Walked away from a couple old .22s......what have I done?

NIGHTLORD40K · Dec 21, 2020

Stopped by a local pawn shop after work today and saw a couple interesting old rimfires. Normally Id be all over these, but they both have.......issues.
First up was a Stevens M66 bolt-action-

(Stock image)
The metal and bore on this one are excellent and the wood is good save for a small crack in the wrist. Unfortunately, the bolt handle/ locking lug is very loose, the safety isnt functional, and the cocking piece is missing. I suspect the bolt is missing other parts or may be improperly assembled.
Price is a firm $150.

Next, and more interesting to me is a Savage Model 1906 pump-

(Stock image)
This one is rough. Zero finish remaining, some pitting, sewer pipe bore, missing sight elevator, but the wood is decent. The poor takedown screw has seen its fair share of vice-grips ...... :cuss:

The shop claims the firing pin is broken and the magazine is severely dented- it would probably need to be replaced, though Circle K mags are fairly available online for about $45.
Price is a firm $250.

I spent about an hour messing with these two unloved and abused rifles before dejectedly putting them back and skulking away. What have I done!?!? :uhoh:

As youve no doubt discerned, Im thinkin about going back tomorrow. What should I do?

chicharrones · Dec 21, 2020

Don't go back. Something better will come along. Probably after the pandemic gun buying comes to an end.

I've been eyeing lots of really neat older guns lately. They just haven't been exactly what I needed, or wanted, and the prices are a tick too high right now. So, I let other people buy them, and they do.

Other guns will come, and hopefully more suited to what you want.

troy fairweather · Dec 21, 2020

The 1906 is cool so are the later savage pumps, but for the condition you said it sounds like a $50 gun and that not knowing if the inside is good or not.

ColtPythonElite · Dec 21, 2020

Keep your money. In normal times, 400 bucks will buy a really nice blue and walnut
22 rifle

glockgod · Dec 21, 2020

If they were serviceable it'd be different. I wouldn't waste my time on these

MetalMan52 · Dec 21, 2020

Seems like a lot of money for the condition that they are in.

Riomouse911 · Dec 21, 2020

These sure sound like they could be some real money-time-effort sinks... personally I think you did a good thing by examining them with your practiced eye, determining they were going to be a ton of work and then walking away. :thumbup:

Stay safe.

NIGHTLORD40K · Dec 21, 2020

ColtPythonElite said:
Keep your money. In normal times, 400 bucks will buy a really nice blue and walnut
22 rifle

Very true- if normal ever comes back. I fear we are in for a dark new normal, similiar to what happened to Australia.

I already have a battery of nice old .22 rifles, but Im always looking for interesting new (old) ones.

glockgod said:
If they were serviceable it'd be different. I wouldn't waste my time on these

Arrrgh, I know, right? Id gladly pay a couple hundred more for the Savage if it were in better condition.

Riomouse911 said:
These sure sound like they could be some real money-time-effort sinks... personally I think you did a good thing by examining them with your practiced eye, determining they were going to be a ton of work and then walking away.

Stay safe.

Thanks for talking me down, Rio. :thumbup:

Riomouse911 · Dec 21, 2020

NIGHTLORD40K said:
Very true- if normal ever comes back. I fear we are in for a dark new normal, similiar to what happened to Australia. I already have a battery of nice old .22 rifles, but Im always looking for interesting new (old) ones.

Arrrgh, I know, right? Id gladly pay a couple hundred more for the Savage if it were in better condition.

Thanks for talking me down, Rio.

You’re one of the sharpest on the boards, no talking down was necessary!

Stay safe.

WestKentucky · Dec 21, 2020

They both sound like parts guns. Mostly complete, but parts guns nonetheless. I would not hesitate to lay $150 on the counter for the savage and dare them not to take it. When they begin negotiation then your in the catbirds seat to get the Stevens thrown in if your putting more cash in the deal. I would take exactly $200 dollars plus tax and transfer fees if there are any, in cash, and once the hats are off and it’s time to put up or shut up, you can offer them all you have with you. Let them figure out that they got suckered after you leave.

Grayrock · Dec 21, 2020

When I was a kid I found an old .22 pump at my grandmother's house. It was just like that one. It had no stock, no magazine and no trigger and was rusted shut. I took it apart, cleaned it up. Got the innards working and had dreams of restoring it. Alas, in high school I discovered cars and girls. Moved away for college, then parents' house had a fire and I never knew where that old thing ended up. Nice to see what it might have looked like.

ApacheCoTodd · Dec 21, 2020

I think that even given the weirdness now - ironically, BOTH those should be immune - they are overpriced as described and I am most certainly NOT one of the price-whiners that so often pipe up here about *fair* and *reasonable*, etc...

Todd.

Armorer 101 · Dec 22, 2020

I would pass on those, due to price and condition.

People that love 22 rifles have a “potato chip” problem. I have a small, very insignificant, thing for 500 Remingtons (510, 511, 512, 513) and 75 Winchester Sporters. Gave my grand kids eight 510s, one each.

Charlie98 · Dec 22, 2020

WestKentucky said:
Let them figure out that they got suckered after you leave.

That. They may have already figured that out, hence the $250 firm part... trying to recoup their loss.

Look like parts guns to me....

If you want a fun project gun, I have a very nice NSN Marlin 99M1 that's excess to needs. It's all there, and it all works...

I don't know if I would take a chance on a Eternal Parts Quest project gun right now...

sixgunner455 · Dec 22, 2020

The Savage is interesting, but only as a parts gun, or at best, as a project. You can get a brand new 10/22 (normal times) for $250. I got a “project-but-fully-functional” 10/22 from a pawn shop for $100. I’d start there - and walk if they balk at taking $125 out the door.

The bolt action in that condition isn’t even a starter, unless you have fond childhood memories of that exact model you want to bring back. Even then, $50 for a parts gun.

theotherwaldo · Dec 22, 2020

-Knowing how pawn shops work, I'd bet that they don't have $150.00 invested in the two of them... .

Riomouse911 · Dec 22, 2020

theotherwaldo said:
-Knowing how pawn shops work, I'd bet that they don't have $150.00 invested in the two of them... .

Indeed. In the early 2000’s my buddy used to buy guns from his best friend who owned a pawn shop in Ca. I don’t think the shop loaned more than $150.00 bucks on any gun, since my buddy bought most for about $100.00, which is what the shop had in them.

These were good guns; Winchesters, Rugers. Smiths, etc, not Raven-Jennings stuff. :what:

Stay safe.

redneck2 · Dec 22, 2020

Old does not always mean valuable or rare

tubeshooter · Dec 22, 2020

I love me some .22 rifles, and I say hard pass on both.

CraigC · Dec 22, 2020

The pump is cool but not with those issues, for that price.

NIGHTLORD40K · Dec 22, 2020

Charlie98 said:
That. They may have already figured that out, hence the $250 firm part... trying to recoup their loss.

Look like parts guns to me....

If you want a fun project gun, I have a very nice NSN Marlin 99M1 that's excess to needs. It's all there, and it all works... I don't know if I would take a chance on a Eternal Parts Quest project gun right now...

Ug, Ive already been down the road of replacing the feed throat on those- never again, lol! Its too bad, because otherwise they are nice guns.

redneck2 said:
Old does not always mean valuable or rare

Very true, although the 1906 Savage is indeed pretty rare. I think this is only the second Ive seen in the flesh. There is only one on Gunbroker right now and the guy is asking $750 :what:

.

I think Ill go back tonight and put a Benjamin on the counter for the Savage and see if they take it. Otherwise, bye Felicia.

Scooter22 · Dec 22, 2020

"Walked away from a couple old .22s". I would say RUN. Both look like money pits.

BigBlue 94 · Dec 22, 2020

Just fyi, on a recent trip to the LGS/Pawn, they offered a guy 150 for a run of the mill old bolt 22.

Idk what it was but it looked in shootable shape from a glance.

armedwalleye · Dec 22, 2020

I agree with others. Save the dough for something better and don't look back unless you have some emotional/historical ties to one or the other. The way they are, they're both non functioning parts guns, and, in better times, should be able to be had for much less.

22250Rem · Dec 22, 2020

^^^ What armedwalleye said.... That's too much money for too little gun. Prices on guns are currently high but my feeling is the shop's trying to get in on those higher prices with some stuff that still doesn't justify that kind of money, even in a period of high demand for guns.

Walked away from a couple old .22s......what have I done?

Should I.........

Go back fof the Savage?

Go back for the Stevens?

Go back for for both?

Be glad I dodged a bullet and stay away?

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