This was the first such site I found after getting my 'first' milsurp (a Yugo M48bo) and wanting to know about it. But the cheap milsurp import days are done. A lot of the questions we had have been answered in books, articles and collection of knowledge on places like this.

I drifted away about the time Kieth died for a number of reasons. The forum had gotten pretty... call it mouthy. Only a few folks knew anything and if anybody dissented or offered alternate ideas was likely to get flamed. Language had gotten coarse too and I sometime have my kids looking in on the forums. Too, I never have managed to pick up a German Mauser 98 (just never had the right money at the right time more than anything) and had a larger in terest in Yugos which were pretty much just sneered at as wannabe mausers here.

Reasons why P' Bill's and Tuco's go on are, I'd say, to some extent diversity. There's tons of forums for many different interests. Bill has expanded his site to include more modern arms and has also put up a section for fishing. It has become more of a site for sportsmen than just milsurp collectors. I think Surplusrifle.com does well enough too for much the same reasons. Such diversification will most likely not work here having too narrow a base.

I too am sorry to see this site on it's downward spiral. But I fear it's end is inevitable. The coming restrictions on our hobby will no doubt be the final stroke. More and more, I think people are getting leery of posting about what they have on the internet.
Just my .02

Remember, 4 boxes keep us free: the soap box, ballot box, jury box, and cartridge box. Hate to say it but, way things have got to be, it seems we've pretty well used up the first 3. Nono