Anyone else chasing the guns of their youth?

[SaxonPig]

Of course one aspect of getting old is that one longs to recapture his youth. Recently I began seeking out the guns that I had (or wanted) as a kid but no longer have (or never got).

My first pistol was a Stoeger 22 Luger. I guess I always was drawn to the oddities. It never worked right. Jammed on every shot. The gunsmith at the store where I bought it tinkered with it endlessly without success. They finally gave me another one. It worked, but I felt like I no longer had my first pistol. I sold or traded the Luger away.

Last year while walking a local show I spotted another. I recall mine having checkered stocks and this one's were smooth but otherwise it was the same so I bagged it. Tagged at $225 I offered $200 and we settled at $215. Oh well.




I always wanted a Remington Nylon 66. Not sure why, it just appealed to me. Never got one. In recent years prices have really soared on these for some reason. They made millions of them but apparently folks are collecting them. Then about 2 years ago at a nearby show I saw one that was far from pristine. Priced at $130 I told the seller that if he took off $20 I'd take it. He did... and so did I.




Yesterday I was perusing the tables at yet another gunshow and spotted an H&R Sportsman revolver. This is another gun that has recently been really going up in value due to collector demand. When I was young I thought this top-break revolver was the neatest thing since sliced bread. Again, never got one. With all the S&W and Colt 22 revolvers I have at home you'd think that this thing wouldn't attract my attention. But the allure of grabbing a bit of lost youth was too tempting. The asking price was $165 but I walked out with it for $150.




Now if I can just find a deal on a 4&5/8" Ruger 3-screw Blackhawk (my first revolver).

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've chased an Anschutz M54 sporter for 35+ years...since I was 18. I finally committed to one when I retired...I'm very happy.

Ignore the shotgun in the picture, also ignore the horrible lighting

 

[Jim Watson]

Isn't it interesting how you have to grow up to appreciate the lowly .22?

It is about impossible to convince an Internet Novice that he would be better off learning the basics with a .22 instead of jumping into the deep end with a loud, hard kicking centerfire.

 

[Shear_stress]

Isn't it interesting how you have to grow up to appreciate the lowly .22?

It is about impossible to convince an Internet Novice that he would be better off learning the basics with a .22 instead of jumping into the deep end with a loud, hard kicking centerfire.

So true. What first attracts many to guns is not what attracts them to shooting. Most of the people I know who shoot frequently have gravitated toward the .22 or reloading at some point, myself included.

 

[DPris]

In my case, it's been Colt Peacemakers (3) and the Wanted Dead Or Alive Mare's Leg (one here, another in the works).
The three guns I wanted as a kid all derived from TV shows, and back then, coming from something of an underpriviledged background, I never expected to be able to own a "real" one.
Been fortunate in building up a career that has allowed me to acquire those & other fun stuff.

I'm still looking for somebody who can build me an U.N.C.L.E. Special.....

Denis

 

[T.R.]

I'm STILL searching for an Ithaca model 66 20 gauge in good to excellent shape.

The ones I've handled appear badly neglected. This is a lever operated single shot with above average handling and pointing characteristics.

If you find one and contact me, I'll be very thankful and generous.

TR

 

[22-rimfire]

The gun of my youth that I really wanted but felt I could not afford was a Remington 541-S. I saw one at a gun show and bought it and have been very pleased with it overall. Of course, since I had the 541-S, I had to buy a 541-T, and a 547 when it came out. That what happens when you get older and as my Dad said "have a little money in your pocket". Guess the Anshutz is next.

Another one I always craved was a Mossberg Chuckster (22 mag). Saw an as-new one at a show and bought it. Shot it a bit and at the time wondered why I needed a 22 mag. Sold it.

 

[Wishoot]

My father had a beautiful Walther PPK. I always wanted that thing. Unfortunately, by the time I seriously started shooting, he had turned it in to the police to be destroyed without understanding the true value of the gun.

Otherwise, I've always wanted a Browning Hi Power and as of last week, I picked up a very nice 1982 vintage.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

camp 45

found a few just to high price

44 carbine when i find a good one im a few $$ short

hell to be broke sometimes

 

[Joe Demko]

After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.

...as Mr. Spock famously said. I no longer chase the guns of my youth because too many of them turned out to be disappointing. The Whitney Wolverine, H&R Sportsman, and the Ruger Mini-14 were all less pleasing to have than they were to want.

 

[Rexster]

To an extent, yes. I just had a dealer put a hold on an S&W Model 19-5, and I am eternally looking for a well-preserved S&W Model 581. Both of these represent sixguns I let get away in my younger, more foolish days. I nearly bought an Uzi Carbine from a local dealer not long ago, to replace the one I traded toward a big-bore N-frame snubby that ended up being too big for me to shoot well in DA mode, with my K-frame-sized hands, due to trigger reach. An Uzi Carbine was my actually my first firearm!

I don't yearn for an Ithaca model 37, to replace my first shotgun, but I reckon if one presented itself at a good price, at a time when I had available funds, I would probably get nostalgic, and jump on it. I traded mine away when I became a police officer trainee in 1983, and the Ithaca was not on my employer's list of approved shotguns.

OTOH, I have no desire to acquire another Detonics Combat Master, which was my first handgun. Its reliability made it quite forgettable.

I did buy a Seecamp LWS-32 a couple of years ago, to replace one I let get away in the very early days of that model's production. Of course, I waited until the scalper's prices were history to buy the replacement.

To drift off-topic a bit, I have recently taken up photography again, a hobby that went dormant when the bad economic times of the early-mid-1980's nipped it in the bud. Of course, the current economic hard times have meant I am getting no paid overtime work, so I have to pace myself in purchasing both firearms and photo gear, and acquiring firearms generally involves a painful trade.

 

[PT1911]

Well, I am 24 but I still badly want a Winchester 87 (or copy of) to go with my Norinco copy of a 97 (Still wanting the original of that one too.

But my God, the originals (even in terrible shape) are horribly expensive!

So, I suppose I will just have to improvise.

Not sure what it is about those two models.

 

[Prion]

My dream gun as a youth was a Luger. No longer any desire to own one.

Now the girls of my youth........

 

[Flynt]

Yes, in two ways.

First, I've come full circle with some guns -- replacing guns I had as a kid but got rid of. Circa 1960 my dad ordered an M1 carbine on my behalf through the civilian marksmanship program. Including shipping -- $20. I also saved up $49.95 (plus tax) to buy a Ruger 10/22. For a deer rifle, I bought a .303 British Lee Enfield for $20 from "Monkey Wards." I sporterized her by cutting down the stock and having a gunsmith shorten the barrel and install different sights. I sold these guns to help pay for college.

Years later I regretted selling my guns, so I reacquired an M1 carbine, then added a second and a Garand, just to be on the safe side. I looked at 10/22's for several years but couldn't find one like the one I had (with walnut stock, metal trigger guard, etc.) in decent condition. I finally bought a deluxe model and refitted her with a good trigger guard assembly and Green Mountain barrel.

As a kid I was a big fan of "The Untouchables" and "Combat!" so I also wanted a Thompson and a Luger ($50 at the time, IIRC) but for some reason my dad didn't want a pistol in the house, and the thought of owning a real tommy gun was inconceivable at that time. Many years later, I bought that first Luger -- and ultimately a couple more. Thanks to the wonder of the internet, I also learned that I could get a Federal Form Four license and get a Thompson, which I did.

 

[K9american]

Just bought a brand new Colt SAA. P1840, CCH/Blue, 4.75 ", .45c.
Pretty ordinary, garden variety Peacemaker.
I suppose you could say I chased and waited about 61 years for this gun.
No disappointment here.
click-click-click-click

Now for the holster.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Love the Stoger American Eagle Luger .22

It was my first hand gun also, at 11 + 1 with an aluminum frame it was hard to beat as a trail gun on the East coast..


I learned to shoot in the Boy Scouts using the Winchester model 69 and 69A.
Just found those a month ago.

When the older Scouts threw a clay piegon for me, I remember missing with the Peep sighted 69A three times and hitting the first time when they gave me the open sighted 69. I was ten so that is a 38 year old memory.

When looking for the other two Winchesters I found the 72A with sling, scope, and a decent blueing for $100.00, hard to pass up.

I'm sure the S&W Models 28 Highway Patrol and 586 are in that catagory as well as Wingmasters,Ruger Sixes,an M1 Carbine and a few others.

BTW my Stoger .22 cost $65.00 used in the 1980's and has fired thousands of .22 lr (mostly Federal bulk) using the same mag,I have not found another mag./// I also have the original grips.

The only problem I have had is with the safety, a small ball fell out.
I found it at the Gun Parts Corporation of W.Hurley NY.12491 ( I believe this might be Numrich Arms Parts now)
This was in Feb. of 1991, no other problem if I stay away from Rem. bulk.

Every young person I have had the Privledge of teaching handgun usage to has started with the Stoger American Eagle Luger .22 with one one round in the mag. It is fairly accurate for a four inch semi-auto.

Nice find usually $300.00 plus around here **if you even see one at all.

 

[sub-moa]

All but a couple , and damn if it didn't cost a small fortune and take years to accomplish that much. Even picked-up period correct copies of previously issued guns .

Traded/sold far too many just to get what I "needed" or what was newly authorized for carry at the time. There was a divorce in there too which required sale of several high end guns (AUG/FAL/FNC) to avoid living on nothing but Rice Crispies and water .

Last pistol I sold was about 20 years ago and I bought that back about 7-8 years ago in one of those "Right of first refusal/Buddy deals"...

Paying for the stupidity of youth ain't cheap .

 

[ChCx2744]

The only dream guns I had as a youth were a few pistols: Beretta 92 (9mm black), HK USP .45 (9mm polymer), Desert Eagle .50 (Chrome or nickel), CZ 75 (Chrome or nickel) and SW 629 with full under lug (Chrome or nickel). The good news is, I've shot all of them and owned 2. Once I can straighten out my financial situation, I'm definitely adding the Beretta 92, CZ 75 and SW629 to my collection.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I had a firing P-38 with the correct grips and a precise replica flashhider ala "Man from U.N.C.L.E." a few years back. The grips were not strong enought to handle recoil of live ammo, and firing without a front sight annoyed me. It looked good, but it had to go. Never could stand to part with the $2000 plus for the goods from a guy fabricating all the hardware, as working guns have been available recently. That was probably my MOST desired childhood lust of a gun. Then there was Sgt. Saunders Thompson........

 

[LHRGunslinger]

Seein as I'm only 21 I'd say yes. Yes I am. I'm lookin to get a sweet deal on an S&W Model 3 reproduction and oddly enough I want a Nylon 66 as well.

 

[bluetopper]

As a kid I would always go into our local gun store and drool over the High Standard .22 pistols. Of course they were way out of my/our price range. When I decided to get back into firearms several years back, I caught the HS bug again.
I know what you mean SaxonPig.

I have the Nylon 66 Mom gave Dad for Christmas in 1960 right after they first came out.

 

[clutch]

Replying to original poster.

My first purchased firearm was a Stoeger Luger also. It needed work as in trips back to the gun shop. I still have it. Added an over travel screw back in my young gun butchering days. It still shoots, only have one magazine though.

The nylon 66. Uncle had one, it was fun. He made a home made aperture sight for it. Shooting that got me ready for my introduction to the M16.

I remember just before heading off to Marine boot camp stopping by his place and noticing his rabbits were all loose. Well I ran though the woods and managed to catch a few of them. Uncle made it home and I told him about his rabbits getting loose. He said he was going to butcher them that night anyway. Soooooo, I turned them all loose, got the Nylon 66 and caught them a bit quicker that time.

Now grandma had a very tired Stevens Visible loader, often known as Miserable Loader. It worked fine for her though uncle often had to file another nail down to replace the firing pin that had broke a long time ago. Grandma and grandpa lived in a Victorian style house that was a fixer upper. To make ends meet they partitioned it off into three living spaces and it paid for itself with the proceeds from renters.

Pigeons liked to roost on the eves and leave scat on the porch. Grandma did not like that. So every once and a while she would tell the upstairs renter to stay out of the front room as she capped some pigeons with some cb caps. Grandma was deadly.

Now grandpa had the same Pigeon problem but his was at the Pennsylvania railroad maintenance shop. Big tall brick building that cars got worked on in. Pigeons flew in the open windows and sat up in the superstructure and voided on the men, the work, and their lunches. Periodically, the men would tell grandpa, Les, you gotta do something about the damn birds.

So on Sunday when the shop was closed, grandpa and me would head out with the Visible loader and some CB caps and do Pigeon control.

This was back in the 60's. Now either one would have been surrounded by a swat team if today.

I have a Visible loader. Was supposed to be in great condition, not so hot when I got it in the mail on a crffl license. Outside it is decent, bore was wasted. I've relined it, need to cut the last .005" or so of chamber now that I have a head space gauge and finish this project. Probably this winter, it is still nice outside in my part of paradise.

Oh my first owned firearm is a 7.7 Jap, Type 99 uncle gave me. I had it re-blued, put a recoil pad on it. Damaged the chamber when I was beating a squib out in my earlier days. Not sure if the chamber is chromed. If it isn't, I could fix it by commissioning a 7.7 improved reamer or just let it sit in a corner, testament to my earlier days of learning how to work on my guns.

Thanks for reminding me of pleasant times. I'll read the rest of the thread now.

Clutch

 

[cambeul41]

For me, buying a Red Ryder BB gun at a yard sale brought back so many memories from -- could it really be -- 60 years ago.

 

[Dr.Rob]

A good friend of mine inherited an Iver Johnson Supershot Sealed 8 22 cal revolver in excellent condition. I had looked at such relics with disdain in my youth but as an adult that is one seriusly well crafted piece of machinery. I've been half heartedly looking for one ever since Tommy got his.. never seen one as nice as his. They rarely are valued over $200.

Had a Nylon 66 for a while as a kid, but liked the Marlin 995 I got later, better.

Dad's Marlin 39A Mountie is going to be my brother's some day... that's a rifle I grew up shooting too, and one I'd love to add to my collection. Ditto to his model 24 Winchester shotgun. After opening day of doves this year I have a hankering to get myself an old double... it need not be a Winchester it may be a Stevens or a Savage, just a plain jain workin' man's gun. I have busted a lot of clays with dad's Winchester and it's just... easier than with a pump gun.

Part of me still lusts for an AutoMag. I blame Don Pedleton.

I have more wants than cash.

 

[Mike OTDP]

+10 to Jim Watson's comment. If I shoot cartridge at all, it's .22LR.