Raymond Pierce (14)

Buz was member #179, joining our club March 1999. He became a life member in 2012.
He served as a Range Officer, attended monthly meetings regularly and could be counted
on to show up for the club’s 5th Sat. work days. Buz was always available to share his
extensive knowledge of firearms with club members, both new and old.
Buz was a member of the Air Force Cadet Program and entered the Air Force in the late 1950’s. He flew B-47’s
during the Cuban Missile Crises and went on to fly B-52’s. In the early 1960’s Buz flew the new B-58 Hustler.
Buz was sent to Viet Nam as a Forward Air Controller flying a Cessna to locate and direct fire from U.S. fighter
planes. He eventually served at Carswell AFB and retired as a Major. Buz worked for American Airlines as a flight
instructor on their flight simulator. He retired from American after several years.
Buz became interested in the shooting sports while in the Air Force and participated in matches while serving. He
developed a special interest and proficiency with the Thompson Contender and became friends with the founders.
Buz eventually wrote articles about the firearm in industry magazines. Buz also became friends with Dick Casuul
whose experiments with .45 Colt ammunition in the 1950s led to the creation of the .454 Casull cartridge. Buz
knew the owners of Freedom Arms and would visit the factory when he came to Wyoming to hunt prairie dogs.
Hunting prairie dogs was a favorite adventure for Buz and his friends. They hunted in the Texas Panhandle, New
Mexico and Wyoming.
Buz was well known in our club as an expert gunsmith on Contenders and Ruger Blackhawk pistols. Many
HCRPC members have experienced a much improved pistol operation due to his expertise.
Buz also became a knife collector after becoming friends with A.G. Russell of Arkansas and had an extensive
collection of beautiful knives.
It has been a privilege to know Buz Chamblee, an outstanding representative of our club and the shooting sports
community.