Well, I have to change the signature line again -- went by my favorite gun store -- owner was there and says "You like SCARs, right?" and I say "Bought your last one you had in here" and he says "Have you seen the black one? I just got one in." He goes into the back (which I swear must be like a trip to Fantasy Island for most gunbuying customers) and comes out with the unmistakable plain brown cardboard "SCAR Gun Box" (clearly printed on the bottom side now); slices it open and there it is, the perfect specimen of a carbine, resplendent in black, and this time, the rail upper matches all the shiny black polymer. I'm slackjawed....
So, long story short, I had really been after "SCARZilla" which is my nickname of the soon-to-be-released SCAR 17S in 7.62/.308 (which my gun dealer knew all along). So I tell him I want to sleep on it, but he offered to put it in the back for me, no deposit required (he knows how to punch all the right buttons), and says to let him know.
I muster up all my will power and decide I will wait for SCARZilla, but I wanted to tell him in person, so I go back the next night so I could let him know, and make sure SCARZilla is still in my future. So I explain, hey, I already have two FDE SCAR 16Ss (I know, it seems extreme, but what the hey -- I own three SIG 556s - it is a SIGness) and I want to wait for the 7.62 big dog.
So he tells me more about the 17S, that he spoke to the FN rep, and that the first run is going to be all black, apparently since they have ramped up to make the black 16Ss. I say great, because I really wanted a black one, but I was thinking it might be cool to have a FDE 17S to match the twin 16Ss.
Then he says "well, why don't you buy the black 16S, and then match it up to the 17S when it comes in?" Somehow, his logic seems irrefutable.
Again, I (much more reluctantly now) resist and say I'll pass. Then he says "OK, no problem -- thanks for letting me know -- I'll put that one on the shelf then." I turn to walk away, relieved and yet somehow unsatiated.
Then he says "You want to see it one more time? You held it so long last night I think it started calling you Daddy!" I wheel around and say "Yeah, let me see it one more time." He grins, that knowing grin, kind of like the one I get when I have the fish in the boat and I'm about to put it on ice in the fishbox.... Out comes the box, and I'm in big trouble -- this irresistible tractor beam begins to pull me in.... So, mustering up my last ounce of self-control, I stammer "Can you do any better on the price?"
He frowns, that sort of "now you are gonna make me do some math I don't want to do" frown, but he walks over to the computer and starts poking around. He comes back and drops the price $150 but says "it has to be cash and carry, no credit cards..." (he has to pay 3% to the banks). And then it happens -- words come out of my mouth that seem to have developed a life of their own somehow "will you take a check?"
Bodda, boom, bodda, bing -- paperwork clears, cash register goes "cha-ching" and he is doing a little mini-jig happy dance, and I am grinning a key-lime-pie-eating grin from ear to ear. Out the door I go, box in hand and race back home (and I do mean race).
This morning I get up, and I go down to the safe, and pull out the box, and there it is, shining like a metallic black knight on horseback on an ancient battlefield. God must love guns and beautiful women, is all I can think of. It is a true Kodak moment, and time stands still for a few seconds.... I guess I am now SCARred for life. I love this great country of ours. And that resplendent black SCAR -- well, I have a new favorite weapon of choice - Son of SCARZilla! 8)
I've just gotta find a cheaper hobby....
So, long story short, I had really been after "SCARZilla" which is my nickname of the soon-to-be-released SCAR 17S in 7.62/.308 (which my gun dealer knew all along). So I tell him I want to sleep on it, but he offered to put it in the back for me, no deposit required (he knows how to punch all the right buttons), and says to let him know.
I muster up all my will power and decide I will wait for SCARZilla, but I wanted to tell him in person, so I go back the next night so I could let him know, and make sure SCARZilla is still in my future. So I explain, hey, I already have two FDE SCAR 16Ss (I know, it seems extreme, but what the hey -- I own three SIG 556s - it is a SIGness) and I want to wait for the 7.62 big dog.
So he tells me more about the 17S, that he spoke to the FN rep, and that the first run is going to be all black, apparently since they have ramped up to make the black 16Ss. I say great, because I really wanted a black one, but I was thinking it might be cool to have a FDE 17S to match the twin 16Ss.
Then he says "well, why don't you buy the black 16S, and then match it up to the 17S when it comes in?" Somehow, his logic seems irrefutable.
Again, I (much more reluctantly now) resist and say I'll pass. Then he says "OK, no problem -- thanks for letting me know -- I'll put that one on the shelf then." I turn to walk away, relieved and yet somehow unsatiated.
Then he says "You want to see it one more time? You held it so long last night I think it started calling you Daddy!" I wheel around and say "Yeah, let me see it one more time." He grins, that knowing grin, kind of like the one I get when I have the fish in the boat and I'm about to put it on ice in the fishbox.... Out comes the box, and I'm in big trouble -- this irresistible tractor beam begins to pull me in.... So, mustering up my last ounce of self-control, I stammer "Can you do any better on the price?"
He frowns, that sort of "now you are gonna make me do some math I don't want to do" frown, but he walks over to the computer and starts poking around. He comes back and drops the price $150 but says "it has to be cash and carry, no credit cards..." (he has to pay 3% to the banks). And then it happens -- words come out of my mouth that seem to have developed a life of their own somehow "will you take a check?"
Bodda, boom, bodda, bing -- paperwork clears, cash register goes "cha-ching" and he is doing a little mini-jig happy dance, and I am grinning a key-lime-pie-eating grin from ear to ear. Out the door I go, box in hand and race back home (and I do mean race).
This morning I get up, and I go down to the safe, and pull out the box, and there it is, shining like a metallic black knight on horseback on an ancient battlefield. God must love guns and beautiful women, is all I can think of. It is a true Kodak moment, and time stands still for a few seconds.... I guess I am now SCARred for life. I love this great country of ours. And that resplendent black SCAR -- well, I have a new favorite weapon of choice - Son of SCARZilla! 8)
I've just gotta find a cheaper hobby....
