I've always tried to keep a .22 rifle around. For years it was one or another of a series of Ruger 10/22's. From '01 to '07, it was a Browning BL-22.
The BL-22 was a sweet rifle. Slim and light, and topped with a fixed 4x Leupold rimfire scope, it was easy to carry and "minute of squirrel noggin" accurate. However it was also the only lever action rifle left in my collection by then, and I sold it, intending to replace it with a bolt-action CZ. When you have a whole bunch of Mausers and Mosins, a bolt-action .22 with iron sights makes a lot more sense than a glass-topped lever gun.
One thing and another, I never got that CZ and I remained without a .22 rifle until last Christmas, when a friend came through with a Marlin Papoose. Because you can never have enough magazines, I went to buy some additional 7-rounders for the Papoose at the Indy 1500. By mistake, the guy gave me two Papoose mags and one that didn't have the cutout for the bolt hold-open lever.
After a bit of checking, I determined that this fit the Marlin 980 and, as luck would have it, there was a stainless 980 on the shelf at Plainfield Shooting Supplies when I walked in with trading on my mind. Even better, when I got it home I discovered that, while 980S mags won't work in a Papoose, Papoose mags will work just fine in a 980S. And I have a whole bunch of Papoose mags, both 7- and 10-rounders.
Picture shamelessly boosted from the 980S page at Marlin's website.
So there we go; a serendipitous BAG Day purchase that fits an existing need and is cheap to shoot. Go Team Me!
Who else got something for Buy A Gun Day? I know Caleb's counting his new competition blaster with its Long Dorky Action trigger, and Robb got a P3AT, which is like a gun, only smaller. JayG got hisself an Argentine High Power.
but,but,but you sold a BL-22? I'm sorry that just doesn't compute in my world.
ReplyDeleteThe papoose was a good choice. though I don't currently own any Marlin bolt actions (I seem to prefer Remington bolt 22s), the 980 is a good choice as well. I will have to remember about the auto mags fitting the bolt for future reference.
WV ogjamb, my sentiments exactly
An S&W Model 22 (the 1917 .45 ACP revolver reissue -- I have a sentimental attachment to Raiders of the Lost Ark) and a used Kimber Pro Carry II.
ReplyDeleteSame here, it was the weekend before Buy A Gun day. And being that I'm temporarily residing in New Jersey, it was pure luck that my permits came back so quickly. I miss Knoxville and going out to Guncraft Sports. (I was no longer there when it became CCA.)
(As an aside, I'm impressed by your geekery -- quoting Shakespeare _and_ calculating your average speed driving back from Knoxville.)
how about a AO Semi tommy gun and a extended mag Remmy 870
ReplyDeleteworld's ugliest M1 Carbine for me!
ReplyDeleteBrowning Citori Lightning 12 gauge.
ReplyDeleteI also got $150 in ammo as a promotioin from Browning. Yippee!
I picked up a JMB creation m'self...
ReplyDeleteNice pick-up, BTW. I've got a Remington 511 for my bolt-action .22LR needs (as well as a Marlin 39A for the lever action rimfire jones. Oh, and a Nylon 66 for semi-auto. And...) ;)
I bought 3 .22's:
ReplyDelete-A sweet H&R 999 9-shot revo.
-A Herters SAA .22 (it was $30.00!!)
-An ugly, but very accurate 60's High Standard Supermatic
Just got in the new Retro Smith & Wesson 'Classic' Model 58 (complete with lanyard ring...honest) for a review. It's a keeper (even with the zit!) and it ain't going back. Although the grips suck, but the review is pending arrival of some Spegal Boot grips.
ReplyDeleteAll The Best,
Frank W. James
Scored a Ruger Standard at a price I could not walk away from. Not a bloody MK III or even a bleeding MK II. An original Standard. So pristine I'd bet it has only 50 rounds thru it.
ReplyDeletegregg
USed Sig P226 for me.
ReplyDeleteMy refund bought yet another CZ-82.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at that until I realized it was my money all along...
I ordered a reamer for my new Elk Blaster. Does that count??
ReplyDeleteNo guns for me yesterday, but enough parts over the past week that with a little knowledge of welding and filing I could probably make a firearm out of them...
ReplyDelete.44 Special Ruger Flattop Blackhawk for me.
ReplyDeleteActually, I got it last week, but that's close enough...
--Wes S.
I purchased the pre-zit, 1986-vintage, Smith and Wesson Model 66 .357 with the 3" barrel. I'm going to get a set of Kim Ahrends' oil-finished grips for it.
ReplyDeleteI've on a waiting list for .357 dia., 140-grain JHP bullets. I've never seen supplies of bullets this tight--not even in 1994-1995.
I got a Colt CCO!
ReplyDeletehttp://casjose.blogspot.com/2009/04/bag-day-gun.html
It's OK to hate me now, I don't care.
No guns, but I got some wood furniture for my Mossy - bantam stock and foregrip.
ReplyDeleteThis year's Buy-A-Gun Day gun is the first K frame that I personally own. I picked it up last Saturday: postwar, long-throw action, five-screw .38 Special M&P with a four-inch barrel and single address line. It's definitely shooter grade, but it seems mechanically sound. The frame and cylinder look reblued (dull, and there was almost no turn line) and the stocks, with a stamped serial number matching the frame, have been sanded and poly-coated. None of the screws are buggered and the rifling is clear and sharp.
ReplyDeleteShot a few boxes through it Saturday. It hung up occasionally, from either powder residue in the barrel-to-cylinder gap or gunk inside. Took off the side plate (following X's and Old Fuff's instructions carefully), then went over it with brake cleaner, a brass brush and Q-tips. Soaked it over night in Marvel Mystery oil and gave it some more attention with brushes and Q-tips. Lubed the internals, then used a dab of good grease to hold the hammer block in the channel of the side plate as I eased the side plate back into place. The action feels good.
Next step: buy a whole bunch of 148 grain wadcutters, use 'em up and repeat ad infinitum.
The upper edge of stocks matches the outline of diamond magnas, but there are no diamonds or checkering remaining under the shiny polyurethane (or maybe it's Tru-Oil, or even spar varnish—it looks thick and wet). A previous owner must have wanted his gat to look really cool, man. I'm thinking of either picking up a Tyler T-grip and looking for an unruined set of diamond magnas or getting a set of Ahrends Retro Combat Square Butt stocks.
In any event, my most important purchases for it will be ammo. Lots and lots of ammo. Life is good.
Colt Detective Special (first Colt DA revolver)
ReplyDeleteI finally bought myself a bolt action rifle - a gunsmith's project gun - because it just seemed wrong to have only semi-autos and pumps. A compensated, slicked up, Remington 700 in .300 WinMag. Now I can say I own a "sniper rifle"!
ReplyDeleteSteve
Bought myself a Sig Skeeter, a week early.
ReplyDeleteWell, shortly before, I picked up a NIB Smith model 625-9 mountain gun, 4" barrel in .45 Colt. With it I bought a box of Winchester commemorative ammo. 100 years of John Wayne with his movie still photo - cowboy character Wayne with large ring lever action rifle on the box. Take that Gun Fearing Wussies!
ReplyDeleteDays later, picked up Carteach0's 1934 Beretta from my gunshop - my wife promptly claims it via eminent domain before I even get to shoot it.
As I'm waiting in line to pick up the transferred Beretta, I notice a nice hunk of walnut in the used rifle rack. It comes with a bolt action attached, and as I examine the sales ticket I see my guys have a sense of humor. Ticket says "1917 Eddy Stone 30-06."
Sporter-ized - or Bubba-ized - to hell and gone. Barrel cut back to 22 inches, receiver drilled and tapped, Lyman ramped front sight with gold bead insert. On the backside of the barrel is fitted a fold-down buckhorn rear sight, and on the receiver is a Lyman aperture sight. Aperture is almost big enough to be a ghost ring. Original ordinance markings still visible tell me it's a mid 900,000 serial number US model 1917, much abused. God, I hope the original never saw Flanders fields! No chance of restoring it.
Out of habit, I throw it to my shoulder with my eyes closed. WOW - eyes POP open. Rifle fits me like one of my custom made-to-me rifles.
Upon closer inspection, the gunsmith who worked this 1917 over really knew what he was doing; extremely professionally done. The stock is a really nice hunk of walnut from Bishop. There's just one spot of pitting mid-way down the barrel, in a land, not a groove. Otherwise, the bore is bright, and the rifling's sharp.
Feeling sorry for it, at a price of a couple hundred bucks, I adopted it. As I had expected, after putting a couple of boxes of Federal gold match ammo through it, as a shooter, this rifle ROCKS. What I didn't expect was 1/2 minute of angle rocks. Call me conflicted, but happy.
I bracketed Buy a Gun Day. I picked up my Smith Corona M1903-A3 on Monday and will be able to pick up my Springfield 1911 EMP - 9mm this next monday. Are either of those close enough to count?
ReplyDeleteHowever I did my good turn for the day - The nice gun counter lady at Wally-World was just starting to open the only case they had of Winchester 115gr FMJ 9mm ammo to put on the shelves. I saved her the time and trouble and just bought the whole case.
May I count the bull barrel, red dot, Hogue stock and bipod that I put on my 10/22 last week? After all, it seems like new!
ReplyDeleteShouldn't one buy a new gun for National Buy a Gun Day? Do not the yokels that buy used guns defeat the purpose of helping the gun makers? Just thinking out loud--always dangerous.
ReplyDeleteHave not purchased a firearm since the last Indy 1500 where I bought a pre-lock 649 and a pre-Model 21 N frame. Both great guns, pity that I traded that pre-21 of mine off. *kicks rocks*
Need to pull my share of the load and buy new guns this weekend! Lucky for me there's a gun show this weekend (but this is Indiana, there's always a gun show).
*I note that you did not break my heart with the comment of the 980 being a "trainer for Africa." It's good not to kick when another is down. *snicker*
Shootin' Buddy
Shootin' Buddy asked, "Do not the yokels that buy used guns defeat the purpose of helping the gun makers?"
ReplyDeleteAs an experienced yokel, I'll suggest that, when I buy a used gun, it leads to a chain of events (trades and purchases) that ultimately requires somebody, somewhere, to buy a new gun. That's my rationale and I'm sticking to it.
~Brian "greedy for blued steel and wood" Dale
I've put a couple days delay in this year. I loaded 350 .45acp rounds instead.
ReplyDeleteI' plan to make it up when I go to the Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg,TN. a week from this coming Saturday. There's a little gunshop down there that's run by a local lawman that usually has a good deal or two.
"that ultimately requires somebody, somewhere, to buy a new gun."
ReplyDeleteA reverse Ronnie Raygun? Trickle up?
Heck, what am I worried about, the gun makers cannot make them fast enough.
Shootin' Buddy
"A reverse Ronnie Raygun? Trickle up?"
ReplyDeleteHey, I don't claim to know much, just to like old stuff.
"? Do not the yokels that buy used guns defeat the purpose of helping the gun makers?"
ReplyDeleteHelp a gun maker, help a gun store, help a private gun seller, help an ammo company or a reloading component supplier... We're all in this together, right? :)
Got my Grendel AR build done a couple weeks ago. Ammo purchases today. Neither is BAG day perfect, but they'll have to do this year.
ReplyDeleteI haven't picked it up yet, but last weekend I bought a stripped Essential Arms lower. Taking delivery Saturday.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Rabbit.
I got a Sig 2022 in 9mm and should have got an RIA Tactical in .45 but it got sent to the wrong ffl dealer, I should have it soon though
ReplyDeleteI picked up another Springfield 1903 in pretty good shape for a price I won't mention lest someone call me a liar.
ReplyDeleteIt was a sweet deal. I can't wait to try her out this weekend. I've already completely disassembled it, cleaned the old crud off, oiled her good and reassembled.
She's waiting in my safe with a 250 round can of Lake City next to her.
:-)
Joe
How does a Savage Model 10GLXP3 in .308, a Remington Rand 1911A1, and a life membership to the NRA sound?
ReplyDeleteNot exactly done on BAG Day (it was done on the 6th) but it WAS done in the same month, so it's close enough, right?
Jumped the gun and bought mine a week early. Nothing special, just a good deal on another Ruger 10/22 for my brood. Put a Choate folding stock on it just to make Nancy Pelosi cry.
ReplyDeleteI had hoped to have a Remington 03A3 in hand but it got damaged in shipment...
ReplyDeleteIt was a week early for BAG day, but feeling the need to build up some strength in my trigger finger, I bought a Polish P-64 to have some fun with.
ReplyDeleteAfter obtaining the K22 a couple of weeks ago, I had to settle for a trip to the range for BAG Day.
ReplyDeleteDammit.
How about a new Springfield XDm 9mm w/ extra magazine and new gun belt? Something for IDPA and three extra-evil high capacity magazines to annoy liberals with. Oh yeah, and I (back)ordered 10,000 small pistol primers. Who sez I ain't patriotic? Chad, I miss Guncraft also. Like you, I had left K-town when it changed to CCA. Tested many primers there during the day, though...
ReplyDeleteJust sold my motorscooter tonight so there's 600 bucks in my pocket for this weekend's gunshow... Don't know what I'll buy but I'm pretty certain I will find something to make my gun locker happy.
ReplyDeleteMy son stopped out to pick up a Savage .22, to help instruct some younger friends aand get them to the range. And, it's all your fault, picked up a Mosin at the same time. With 440 rounds of ammo in a box without a key. Everytime I hit that hammer against the pry bar I kept thinking of all those primers. Son and heir was told to blame you if the garage - and I - went up in old Russian smoke. I only have one small scar. OldeForce
ReplyDeleteIt was a few weeks ago, but I picked up a used Springfield EMP in 9mm at a price I just couldn't pass up, and I already used it to instruct new shooters at a charity gun shoot sponsored by Rotary. That was a good time; I got to introduce new people to the world of shooting and got my new gun broken in with someone elses ammo :)
ReplyDeleteYou're all welcome to come visit the originator of Buy A Gun Day.
ReplyDelete-Aaron
Picked up a 6 1/2" 629-3 Classic, and an H&R Topper 12ga tonight, myself.
ReplyDeleteHad no idea buy a gun day was coming up, but I hereby dedicate my purchases to it, anyway, since this pretty well blew my gun buyin' budget for a little while.
So far in 2009 I've bought:
ReplyDeleteA Colt 6920 in January.
A Ruger Speed Six in Feb.
A Marlin Camp 9 in March.
So far nothing for April yet, Buy a Gun Day or not.
Man, this "one gun a month" rule is KILLING me. I don't know if I can keep up the pace.
Good thing it's not actually law in Michigan, just a personal goal...
I bought a Ruger 22/45 mkIII.
ReplyDeleteI got one of them there "Tent Peg Mosin Nagant's A scout model. Somewhere Jeff Cooper is getting out of his grave prepared to kick my ass, and the ass of the guy who sold it to me. It's STILL nine pounds, has no iron sights, and is in the debatable 7.62x54R caliber, rather than the .308......
ReplyDeleteBut lordy it shoots sweet!
I bought a Marlin Camp 9. Best of all my XD mags will work with just a little modification. I have plans for this one. Terry
ReplyDeleteBought my first gun, period. :) Walther P22. Yeah, yeah, .22 but it means I can put lots of holes in paper while I learn.
ReplyDelete"Yeah, yeah, .22 but it means I can put lots of holes in paper while I learn."
ReplyDeleteYou are wise in the ways of Gun-Fu already, brasshopper.