Although I have several handguns, I only have one Shotgun and a bolt action 22 in my long gun stable.
In the last two years, I have spent my monthly hobby money on aquiring some custom knives, and fresh ammo for my present collection. THIS year, I am going to use it for firearms.
Back in the early 80's, I was an avid gun nut. I had several nice long guns including an AR-15. I was reloading several calibers and firing around 25,000 rounds a year (largely, 22's) for about 4 years. I had a friend with a home based gunshop in PA (we cast and reloaded MANY rounds in his basement shop!), and he owned a large farm/orchard. We had built a firing range out to 100 yrds. Bench and little shop on site. Very nice. Anyway, I was into 38/357 handguns for a couple of years. I had purchased a Marlin 357 lever gun and mainly used it for plinking around. I don't believe I would have used it for anything bigger than a chuck, and never tried. In my last year there, I moved up to 44mag. When I left PA, I no longer had the availability (and prices!) or a decent place to shoot, so I shed my casting station and other reloading stuff, and most of my long guns. About 10 years ago, I added BACK two 357's and a 38 to my handgun collection. 5-22 autos, 2 S&W 66's, a S&W Model 10 in 5" HB, and 2 S&W 629's. Like an idiot, I sold my Colt Anaconda to my son in law in 2003. I like S&W as I have done 100's of action jobs. I attended a S&W gun smith course one summer in the late 70's, and learned the tuning and timing of j, k, and n frame revolvers. There were a dozen local Pol Depts using my work at the time.
So, OK NOW I am going to add a couple of lever guns to my set. A 44mag and a .22.
So, I started looking right before Xmas. I found a Winchester 94AE (crossbolt) with 16", saddle ring, and a large loop. Although I bought it from an auction (Gunbrokers) the location was actually just 16 miles from me, so I just picked it up today (and the owner did not charge me TAX or fees).
Now my question, I paid $455.00 for this weapon. The ONLY blemish is a small pin sized ding in the stock. There's no wear/scratches anywhere. In fact if the rifle has been fired more than 6-8 times I would be surprised. BUT, was it worth the price?
In Feb, I am getting a 22 lever. Probably a Marlin, unless I can find a Winchester cheap enough.
Then in March, I want a S&W 22 revolver. I don't have a 22 revolver and want to get one. MAYBE a decent Colt Diamondback in 22 will do. Had one (nickel) in 1987-88, but, again passed it on.
Why levers and revolvers?
I don't trust the Obama Admin, or the Liberal Congress. Assault Weapon ban, UN Small Arms treaty, etc, although just a beginning, targets semi autos and pump shotguns first. I am sure that bolts, levers, and revolvers are next, but they will be later in the process.
And I don't know if you guys noticed, we BARELY dodged a bullet on even POCKET KNIVES! Assisted opening first, but eventually ALL of them! See CA laws for what we can expect in these areas. Anyway, luckily the Congress passed a Law to prevent Customs from outlawing pocket knives, but for how long.....?
In the last two years, I have spent my monthly hobby money on aquiring some custom knives, and fresh ammo for my present collection. THIS year, I am going to use it for firearms.
Back in the early 80's, I was an avid gun nut. I had several nice long guns including an AR-15. I was reloading several calibers and firing around 25,000 rounds a year (largely, 22's) for about 4 years. I had a friend with a home based gunshop in PA (we cast and reloaded MANY rounds in his basement shop!), and he owned a large farm/orchard. We had built a firing range out to 100 yrds. Bench and little shop on site. Very nice. Anyway, I was into 38/357 handguns for a couple of years. I had purchased a Marlin 357 lever gun and mainly used it for plinking around. I don't believe I would have used it for anything bigger than a chuck, and never tried. In my last year there, I moved up to 44mag. When I left PA, I no longer had the availability (and prices!) or a decent place to shoot, so I shed my casting station and other reloading stuff, and most of my long guns. About 10 years ago, I added BACK two 357's and a 38 to my handgun collection. 5-22 autos, 2 S&W 66's, a S&W Model 10 in 5" HB, and 2 S&W 629's. Like an idiot, I sold my Colt Anaconda to my son in law in 2003. I like S&W as I have done 100's of action jobs. I attended a S&W gun smith course one summer in the late 70's, and learned the tuning and timing of j, k, and n frame revolvers. There were a dozen local Pol Depts using my work at the time.
So, OK NOW I am going to add a couple of lever guns to my set. A 44mag and a .22.
So, I started looking right before Xmas. I found a Winchester 94AE (crossbolt) with 16", saddle ring, and a large loop. Although I bought it from an auction (Gunbrokers) the location was actually just 16 miles from me, so I just picked it up today (and the owner did not charge me TAX or fees).
Now my question, I paid $455.00 for this weapon. The ONLY blemish is a small pin sized ding in the stock. There's no wear/scratches anywhere. In fact if the rifle has been fired more than 6-8 times I would be surprised. BUT, was it worth the price?
In Feb, I am getting a 22 lever. Probably a Marlin, unless I can find a Winchester cheap enough.
Then in March, I want a S&W 22 revolver. I don't have a 22 revolver and want to get one. MAYBE a decent Colt Diamondback in 22 will do. Had one (nickel) in 1987-88, but, again passed it on.
Why levers and revolvers?
I don't trust the Obama Admin, or the Liberal Congress. Assault Weapon ban, UN Small Arms treaty, etc, although just a beginning, targets semi autos and pump shotguns first. I am sure that bolts, levers, and revolvers are next, but they will be later in the process.
And I don't know if you guys noticed, we BARELY dodged a bullet on even POCKET KNIVES! Assisted opening first, but eventually ALL of them! See CA laws for what we can expect in these areas. Anyway, luckily the Congress passed a Law to prevent Customs from outlawing pocket knives, but for how long.....?
