fistful
member
I traded some guns with a friend of mine a little while ago, and I want y'all's opinions on whether or not it was a good trade.
I bought my first gun about five years ago, a new Steyr .308 Prohunter with a new 3-9X Redfield scope. The Prohunter is similar to the famed Scout, but with a conventional forend (no scope rail, iron sights or bipod) and no magazine in the butt. I also bought the ten-round magazine, just because I wanted it to be a space-age Enfield (bottom of magazine flush with triggerguard). I had fun with it for a while, even though I had the scope mounted such that it slammed me in the eye repeatedly (builds character). I had wanted iron sights to begin with, but I hadn't realized the Steyr didn't come with them. The scope did help me take advantage of the gun's considerable accuracy.
Eventually, old-fashioned fool that I am, I decided I’d rather be a Mauser guy. I also had some doubts about the reliability of my home-defense auto pistol and my ability to handle it when it really counted, so I was lookin’ for an 870 to keep next to the bed.
So I traded my $700 rifle, $150 scope, and a combat pack of 7.62 to a friend of mine. I got his 870 Express with wood stock, riot barrel, long barrel, and chokes in a Big Green case and a Century-International-sporterized VZ-24 with Butler Creek synthetic stock and Simmons scope, which I gave right back to him. He also gave me twenty bucks for a trigger job.
The gunsmith he recommended made that old trigger into a light, crisp single stage, and he also lopped the barrel down to 19†and installed an old Williams peep sight. Now it’s a cute little .30-06 scout rifle, although maybe somewhat on the heavy side. I’ll put a scope on it someday, I guess, and get a better stock. The shotgun now has a Wilson mag extension, and a Tac-Star light which seems to work pretty well. When I get a Sidesaddle shell holder, I’ll be satisfied with it, although I might go to a Surefire light when I can.
Here’s the thing. I reckon my buddy got the better end of the deal, economically. He got a really nice rifle and he took a deer with the outfit the next season, so I know he’s happy. I got two guns I’m much happier with, so I’m satisfied.
How much money did I lose by not selling the Steyr outright? Would you have made this trade?
I bought my first gun about five years ago, a new Steyr .308 Prohunter with a new 3-9X Redfield scope. The Prohunter is similar to the famed Scout, but with a conventional forend (no scope rail, iron sights or bipod) and no magazine in the butt. I also bought the ten-round magazine, just because I wanted it to be a space-age Enfield (bottom of magazine flush with triggerguard). I had fun with it for a while, even though I had the scope mounted such that it slammed me in the eye repeatedly (builds character). I had wanted iron sights to begin with, but I hadn't realized the Steyr didn't come with them. The scope did help me take advantage of the gun's considerable accuracy.
Eventually, old-fashioned fool that I am, I decided I’d rather be a Mauser guy. I also had some doubts about the reliability of my home-defense auto pistol and my ability to handle it when it really counted, so I was lookin’ for an 870 to keep next to the bed.
So I traded my $700 rifle, $150 scope, and a combat pack of 7.62 to a friend of mine. I got his 870 Express with wood stock, riot barrel, long barrel, and chokes in a Big Green case and a Century-International-sporterized VZ-24 with Butler Creek synthetic stock and Simmons scope, which I gave right back to him. He also gave me twenty bucks for a trigger job.
The gunsmith he recommended made that old trigger into a light, crisp single stage, and he also lopped the barrel down to 19†and installed an old Williams peep sight. Now it’s a cute little .30-06 scout rifle, although maybe somewhat on the heavy side. I’ll put a scope on it someday, I guess, and get a better stock. The shotgun now has a Wilson mag extension, and a Tac-Star light which seems to work pretty well. When I get a Sidesaddle shell holder, I’ll be satisfied with it, although I might go to a Surefire light when I can.
Here’s the thing. I reckon my buddy got the better end of the deal, economically. He got a really nice rifle and he took a deer with the outfit the next season, so I know he’s happy. I got two guns I’m much happier with, so I’m satisfied.
How much money did I lose by not selling the Steyr outright? Would you have made this trade?
