Okay.

My story is that I don't have too much free time, but just spend too much of it searching the archives for things I want to learn.

Anyway, using the "Find" function, I keep running across posts by John Ricks.

It appears he no longer posts here.

Is he just one of the many who have given up on AR?

Or is there another reason?

(At my age, I don't want to find out where to send the belated flowers.)

flaco

If you search his name you will find the answer. He does not make guns any more, but builds houses if I recall correctly. Some members had a bit of work to get their works-in-progress back.

Thanks, Charles-

I vaguely remember reading a couple of posts to this effect when I first joined.

The man dropped out of gunsmithing, and isn't the only one to burn AR members.

I'm not certain, and I don't want to be too philosophical on a site devoted to firearms, but I do find it interesting that two important contributors--standouts, if you will--have apparently seen a fiery passion wane.

I've met one member who was burned by Jack Belk, and he was ambivalent, and, perhaps, forgiving.

There's a good chance that this is a reflection of how, well, gentlemanly he is, and not his treatment by Belk.

flaco

Ricks couldn't pay the bills as a gunsmith and turned to construction. i BELIEVE every received their money and/or parts back


Belk is living "off the grid" .. i've got a link somewhere, perhaps on my other PC...

as to their passion and it's loss, I couldn't say, I can just say neither are making guns today