For me, it was reading this forum, being harassed by EvilTwin, and then Crossfireoops. Then, the fatal mistake was attending a Gathering at Crossfireoops' place in Sierra Vista where I fondled his custom 1874 and another one he was building for someone else.
I returned to Greg's place a few months later, went to the range with him and his 1874, and Greg had me hitting steel at 600 yards in just a few minutes with his rifle and tang sights.
E.T. had not ceased in his harassing phone calls and P.M.'s during this time, either.
A check on Bill Goldman's website showed an 1874 Hartford Model in .45 2.1" with a 30" heavy octagon barrel, and semi-fancy wood due to be finished in about 90 days from then.
A call to Mr. Goodman, a deposit check in the mail, and "my" rifle was booked.
I posted on the 'Fire that I had put my money down and next thing I knew, I received a message from sharpsguy offering to give me a hand learning to load and shoot my rifle.
Fast forward three months, the happy day arrives when my LGS calls and tells me they have a damaged rifle that was just delivered. I drove to the shop and the owner asked me to come into the back room where the rifle was.
Fearing the worst, I opened the case to find a beautiful, unmarred 1874 Hartford Model. The shop owner grinned and said that the rifle must be damaged because there wasnt a bolt with it or a spare magazine, so he was prepared to give me $200.00 for it...
I took the rifle to sharpsguy's place along with 110 rounds of ammo loaded to his specs, and the lessons began. I shot all 110 rounds of my ammo plus some of Bill's test loads that afternoon.
To say that I was (and still am) addicted is an understatement.
The gifts of alloy, precast bullets, Woody's gift of a Lyman mould, and Crossfireoops & Paladin's tutelage at casting these artillery shells, and all of sharpsguy's patient instruction and guidance are forever deeply appreciated.
No, this rifle is not, nor ever will, be for sale
Ed
