most rewarding gun purchase?
- Thread starter MinnesotaFats
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BigN
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I got a beautiful Ruger Mdl 77 Mk II in 220 Swift for $300.00 I was pretty happy with that.
Roadking Rider
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It's a tough choice between the 1987 CZ 82 ($200) or the 1969 Yugo SKS
($269). Both were purchased last year at the same LGS and appear to have come from private collections, and have never been issued ,or fired.
($269). Both were purchased last year at the same LGS and appear to have come from private collections, and have never been issued ,or fired.
Kristensdaddy
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The Winchester Model 64 lever action .30-30 that my mom bought for my dad for $65 in Patterson, NJ in 1953. I have the gun now that dad has passed away. Pristine, unblemished, never has had a screwdriver touch it. I have the photo of dad opening it on Christmas day 1953. That was the most rewarding gun purchase in my family. I hope it is the most rewarding to my daughter when she get it.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
My most rewarding gun purchase was a minty Colt Woodsman for $150. Unfortunately it was rather short lived. 
Maybe around '95 I had a fellow come into my shop around 8 PM on a Friday evening. Just before I closed. He had an absolutely beautiful Colt Woodsman. Nice fellow and talkative. He made it clear he needed to get $150 for the gun, so who am I to argue. I saw this nice pistol as a keeper for myself. I gave him his $150 and closed the shop.
Saturday morning I opened at 9 AM and there was a gentleman waiting on me to open. Before I had a key in the door he was telling me his brother sold me a Colt Woodsman the night before. The gentleman even knew what I paid for the gun.
With the shop open he presents copies of medication prescriptions his brother is on and is explaining his brother has mental issues. The gentleman was talking me darn near to death and offered $300 for the gun wanting to buy it back. This gentleman had a pile of paper he was showing me. Like I need this on a Saturday morning first thing?
Apparently the brother overheard a family conversation about finances and felt they needed exactly $150 to cover an expense so he grabbed a family heirloom and ended up selling me the gun. It was a local family.
My wife and me had a very good rapport with Bedford, Ohio where our shop was with local merchants and law enforcement. We were known as straight shooters and honest people, not unscrupulous gun dealers. I told the gentleman to just give me back my $150 and let's call it fair. I told him I was in the business to make money and support a hobby, not to screw people, let alone handicapped people. He was happy, I was happy and he went on his way. I felt good about that. I have never come to own a Colt Woodsman.
Later that same day an older gentleman who had visited a few times came in. This was just a nice guy who visited several times. We would always just talk and he loved Bear my shop dog who was always there when I was open. Hell everyone loved Bear. He came in with a gorgeous Model 1873 variation of a Springfield Armory Trapdoor with an 1887 stock cartouche and an old Winchester lever gun. He wanted me to have the trapdoor and took $300 for both guns. I sold the lever gun for $300 and kept the trapdoor. Never saw the gentleman again but six months later a gentleman came in with a box of goodies and said his brother wanted me to have them. He explained his brother was the gentleman who sold me the trapdoor and Winchester. He had died of Leukemia. He knew he was dying when he sold me those guns for pennies.
Maybe there is something to that Kharma stuff?
Ron
Maybe around '95 I had a fellow come into my shop around 8 PM on a Friday evening. Just before I closed. He had an absolutely beautiful Colt Woodsman. Nice fellow and talkative. He made it clear he needed to get $150 for the gun, so who am I to argue. I saw this nice pistol as a keeper for myself. I gave him his $150 and closed the shop.
Saturday morning I opened at 9 AM and there was a gentleman waiting on me to open. Before I had a key in the door he was telling me his brother sold me a Colt Woodsman the night before. The gentleman even knew what I paid for the gun.
With the shop open he presents copies of medication prescriptions his brother is on and is explaining his brother has mental issues. The gentleman was talking me darn near to death and offered $300 for the gun wanting to buy it back. This gentleman had a pile of paper he was showing me. Like I need this on a Saturday morning first thing?
Apparently the brother overheard a family conversation about finances and felt they needed exactly $150 to cover an expense so he grabbed a family heirloom and ended up selling me the gun. It was a local family.
My wife and me had a very good rapport with Bedford, Ohio where our shop was with local merchants and law enforcement. We were known as straight shooters and honest people, not unscrupulous gun dealers. I told the gentleman to just give me back my $150 and let's call it fair. I told him I was in the business to make money and support a hobby, not to screw people, let alone handicapped people. He was happy, I was happy and he went on his way. I felt good about that. I have never come to own a Colt Woodsman.
Later that same day an older gentleman who had visited a few times came in. This was just a nice guy who visited several times. We would always just talk and he loved Bear my shop dog who was always there when I was open. Hell everyone loved Bear. He came in with a gorgeous Model 1873 variation of a Springfield Armory Trapdoor with an 1887 stock cartouche and an old Winchester lever gun. He wanted me to have the trapdoor and took $300 for both guns. I sold the lever gun for $300 and kept the trapdoor. Never saw the gentleman again but six months later a gentleman came in with a box of goodies and said his brother wanted me to have them. He explained his brother was the gentleman who sold me the trapdoor and Winchester. He had died of Leukemia. He knew he was dying when he sold me those guns for pennies.
Maybe there is something to that Kharma stuff?
Ron
Resist Evil
Member
Very nice Ron. Thanks for posting that.
Arkansas Paul
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Always
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Most rewarding? That's such a tough one for me.
Most rewarding because I had to tweak it to make it run right from the factory? Therefore giving me the satisfaction of making something work better? Or, most rewarding because it worked right out of the box without even needing a trigger job?
Maybe my definition would be something I would never consider trading or selling? Not because I feel locked into a gun due to how I got it or who gave it to me, but something I really cannot possibly foresee getting rid of.
So much to ponder . . .
Most rewarding because I had to tweak it to make it run right from the factory? Therefore giving me the satisfaction of making something work better? Or, most rewarding because it worked right out of the box without even needing a trigger job?
Maybe my definition would be something I would never consider trading or selling? Not because I feel locked into a gun due to how I got it or who gave it to me, but something I really cannot possibly foresee getting rid of.
So much to ponder . . .
Galactic Marine
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Currently it's my Kahr MK40 Elite. It shoots great and it's big bore/ small size are great for deep concealment. I can switch the five round mag for the six when I'm in the house. If I can ever find the Gen 4 Glock 22 I have been searching for since January I expect that one will be the most rewarding. I shot one and I absolutely loved it. I shoot it as well as my Sig P220 but I like the double action autos better. I want it for open carry and home protection. The small back strap on the Gen 4 is the first Glock that works for me even though I have wanted one since high school.
swampcrawler
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Traded an S&W sigma for a Romanian m69 training rifle (22 bolt gun)
That 22 has been the best gun I own sense then. Put a lot of squirrels in the pot, and my little brother thinks it's the greatest rifle ever built lol
That 22 has been the best gun I own sense then. Put a lot of squirrels in the pot, and my little brother thinks it's the greatest rifle ever built lol
inclinebench
Member
Probably my first K31. It really reignited my passion for busting targets, and made shooting deer even more fun. I have enjoyed all of my gun purchases, but that first K31 really stands out for me. Incidentally, that began this huge addiction I now have to buy more K31s and more GP11 ammo. I got a monkey on my back!
Orion8472
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One of my most rewarding is my 1946 M44. Didn't spend a lot on it, or ammo, . . . but is one of the most memorable shooting firearms, because of the blast [and how it gathers people from other bays to "see what the crap is being shot over there"].
My MOST rewarding will be whenever my 1957 Marlin 39a gets out of the gunsmith [for rebluing]. Keeping an old history rifle alive!
My MOST rewarding will be whenever my 1957 Marlin 39a gets out of the gunsmith [for rebluing]. Keeping an old history rifle alive!
BADUNAME30
Member
Can't decide twixt buyin' my sons thier first guns many years ago, buying them thier own .45 when they turned 21( as promised), or giving my 7 y/o grand daughter her first gun, A pink Daisy Red Rider this past Christmas.
OK, my gun?
I got a 1960 Winchester Model 52 heavy stainless Bbl with Redfield target sights
for $12.00. The fella just wanted money for a case of beer.
OK, my gun?
I got a 1960 Winchester Model 52 heavy stainless Bbl with Redfield target sights
for $12.00. The fella just wanted money for a case of beer.
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GrOuNd_ZeRo
Member
My S&W M&P 9mm full size has been the most rewarding, I paid a little over 450 for it (with a discount) brand new and hasn't let me down, it's a fantastic shooter with a great trigger.
My other two honerable mentions are my Norinco BWK-92 (post import ban NMH-90), I bought it with a Romanian stock installed which I had to remove to make it 922R compliant along with other parts but the trigger is light and smooth as butter (Tapco No-slap).
And my first firearm, a Hi-Point JCP .40S&W, great gun for the money.
My other two honerable mentions are my Norinco BWK-92 (post import ban NMH-90), I bought it with a Romanian stock installed which I had to remove to make it 922R compliant along with other parts but the trigger is light and smooth as butter (Tapco No-slap).
And my first firearm, a Hi-Point JCP .40S&W, great gun for the money.
Godsgunman
Member
Handgun wise probably my Taurus M65 3" .357 I got for $250. Great shooter, very nice trigger, accurate and got me into reloading.
Rifle wise would be my Saiga 7.62x39 for $299. Good luck finding one for that price now. Excellent shooter and as accurate as I will ever be.
Rifle wise would be my Saiga 7.62x39 for $299. Good luck finding one for that price now. Excellent shooter and as accurate as I will ever be.
I am gonna have to say it is my 357 mag Ruger GP100.
I had no real need for it. In fact I was in the market for a .22 revolver and saw the GP and just had to have it. Now it is my favorite thing to shoot. It's crazy accurate with 38 spl and goes kaboom with 357. Everyone I take shooting loves it the most.
I had no real need for it. In fact I was in the market for a .22 revolver and saw the GP and just had to have it. Now it is my favorite thing to shoot. It's crazy accurate with 38 spl and goes kaboom with 357. Everyone I take shooting loves it the most.
I'd say my '43 Garand. Bought it local, may have paid too much, but I've put a lot of love and work into it and it's paid off. She's a great shooter now and beautiful to boot! I've never hit with open sights on a rifle like I can with this one.
Ed Ames
Member
Thinking about how I would answer this thread is a real bummer. None of the guns I've purchased are even in the top 10 of most rewarding guns I now own. That list is dominated by guns I've inherited, and the reason they are rewarding is the time spent with people now gone.
Sticking just to what I've purchased I suspect it's the LSI/puma 1892 clone in .454, and/or the Ruger Alaskan chambered for same. There are a bunch of military surplus and historical guns, including various antiques, that could fit the bill but they tend to be safe queens. There are some modern sporting arms (AR, M1A, RFB, etc) that are fun but not really rewarding at a visceral level.
Hmmm.... Actually, I'm changing the answer to the H&R topper 20ga single shot I picked up for $100 or so. I had the fun of stripping and refinishing the wood to a unique and rather attractive bright clear maple/birch/whatever-wood-it-is finish, I got to shoot clays with my dad with it a few times, I've used it to introduce new people to shooting, and if/when I start hunting it's probably what I'll start with.
Sticking just to what I've purchased I suspect it's the LSI/puma 1892 clone in .454, and/or the Ruger Alaskan chambered for same. There are a bunch of military surplus and historical guns, including various antiques, that could fit the bill but they tend to be safe queens. There are some modern sporting arms (AR, M1A, RFB, etc) that are fun but not really rewarding at a visceral level.
Hmmm.... Actually, I'm changing the answer to the H&R topper 20ga single shot I picked up for $100 or so. I had the fun of stripping and refinishing the wood to a unique and rather attractive bright clear maple/birch/whatever-wood-it-is finish, I got to shoot clays with my dad with it a few times, I've used it to introduce new people to shooting, and if/when I start hunting it's probably what I'll start with.
I bought Winchester 67A single shot .22 from a pawn shop for $10 in 1968. It was the only rifle I had when I was in college and working my way through as a janitor. The gun is now worth around $300 and I have killed 100s of rabbits and squirrels with it. It is priceless to me. Second part of the story; the pawn shop was owned by my first wife's uncle. That fine old rifle is the best thing I ever got from that marriage
About 3 years ago I bought a S&W 66-4 with a 3" barrel from a private seller at a gun show for a dirt cheap $450 (..just letting any snooping feds know that a local FFL was used in the transfer). I spotted him carrying it and just about bowled people over to get to it. He was the original owner and he had someone do a super sweet trigger job (sure wish i had asked him who did it), and it came with a set of Spegal boot grips. It is by far the best shooting of all my revolvers.
I really need to thank the super greedy gun dealers who were preying on private sellers for dirt cheap guns. They wouldn't give the guy what he was asking because the profit margin wasn't good enough for them....when in fact the clueless fools could have easily doubled their money. Thanks, chumps.
Still have it, still shoot it. Won't sell it.
I really need to thank the super greedy gun dealers who were preying on private sellers for dirt cheap guns. They wouldn't give the guy what he was asking because the profit margin wasn't good enough for them....when in fact the clueless fools could have easily doubled their money. Thanks, chumps.
Still have it, still shoot it. Won't sell it.
About 8 years ago, I bought a SS .357 Taurus Tracker for my then wife. She didn't much care for it, but I loved the way it shot. About a year later, when we divorced, she refused to sell it to me. Said she wanted to keep it for herself, as a home defence gun. About 8 months after the divorce was finalized, I stopped in to the local Gander Mountain, and was looking at the used pistols. They had a used SS .357 Tracker for sale at a very good price. I ended up buying it. When I got home, I checked the original sales receipt, and serial number, and low and behold, it was the same revolver. Yes, I ended up buying it twice, but was tickled to get it back.
tubeshooter
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Nice thread, with some very cool stories.
Like someone mentioned, it's hard for me to pick a single most rewarding purchase. My purchases have generally been researched and vetted, and I normally come away pretty happy. I have only recently gotten to the point where I might buy something randomly from my LGS "just because", and I've only done that a time or two.
All that being said... I have snagged 3 of what people here and some other boards sometimes refer to as a "grail" gun. These are always special, and rewarding on a level that a regular garden-variety purchase just can't match. You'll know when it happens to you. It will bring a smile to your face YEARS later! These three stand out to me as most rewarding; I can't really rank one over the other. But they are definitely in a whole different class from the rest.
Like someone mentioned, it's hard for me to pick a single most rewarding purchase. My purchases have generally been researched and vetted, and I normally come away pretty happy. I have only recently gotten to the point where I might buy something randomly from my LGS "just because", and I've only done that a time or two.
All that being said... I have snagged 3 of what people here and some other boards sometimes refer to as a "grail" gun. These are always special, and rewarding on a level that a regular garden-variety purchase just can't match. You'll know when it happens to you. It will bring a smile to your face YEARS later! These three stand out to me as most rewarding; I can't really rank one over the other. But they are definitely in a whole different class from the rest.
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