut's title?

"Forum Potentate"? I can't remember but it was funny.

I believe SmithNut's title was Plenipotentiary.

It's nice to see him make a reappearance. I found the forum in 2007 while looking for some information and Rob was very helpful and more than answered my questions. A true gentleman.

He later recommended me as a moderator, but I forgive him for that. I hope Lee does too!

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I also remember the GunSpot/Shooters days.

I also lurked around this forum a while before I joined in late 2000 or early 2001

[williamlayton]

Fun and Interesting read.
My first computer crashed sometimes around 2000 and I didn't bother with it for a few months.
i really don't remeber what formums I was one back in the day.
I will say that it probrably wasn't this one as I had no interest in wheel guns at the time.
I sure a blazes like this place though.
Blessings
Bill

[SmithNut]

Originally Posted by S&WIowegan

I joined in the spring of 2004 but I don't remember how I found the site. Parabellum owned it and the mods I remember are Osprey, Smithnut and VL. Walosi became a mod for a while then passed away very quickly. I had been an owner and active shooter of S&Ws, Rugers and Colts for a long time before becoming a serious collector.

This forum brought me up the knowledge curve very rapidly. Those were the days when Michael Stern and lowriderfxr were buying and selling Smiths at a rapid pace....often back and forth with each other. I became their willing patsy for a while taking a lot of iron out of the market. They both had a higher quality grading system than I did but live and learn is the rule in this game.....whining takes all the fun away. My motto is: If you can't afford the tariff, keep out of the game.

I think people drift away as they get bored with all the silly, even babyish questions that repeat endlessly on this and other forums. I can't imagine why all the newbies won't use the Search function.

S&WIowegan
Thank you for mentioning Walosi - I did forget to remember & mention him, regrettably.
He was a valued member here before his short tenure as a mod. A really good guy and very much missed.


And yes fungunnin, the M66 is still hanging around in my fledgling 3 inch collection. :>)

Happy New Year!!

[Old 44 Guy]

Gosh; You mean there are older guys than me here on the Forum. ?Heck, in 2000 I was still marrieded to the witch in Calif. I didn't even have a computer then. Now living in Oregon I'm still youngster here on the Forum joining in 2006 I think. Anyway Happy New Year to all. Dick. PS. Visited My daughter in Washington State to meet my great grandson [2 mos old] for Christmas.

[ordnanceguy]

My profile says that I joined the Forum on 1-28-2002. I don't remember how I found my way here but it was probably on the suggestion of another member of the S&WCA. I have gotten more enjoyment and information out of this site than any other I can think of. What a great place it has been, and continues to be.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

No old sea stories to relate, but I cannot let a review of times gone by go by without commenting that The Gorilla is the best thing that EVER happened to this site. Hammerdown knows what I'm talking about, as do others.

Thanks, Lee.

[joegerardi]

Umm... Hello!

I joined in November of 2000, but I've never posted before. I mainly just read the forum along with various other fora when I'm able.

..Joe

6906, Chief Special, and Model 10-5 owner.

[tipoc]

I'm listed as joining in 2002 but was around before that. I believe as early as 2001 or so. At some point or another a good many of my earliest posts and start date vanished.

tipoc

[Ed Ely]

not a neophyte either!

Ed

[AreB]

Originally Posted by joegerardi

Umm... Hello!

I joined in November of 2000, but I've never posted before. I mainly just read the forum along with various other fora when I'm able.

..Joe

6906, Chief Special, and Model 10-5 owner.

I think Joe should get a special "long-time lurker" award.

I joined in '08 but have pretty much disappeared into 1911 land.

There were some pretty wild and wooly threads back when I was first hanging around. I am still in awe of JoniLynns N-frame collection, all with Herrett grips.

Think I'll try to drop in more often. I still have one Smith (Airweight Bodyguard) so I hope I'm still worthy.

[DWFAN]

It says here I joined in '04 but I could swear it was earlier than that. Having CRS can do that to ya. I remember meeting up with DA Snake and Quarter Cherokee in Utah at the S&WCA meeting that year. Had breakfast with Lee and Lysle one late morning. This has brought back some great memories for me. The old days could get a bit wooly if you know what I mean. We had our share of trolls. I log on here just about everyday. Wouldn't miss for the world.
DW

[LAH]

I barely made 2002.

[Onomea]

I wonder whatever happened to Lonewolf, AKA Bud. He was a very knowledgeable guy. Kept his pistols in the drawers of an old wooden library card catalog which he had covered with 1/4 inch steel plate, as I recall...

[rags]

Hey old feller's! I just love this place!! Thanks for letting me play on your playground... REALLY!

[rburg]

Originally Posted by Onomea

Kept his pistols in the drawers of an old wooden library card catalog which he had covered with 1/4 inch steel plate, as I recall...

Don't underestimate the card catalog. I found one back in the last century.... It was in an antique shop up in Lebanon, OH. I told my son what I wanted for Christmas that year and handed him the asking price. I told him if he could negotiate less, he could have the difference. Sure enough, one day I came home from work and there it was, in the basement of that house.

It was my introduction to how heavy finished Maple was. Mine has 60 drawers (30 in the top and 30 more in the bottom.) Along with good sturdy drawers that pull out. On top is a bunch of boxed stuff, like 1,000 rounds of 9mm I've never opened. Everyone here should look for one!

[doublesharp]

Cool thread. I think it is great to acknowledge the founding early members and show them some love.

I first found the forum in 2004 when I was researching a 27-2 5" in a presentation box that a friend was selling for $500. I didn't have a clue how to post pictures but I knew the gun was nice. $500 seemed high to me but I was encouraged to buy it and several members asked for 2nds if I passed. I bought it and still have it. Just a coincidence but I've always found it appropriate that my join date was April fools day 2004.

I made friends with Chuck Lubbe and bought several guns from him that I still have and especially treasure since he left us so young. I've met several forum members at gun shows and have yet to run in to one I don't like or one that smells bad.

Here's a shot of the 27-2 that brought me here.

[jcelect]

I just found this thread on the newsletter! I can't believe my long time computer friend forgot about me in his origianl post! Oh well, friends come and go, but one person will be here until they turn the lights out. THE GORILLA! I have been around here since 2000 and I seen many come and go, and a few were told to leave, but there is only one reason the lights are still on and that is because Lee bought the show! When I first heard he had bought it I ask him "ARE YOU NUTS, that's a hole in cyber space into whch you through lots of money!" Well, either he is rich or he has turned it around! For those of us in the SWCA we also must say "thank you" as he provided a venue for the SWCA in a time of cyber turmoil and expansion problems! We now have two great meeting places in one site! THANKS LEE(until you are better paid)!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

[loknload]

I came in here March of 00, Came in here with or shortly after FUD and GUNSLINGER, if it's the same GUNSLINGER who has since passed a number of years ago. I remember a lot of the names mentioned here but wasn't to much into the ops of the place. I may have conversed with some but don't recall.
I'm still with FUD over at FFF. Bill started Triple FFF after a falling out over at another board. I drifted in here due to an adverse Smith addiction. I remember signing onto the other brand start ups as well. I stayed pretty much with Bill over at the Triple F
Of course my connection here still is my addiction to Smith's,,,gotta have'em!
I still learn something new here everytime I stop in, always like the way the place was run and always the civil and friendly demeanor of the membership.
The place started out as a class act and still is.
Just my thoughts from the past, now let me see if I remember what I had for lunch.

[dewey]

CHUCK, IBSandy,GUNSLINGER left us way too soon. JC, FUD and LOK were/are still held in high regard to many of us. They all made this Forum full of knowledge, but more importantly a fun place to stop in.

I'm sure many members have passed away and their parting of many may not ever be know to us.

Here's to them ALL ! ....dan

[VictorLouis]

i JUST happened upon this thread due to its inclusion in the forum updates sent to one of my email accounts. Else, I would've never seen it. I came aboard when Parabellum Mike had it w/his parter. Like 'Nut, I can't recall the fellow's name, but I did meet him once here in Phoenix. Nice chap, and I seem to recall he had a little dog that was his BFF.

I've met 'nut on business here in town, Sebago Son Drew (visiting family?), and I think I met Osprey also. (The gears are rusty). I just grew tired of the moderatin'....and seemed to take on a life of it's own.

I'm not the enthusiast I once was, for sure. I've settled mostly into a few practical things for carry. Not a lotta toys, for sure.

[snowman]

Last month marked ten years since I joined here. I had just started buying guns again after selling all mine 20 years previously to pay grad school expenses. Defense was my primary motivation, and I knew from previous experience that I wanted Smith revolvers. As I recall I just happened on this site while researching something Smith-related on the web. I was immediately and thoroughly impressed with the maturity exhibited by the majority of the posters. One thread in particular that really stuck out as unusual was a debate re: whether or not everyone was suited to own firearms. NONE of the posters in any way wrote negatively about their opponents. I had been on a few other forums which were little more than bickering and fighting, so this was a tremendous breath of fresh air. A number of these folks no longer are around, and I miss them.

Andy

[Terry C]

2002 here.

Had over a thousand posts then got 'flushed' as they say and never really got that momentum going since.

I remember a lot of the names in this thread, some I haven't heard for a long time.

[aircon mech]

Hi guys, I don't have much of an update as most of the knowledge is already here, but I was on a little back say 2001 or 2002, nowhere near as much as the regulars were then, too many young kids in my house & not enough funds for nice wheelguns.

Anyway, from my recollection a gent named Nick owned this set of forums, he got in a pinch & was going to auction them all off as already known, Para (Mike) & lbj (Tom) took on SIG, S&W, and Ruger forums, then they stuck with SIGforum as their main digs.

The three mentioned were the most active, saw a few post on the H&K or BrenTen forums, but don't remember any at all on Colt or Taurus. Glock Talk was the big one hosted elsewhere, there may have been a Glock one included with the original main group, but that I don't recall.

I was soflaac back then as I am now on SIGforum, probably lost my user info when I changed ISP years back, so re-registered as this. Its always been a really good place for info, and I do remember all the nice pics of rburg & others gunshow finds back when.

[ladder13]

Coming up on 15 years in a few weeks. Where did the time go?

[beaverislander]

Originally Posted by Terry C

2002 here.

Had over a thousand posts then got 'flushed' as they say and never really got that momentum going since.

I remember a lot of the names in this thread, some I haven't heard for a long time.

I remember that...... I lost a couple thousand.

I joined in 2003.

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by handejector

Below is a list of members from Feb and March of 2000.
2-29-2000 is the earliest date.
If the 'Last Activity' field is blank, they have not logged in since we moved in June of 09.

Great list. Sometimes I wonder where people have gone. Did they just move on to other interests, pass away, or..........

[Dave_n]

I am not on the lists for Feb/March 2000 but the header over my name says October 2000. Dave_n

[crazyphil]

I've only been around for about 9 years. Took me a while to find you.
I'm kinda slow I guess. But glad I did find you. Great bunch of people
and good entertainment.

[max]

This is a great old thread. I finally got to meet SmithNut at the SWCA meeting in Dallas last year.

Here is our picture from another thread: I Finally Met SmithNut!!!!!!

[zeke]

Came from shooters in 2000 with same user name. And the same username on a number of older forums. Stayed mostly the handloading section but lost post count in a "transition". 20 years is going on 1/4 century. Still a nice place to visit, but have gotten a tad crankier myself.

[Igiveup]

After a spell in time I tried to log in and couldn't remember my pass word. I tried several possibilities, was told the name was already taken (of course, it was mine), and in exasperation I typed in my current name. I guess it works for me.

[Golddollar]

I feel like a rookie. I've only been on the forum since 2016.

[rubiranch]

Originally Posted by ladder13

Coming up on 15 years in a few weeks. Where did the time go?

I was just wondering the same thing about the last two years.

[BILL]

I drop in from time to time. I'm not a collector, just a shooter. I have shot IDPA and USPSA with S&W revolvers in the past, but when they both kept changing the rules, I put my revolvers in the safe. Now, when I shoot competitions, I grab a dirty Glock and go.

[handejector]

Originally Posted by Igiveup

After a spell in time I tried to log in and couldn't remember my pass word. I tried several possibilities, was told the name was already taken (of course, it was mine), and in exasperation I typed in my current name. I guess it works for me.

Trouble logging in? DO NOT Register again!

[photoman]

Originally Posted by handejector

Do you know your original User ID's?
I can check if they still exist.

Photoman ...

[S. Kelly]

I'm still here.

[K-22]

Originally Posted by dewey

I know Thumper, Gunslinger, BunnyBuster, ParaMike, and Legacy are gone.
SmithNut stops in sometimes.

Ya'll out there????-dan

I am happy to say, I am still here. Have been here since Feb. 2000
This is one of the finer places to visit, and hang out
👍👍👍👍
Best,
Gary

[TheHobbyist]

Wow. I missed this post years ago. I recall SmithNut and enjoyed the posts. I believe around 2002 was the first time I went on the site. Was busy with college and started visiting again around 2006, periodically, to learn more. After a couple more years, I thought, this is crazy, why don't I join, I'm reading here all the time to learn. Still learning and having fun.

[peyton]

Sad to say, I was late to the game. I joined according to the computer in 2006. Although I swear it was earlier than that!!
I have gotten such an education while here.

[HOUSTON RICK]

I may barely qualify 12-28-2000.

[Bullet Bob]

"I am still in awe of JoniLynns N-frame collection, all with Herrett grips."

You and me both, wonder what happened to her.

[pharmer]

Shocking, an 8 year old thread and not one poster with "banned" under his name. Then again if they was with the "banned" they wouldn't be posting today. Like my sainted daddy used to say: "Why you still talking when you don't have anything to say?" Joe

[Jhp147]

I don’t get around here much except to check ads…wonder if this thread still posts? Here since 3-2-2000 but got tied up in plastic M&Ps and 1911s for years. Got to get by here more now since I’m piddling with S&W revolvers again.

[sceva]

It's a great forum. I've been here since 2004 myself

[tipoc]

I predate 2000. 1997 or '98. At some point I forgot my password and could only get in by creating a new account here (or for some reason I forget, new ownership?) and so it says 2002 but I was here before that.

tipoc