CAS700850
Member
last Saturday, I packed up some guns, some ammo, and my newly built target stand for some quality shooting. My bailiff has access to some very rural land with plenty of space and a nice hillside for shooting against. The only rule is to leave it neat when we're done, which is common courtesy anyways. So, off we go. Shoot handguns, his duty Glock 23, my Beretta 92. Let him try his hand at revolvers. Smith 586 (6"), Smith 19 (2.5"), Smith 649. He finds that revolvers are a lot of fun to shoot, without the pain of having to reload mags, and the variable power factor of a .357 Magnum revolver. We had a laugh shooting some very old .38 wadcutters that looked like they were loaded with black powder instead of smokeless, but smelled really bad. Rushed through those 50. then, I reached in and pulled out my grandfather's Marlin 39, a recent gift. He recalls his father giving it to him when he turned 16 (he's 84 now). It is the first gun I'd ever fired, back in 1976. 30 years later, he passed it on to me. Loaded up 10 shots in the mag, levered a round, and fired. Hit in the black. Levered again, and fired. Another hit. A third time, and Oww! Stinging on my forehead and cheek. I lower the gun and carefully lever out the casing. The rim is split. I caught a face full of brass and powder. I look at my safety glasses, and see a couple of new scratches and a small piece of brass by my right eye. now I know why I'm supposed to wear glasses every time, even with a lowly .22. I check the barrel for obstructions (again, I did when I got it out of the case). Clear. I blame the ammo. Put the rifle back together, lever a round, and fire from teh hip. no problems. two more from the hip, no problems, bring it up, and there's the sting again, plus pain in my hand. I'm bleeding around the base of my thumb. The case has completely ruptured almost all the way around the rim. I carefuly lever another round in and look closely at the bolt. It's not closed all the way. I can see that the case isn't supported, hence the rupture. Stopped by my favorite gunsmith on the way home, and his prognosis is poor. The gun is old and worn. Might be able to weld it up and hand fit the bolt and lever action in a few places to hold the bolt closed tighter, but it would destroy the value of the gun, may not work, and is likely to be an expensive short term fix.
So, my Saturday was:
1. Good. Any day shoting with a friend is a good day.
2. Eductational. Now I know first hand why I need to wear glasses every time, and am reminded now as I look down at teh scabs on my right hand.
3. Sad. My newly acquired and cherished rifle may be retired before I get to put 10 rounds through it.
Anyone have any suggestions, other than let the old piece rest in honored retirement?
So, my Saturday was:
1. Good. Any day shoting with a friend is a good day.
2. Eductational. Now I know first hand why I need to wear glasses every time, and am reminded now as I look down at teh scabs on my right hand.
3. Sad. My newly acquired and cherished rifle may be retired before I get to put 10 rounds through it.
Anyone have any suggestions, other than let the old piece rest in honored retirement?
