Favorite Impulse Buy?

[Legionnaire]

There have been a number of threads lately focused on "What would you buy if you could?" or "How do you buy?" in which responders (self included) overwhelmingly suggest that purchases are made a purpose. But I know that some of us (Gunny ...) also walk into a store and say, "Hmmm, I don't need that; I didn't even suspect I wanted that ... but I do now!" and walk out with a new-to-us but totally unanticipated addition to the safe. Total impulse.

What's your favorite?

Mine is a pristine Ruger SP101 with a 2.25-inch barrel. Went into my LGS a few years ago, can't remember why. Saw the SP under the glass in the previously-owned counter and asked to see it. Asked the price. "$250" said the proprietor. "I'll take it!" says I. "D__n!" says the guy next to me. I put a tritium front sight on it and some custom grip inserts. It's still among my favorites.

Edit:

 

[Figboot]

I guess for me it's my XDm. Never cared for Springfield XD's but I found the XDm at a great price and decided to take the chance. Far and away better than the couple of XD's I've owned.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Went to the store to buy powder. Saw a 240 Wby vanguard. Had to hit up 3 more stores to get brass and dies for it.

 

[RedlegRick]

Already told the tale of going to buy a bulk pack of 9mm and coming home with a Crickett, but my Hi-Point was a lot of fun too. From a gun show at a K of C, transaction was a breeze and I was able to test-fire it within 2 hours (my club was just down the street). Gave it to my sister who lives in rural Utah to deal with coyotes bothering her chickens.

 

[jak67429]

that would be my xdmosp. Was looking for a sig 320 osp stopped at a shop on my way home from a business trip and left with the xd. been my co gun for steel challenge and uspsa.

 

[.308 Norma]

This wasn't exactly an "impulse buy" as I was already looking for a new .357 when I went to our favorite gun store last summer. However, I wasn't looking for a custom Freedom Arms Model 1997 either, as Freedom Arms revolvers have always been a little too "rich" for my blood. But when the gun store owner, a long time friend of ours, offered this to me at cost because he was closing up shop and retiring, I couldn't resist.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

View media item 100
This SP101 was the first handgun I bought. I walked in planning to buy a Taurus Judge, but the guy behind the counter talked me into this instead for a lot of really good reasons. I will always be grateful to him.

These are the grips on it now.
View media item 1327

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I put a tritium front sight on it

What brand? Been thinking about doing the same but never did figure which brand I wanted.

 

[Legionnaire]

What brand? Been thinking about doing the same but never did figure which brand I wanted.

Meprolight. This one (link). I like it.

 

[Fiv3r]

NAA Wasp. I didn't really need a "novelty" mini-revolver. However, for its size, it's plenty accurate and I don't think .22 mag is something to sneeze at even blasting out of a sub 2" barrel. Cute little bugger.

I bought it because I kinda always wanted one, and I happened to have a couple hundred bucks in my pocket while browsing the glass. Next on my list is a Black Widow for casual woods walking. What I like about these minis is that while they don't cost a lot they are well made. With a bit of practice, they are accurate enough for what they are designed to do. While I always carry them in a holster, I like that they are a bit more forgiving for not being carried in one. They make packing an LCP seem like a chore in comparison.

Small package, affordable, big blast, and while not CHEAP .22 mag cost won't eat you alive...especially if you have to pop the gun apart in order to empty out all the rounds every 5 shots

Bought the little Wasp on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. One of my "always" guns that gets taken on trips. No sense NOT to pack it if legal to do so. It weighs less than my phone.

 

[94045]

Taurus PT111 G2

1. Ongoing Lawsuit for Accidental Discharges (older guns).
2. New Management and Firesale Prices.
3. Election Results.
4. Upcoming G2C replacement.

On Sale for $169.99

1. Absolutely Reliable
2. Thinnest grip I've seen in a double stack.
3. High Capacity - 13 Rounds
3. Best compromise between concealibilty, recoil and capacity I've ever shot.
4. Very accurate
5. Very mild recoil (Standard Pressure HST 124 Grain)

It has turned into my favorite carry pistol at ANY price.

 

[MedWheeler]

Probably my "poor man's SP101", a stainless older Taurus Model 85 with the rare three-inch barrel.

I have a lot of nice "impulse buys" that I don't regret, but too many have not yet been fired for me to pick among them, so I'm only picking from those I've tried out.

 

[troy fairweather]

My tang safety ruger 77 in 7x57 saw it in my local gun shop looked like crap, asked bob how much he said for 325 out the door. i took it home, the wood looked bad with all the scratches but they did not go down to the wood. After sripping it and some lin seed oil it looks better then new. The bonus is it had a very nice mid 90s leupold vx- 2i, and with the ppu ammo bob gave me it was shooting 1 moa better with my sierra pro hunter 140 load.

 

[Olon]

My first (and so far only) AR. Also my first self-purchased gun. Walked into Cabelas with my Uncle, browsed around for awhile and left. A couple miles down the road I told him "turn the truck around, I'm getting that gun." 30 minutes later I was the proud owner of a used DPMS AR-15. I guess it's the stud because since then my guns have begun to reproduce and I've acquired a few other impulse guns...

 

[Riomouse911]

I have two... I went into my LGS to pick up a consignment sale check... and signed it over for a Ruger Mk II Government Target model that was fresh in the consignment case.

A few months later the same store had a consignment S&W 17-3 that was in great shape... so it went home with me as well.

Sumptin’ To be said about dropping in to say howdy only to find a .22 LR handgun calling your name!

Stay safe!

 

[huntsman]

My last and only impulse buy is still own.

 

[OARNGESI]

Every purchase I ever made was a impulse. I walk in a shop and browse till something talks to me. Then I sell off what I don’t like. I don’t hunt and all I ever Cary is a old beat up j frame, so all else is a range toy.

 

[montanaoffroader]

Kind of a tossup for me. Wandered into a pawn shop after Christmas, saw an NAA Sidewinder in the case for $150. Dang near broke my arm getting my wallet out. Came with the box and all the paperwork.

The other one that stands out is the SR1911 Target model I picked up for $450 at another pawn shop. Seems like most of my good deals come from pawn shops.

I must spend too much time in them, most of the pawn shop guys around here know me by name..........

 

[whisler]

Years ago I walked into a local discount store (now defunct) sporting goods area and spotted a big clearance sticker on cute little 22 rifle (Remington Nylon 66). I ask the counter guy "what's the deal" and he said they weren't going to carry them any more. I ask how much and he said $75 dollars today and $5 less each week until sold. I said I'll be back when it gets to $50. He said "if you have $50 now it is yours" and I said "sold". Latest prices at OGCA show are at least $300, but mine isn't going anywhere.

 

[chicharrones]

My Remington RM380.

I was meeting up with two co-workers at one of the local indoor shooting ranges, and one of them was late enough to give me time to look through the gun display. I bought that Remington right there and tried it out minutes later. Up until then, my pocket guns were .32 ACPs and .38 Special. All of a sudden, I had to add .380 ACP to my ammo supply.

I think it is my only firearm impulse buy.

 

[Legionnaire]

There. I knew you had one!

 

[ontarget]

Picked up a Winchester 94 at a pawnshop I frequent. Got it for $235.00. I am another one that just browses until a gun whispers to me.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

My first successful Gunbroker auction was this dog of a 12 gauge-it was also my riskiest gun impulse buy. It was obviously missing parts and needed some attention, but hey, it was a Browning design and had a lot of character. I won it for the princely sum of $46 (before shipping and FFL).

I replaced the missing parts and repaired the stock. Also did a few other things for it. This gun and I went dove hunting this year. It's so rewarding to be able to put a well-used tool back into service.

 

[FROGO207]

When I was a member of the gun of the month club (was for 10+ years) and had a bit of disposable income, about half of the firearms were impulse buys. I was on the lookout for a fair to good deal and when I found one-------SOLD. I still do practice impulse buying but have become a bit more selective. I don't have the pile of Mosins Gunny has but what will I do with more than 100 various .22 firearms? I guess I need to collect one of every type and call it a sub collection. OH WELL!

 

[Tommygunn]

Miroku-made 1892 Winchester, Limited Edition Deluxe "take-down" model in .32-20. Checkered stocks, pistol grip, 24" octagonal barrel. Really nice gun.