Ive really come full circle back to .22s, now investing in higher end stuff like a M41 and 1922. They are just plain fun.
I have been a hunter , shooter and a collector since I was a preteen. I am in my mid 50s now. I had back and neck surgery back in August. While I was recovering, I was told not to shoot any hard recoiling guns. So I dug out the rimfires. I began taking a Winchester model 63 with me, when I walked. I did my walking in the woods, on logging roads, and hunted squirrel. Exercising that way is much more enjoyable than just walking down the road. I have always had a soft spot for rimfire anything, be it rifle, pistol or revolver. Later we were in Houston and I found a very nice 1940, Smith and Wesson 22\32 Hand ejector, at collectors firearms, I have a C&R license, so I bought it. Being made this late, it is not considered a true Beakert model. Later I found a mint condition S&W model 18 no dash, with box, papers and the cleaning kit. I began to look at the number of rimfires I own and it was quite a lot. I am in the process now of getting a Winchester model 75. Haven't pulled the trigger on it yet but I will within the next few weeks. I use all of them from time to time and enjoy them more than any firearms I own. There is nothing like a good rimfire. They were the gun, in one form or another, we all started shooting. When I was 10, my Grandfather have me a Winchester model 61 pump .22. I still own it, will never part with it. I will someday pass it on to one of my Grandsons, the others will get rimfires, I have accumulated. The one firearm I regreated sell the most. I have sold a few over the years, because situations where money was needed, didn't like them as much as I thought I would, or to get something else, I thought I needed more at the time. But back in the mid 80s, I was just out of college, just starting out, married and had babies to feed. We were in a rough money situation and I sold a Colt Woodsman Sport, because it I knew it would sell quick and bring a good sum. I missed that little gun for many years. When I bought it, I remember looking it over, and marlving over how it was built, the way it was finished, the bluing was so well polished, very solid, felt great in the hand and was very accurate. I always missed it. A few years ago I began looking to replace it. I found a 1976 Woodsman sport, New in the box. I bought, I thought for a day or two, after I got it home, I wasn't going to shoot it, but I couldn't help myself. I was just the way I remember the one I had to sell. Just as nice and just as accurate. It was being reunited with an old friend. I don't shoot it much but I do from time to time. To me the Colt Woodsman in any of the generations was the pinnacle of the American made rimfire semi-auto pistols. They were just built very well. They were guns the people that made them, took pride in making and the people that owned them took great pride in owning. If you ever handle one and shoot it, you will see why. I really like the older guns, 70s to 80s back. Back then firearm manufacturers put as much effortin, if not more effort, in their rimfires as they did their center fires. Then Ruger came along with his auto 22 and everybody had to change the way they made firearms just to keep up. The Woodsman and many others went out of production because they could not be made and sold at a price point that would compete with the Ruger. The Ruger semi-auto is a good gun and will shoot but it is no Woodsman. Now days it's like it is a race to the bottom, with polymer, aluminum and pot metal. Firearm makers are trying to put out the cheapest firearm, that will shoot, they can build. A lot of them are just stamped and molded parts. No real workmanship or craftmanship. They work and do just what they are supposed to do. They are good firearms in that sense. I don't see them as ever having any collectors value. We have gained a lot but we have lost a lot too. I am not downing these firearms in anyway. The are good firearms and they work. Firearms from years past could not be made today and sell at a price point that would sell. There was too much hand fitting and machine work. If you ever get the opportunity, lay hands on and handle some of them and they will draw you in. Below are some of my favorites.
Colt Trooper MKIII
High Standard SH Series Supermatic Citation
High Standard 104 Supermatic Citation
Colt 3 Series Woodsman Sport
Winchester Model 63
Smith and Wesson Model 18 no dash
Smith and Wesson 22\32 Hand Ejector
