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A Knock Out
By Doug Jeffrey, Photos by Jaimee Itagaki
Reprinted by permission from AIRGUN ILLUSTRATED © Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved. TECHNICAL DATA
Stallone. It's one of the biggest names in show business. You'd probably find it hard to believe that a guy like Frank Stallone once owned nothing more than a guitar, a duffle bag, and the clothes that fit inside. But it's true. In a Horatio Alger type of story, Frank Stallone went from playing guitar on a street corner in the bitter cold of Creenwich Village to the warmth and bright lights in the City of the Angels... Los Angeles, California. Stallone, who turned professional at 15, has come a long way. Now, 52, the Southern California has composed and published more than 200 of his own songs. He's written and recorded compositions for seven films and was nominated for a Grammy and Golden Globe. While he loves his music, that doesn't account for all of his time. He also acts and does his fair share of plinking. So come along for a quick journey into the life of Frank Stallone. Airgun Illustrated: When did you first start using BB guns? Frank Stallone: When I was a little kid. It was part of the course in those days. Actually, you might say it was a prerequisite. Most kids got their guns for Christmas or their birthdays and hunted or went target shooting. If you didn't get an airgun, you got a slingshot. These things have a place in American history. Of course, they were more primitive in those days, but BB guns were definitely popular. Airgun Illustrated:What kind of memories do you have from those early days of shooting? Frank Stallone:Well, my brother and I would go out and plink stuff. Things like cans. I did get shot in the foot once, and I can tell you that it did not feel good. In fact, it really hurt. All in all, I do have some really great memories of being out in the fields plinking stuff. We never hunted per se, but kids in the inner cities would shoot big rats with their guns. We lived more in the country, so we did a lot of target practice and kids stuff. Airgun Illustrated:As a youngster, why did you change guns? Frank Stallone: In essence, it was a case of evolution. As you now, you can wear those things out. You could buy guns from sporting goods stores or places like Montgomery Ward or Sears. One time we were in one of those stores I saw a beautiful lever action CO2 BB gun and it was a step up from what I had. I told my dad that he just had to get it for me. The gun, by the way, may have been a Crosman. Anyway, he said OK and spent the $16. It had nice wood stock, and I used it a lot. I wish I still had it. BB guns, by the way, were like precursors to real guns, especially in those days. Back then, parents spent more time with their kids, the NRA (National Rifle Association) was not looked upon as an evil empire, gun safety was stressed, kids went to camp and shooting galleries were at all of the amusement parks. Shooting was not as gnarly as it is considered now. BB guns just used to get you prepared for moving up to a .22. They were like training wheels. Airgun Illustrated:How often do you shoot today? Frank Stallone:Pretty much whenever I want. During the middle of the week, I will go to a shooting range in the Angeles National Forest and plink up there. It is terrific. I'll also go up there with a few friends and plink around. Anything to get outdoors and have a good time. Airgun Illustrated:Why do you enjoy shooting? Frank Stallone:It's mostly enjoyable and relaxing. You're completely against yourself, so that makes it kind of nice. It’s a battle. Archery, which is something else I do, is similar. Airgun Illustrated:When you were a kid, you mentioned that you used to shoot with your brother. Have you shot with him recently? Frank Stallone:I have not fore a while, but it’s certainly a possibility that I will again soon. Airgun Illustrated:What do you think of the Big Bore from Pyramyd Air? Frank Stallone: This gun is out of control. The guns they are making these days are amazing. When I first saw the gun, I could not believe how beautiful it was. I was shocked. It's well made, and it has a terrific scope. I also never saw a shell like that. It's more than a BB. It's more like a 200-grain bullet. The whole thing is really cool. It handles really well, and it's fluid and nice. I'm really into it. Airgun Illustrated:As a musician, you must have to face a little stress in your life. Do you find that shooting airguns is a release? Frank Stallone:It can be, somewhat in a Zen way. When shooting, you’re playing against yourself, and it's a lot of fun. You can do a lot of neat things with it. Airgun Illustrated:For years, some people have associated guns and violence. What are your thoughts on that? And what does Hollywood think? Frank Stallone:Unfortunately, some people associate guns and violence, and that is not true at all. It's a fallacy, and it's not fair. Most people who have guns are not violent and are not criminals. They just like to go out and plink and have a good time. Therefore, it's unfair to be judged that way (as violent). As for Hollywood, it seems that there are some people in show business who are anti-gun, anti-fishing, and anti-everything. This is odd because these types of activities are done all the time throughout the country, and it's unfair to condemn people for that. No one's getting hurt. It's certainly less dangerous that when some drunk gets behind the wheel. In fact, it's 100,000 times less dangerous. It's a shame that we get picked on, and I don't get it. I have conversations with people about this all the time. Most aren't real receptive or open-minded about the whole thing. They think they are totally right, and they do not want to hear a different point of view. I tell them that if they were to go out shooting that they would have the best time, especially the women. Most say that they hate guns and hate everything about them. I know, however, that if they broke a few targets that we would not be able to get the gun away from them. Some people think they are the authority on a topic even if they have never done it, and that is a shame. Airgun Illustrated:Describe your perfect day. Frank Stallone:Maybe up in the Santa Monica Mountains (just northwest of Angeles) with a glass of wine and reading or listening to music. Or plinking with an airgun or playing guitar. It's beautiful up there. |
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