Loosedhorse
member
What was the biggest (positive) surprise you got after buying a firearm?
For me, it was a few years back. I find a Benelli M1 Super 90--pistol grip, long mag tube--on the used shelf for what seems a ridiculously low price given the import ban. I ask about it, he says it's a pre-ban "police turn-in; it's pretty worn."
I look it over. Sure enough, the chrome on the bolt face is gone, and the barrel looks black, not one bit of chrome. But, mechanically, it looks sound enough. I walk out with it.
As always, first thing I do when I get home is break it down and clean it. (BTW--can ANYONE get that mag tube off?) It's filthy, no sign its ever been violated by a cleaning rod. I mean it.
After I get the receiver and bolt cleaned up and oiled, I grit my teeth and start on the barrel. And a funny thing happens--I begin to see a little chrome. And then a little more.
G-d know how much solvent later, I've got lots and lots of plastic-filled patches; but I'm looking at a barrel so shiny it's like a kaleidoscope as I peek through it and swing it around the room. And, probably from all the solvent fumes, I've got a big, stupid grin on my face.
Took it to the range. Doesn't like birdshot or reduced loads, but with slugs or any standard buckshot (4 to 00), zingo!--no problems. We agreed on 1 buck after patterning. It now wears a flashlight and is within easy reach at bedtime.
I couple of weeks later, I return to the gun store, all aflush at my good luck. I explain the whole happy story to the guy who sold it to me, to let him know how pleased I was.
"This is great! I feel, uh...what's the opposite of buyer's remorse?"
He didn't miss a beat. "Seller's remorse," he said grimly, and walked to the other end of the counter.
Oops!
For me, it was a few years back. I find a Benelli M1 Super 90--pistol grip, long mag tube--on the used shelf for what seems a ridiculously low price given the import ban. I ask about it, he says it's a pre-ban "police turn-in; it's pretty worn."
I look it over. Sure enough, the chrome on the bolt face is gone, and the barrel looks black, not one bit of chrome. But, mechanically, it looks sound enough. I walk out with it.
As always, first thing I do when I get home is break it down and clean it. (BTW--can ANYONE get that mag tube off?) It's filthy, no sign its ever been violated by a cleaning rod. I mean it.
After I get the receiver and bolt cleaned up and oiled, I grit my teeth and start on the barrel. And a funny thing happens--I begin to see a little chrome. And then a little more.
G-d know how much solvent later, I've got lots and lots of plastic-filled patches; but I'm looking at a barrel so shiny it's like a kaleidoscope as I peek through it and swing it around the room. And, probably from all the solvent fumes, I've got a big, stupid grin on my face.
Took it to the range. Doesn't like birdshot or reduced loads, but with slugs or any standard buckshot (4 to 00), zingo!--no problems. We agreed on 1 buck after patterning. It now wears a flashlight and is within easy reach at bedtime.
I couple of weeks later, I return to the gun store, all aflush at my good luck. I explain the whole happy story to the guy who sold it to me, to let him know how pleased I was.
"This is great! I feel, uh...what's the opposite of buyer's remorse?"
He didn't miss a beat. "Seller's remorse," he said grimly, and walked to the other end of the counter.
Oops!