Let me start this story by saying that I joined OSA last February. I posted a thread seeking advice on the restoration of my dads 1903 Springfield. Several members responded to my thread, but one member, CoolHandLuke, went above and beyond, offering advice, knowledge, assistance in locating stocks and other parts, and even offering to assist in the work. With Lukes help, I was able to complete the project. BUT, its an early rifle, and should not be fired. I found a sporterized 03-A3 at a local pawn shop and asked Luke what he thought about it. The next day, Luke went to the pawn shop and looked at the gun, and then reported back to me. I bought the gun, and once again Luke went above and beyond assisting me in locating a BEAUTIFUL stock and everything else I needed to restore the 03-A3. I really wanted Luke to see the rifles he helped me restore, but it never worked out.
Jump forward to Friday, 9/26. Henry had just received his CMP M1 Garand, and we were going to shoot it on the range after the store closed. I brought my 03-A3 so we could shoot it also. The next morning Henry was going to a gun show /breakfast at a local church and asked for my input on what to take. Of course the Garand was going and I suggested he take my 03-A3 and my 1903 Springfield (among others). Henry asked me to come help him get set up and have breakfast. How could I refuse??? I brought the 1903 Springfield from home to display. I left the show early to get the store opened, and Henry packed up and brought all the guns back to the store.
This is where the story gets interesting. Luke learned through some recent threads that I am the Range Official at Henrys Guns, and decided to come out and shoot yesterday (Saturday). I was thrilled to finally meet him! He is as awesome in person as he is on the forum! OK, after all this back story heres the really interesting part Yesterday is the ONLY time I have had either of those rifles at the store, and I had BOTH of them there! So after showing them to Luke, I told him that he was shooting the 03-A3, and brought it and the partial box of 30-06 from the previous night.
All in all, it was an awesome day, topped off by meeting an awesome OSA member under awesome circumstances!
Thanks again, Lucas, for all your help in bringing those two rifles back to life!!!!
Steve
Jump forward to Friday, 9/26. Henry had just received his CMP M1 Garand, and we were going to shoot it on the range after the store closed. I brought my 03-A3 so we could shoot it also. The next morning Henry was going to a gun show /breakfast at a local church and asked for my input on what to take. Of course the Garand was going and I suggested he take my 03-A3 and my 1903 Springfield (among others). Henry asked me to come help him get set up and have breakfast. How could I refuse??? I brought the 1903 Springfield from home to display. I left the show early to get the store opened, and Henry packed up and brought all the guns back to the store.
This is where the story gets interesting. Luke learned through some recent threads that I am the Range Official at Henrys Guns, and decided to come out and shoot yesterday (Saturday). I was thrilled to finally meet him! He is as awesome in person as he is on the forum! OK, after all this back story heres the really interesting part Yesterday is the ONLY time I have had either of those rifles at the store, and I had BOTH of them there! So after showing them to Luke, I told him that he was shooting the 03-A3, and brought it and the partial box of 30-06 from the previous night.
All in all, it was an awesome day, topped off by meeting an awesome OSA member under awesome circumstances!
Thanks again, Lucas, for all your help in bringing those two rifles back to life!!!!
Steve
I'm the one running around getting hugs from everybody! 
