Russia girls are amazing!

[visaveteran1 33]

Maw duece was also one of my favorites. When you lubricate a gun by pouring motor oil on it and watching it catch on fire, and then shoot through that.... it's pretty spectacular. Shooting a machine gun that's on fire. There are only a few things in the world better than that!

Amen brother, amen. Been there...a peak experience.

Want to really get a military hardware high...sit in and fire a Quad-Fifty.

Isn't that an anti-aircraft gun similar to a ZSU? I suspect you can lay a hell of a field of fire with quad fiftys on infantry. Can you imagine a sapper running the gauntlet when faced with something like 50s zinging around? Saw a Barrett at a recent gun show. Had a friend with one who was an ex-seal, never did get to pop one off. If memory serves me correctly it is single shot but I could be mistaken. Heavy sucker though. Did you see any fuel-air bombs used in Nam? I heard that they were especially effective for clearing LZs, but came late in the war.

The Quad 50 is kind of like what we used to call pom-pom guns...only I think there were only 2 guns not 4. I think they were like 20 millimeter shells. The Q50 was used for base defense most...yes to ward off sapper attacks. I never heard of fuel-air bombs unless you're talking about what we called Foo Gas mines we used to put around the perimeter. Kind of like napalm in a small barrel.

[Okiebollweevil 0]

Maw duece was also one of my favorites. When you lubricate a gun by pouring motor oil on it and watching it catch on fire, and then shoot through that.... it's pretty spectacular. Shooting a machine gun that's on fire. There are only a few things in the world better than that!

Amen brother, amen. Been there...a peak experience.

Want to really get a military hardware high...sit in and fire a Quad-Fifty.

Isn't that an anti-aircraft gun similar to a ZSU? I suspect you can lay a hell of a field of fire with quad fiftys on infantry. Can you imagine a sapper running the gauntlet when faced with something like 50s zinging around? Saw a Barrett at a recent gun show. Had a friend with one who was an ex-seal, never did get to pop one off. If memory serves me correctly it is single shot but I could be mistaken. Heavy sucker though. Did you see any fuel-air bombs used in Nam? I heard that they were especially effective for clearing LZs, but came late in the war.

The Quad 50 is kind of like what we used to call pom-pom guns...only I think there were only 2 guns not 4. I think they were like 20 millimeter shells. The Q50 was used for base defense most...yes to ward off sapper attacks. I never heard of fuel-air bombs unless you're talking about what we called Foo Gas mines we used to put around the perimeter. Kind of like napalm in a small barrel.

No, I remember fuel air bombs as being a mixture of atomized nape or gasoline that is igntied with a terrrible whomp, maybe I am just dreaming or in my old age forgot. Interesting about the quads used as ground suppression you would have to have a big pair to advance in the face of those babies kicking mud and buffalo dung in your face. I think I would have been cowering, don't thing I would have made a good VC, too claustrophobic for tunnels, and wouldn't want to get a hole in my chest the size of my fist because some zampolit was urging us forward. When the M-16 was first introduced in VN in the early 60's as the stoner system they were supposedly a fierce weapon and a lot lighter to hump than a M-14, and the weight of ammo, yikes. The VC called them black death sticks, and a .223 bulet that hit a branch or leaf had a tendency to tumble. Heard of wounds with a M-16 that literally took a guy's arm off because the bullet tumbled. Also heard Uncle Sam later changed the powder in the cartridges from IMR to something else that burned a little hotter, ergo increased the rate of fire up to 600+ rds. minute. Side effect, it burned dirty and fouled the gas port, causing troops to try to dislodge jams with their cleaning kit. Much disgust and some folks started carrying AKs. Don't know the truth of it, but heard rumors of folks being overrun and the burial detail finding M-16s strewn around with cleaning rods stuck in them.

[slim 1,533]

I heard a story once of a dead doctor being found with the operator's manual in one hand and the M-16 in the other. His base was about to be overrun and he had never fired a weapon before. He couldn't figure it out so he started reading the instructions. By that time, it was too late.

Went to an Appleseed (www.rwva.org) this weekend and there were a whole bunch of ARs running .223, a few Mini-14s, and several M-1s with the big ol' .30cal. Quite a few 10/22s as well since it's marksmanship training. My little brother even shot the course with his lever action Henry rifle. Great time had by all, and if you've never heard of it, check it out. It's a lot of fun and it's a great organization with a real purpose that's necessary today more than ever.

[visaveteran1 33]

I heard a story once of a dead doctor being found with the operator's manual in one hand and the M-16 in the other. His base was about to be overrun and he had never fired a weapon before. He couldn't figure it out so he started reading the instructions. By that time, it was too late.

Went to an Appleseed (www.rwva.org) this weekend and there were a whole bunch of ARs running .223, a few Mini-14s, and several M-1s with the big ol' .30cal. Quite a few 10/22s as well since it's marksmanship training. My little brother even shot the course with his lever action Henry rifle. Great time had by all, and if you've never heard of it, check it out. It's a lot of fun and it's a great organization with a real purpose that's necessary today more than ever.

Originally, in the Army's infinite wisdom, they did not issue cleaning kits with M-16s!

[dxt7339 1]

When I met my wife, she was making $500 per month as the marketing and advertising Manager of a very large automobile dealership that sells only expensive cars like BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, VW. this amount of money is way above the average and she lived a very, very comfortable life including travel to Spain, Bali, and other foreign places that most Russians could never think of going. If you are sending her $600 per month, she should have no problem inpaying for her own translation, and train tickets without any extra money, unless she is spending it very frivolously. Also, to refuse to talk to someone that can adviser her about the process and to save YOU some money is just a big RED flage. It is my opinion that at the worst she is just scamming you. At best, she doesn not hear you and respect you and your situation. If it was me, i would move on. But you must decide for yourself.

Good Luck!

This is a bit unique given you've met her 3 times...usually scam artists attempt to get money before an actual meeting. I would have thought with 3 meetings you'd have a pretty solid relationship.

Boy are you in for surprise if you think this is so. The best scammers wait until they get to the US and get their unconditional cards or have a decent WAVA petition. See I-360 for more information. Too many sad stories here in the last three years for both scenarios.

As for the pricing issue, it almost sounds cheaper to make a fourth trip out there and handle everything yourself. Also consider looking for a place in the Moscow suburbs. Those can run for only a $100 a week or less and you take a 1 hour commuter train or less into Moscow everyday. Small inconvenience when you consider the savings. Try http://www.irr.ru and the print version of it to for the best craigslist style prices.

Also consider dumping the agency or is your communication so poor that this can't be done. I'll agree with others that someone is making a decent commission here, whether it be the agency or your fiancée, only time will tell.

[eekee 182]

Just out of curiosity, what city was she living in?

When I met my wife, she was making $500 per month as the marketing and advertising Manager of a very large automobile dealership that sells only expensive cars like BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, VW. this amount of money is way above the average and she lived a very, very comfortable life including travel to Spain, Bali, and other foreign places that most Russians could never think of going. If you are sending her $600 per month, she should have no problem inpaying for her own translation, and train tickets without any extra money, unless she is spending it very frivolously. Also, to refuse to talk to someone that can adviser her about the process and to save YOU some money is just a big RED flage. It is my opinion that at the worst she is just scamming you. At best, she doesn not hear you and respect you and your situation. If it was me, i would move on. But you must decide for yourself.

Good Luck!

[dxt7339 1]

She was living in Saratov.

Just out of curiosity, what city was she living in?

When I met my wife, she was making $500 per month as the marketing and advertising Manager of a very large automobile dealership that sells only expensive cars like BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, VW. this amount of money is way above the average and she lived a very, very comfortable life including travel to Spain, Bali, and other foreign places that most Russians could never think of going. If you are sending her $600 per month, she should have no problem inpaying for her own translation, and train tickets without any extra money, unless she is spending it very frivolously. Also, to refuse to talk to someone that can adviser her about the process and to save YOU some money is just a big RED flage. It is my opinion that at the worst she is just scamming you. At best, she doesn not hear you and respect you and your situation. If it was me, i would move on. But you must decide for yourself.

Good Luck!

[eekee 182]

If you're supporting yourself completely and not living with your family, 600$ is not enough to live a very, very comfortable life in a larger city like moscow or spb. it's twice the average salary in spb, but if you're not paying rent, that's an extra 800+ you're not worrying about. so it all depends where you're living and what the circumstances are...

She was living in Saratov.

Just out of curiosity, what city was she living in?

When I met my wife, she was making $500 per month as the marketing and advertising Manager of a very large automobile dealership that sells only expensive cars like BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, VW. this amount of money is way above the average and she lived a very, very comfortable life including travel to Spain, Bali, and other foreign places that most Russians could never think of going. If you are sending her $600 per month, she should have no problem inpaying for her own translation, and train tickets without any extra money, unless she is spending it very frivolously. Also, to refuse to talk to someone that can adviser her about the process and to save YOU some money is just a big RED flage. It is my opinion that at the worst she is just scamming you. At best, she doesn not hear you and respect you and your situation. If it was me, i would move on. But you must decide for yourself.

Good Luck!

[slim 1,533]

That's not enough money for my wife to survive on here.

I'm not really sure how she correlates the life she had there and the life she has here as being one-in-the-same, for the same price, but somehow, she tries. And then she tells me I don't work enough.

"So let me get this straight... you make way more than what you made there, I work too, but yet we still don't have nearly enough money for us to live a happy life?"

Images of grandeur......

[dxt7339 1]

Yes, I realize that Moscow and SPB are more expensive places to live, however she was living okay, but maybe not wonderfully before she started receiving $600/month. So the $600 really is a windfall. That together with the fact that she refuses to seek or listen to wisdom from others on how to use what she has to better advantage tells me that something is very wrong with this picture. My wife would always seek advice and look for cheaper or better ways to accomplish what needed to be accomplished.

Also let me add that my wife was supproting her daughter and her mother on her $500/month and to some extent her brother who did not make near what she was making. She paid for everything for at least 3 people. Apartment, food, clothing, etc.

If you're supporting yourself completely and not living with your family, 600$ is not enough to live a very, very comfortable life in a larger city like moscow or spb. it's twice the average salary in spb, but if you're not paying rent, that's an extra 800+ you're not worrying about. so it all depends where you're living and what the circumstances are...

She was living in Saratov.

Just out of curiosity, what city was she living in?

When I met my wife, she was making $500 per month as the marketing and advertising Manager of a very large automobile dealership that sells only expensive cars like BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, VW. this amount of money is way above the average and she lived a very, very comfortable life including travel to Spain, Bali, and other foreign places that most Russians could never think of going. If you are sending her $600 per month, she should have no problem inpaying for her own translation, and train tickets without any extra money, unless she is spending it very frivolously. Also, to refuse to talk to someone that can adviser her about the process and to save YOU some money is just a big RED flage. It is my opinion that at the worst she is just scamming you. At best, she doesn not hear you and respect you and your situation. If it was me, i would move on. But you must decide for yourself.

Good Luck!

Edited April 24, 2008 by dxt7339

[dxt7339 1]

Yes, of course, $500/ month is nothing here in the US. My wife is not yet working and I am sure I am giving and spending much more than $500/month on her. Life is much more complicated here in the US.

That's not enough money for my wife to survive on here.

I'm not really sure how she correlates the life she had there and the life she has here as being one-in-the-same, for the same price, but somehow, she tries. And then she tells me I don't work enough.

"So let me get this straight... you make way more than what you made there, I work too, but yet we still don't have nearly enough money for us to live a happy life?"

Images of grandeur......

[slim 1,533]

If you're sending your girl $600/month in Russia, then you're paying for everything. (And probably for her "friend's" stuff too.)

Don't worry, once she gets here, she'll ask for a raise. Even if she has a job making over $1,000/month, she'll still tell you it's not enough. Even if you pay all the bills, it's still not enough.

It's never enough.

No matter how much money you have, you still should have more. Or, she should still have more. anyway.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

If you're sending your girl $600/month in Russia, then you're paying for everything. (And probably for her "friend's" stuff too.)

Don't worry, once she gets here, she'll ask for a raise. Even if she has a job making over $1,000/month, she'll still tell you it's not enough. Even if you pay all the bills, it's still not enough.

It's never enough.

No matter how much money you have, you still should have more. Or, she should still have more. anyway.

You can find a woman in the US that will spend all your money and complain it is never enough.

[Ilya R. 0]

If you're sending your girl $600/month in Russia, then you're paying for everything. (And probably for her "friend's" stuff too.)

Don't worry, once she gets here, she'll ask for a raise. Even if she has a job making over $1,000/month, she'll still tell you it's not enough. Even if you pay all the bills, it's still not enough.

It's never enough.

No matter how much money you have, you still should have more. Or, she should still have more. anyway.

I really think it depends on a girl

[LvivLovers 39]

If you're sending your girl $600/month in Russia, then you're paying for everything. (And probably for her "friend's" stuff too.)

Don't worry, once she gets here, she'll ask for a raise. Even if she has a job making over $1,000/month, she'll still tell you it's not enough. Even if you pay all the bills, it's still not enough.

It's never enough.

No matter how much money you have, you still should have more. Or, she should still have more. anyway.

I really think it depends on a girl

It does depend on the girl. My wife is very frugal about shopping...most of the time she looks at the price on something, says it's too expensive, and puts it back. This is especially the case if she could get a similar item in Ukraine for less than it costs here. I usually have to convince her that relative to salaries here it's not expensive before I can get her to buy.