[jyl]

New (used) spoon time.

There are two spoon stores in town. One has lots of cool stuff, from ARs and AKs to hunting guns, CCW spoons to collector pieces, Lugers and Broomhandles. They are also kind of mean, with high prices, to be honest. When I asked about Glocks I was treated to a rant about how they are crap guns and aren’t permitted in the shop. When I brought in my old mismatched shooter Luger, they sneered at it. The other is seldom busy, inventory pretty sparse, they seem to make most of their money from service, and prices are good. The guy is friendly-grumpy in that spoon store way, and we talk about Portland’s messed up politics and life. So, I drop by that one more often and use them as my FFL.

I went to the area to see if my typewriter was fixed (nope). So I walked a few blocks and popped into the spoon shop. I’m looking for a Glock G26 but don’t want one bad enough to pay the silly online prices. I’m looking for some ammo but don’t want to pay $2/shell online. So, I check out what he has, and usually buy nothing.

Today, I saw a black 1911 on the bottom shelf. “Para Ordnance”. Hmm, I remember that brand was quite a thing about 20 years ago. It was the first double-stack 1911 I’d ever seen. He shows it to me. It’s light, alloy frame, Commander size I think. Very basic: fixed sights, no beavertail, ambi safety, flared well, groovy grips or fancy slide serrations. Decent condition. Honest look. Fits well in my hand. I shoot Glocks, and have large hands, so the 2x4 grip shape is okay. I don’t have much experience with 1911s, but the controls work just like my Detonics, with the addition of a grip safety.

He is pretty frank about the spoon: runs good, parts not available, if it breaks its broke, can’t really customize it, three mags holding 12 rounds each, company is gone and the cool guys shoot STIs now, so just your basic hi-cap 1911. Price is $550 which seems pretty reasonable. “I’ll take it.” Hand over my CCW card, sail through the background check, so ten minutes later I walk out with the spoon and mags in a paper bag. And the name of a Luger smith who won’t sneer at my shooter P-08.

That’s about it. I now own two 1911 variants that I don’t need. Just a little retail therapy, guy-style. And still looking for a cheap G26 to replace my snubnose 38. Maybe I’ll go back next month and pick up the Colt AR15 Sporter that he has hanging there. I don’t need that either.