Anyone else chasing the guns of their youth?

[CajunBass]

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

T.R. my first gun was an Ithaca 66 "SuperSingle" 20 ga youth model with a 26" modified choke barrel, and a recoil pad. I remember finding that gun under my parents bed about a month before Christmas. I'd sneak in there several times a day and as carefully as any safecracker, slid the box out, and open it. I didn't dare take it out, but I'd just stare at it. I was pretty sure it was for me, since I didn't think my sisters would want it.

I remember pulling that gun out of the box that Christmas morning. There was a box of Sears brand shells there with it. I went out on the back porch and fired a load of 7 1/2's down across the yard. Then I pulled that empty shell out, held it to my nose, and breathed in that heavenly aroma of just fired shotgun shell. I still do that from time to time.

My son has that gun today. His newborn son will get it somewhere down the line.

I always wanted a Model 49 22 to go with it, but my mother was afraid of rifles. I finally got one a few years ago.



So yes. I suppose I am chasing the guns I always wanted when I was young. I remember spending hours pouring over an old copy of the "Shooters Bible" and wishing.

The Ruger Bearcat, the H&R 999 Sportsman, Model 19, 15, and 10, Ruger 77/22, Marlin 39a were all guns I first encountered either in that Shooters Bible, or the pages of Guns and Ammo.

 

[Nautilus]

I for the most part have all of the "guns of my youth" because I've never sold any of the ones I had. On the other hand there is one rifle, despite my considerable collection that I can't believe I haven't purchased over the years.

When I was a kid my grandfather used to bring me in to a gun shop. They had in the middle of the room a spinning gun rack that had rim-fire rifles including 4 Rossi 62 Pump 22's. I drooled over those rifles, something about the pump action attracted me to them. I remember my grandfather saying "when you are a little older you'll have a .22 of your own." I was probably 7 at the time. on my 10th birthday my father gave me his Ruger 10/22. I loved that rifle and still have it to this day, but I still want one of those little pump 22's.

 

[rust collector]

Ah yes, Shooter's Bible. What a fascinating collection of information. I spent many hours poring over those fancy illustrations of fine old guns.

I finally met up with the Ithaca 49 I had wished for, in a pawnshop a couple years ago. It's been great fun to shoot and share with my niece and nephew.

I recently found the gun favored by Jack O'Connor. That pre-64 featherweight in 270 Win takes me back to another time and place, in search of mountain sheep or Sonoran mule deer.

We can't buy happiness now and only thought we could then. Still, these artifacts bring back many happy memories. Now we can use them to make happy memories for kids and kin.

 

[avardcurt]

Chasing the guns of my youth? Of course. I too sold my guns for money to go on dates and such. However, I always had that thought in the back of my head that I shouldn't have sold my gun "collection. I do have my very first gun. A Marlin 39A that my Dad bought used for me. I added a Weaver V22 scope and a leather sling and have shot thousands of rounds through it.

My first pistol I can't say the same for. That would have been my Colt Peacemaker .22 with both barrels. I even had a good looking black dyed leather belt with loops and tie downs. I had added some faux Stag grips with the silver Colt medallion on it. I loved that gun and used to take it hunting bull frogs with a buddy of mine who had one too. Alas, my college days saw me take that beautiful gun to a pawn shop and sold it for money to party with. Just another dumb move on my part 35 years ago. It has now reached the top of my "replacement" list with the Stoeger following close behind.

My first shotgun wasn't really "mine". It was my Mom's. A Western Field single shot .410 bolt action. I did take my share of ducks and even a couple of geese with it before Dad got me a Remington 870 Wingmaster with a plain barrel in "Improved Cylinder". He shortly after ordered a 30" Full Choke Vent Rib for it to go duck and goose hunting. Thank goodness I still have it!

And it comes now to the Stoeger Luger .22 that, it seems we all had, and have ventured out to find those replacements now that we are older. Mine was a 6" and had the checkered grips, was the alloy frame and, though it too was sold for some unknown amount of money long gone, I still have the holster it came with and the spare magazine. Like others, I have begun my search to replace this pistol, as I have with all the other pistols, revolvers, and rifles, too many to mention here, but the usual fare of "guns of our youth". And though it's taking more money to replace those that have been long gone, the passion of owning them again and the excitement of the search makes it worth while, that those extra dollars are putting them back in the stable again.

It's been a long journey, but I'm just about to finish the buy-back list (while adding new and just as exciting guns) to that ever increasing collection. Yet, when I see older guns that may have caught my young eye all those years ago but were too expensive even then, those too may find their way into the safe for the first time now.

Life is good.

 

[Blackrock]

I have replaced almost all of the guns I lost in a Divorce back in 1980. Still looking for a Remington 788 in 22-250. I finally found a Winchester 9422M a couple weeks ago. Also an Argentine Mauser 7X57 would be nice.

 

[DammitBoy]

As a young man growing up in the D.C./Alexandria, Va area who caught the gun bug early, I would spend nearly every weekend in downtown Alexandria at the Interarms gun store/warehouse.

It was located down by the potomac river, on a dead end street. A rickety old wooden two story building with a huge warehouse behind it. You had to climb up two flights of wooden exterior stairs to gain access to the motherload of militaria available for sale there during the 70's.

I'd have to spend a fortune and a lifetime trying to collect all the firearms I lusted for in that shop...

 

[davidfletcher]

I'm 19 so I do not have any "guns of my youth" but I would like a S&W29 and a Savage Mod.99. I may not be 50+ but I know the good stuff when I see it.