Autumn

Autumn

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Dragunov Saga

Began late last night when my cell rang...I answered, even though the number was unfamiliar.

"Hey, are you Stephen?"

"Yes, how may I help...." He cuts me off with, "Hey, listen. My buddy said you'd buy this rifle."

Like that...


I said, "Back up a moment. First, what's your friends name?"

"Billy Bob."

I searched my memory for any Billy Bob's I might or might not know and came up empty. In the mean time he's still running his mouth. He made mention of where and how he'd met this so called common friend of ours. He continued, "Yeah, man, it's a real good deal and he said you buy it."

"What exactly are you trying to sell?"

"Okay," all breathless, "What I got here is a 7.62x54 Dragunov with a 24 inch barrel with a 8x42 pro mildot scope and two hundred rounds of ammunition and two ten round magazines."

I asked, "What price, not that I'm interested, you understand?"

Long pause.

"Okay, here's the deal. I need $1,350.00 for it."

Immediately I came back with, "No. But thanks for the offer."

Then, "Are you nuts. Hey, man, this is a great sniper rifle. Hey, man, my friend said you'd buy it."

"He isn't my friend. Besides, there's no profit margin in your price."

That one threw him for a loop. For a moment I thought I'd lost the connection and was about to hit the button when, "Ah, what 'ya mean man."

"Just what I said. There's little to zero profit in this deal. I have no desire to add this rifle to my personal collection; it's worthless for practical applications, although fun to shoot. But for me, it's useless. Kinda like tits on a boar."

Silence.

"What will you give me for it. Give me a break, man. Make me an offer."

I thought about it for a nano-second, then said, "Five hundred, and you keep the ammo."

He yelled a few curse words in my direction. I cut it short. He regained his composure and continued.

"Is your cell able get text?"

"Yes, even out here in the sticks of rural River City this Blackberry has the capability to accept text."

"Okay, sure man. Then what if I send you a couple of pictures. Will you think on it?"

I gave it a two beat, and said, "Sure, send them. And, by the way. I don't just purchase every weapon sent my way. I'm funny like that, do you understand, and furthermore, my name isn't, man."

He sent this.


I'm still not a buyer.

Stephen

25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Not really, Warlock. The real name he used could have been any number of men I know...thanks.

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  2. I want one, but not at that price. It's on my list.

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    Replies
    1. Understand. My want only include those pieces for which I have a purpose. At this point in my life there are few 'guns' I truly need. Thanks, Tincan.

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  3. The whole episode sounds a little creepy to me. Hope you find out who gave him your number. Love your blog.

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    Replies
    1. It happens, mizdeb. I get calls and visits all the time. People refer others to me whenever someone has a gun to sell. I'm not an easy touch. Thank you very much for the kind comment. Please, come on back and stay a while.

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  4. Hey man, I have this cool bra holster I can sell ya. Our mutual friend Billy Bob said you'd buy it. It can be yours for $800 and that is a good deal. Profit margin already built in...for me.

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    Replies
    1. Pretty Girl, I've always wanted a nice bra holster. My buddy, Duke, has a birthday soon and he'd love one as a gift...built in, cute. Thanks.

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  5. Why is it so many people out there fail to understand the profit margin markup need when trying to sell something? They think because they saw an item (Any item) listed somewhere for X amount that they should get that themselves with no overhead, taxes etc.

    Still a nice looking rifle from that one pic.

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    Replies
    1. True. All the hoopleheads purchase themselves a Blue Book or Gun Guide or check out the web and notice the stated 'worth' of a rifle and think, 'Hey, I want what's it worth..' Any good shop will only pay about half price of the listed value. If you buy high you'd be out of business in a week. Thanks.

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  6. Maybe I already have enough guns, but the price would have to be pretty low for me to bite. Interesting gun, but the world is full of interesting guns.

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    Replies
    1. Very true..it's a nice shooter, but that's about it. I mean, really, unless we're in a SHTF situation, a sniper rifle is nothing other than a safe queen. Thanks, Sixbear and enjoy our Florida waters...

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  7. That is the same round as the Moss Nagent, is it not?

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  8. Yes, and no. It is a PSL, just a variant of the Dragunov. Much like most AK's today. Few really own a true AK-47, they just refer to them as an AK. Tick for tack.

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  9. Me thinks its HOT. Like you pass.

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  10. I blame these shows that play up the drama of "negotiation" and never have it end with one side or another saying "thanks but I'm not in the market at that price." and actually walk away.

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    Replies
    1. Trust me, my friend, I walk. All the time. You are correct though. Thanks.

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  11. I'd of been a bit leary also, you never know who's on the other end 8/

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    Replies
    1. Katidids, trust me, I'm careful. I've dealt with these type of boogers all my life. Thank you very much.

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  12. I hate it that the poor guy's all upside down in a PSL, but it's just tough to be him.

    That's what happens when you pay Izmash or Norinco prices for a Romanian "Dragunov"

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    Replies
    1. Very true, Tam. Like you said, his problem, not mine.

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