Old vs New?

[Pronghorn19]

Has anyone here been in the market for a particular style of firearm, and opted to buy a "old" "relic" or "antique" "obsolete" firearm (for whatever reason) over a new model?

ex: Right now I am looking to buy a pump shotgun for trap/bird hunting. I am a college student so I am looking for something under $300. I chose to pass on the Mossbergs, Remingtons, Pardoners, and Mavericks. Instead I bought a early 1900's Stevens 520 humpback pump. I realize all the benefits that a new firearm has, but instead I chose to purchase a firearm with some extreme miles on it. It just seemed way to interesting to pass up.

 

[Flynt]

Yes, several times. Not always because of an abstract concept of, "they don't make em that way anymore," but for practical reasons. I bought a new S&W Model 41 about ten years ago. Didn't like the gun, it was a jamomatic! Tried all the usual remedies, until one day I stumbled across a 60's vintage 41. She was a beauty; you could see the higher quality from 10 ft. away. And she would eat any ammo you could throw at her. I had to conclude, "They don't make em that way anymore."

Several of the guns I hunt with are from the 50's to the 70's, but I acquired them over the last 5 yrs. or so. Old Marlins are good examples...

 

[tarosean]

Has anyone here been in the market for a particular style of firearm, and opted to buy a "old" "relic" or "antique" "obsolete" firearm (for whatever reason) over a new model?

Yep...
Nothing new really interests me right now in rifles and handguns. I certainly don't need 20 guns with rails on them... seems they want to stick em on everything. About the only thing that seems sacred for now is a Hi-Power. Give it time thou.
There are a couple new shots that I want to try thou (auto / synthetic for field use)

 

[Skribs]

Flynt, shoulda got a Ruger if you're buying new.

Personally, I like the new stuff. It's because they usually have things I like (that some people scoff at) like plastic and higher capacity.

I do know there's at least one moderator in this forum who I commonly jest about his choice of personal protection equipment because it's usually weapons designed before my grandparents were born.

 

[Jon_Snow]

Yup. I was in the market for a pistol cartridge lever gun to shoot silhouette with. After doing a bunch of research, here and other places, I decided to get an Uberti repro in 357 or 44. Then I saw an auction for a Winchester 1892, ran the SN and came up with a manufacture year of 1912. Chambered in 25-20 of all things. It was too cool to pass up, I pick it up tomorrow. (Damn 10 day waiting period)

 

[Lee Roder]

The tried and true have always worked best for me. At one time, things were built to last, by design. Not so much today. I only own one firearm newer than 1999. Others I own stretch back a hundred years earlier when guns had class.

 

[Speedgoat]

Nothing wrong with a old Model 12 either

 

[Pronghorn19]

thanks for the replies. I think i'm attracted to old firearms because modern ones feel flimsy and breakable. I guess i'm just a metal and wood guy lol

 

[Ky Larry]

I like weapons that work. If they have been around the block a couple of times, that makes them even better. I have a Ithaca Model-37 made in 1940 that is the slickest pump shotgun I've ever shot. It doesn't have any blue left on it, just a nice brown patina.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I would just love to have a good old pump shotgun that doesn't look like it's made from aluminum. I found a model 1895 Win pump shotgun 12ga at a pawn shop that I think will be mine. It looks almost to good of condition, probably was re-blued but it must have been done professionally.
Either way, for $450.00, I think I'm in love.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I think i'm attracted to old firearms because modern ones feel flimsy and breakable. I guess i'm just a metal and wood guy lol

If you asked me, I'd say the same thing. However the reality is that I have two safes, a small one that holds what I shoot regularly and another one for "the rarely-shot collection". If you look in the safe that I shoot, it's all black except for an old pump Wingmaster that I put an 18 inch barrel on for HD. The other safe holds the "pretty" wood and metal guns...that I rarely shoot.

 

[Reloadron]

My last actually bought new guns were about 15 years ago. A M1A and a 444 Marlin which were both gifts from my wife.

Everything else I buy is older guns. Even handguns, for example I just added another early Colt Government Series 70 .45. Rifles I am the same and lean towards steel and walnut that is well finished. I just feel the fine made older guns were built by people who took pride in their workmanship and finishing. That is not to say I dislike the new stuff and I don't hesitate to screw a new barrel on an old rifle.

If I want another .357 or .44 Magnum revolver I'll look for and pay for a nice older Colt Python or S&W Model 29 in a heartbeat before looking at new stuff.

Just a me thing......

Ron

 

[Ryanxia]

Aside from the tactical stuff, AR's, Saiga 12's, etc. I prefer the older stuff. I'm a young guy and I remember from my childhood all blued steel and fine furniture. I especially like the Mosin Nagants

 

[doc2rn]

Not alone by a long shot. My most used gun is my pre '68 Winchester 30-30. What you are describing is you prefer weapons fitted together by gunsmiths rather than CNC machines. You really can tell the difference.

 

[XxWINxX94]

I always try to buy an older firearm over a new one. Newer ones don't grab me at all. I can't stand the warnings sometimes printed on the guns, as well as the increased usage of plastics, and obnoxious safety features which, to me is ugly and unneeded. I love my 50's A-5 for clays, older Colts and Smiths for handgun shooting, as well as military bolt-actions for plinking and target, and also shooting antique muskets for blackpowder.

 

[planetmobius]

Most of my 200 gun collection is of items that you describe. I also have several of the humpback shotguns and they are interesting and built like a '52 Buick. There are lots of firearms that fit into the "they don't build em like that anymore" category.

 

[shotgunjoel]

I bought a MkII 22/45 instead of the newer MkIII 22/45 because I don't like the "safety" crap that Ruger added to the MkIII.

 

[Kcinnick]

I bought a 3914 for CC rotation just recently. Not really that old, but I was under 10 when it was made.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I know of what you speak.

When I wanted a trap gun I went to a 1927 Ithaca 4E:

 

[Twiki357]

Has anyone here been in the market for a particular style of firearm, 
and opted to buy a "old" "relic" or "antique" "obsolete" firearm (for whatever reason) over a new model?

Just the opposite. I've been wanting a S&W Model 37 for a while now. I finally gave up when I found a heavily discounted new Model 637-2 earlier this year.

And wouldn't ya know it. I found a nice nickel Chiefs Special Airweight (PreModel 37) this last weeked. About 1957 vintage and complete with SN matched grips.

 

[bannockburn]

I think the last "old" gun that I bought was a LNIB S&W Model 34 Kit Gun that I found at my LGS. Serial number puts it as being made in the early '70's. Mostly I tend to buy new reproductions of older guns, like a Beretta Stampede and a Rossi Model 92.