For you older guys....

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 12:44 pm

In your later years, have you ever bought a gun just because it was one you longed for in your youth but couldn't afford then, or you were just too young?

I have a few of these among all my others. Smith & Wesson K-22, Winchester 52, Remington 40X, Remington 722 in .222 Rem, 1911 .45 Auto. Still working on the Colt Single Action Army.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:07 pm

One I always wanted was a dual .45colt/.45ACP revolver that no one made.....until Ruger brought the Redhawk out last year. I think they built it just for Me. what a fine gun.

.

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:10 pm

Yep ... A Colt .38 Special Officers Model Match. Just like I saw in the "Rifleman" magazine that the majority of the 1950s & 60s Pistol Champs and top shooters used...

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:48 pm

Frequently. I'm strictly an impulse buyer these days. What may cause that impulse varies, but usually I see something, want it and buy it. As the saying goes, I'm spending my kids inheritance. Not really as the boys will end up with them and they can either keep them or sell them for, likely, more than I paid.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:39 pm

I have acquired a few guns that I couldn't get when I was just a kid and there are still a few that I'd love to own.
Sadly after satisfying my urge to have these guns I let some of them go

notably a Savage 24 and a Browning ATD. I still have a 3 shot .410 Spanish copy of a Mossberg 183, the Mossberg was the first firearm that I wanted but my elder brother convinced my parents to buy me a British made folding, single shot .410 instead. I used that gun for years but always wanted a repeater.

KeithNyst · Post by **KeithNyst** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:49 pm

New here today. Absolutely - back in the mid-60s as a kid I always read the Sports Afield my dad subscribed to; in the back there was a page that you could check off any of the manufactures that had advertised to have them mail catalogs. Needless to say, I checked off many. Of all the catalogs that came, I always like the looks of, and wanted a Savage 99, but could not afford one. I finally scratched that itch a couple of years ago and now enjoy learning and acquiring them on a small scale.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:53 pm

KeithNyst wrote:New here today. Absolutely - back in the mid-60s as a kid I always read the Sports Afield my dad subscribed to; in the back there was a page that you could check off any of the manufactures that had advertised to have them mail catalogs. Needless to say, I checked off many. Of all the catalogs that came, I always like the looks of, and wanted a Savage 99, but could not afford one. I finally scratched that itch a couple of years ago and now enjoy learning and acquiring them on a small scale.

Welcome to the fire...

walks with gun · Post by **walks with gun** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:40 pm

I still want a then new, Brown Bess Assault Musket. Feeling pretty old today.

2571 · Post by **2571** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:08 pm

Always coveted a Ruger .22 pistol. Bought one on impulse.

Traded it away the next week. What a dud.

Similarly, wanted a Colt SAA. $1700, bought it on a humble & everybody asked if I was gonna shoot it or just put it in a drawer or safe. I shoot it every day.

pshort · Post by **pshort** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:25 pm

Howdy,
As a kid, I've always wanted a Browning SA-22 rifle... In the mid-50's, as a young kid, I thought they were new...
I finally got one a few years ago.. I didn't realize how long they'd been making them...
I guess since 1914.....
Anyway, that one will be at the estate sale.... (Not anytime soon..!)

Paul

donw · Post by **donw** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:40 pm

i still have the first rifle i ever bought (circa 1955-56)...an old sears roebuck model 103.18 (Marlin 100) manually cocked, single shot, 22 RF...i still shoot it regularly...

thru the years i bought a lot of those guns (and bows) i could not possibly, live without...but right now, i have all the firearms i can possibly ever hope to operate. i've been focusing of 'upgrading things like going to better optics or better peep sights.

FWIW...a Ruger falling block in 223 would be my 'dream'...

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:37 pm

I got a Remington Model 721, .270 Winchester, when I was 14, present from my older brother who was in the Navy. After I entered the Air Force, I was home on leave and traded it in on one of the new automatic washing machines for my Mom, she was still using the old wringer washer and tubs. About 15 years ago I found another really nice one and bought it for nostalgia purposes. Shot it a little and remembered why I got rid of the other one, dang thing kicks me over the moon, 3 or 4 shots is all I can take. Probably ought to sell it .

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:36 pm

As a kid, I always wanted the next gun to be scientifically chosen, and a 'pair' if possible.

The first one I got was a Ruger 10/22, so then it needed a 'companion' handgun. The choice was (obviously, to me) a Ruger, but the question was - a Mk-I semiauto, or a pretty stainless steel Single Six convertible...???

Since I knew the next 'pair' was going to be a 44 Mag Marlin 1894 and a 44 Mag Ruger Super Blackhawk, which I would reload, I figured the 22 LR wasn't reloadable, so why not get a semiauto and not worry about saving brass carefully dumped from a cylinder. Plus, the blued steel Mark-I just went well with the 10/22, and they both had a more 'military' theme versus a 'cowboy' one. 25 years later, I got a Ruger 96/22, and managed to get the 'obvious' pair for it - a Single Six, but it was not the stainless Convertible model I'd wanted as a kid.

Finally, 35 or so years later, I found a nice used Single Six Convertible in stainless, and I still feel like a kid whenever I handle that little revolver.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:39 pm

.

I guess that I'm impatient, because I didn't want to wait, so I used my fantastic plastic to get what I craved.

Love can be fleeting, of course, so most got sold or traded so I could meet yet another pretty face.

In my case, I guess the thrill was in the chase........................

.

Alan in Vermont · Post by **Alan in Vermont** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:57 pm

Mine is a Model 59 Winchester shotgun, the one with the fiberglass wrapped barrel. Wanted one when it was introduced, had my own money for it. But since my father saw no need for a shotgun himself there was no reason I should have one. They discontinued it in 1965, I never saw one in a gun shop, even when they were in production, until sometime around 1980. My wife bought it for me for Christmas. For whatever reason it's the only Winchester shotgun I have ever been able to hit anything with. It's also the only shotgun I can use now. Thoroughly screwed up my left shoulder/arm and I can't swing either of my 1100s fast enough. My Belgian Browning A-5 20 ga. sorta works but the 59is so light I can shoot trap with it fairly well. I have to shoot skeet as all singles as I can't swap birds fast enough even with the 59 but I can bust singles pretty decently with it.

FWIW, I believe Winchester pioneered the interchangeable choke tube concept in the Model 59. I would kinda like to get a Win-choke barrel for mine but they come pretty dear and there's always something else I want more at any given time.

I think if that gun was being introduced today the alloy receiver and glass wound tube would fit right in with all the other high-tech stuff we're seeing in guns now. I don't think the gun buying public was ready for fiberglass barrels in the early 1960s.

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:14 pm

Reading the hunting magazines at our smalltown barbershop led to the acquisition of an early LC Smith 12ga, a Fox Sterlingworth 16ga, a 257 roberts custom Winchester model 54, and a Winchester model 71 Short Rifle.

RandyC · Post by **RandyC** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:22 am

Mine were: 1) a Colt 1911 and 2) two Colt SAAs, one a .45 and the other in .44-40. I could justify the 1911 as serving a serious purpose but those 6-shooters are just for fun. And they truly are fun.

Bronco · Post by **Bronco** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:29 am

Always wanted as 50-110! For my retirement gift to me I bought a Brownchester M71

and had Turnbull convert it in a 50-110 with an octagonal barrel. Bout two years ago wanted a rifle that shot my 44 mag cartridge so I got a Marlin 94 with octagonal barrel

Now to get the marlin to where I was happy with it, is another story where Regan Nonneman is a central character!

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:56 am

jnyork wrote:In your later years, have you ever bought a gun just because it was one you longed for in your youth but couldn't afford then, or you were just too young?

Yes! And more than one for sure! Since I grew up in the 50's watching westerns on TV, I had an infatuation with guns from the Old West. Most of what I own today are guns I could barely afford when I bought them, but I saved until I could, and added more along the way. To this day, there are still guns on my "bucket list" that I want simply because I've been enamored with them since I was very young!

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 4:14 pm

I ran out of guns to want about 20 years ago but...............

I ordered a 1918A3 BAR which should be in by the end of the week.----6

yooper2 · Post by **yooper2** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 4:34 pm

Six,

That BAR should be a blast! Glad to see you back on here buddy.

Eric

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 4:41 pm

Eric,
Yea, copy that bro........I loaded up 500 rounds with 150 Hornadys in anticipation of the "break in". I wanted the full auto but the 35 g's made me hesitate so I settled for the semi version.ooooooooohhhhh....can't wait.....booooooooommmm!!!!!---6

yooper2 · Post by **yooper2** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:48 pm

While I'd rather not say how money I spent for the privilege of firing a full auto BAR it was worth every penny; I think you'll still manage to have a hell of a good time with the semi auto!

Eric

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 10:37 am

I'm still hoping to find that Pope barreled, factory engraved Ballard rifle! Zeroing in on one soon, I hope!

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 2:32 pm

Both of these.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 2:37 pm

Ole Six with a BAR..........now that'd be something to see.

I think we're gonna need a 30's outlaw themed pic or video.

Glad you're still havin all the fun bud!

As far as buying the guns I wanted as a kid, I still feel like that kid every time I plunk down the cash for another one.
When I lose that feeling I won't bother any more. If I could have seen the fool stuff I'd have when I was kid sitting in my dad's modest gun room pouring over magazines and Gun Digests, I'd of died.
Makes life worth living my friends.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 3:43 pm

Jay,
Yea, it will be coming.

I never was one to miss out on a days fun. You know, once the dirt gets thrown in your face, the shootin's over.__________-------6

t.r. · Post by **t.r.** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 3:51 pm

I always wanted a 358 Norma MAG. Had a Springfield action re-barreled for it and it kicks bad but I love it!

I've hunted bison and Asian buffalo with this custom rifle. Both were one shot kills using factory ammo.

TR

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 4:00 pm

Sixgun wrote:Jay,
Yea, it will be coming. I never was one to miss out on a days fun. You know, once the dirt gets thrown in your face, the shootin's over.__________-------6

Haha......my man Six.

Yeah, you are right. I'm tryin to figure how to take em with me. Thats where the indians had it right. The happy hunting grounds sound like a sweet deal to me.

Maybe I can bribe ole St. Peter with an old saddle carbine if he will let me take all my cool old iron through the gate.

geobru · Post by **geobru** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 4:12 pm

I just scratched an itch with a 1941 vintage H&R Sportsman 22 cal. double action pistol. A buddy had one, I shot it and liked it, and 5 years later, I ran across the second one I have ever seen.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 4:54 pm

OldWin wrote: Maybe I can bribe ole St. Peter with an old saddle carbine if he will let me take all my cool old iron through the gate.

Jay,
I checked and contrary to what Jamie Colby says, you CAN take it with you. When you get to the Pearly Gates, go to the left where the sign reads "White Guys Entrance". If you go to the right, the gates are made of cheap pot metal and have metal detectors.

-------6

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 5:56 pm

Hahahaha!

You're mind is a scary place bud.

I'll be chuckling all night over that. You sure you ain't from around here?

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 6:04 pm

Jay, no, I'm not from Maine.

I just don't give a ---- anymore. I worked hard my whole life...did all the right things.....blah..blah..blah. and after reaching 60 years I now agree with Jimi Hendrix....life is but a joke....enjoy, as our time here is but a pittance.----6

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:41 pm

jnyork wrote:In your later years, have you ever bought a gun just because it was one you longed for in your youth but couldn't afford then, or you were just too young?

Ever single one I own. Except a couple. How young is "...in your youth..." Except for my bb-gun, I didn't want any until the Navy quit giving me them!!!

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 9:00 pm

geobru wrote:I just scratched an itch with a 1941 vintage H&R Sportsman 22 cal. double action pistol. A buddy had one, I shot it and liked it, and 5 years later, I ran across the second one I have ever seen.

that was on my list too, found one a couple years back and another one more recently [ needed a spare ]

wanted a model 1895 Winchester in 30/06 ....got it finally, and also in 405 [ got it too a while back ]

a ruger flat top 44 mag [ got one a while ago ], a marlin 1897 22 lr lever gun with the oct 28" barrel , and so on......and on .......and on................

lots of fun finally getting the guns the kid inside me always wanted.

jackruff · Post by **jackruff** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 9:15 pm

The gun I really wanted when I was a young adult was a Colt Frontier Scout, but I couldn't afford one so I got an H&R nine-shot .22 revolver. I still have the H&R and a whole bunch more, but not the Colt. (Could you even find a Frontier Scout now?)

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:14 pm

jackruff wrote:The gun I really wanted when I was a young adult was a Colt Frontier Scout, but I couldn't afford one so I got an H&R nine-shot .22 revolver. I still have the H&R and a whole bunch more, but not the Colt. (Could you even find a Frontier Scout now?)

yep , you can, but you have to search for them..... i wanted one too, with the adjustable sights. i now have them in the 4 3/4', 5 1/2", and 7 1/2", in the box and with both 22 lr and 22 wmr cylinders. and dang but those puppies shoot well ! way better than any ruger 22 revolver that i have.

you know i bet we could keep this thread going for years !

but those high standards 9 shooters are no slackers...very accurate....i always wanted their " high sierra" with both cylinders and the octagonal barrel....never got one, at least not yet, but got one of them with the round barrel and both cylinders and it is a shooter and also got their "natchez" with the birdshead grip....it is great too.

Carlsen Highway · Post by **Carlsen Highway** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 5:18 am

I wanted a Winchester 94 lever action. And I wanted a Kentucky long rifle, flintlock.
I have had three '94's now. I havn't had the long rifle yet. There are still some things to take care of.

I remember a Guns and Ammo digest or annual from about 1979 - 80, which had all the guns in the back with pictures. I think I memorised it. I still remember all the pictures now.

Hairtrigger · Post by **Hairtrigger** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 6:27 am

When I was a kid my neighbor shot woodchucks with a Win 70 in 225 win
15 years later I had to have one, the search resulted in me buying a pair of them
More or less the same story , buddy went bear hunting with a Win 94 in 375. I had to have one of those also

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 9:15 am

Alan in Vermont: Congrats on the Model 59 with WinLite barrel. Seems to me that old grouse guru Frank Woolner thought this was the finest, fastest grouse gun ever made.
As to me, I still can't afford my dream gun, a double rifle in .577 3-inch BPE.

Marvin S · Post by **Marvin S** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:11 pm

My last buy was a K38 master piece. Dint really long for one years ago but now wonder why I dint get one before. I guess it was not a magnum is why.

ArcticGoose · Post by **ArcticGoose** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 3:26 pm

You all know how it is:
"Always one gun away from happiness."

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 12:36 am

Always wanted a Marlin 39 Mountie, finally got my dream piece several Years ago. I found a very nice Marlin 97 made in 1905, much better than the 39 I had in mind Years ago.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 1:38 am

Ruger #1 45/70 --- nothing too exotic -- just a great gun i was enamored with when my relationship with firearms started --- one just never crossed my path when i had available funds

---- I have one now and i hope to get it to the range soon

1894 · Post by **1894** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 7:21 am

For me it was a 39 anything . Had a nylon 77 as my first 22 , got a rem 781 a couple years later so I had no "need" at the time. Spent too long looking for a used one at what I thought a fair price for a tin can plinker

Finally saw one in good shape and paid what the current market felt was a fair price for a highly sought after and coveted work of art made out of blued gold and wood grained ivory

Worth the price of admission because I can't help but smile every time I shoot it

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 7:50 pm

Absolutely, I fell in love with a picture and article about the Model 71 I saw in the American Rifleman
more years ago than I can remember. That's because I am 74 years young ???
I really wanted one of those rifles ,HOWEVER as many of you know. Got married,no money, over time 3 kids ,job transfer ,other problems, no money, kids college etc etc. Forgot USAF and trip overseas. Now...............
Wife and I have been married 52 years. Kids gone ,we are very comfortable and I have 4 Model 71's !!
Life is good ...............
,