View Full Version : Sad news
Great-Kazoo
09-29-2021, 16:31
While heading back home to AZ early tues morning i received the call . One of our own Justin, jreifsch80 - The rachael ray of AK's had passed on in his sleep. According to the ME it was heart failure.
Knowing Justin for some years. I, as well as the wife, considered him as not only a friend and brother, but family, too. Like other forum member he was there when needed. Or just to stop by and shoot the shit. He was definitely a stand up guy.
I'm not going in to any other details, regarding his family etc.
I gave him the rachael ray of AK's moniker, due to his vast knowledge, of the AK platform .
Bobby z might remember how he was given the name.
I had a few different AK oil bottles, from various countries at a get together. IIRC i said to bobby.
Watch this. I bet if we have him smell each oil container.
He'll say. Oh this one is from a polish Tantal, probably built somewhere in the mid 50's. That one is Russian and that one is, Egyptian.
You can tell because the maadi's smell horrible. AND................... he called them. Mostly by the material and design of each oil container.
I got a chance to talk with him for a short time on sunday, due to his work schedule .
We did talk monday morning to see if we could get together, before i left town. Said i was already on the road out, his reply was.
Ok we'll get together next time you're in town. [Beer]
WITH THAT SAID: NO ....IT WAS NOT COVID RELATED. NOR, will any speculation regarding his status of vaccinated, or not . be discussed.
Bailey Guns
09-29-2021, 16:46
Didn't know Justin but I mourn the passing of your friend. I bet he's smiling over the AK oil bottle story...
RIP
ETA: I recalled I met Justin once at Tanner in 2014 when doing a meet for a split up ammo deal. Super nice guy. He surely touched a lot of lives in a positive way.
That just sucks.
Justin was good people.
RIP.
bellavite1
09-29-2021, 16:57
...We don't need to loose more people...
I can think of a number of people that shouldn't be wasting our oxygen, sounds like he was not one of them.
R.I.P.
The older I get, the more often this kinda thing keeps happening. I am saddened to know we lost a good guy too soon! Please give my condolences to his family, and as well as to you.
thedave1164
09-29-2021, 17:03
This was a complete shock, was just talking with him Sunday morning
RIP
buffalobo
09-29-2021, 17:36
Very sad news, Justin was still fairly young.
Not 100% sure, but I may or may not have bought from him or sold to him. Been years though. Definitely seemed to know the AK platform quite well.
Sorry to hear it.
This sucks. I met Justin a couple of times, super-nice, very enjoyable to be around.
Yes I remember it well
Rachel Ray of Ak's. Had the nose of a true conisuier.
Met Justin years ago on another board and swapped many ak storries and kowledge. You can say we hit it off like kids in a sandbox playing with tonka toys. Was telling him one day I would escape NY and move to Colorado. And thats when he told me to join this board.And hence my moniker.
Finally when I moved out here he was there to greet me like we knew each other since childhood.
He has been one of my best freinds and a brother to me.
The news that morning put me to my knees, I just burried my mom last month and a freind from NY lost his mom Saturday. Needles to say it has been a rough year.
Justin will be trully missed but allways rememered in my heart.
Rest well Brother and may the cosmoline never dry.
Sent from my SM-A125U using Tapatalk
Way too young. No age is a good age to go but this really sucks because Justin was a young guy.
I remember the first time I reached out via PM because of something he said combined with his screen name lead me to believe I may have gone to high school with him. Turns out he's a cousin of the fella I was thinking of. We talked a few times and while I don't have as much experience as others here I got nothing but good vibes from the dude. Super sad to hear of his passing and I will reach out this cousin whom I went to high school with and offer my condolences as well.
Rest easy Justin.
Rucker61
09-29-2021, 18:27
While heading back home to AZ early tues morning i received the call . One of our own Justin, jreifsch80 - The rachael ray of AK's had passed on in his sleep. According to the ME it was heart failure.
.
Was this the Liberty Justin?
Bummer to hear about this. He seems like he was a really good dude.
To clarify, I am not him.
Great-Kazoo
09-29-2021, 19:03
Was this the Liberty Justin?
yes it is
Damn, I enjoyed many conversations with him about a wide variety of things. Always fun to talk to.
RIP
JohnnyEgo
09-29-2021, 19:37
I am not terribly great at maintaining social relationships beyond a fairly tight circle of folks. It is a character flaw, but after so many years I've come to terms with it, and my regrets are few. Justin is one of those regrets.
I did not know Justin well, but it wasn't for his lack of trying. I met him a couple times over the years, the most recent being our last get-together shoot about two or three years ago. He had a daughter about my son's age, as I recall. Had a passion for the shooting sports, and in particular 4H. I had brought a thrown-together rifle rack with me that included the first dovetails I'd ever cut by hand. It wasn't pretty. But Justin saw a use for it in 4H, and I was glad to see it go.
Justin reached out to me a few times since then, but work and kids and life always got in the way of our plans to meet up. But that didn't stop him from trying. A few weeks ago, he sent me a text with a photo of that rifle rack, repurposed to hold some of his presses. Figured I'd be happy to know it was still useful and of value to him, and he was right. I kept meaning to respond to that text, but somehow never got around to it. And now I never will. One of my few regrets is that I suspect I lost an opportunity to make a really great friend.
I didn't know Justin well enough to say he was a good guy, and even if I did, I don't know that I'd be qualified to make that judgment of anyone. But from the limited time I shared with him, I do know he cared deeply about his family, and about the shooting sports, and that he was willing to reach out time and again to make connections with those who shared his interests. I regret that I did not know him better. He will be missed.
ChickNorris
09-29-2021, 19:59
Met him @ the same gathering/shoot up north a couple years ago. I really liked him & am sorry our paths won't cross again. For those who knew him well, my condolences. RIP Justin.
Is my memory bad, or did he mentor at the AK build-from-flat event many many years ago?
Is my memory bad, or did he mentor at the AK build-from-flat event many many years ago?
I believe so, that was one of the ones I missed.
SouthPaw
09-29-2021, 20:31
RIP Justin
Is my memory bad, or did he mentor at the AK build-from-flat event many many years ago?
Yes
Often the measure of a man or woman is found clearly in those that remember them.
Thanks for the update.
Ranger353
09-29-2021, 20:42
RIP Justin.
Sorry I didn't get the privilege of knowing Justin. RIP
Great-Kazoo
09-29-2021, 23:59
Is my memory bad, or did he mentor at the AK build-from-flat event many many years ago?
Many years ago. at least 15. If not closer to twenty ish.
wctriumph
09-30-2021, 00:26
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept our prayers and condolences. 🙏🙏🙏
OtterbatHellcat
09-30-2021, 01:31
I never met the man, however I am also sorry to hear about this outcome. I send my best wishes to his family and friends.
HoneyBadger
09-30-2021, 07:09
I met Justin just once - and briefly - but immediately knew he was a standup guy. He was too young to go. :(
RIP Justin.
OldFogey
09-30-2021, 07:40
RIP Brother.
StagLefty
09-30-2021, 07:45
Condolences to family and friends. RIP Justin !!!
Never had any contact with him but that doesn’t matter, condolences to all his friends. Rest In Peace.
The older I get, the more often this kinda thing keeps happening. I am saddened to know we lost a good guy too soon! Please give my condolences to his family, and as well as to you.
I couldn?t have said it any better. RIP, Justin.
Although I never met Justin, my heart and thoughts go out to his close family and friends here. May he RIP!
Many years ago. at least 15. If not closer to twenty ish.
Has it been that long?
I remember Justin cracking me up about what the dong on a romy G kit was for.
Just thought I?d share one of his posts. This is from back in the day when firearms discussions were the norm around here.
fun and games
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=56497&share_tid=49461&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ear-15%2Eco%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D49461&share_type=t&link_source=app
68Charger
09-30-2021, 10:09
This is really sad news
Justin was a wealth of knowledge and passionate about the AK platform... he was present at a couple of AK build parties that I had at my place in Penrose.
RIP
BPTactical
09-30-2021, 20:29
I recall doing a bit of work for him. I was impressed with his knowledge on the Kalishnakov platform.
His early departure leaves the world and this forum a lesser place.
Rest In Peace Justin
I never met the man, but my condolences to all who knew him as a friend - friends are too hard to come by.....
beast556
10-17-2021, 22:12
I went to Justin's memorial today it was real nice. Justin was one of a very few people I considered a true friend, I talked with him weekly. I found my self the other day reloading some 308 and went to reach for my phone and call him, it saddens me to the core that my friend is gone. RIP Justin.
Great-Kazoo
10-17-2021, 22:59
I went to Justin's memorial today it was real nice. Justin was one of a very few people I considered a true friend, I talked with him weekly. I found my self the other day reloading some 308 and went to reach for my phone and call him, it saddens me to the core that my friend is gone. RIP Justin.
How true. Thanks.
Singlestack
10-18-2021, 09:13
Sorry Kazoo, RIP
theGinsue
10-18-2021, 09:44
What a true blessing it was to have had Justin as a part of our community for the time that we did.
I never got the opportunity to meet Justin but many here did and everyone has something great to say about this man. His contributions on this site were worthy of stopping and reading and will surely be missed.
Justin had many very good and close friends here on the site. For all of you and for his family, I pray for your healing and strength as you continue on through this life with just your memories. As you move forward, always remember the wonderful contributions he made in your lives and the times that you had together. To do so means that he'll live forever in your hearts.
Rest well friend.
Gunoholic
02-13-2023, 19:47
Wow folks,
Today I picked up a sweet score from Gunbroker. An original barreled, matching, like new Bulgarian 74 kit well built on a decent receiver. The bittersweet thing about it was that I couldn't call to chat with Justin about it. I met Justin in 2011 and he was truly an awesome friend. (Picture below from one of our Nebraska deer hunts) I haven't been on this forum in YEARS, but it was nice to logon here to find this thread and see/remember many familiar folks (Zteknik, Beast556, Great-Kazoo). I'll be sure to do a couple mags dumps for Justin! Oh and if anyone knows how to get a hold of Jim (Greeley re-loader/gun guy) or Nick ("dude that's so pro") , please let me know. Stay safe & healthy folks!
9296292963
Oh and if anyone knows how to get a hold of Jim (Greeley re-loader/gun guy) or Nick ("dude that's so pro") , please let me know.
Jim will be here shortly...
I’ll send you a pm with Nicks ph# He’s Living in Texas now. Talked to him yesterday.
Great-Kazoo
02-14-2023, 23:53
Jim will be here shortly...
You Rang?
92973
Great-Kazoo
02-14-2023, 23:54
I’ll send you a pm with Nicks ph# He’s Living in Texas now. Talked to him yesterday.
He' is in tejas, i'm in arridzona.
FYI: i went to call justin saturday, as i was looking as a russian SVD. No Import marks! Then went well fuk it all, he's no longer with us.
Fair winds and following seas... RIP [thumb down1]
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