Cheap, worn rifles/shotguns

[bcp280z]

Went to the woods yesterday with some friends, 4 of them had never shot before and I was one of the only two with guns. But I let em try em all out and after target practice. we dispersed them and went for a hike. It was alot of fun, good exercise too in the 102 degree Alabama sun. They all enjoyed it too including the women, so I think it was a win, should do it again soon.

So that and that Crude weapons thread got me thinking, I want some cheap, worn, Single shots, perhaps double barreled, but semi auto can be kinda boring sometimes,(anyone else get that feeling?) So as I was saying, something cheap, crude, maybe abused, something with character, shotgun or rifle with available and affordable ammunition. Because shooting at random stuff/wasting ammo can be entertaining sometimes eh?

Problem is all my LGS's only have nice weapons or surplus Mosins. I was just wondering where to get such weapons, I mean I see some on Gunbroker, but the whole internet process seems rather complex. Anyone know where to get em locally, is it just a hit or miss, check every store/pawn.

Also, anyone have suggestions for fun guns, with a manual action, that can be had for under $200?

And/or

What are the general opinions on bolt action shotguns, bolt action handguns? How come no one uses 16 ga anymore but the weapons are fairly cheap?

 

[BCRider]

Such stuff is out there. You just need to hunt it down. Old single barrel Sears or JC Whitney shotguns in various gauges, single shot .22's and other such simple guns. But they tend to live under rocks and take some digging in some cases to bring up into the light of day.

"Wanted to Buy" ads for such oddities in the various online forums could well turn up such stuff. I think there's a lot out there but a lot of folks don't seem to get around to selling them just because they are worth so little that it's something they plan to do "when there's some free time". And we ALL know how much "time" costs so they never get around to it. Or indeed find a round tuit either

 

[moonpie]

your in luck my friend because there is a gun show in ft walton beach today and tomorrow at the fairground. maybe i'll see you there, look for the fat guy wearing camo cargo shorts and flipflops

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Pawn shops are the best places to frequent around here.

They have items comming out of the back on a weekly basis.
Learn to check out basic function and research online for pros/ cons and parts availability.

For fun guns under $200.
I try to get them two at a time, one good to excellent and one fair to good quality seems to get me the best price on both.

My last two needed a few parts from Numrich, about $16.00 total. Mainly a safety for the 311 SXS and a trigger guard for the Savage 110, .270.

1) Sears 101.7 or Savage 311--12ga. SXS cut to 18 1/2". It looked to have been covered in camo tape, was down to steel DT remains and rust and had a couple of short cracks in the stock.

I filed/sanded duct tape marks and other imperfections from the barrels of the 311 and reblacked with 3 coats of black magic, about one dollars worth.
Installed the new safety parts and a few screws and after a little oil the mechanics were ready.

Then I spread and glued the cracks, stripped and sanded the stock and wiped on/ wiped off three coats of Dark walnut against the grain.

2) Savage 110, .270 bolt action, with a Bushnell.

Dusted it off, ran an oil patch down the barrel, replaced the trigger guard, wiped the stock with the stain rag from doing the 311 stock and done.

Cost for both $194.00 plus tax so $210.00 plus less than $20.00 in parts so a grand total of $230.00.

Add the $40.00 I paid for a .22 insert barrel fitting the 12ga. SXS for more fun and it goes way up to $270.00.

Now I just need to find a longer barrel for the 311 and I'm all set.
Before/After

After I rough sanded the 311 stock, outdoors, the whole fun gun job took less time then it took to watch Lee Marvin/Burt Lancaster in the Professionals.

 

[kragluver]

Watch gun broker for gunsmith specials and old single shot rifles, etc. I've picked up several for $75-$150 and refinished them for my boys. Parts can typically be found at egunparts.com. Before I buy an old gun for a refinish project, I try to do a little Internet research to see how available parts are.

 

[Hoth206]

Not beat up yet...but how about hitting your local wal-mart for a $100 NEF single shot shotgun. Brand new for a C-note and you get to make your own character marks.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I've got a $79.50 single shot no-name 20 gauge sitting in a back room at my LGS waiting for me. I have a soft spot for old no name beat up rifles and shot guns. Semi-auto's will burn through ammo quickly, single shots make you savor each one.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I recently bought a well rusted Winchester single shot for 30 bucks. A couple of days work on the metal and wood and it looks pretty darn good, IMO.

 

[FROGO207]

I have even found a couple at yard sales that were $20.00. You have to ask sometimes to get the deals and I always do if there might be a chance that I will find something firearm related to buy. There are people that think no one would want that old rusty crowbar cause it don't work anymore.

 

[bcp280z]

Very nice pics, I really like the look of that one Frogo, are there any sights though?

 

[Red Tornado]

Online gun sales aren't worth it for cheap beater, with shipping and transfer, the good price is gone. Usually hitting pawn shops and gunshows are the way to go. But be patient, you don't find them regularly.

Occasionally you might find a Remington 510 or 514 for a good price, but they're going up. The Romanian trainer M69 is a fun gun if you can find one. Any old bolt action will serve the purpose, either magazine or tube fed.

I love single shot shotguns too. The H&R are available (rifles too) for a good price and are very solid. If you find a single shot .410, it's amazing how much they are. Especially with slugs. Of course, that drives the ammo price up considerably from 12 or 20 gauge. (Word of caution, you do not want to shoot a 3" magnum buckshot load from a light H&R 12 gauge. Seriously, just don't.)
RT

 

[Markus]

Be careful with H&R single shots!!!! They are extremely habit forming and will make you neglect your more expensive guns.

 

[bcp280z]

not so much on the character but cheap, a friend has offered me a Rossi Combo gun in 12ga and 22wmrfor $135. The 22 should go good with the Single Six I'm about to get, and the 12ga seems more fun and cheaper than my .410's.

Two questions on the Rossi, anyone have one, complaints? I know they're associated with Taurus...but how can you screw up a single shot :/

And can you buy more barrels over time, I looked on their website and under accessories it doesn't show barrels.