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Post by keith on Sept 24, 2015 16:29:35 GMT -5
I had the pleasure of talking to Mike Isenhour on my drive home from the range today. I know I've said it before but he is a great guy. For those of you who have played the custom game you know that waiting is generally the bulk of your contract. I am off for two weeks and had called the other day (left a message) to ask if he had time for me to drive up and barrel a couple of guns. When he called today he said right up front that he had promised a couple of other guys he would have their work done shortly and my stuff had to wait. You have to respect a guy who will tell a friend no when it is the right thing to do. In our line of work there is a maxim, "People first, Mission always," and he is still fulfilling his obligations to the members of these boards. Mike didn't hang up any of his ethics when he hung up his uniform. I like that.
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Sept 24, 2015 17:09:06 GMT -5
Mike is one heck of a good person. I have spent hours with him on the phone. He is instrumental in my shooting structure. One of these days I am going to go for a ride.....just to shake his hand and have a glass of sweet tea. It makes me very proud to have him refer to me as " My Friend" ......yes sir one heck of a good guy!
Russell
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 17:17:44 GMT -5
What Russell said except no sugar please  |
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Post by Richard on Sept 24, 2015 18:36:18 GMT -5
I will say hello when I go up to his place this coming week to drop off some work!
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Good Dude
Sept 24, 2015 18:46:32 GMT -5
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Post by keith on Sept 24, 2015 18:46:32 GMT -5
What day are you headed up?
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Good Dude
Sept 24, 2015 18:48:07 GMT -5
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Post by hillbill on Sept 24, 2015 18:48:07 GMT -5
Yep
Mike is the best of the best.
A real gentleman in every sense of the word.
It's been good to get to know him over the last few years. We've had many long conversations about lots of subjects. I too need to make a road trip.
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Post by Richard on Sept 24, 2015 20:53:42 GMT -5
I am thinking about Monday but waiting to hear from Mike if that will work for him. Where are you coming from? I am in Granite Falls (right by Hickory) 3 mi. from Hwy 321 which runs right up to Boone.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 21:59:42 GMT -5
I talked with him today to talk out some details with some barrel work he's doing for me....Very nice and knowledgeable man,
we are blessed to have him available do his quality of work for us...and one day I need to go visit him as well...
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Good Dude
Sept 25, 2015 5:35:01 GMT -5
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Post by keith on Sept 25, 2015 5:35:01 GMT -5
I am thinking about Monday but waiting to hear from Mike if that will work for him. Where are you coming from? I am in Granite Falls (right by Hickory) 3 mi. from Hwy 321 which runs right up to Boone. I'll be coming from Southern Pines just off the west side of Ft Bragg. I'll be going through Winston Salem. Going through Charlotte to Hickory adds an hour to the drive each way and is already 7hrs round trip. If he doesn't mind I'll head up too and kill a couple birds with one stone: visit Mike and Lisa, maybe eat some biscuits while the Weiner-Wolves are still freaking out in excitement, meet you since I never can get away to a KY Challenge, drop off these 6.5 Krieger barrels, and bring y'all some SML bullets to test. |
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Good Dude
Sept 25, 2015 11:33:50 GMT -5
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Post by Kyle on Sept 25, 2015 11:33:50 GMT -5
I'm sure that Mike is a great person and a great gunsmith from what I have heard of him and his work. Seeing a person face to face and talking with them and being around them in person is always a plus. I'd like to meet Mike one day, maybe at a Kentucky Challenge. To those of you who have never met Jeff Hankins face to face, I encourage you to do so. Jeff is a good person and a great gunsmith. You know where to find him.... at the next Kentucky Challenge!
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Post by keith on Sept 25, 2015 16:20:47 GMT -5
One of these days I'll make it to the Challenge and meet Jeff too. The thing of it is that my schedule is not exactly concrete. I'm on leave and have been since the 10th but I've been at work all but 5 days of that and I'm jumping on Sunday morning because I've been living like a hobo for two months and need to jump before I lose pay. I'm missing a finale rifle match this weekend because of it. My operational schedule has prevented me from attending any of the previous Ky Matches and if everything works out the way I hope it does I will likely miss the spring shoot because of training that is the right move for my career. There's a bunch of guys I'd like to meet (PM'd or talked on the phone to a fist full) there but it will probably get pushed to the right.
My two best SML friends are Mike Jordan and Mike Isenhour. Both are brothers of a long line that has defended this country for over two centuries. I've been to war with one and stood with the other (no stranger to war) at the airfield while his son came home from war. The Army has gotten to where people don't get properly supported all the time because people are afraid to say no. I just thought it was a good reflection of Mike's character to tell a friend, "I can't." For better or worse I get my way a lot, probably too often, and it was a good reminder for me. I had to share it because Mike is a very quiet and unassuming guy who operates like a specter and usually only posts to compliment someone. We all need a little acknowledgement.
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Post by Richard on Sept 25, 2015 18:55:25 GMT -5
Well said Keith! Mike's brother Larry is just as nice and a good shooter also. I understand you will probably be cutting up on 421. If Mike says OK, I will probably head up after lunch. It is probably an hour ride for me.
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Post by airborneike on Sept 25, 2015 23:04:54 GMT -5
Alright Keith,
Thanks for the good words but I don't "walk on water", in fact most of you wouldn't like me very much if you knew me when I was "operating". Arrogant, brash, heartless and even a touch of evil would be a better description, jaded by seeing too much human induced misery in the world.
I will always believe God chose to deliver to me a good dose of humility with the accident I had because it changed my life and attitude for the better.
Life is too short and beautiful to get all "wrapped around the axle" with un-necessary drama and conflict.
Took me a long time to learn that kindness is stronger than brute force.
Best to you Keith, that respect is a two way street
Mike
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Good Dude
Sept 26, 2015 6:16:07 GMT -5
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Post by keith on Sept 26, 2015 6:16:07 GMT -5
The only thing I've seen walk water are those little lizards that run real fast on their hind legs but you are a pretty good dude. I had a puppy that was a terrorist until he got hurt then he turned into the nicest dog. I think we all learn best from severe beatings. I was a lot like you described yourself and I got into some pretty severe trouble over it before I started to evolve. Too bad there isn't another way for the wicked.
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Post by Richard on Sept 26, 2015 19:44:27 GMT -5
Keith..........I told Mike I would be up around 2:30! Hope to maybe see you there.
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Good Dude
Sept 28, 2015 11:10:42 GMT -5
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Post by keith on Sept 28, 2015 11:10:42 GMT -5
I came home from a jump yesterday to a very ill wife; she was puking until the wee hours this AM. There's been a bug going around her office. I'm fine, right now, but I'm going to stay home so that I don't pad this on to y'all if I have it.
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beans
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Post by beans on Sept 28, 2015 16:52:40 GMT -5
Now THAT's a good dude Keith.
Wish the dude in my office felt that way. Been catching his cold yesterday and today.
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Post by airborneike on Sept 28, 2015 17:58:15 GMT -5
Keith,
I always wonder when the wife get sick....maybe the sound of little feet in the future
good visit with Rich
Mike
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Post by Richard on Sept 28, 2015 19:01:31 GMT -5
I had not intended to take up Mike's time but he invited me for a cup of java and we just got talking!
Enjoyed it Mike and am still marveling at the flint lock pistol you crafted! WOW!
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Post by keith on Sept 28, 2015 19:13:10 GMT -5
Keith, I always wonder when the wife get sick....maybe the sound of little feet in the future Don't you put that evil on me! She's better now and keeping down food. I still feel fine but better safe than sorry. I just made some SML bullets and shot them to test them. I'll bring you some when I bring you my rifle parts. |
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