For several months I have been considering not renewing my HHI membership next time around: the contents are shrinking each issue, and more and more it seems to be focused upon canned or transcontinental/world-wide hunts that are not really my interest and are beyond my means.

For the most part, I read the Sixgunner solely for Doc Larry Rogers articles and stories, as his work with long range Woodchuck hunting with a Contender is partially what got me started into handgun hunting, and he seems to be contributing less and less each year, particularly since his house fire [obviously understandable that his writing has taken a back seat to more pressing duties!].

I know JD asks members to submit articles, yet dispite JD's requests for these member articles, most of my barrels are Bellm related or VVCG, and I have NEVER seen a T/C barrel smith's competing product mentioned or featured in any article in the Sixgunner, and so I doubt seriously that my contributions would be published as they would all of necessity contain mention of the firearms used in my various hunts, and those would be VVCG or Bellm, with VVCG or Bullberry wood.

SO, I am looking for a new and interesting club-subscription-nitche group to join, and have been considering The Varmint Hunters Association. What I have read on their website seems warrantable enough to try them out, and the small bits and pieces of what I have heard of them seems positive.

Before I leap blindly into a new membership with VHA, is anyone here either currently a member of or been a member of the VHA, and if so, what can you tell me about it? Is it worth the membership?

[ 09-13-2002, 03:03: Message edited by: Sean HHI #7364 ]

Sean,
Been a member for all but the 1st (maybe not the 2nd) year. I enjoy it, but not all the time. I would suggest ordering one or two of the magazines from their site if you don't have any available to review. If you like, I can see if I kept my last one or two and send 'em to you.

Just let me know.

Steve,

You've got mail!

Sean

I have been a member since they ( VHA ) first started . It is one of the best a lot of good articles . I don't think you will be sorry of joining .

Yote Hunter

Sean,
I've been a member for several years and I think the magazine is onr of the best. IMO it's worth quite a bit more than the price.

Rick

Sean, I have been a member once for a couple of years, and then just joined again. The magazine is very good, but not all the articles interest me. You only get issues 6 times a year, so there is a long wait between them. Very good advertising and sources for custom products and custom gunsmithing. Have not gotten involved in any of the club activities as I do not have the time, or money..., plus live in N.E. Ohio and am not close to the most popular events. I reupped mostly for the advertising and information in the magazine. I also have back issues if you want one to look at. Barron

Sean, I've been a member of the VHA for about 5-6 years; I joined on about the 4th-5th issue. The magazines have a large amount of material in them, although very little is handgun related. Nevertheless, I continue to enjoy the magazines and find myself looking forward to each new issue. I understand your thoughts regarding the absence of non-SSK/non-T/C Contender barrels in the HHI articles. My previous submissions using my SSK barrel have been printed, but wonder whether that would be the case w/ articles using my Bullberry or Bellm barrels..... At any rate, I endorse the VHA magazine. Gary T.

I've seen articles written by memebers not using SSK barrels. If JD Jones is really hurting on getting stories, then he can't be to choosey especially if he wants to keep the Sixgunner going. Send them in, it can't hurt.

I was a member of the Varmint Hunters for a about 5 years. I found that not all the articles interested me, about 3 per issue. I'm mostly interested in handgun hunting stories. I would suggest the same thing 1buba did, order one magazine and see if it's for you.

Sean,

I have been a member of VHA since the mid 90's. I came in at about magazine issue #15. They just publish quarterly though. However, the magazine is quite well done and there is a lot of varminting information available as well as a very good listing of specialty suppliers and smithing. I have published there and intend to do so again soon. I also find there to be a good sampling of quite good technical material from the regular editorial staff as well as from a few member contributors. My special interest is about breech pressure and that area is well represented by articles from Don Miller and Ken Howell, both of whom I correspond with regularly.

Recently, I have decided to cut back on the number of my subscriptions, but this one is one I intend to keep. I recommend it as a good organization and the magazine is a good buy.

Don Shearer

Thanks to all who have responded to my question!

I have a few back issues on the way to me from several respondants, and will review the publication. Thank you to all who have offered back issues to review!

As the Sixgunner is published every two monthes, the VHA magazine will not be too hard to wait upon. Also Don Shearer, thank you for the info regarding the technical aspects of the publication: I tend to concentrate interest in that direction as well

It sounds like a worthwhile investment, and a good alternative to the Sixgunner.

Sean, IHMSA has some real useful info in there paper, 10 issues a year. The thing is that it is about 98 1/2% handgun articles. The other 1 1/2% is on rifles mostly made by handgun manufacturers. These guy's are into accuracy and there is some pretty trick stuff out there.
If you go to the IHMSA web site I believe they offer a free trial issue. I think it is $25 a year plus you can get some discount on a few things for being an IHMSA member.
Jeff

jsh,

Thanks for the info! I saw an IHMSA paper several years ago and liked it alot! I might give that a try as well

Jeff, Do you have the address for the IHMSA website? I'd like to check it out myself. Gary T.

Sorry I didn't get back any sooner than this, working all weekend.
Here is the IHMSA addy, www.ihmsa.org
I have had a blast with this game. Really great bunch of folks involved with them.
Jeff

Jeff, No problem w/ the delay. Thanks for the info. Gary T.

Thank you to all who responded: today I took the plunge and joined the VHA. Just in time for the october issue too, it seems

Again, many thanks to all who responded and to those who sent back issues for me to examine!