Grandpa's rifles

[pony]

Grandpa left his rifles to me. I used to shoot them with him when I was 10-12 years old. How do I determine if they are rim or center fire? I can't buy ammo without knowing? .30 cal carbine, .22LR, .22 S-L-LR, 12 gauge pump. Also a 380 hand gun. I want to learn to use them again, they are in very good shape. Any help would be great. I can trade motorcycle info-I know bikes but nothing about guns.

 

[pauli]

first off, you're lucky to have your grandfather's guns. keep them and take care of them.

second off, the .30 carbine, 12ga, and .380 are centerfire, the .22s are rimfire. both will fire .22lr, one will also fire shorts and longs, but those cost more, so you're set with a box of 22lr. if you go ammo shopping, telling the clerk you need .30 carbine, 12 gauge (bird or buck or slugs, depending on what you want to do), 380, and 22lr will get you the right stuff. personally, i'd skip everything but the 22lr till you're sure you're up to speed.

third, you haven't explicitly said how long it's been since you've been shooting, but you may want to consider looking around for nra basic rifles, basic pistols, and basic shotguns courses, just to make sure you're 100% on safety. or, check in the rally point forum and see if there's anything going on in your area. certain parts of the country are crawling with friendly high roaders who would be happy to help you out.

oh, and fourth: have fun shooting them!

 

[MCgunner]

My M722 Remington in .257 Roberts was my grandpa's. He loved that thing, would tell hunting stories over and over about how great a shooter it was. The ranges seemed to expand with every telling of the tales. All the guys on the lease used to tease him about his "pop gun", but it brought home the meat. I killed my first deer at age 11 and he was so proud of me I thought he'd explode. It was a danged good shot, especially for an eleven year old, even if that sounds like braggin'.

Needless to say, I wouldn't take a fortune for that rifle. It means more than money to me. It is my link to him. When I'm out hunting with it even today, it feels as if he's lookin' over my shoulder tellin' me, "Steady boy, hold your breath, squeeze the shot..." His soul is in that rifle, I'm convinced.

 

[adaman04]

Awesome man. That is great that you got your G-pa's guns. The above information is all correct. Tell them you need some .22 Long Rifle and you will be set for the .22's. The other ammo types (short, long, etc) are outdated in most cases and more expensive than Long Rifle. Get used to shooting it first and then step up to the others. By the way, you have some great guns.

 

[Lonestar.45]

Hopefully those above answered your questions. Sorry for the loss of your grandpa, but I'm sure he'd be proud knowing that you didn't just sell them off and are actively trying to "re-learn" to shoot them!
When my granddad passes one day, his one and only deer rifle (pre-'64 Win Model 70 in .270) will undoubtedly go to one of my uncles who will probably fight over it unfortunately. But it will indeed be cared for and used as intended. He's 89, and has shot at least one deer with it every year since 1962, including this year!

 

[Technosavant]

M1 carbine is centerfire, the round is the .30 carbine
.22LR is rimfire, .22LR is plentiful and cheap.

12 gauge is a shotgun shell (centerfire), also plentiful and cheap.

 

[Atticus]

22 S,L,LR

If the rifle is marked like that, you can shoot .22 shorts, .22 longs, or .22 long rifle in it.

 

[pony]

Thank you men. One 22 is a Squires Bingham LR only, the other is a Glenfield 22 S, L, LR. The shot gun is Stevens series E savage arms. I remember gramps buying the Glenfield from a western auto in 1966 for something like $40.00. The good old days when a guy could buy a gun, fishing hooks and anti freeze then take his grandson out for a good time without the iron heel coming down on him. I miss the GOOD AMERICA.

 

[jefnvk]

Don't be afraid to shoot them.

Grandpa made sure he had a gun to give to all his sons and grandsons, and gave them to us before he died. That way, he knew they would be used, and more importantly to him, that he knew there was going to be no fighting over who got what (not that there would have been).

Keep them clean, and shoot them. That is what they were meant for.