One historic collector gun: Which one?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Auto Mag

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoMag_(pistol)


edit: whoops, missed the "WWII era" part.

Johnson rifle, then. The Johnson used the Browning short-recoil system like the Remington Model 8, except it fired .30-06. It also used a rotary magazine that loaded from ordinary Springfield stripper clips instead of the Garand's en-bloc clips. Though never officially adopted, some were used in combat, where they performed well.

To modern eyes (and probably 1941 eyes) the Johnson is an odd-looking beast, but it's a well-designed weapon descended from an entirely different development path than the Garand.
 
Last edited:
Lot of good suggestions here. In the WWII era there are several good American made choices.

Garand
Colt 1911
Springfield 1903

I don't see you going wrong with any of those.

If I could have one historic collector gun, it would either be a Colt SAA or a Winchester '73, but my interests aren't the same as yours.
 
Nothing that will cost more than my car
Click to expand...

If cost is a consideration, Forget the Singer 1911.

I would suggest a Krag 30-40 rifle or carbine.

Or a 1917 Enfield made by Remington/Winchester/Eddystone in 30-06.

As for WWII, something unique might be a semi-auto Browning 1919.
 
Last edited:
In spite if the WW II consideration, a factory lettered first generation Colt SAA would be a treasure. One from the 7th cavalry in the 1880s would be the holy grail.
 
The M-1 is, at this late point in history, the most affordable US arm from WWII ~AND~ just happens to be most significant U.S. shoulder weapon of that conflict and one of greatest shooting weapons you could ever ask for. Ammo and weapons are still available from the CMP. When steak is on sale, why bother asking the price of hamburger?

TRX has a valid point in selecting the Johnson; it is a facinating weapon but they don't come cheap anymore.
 
W.W.II ? Well try the 1941 Johnson rifle. Shoots the .30-06 cartridge. Semi auto. Saw service in the South Pacific(I think) Looks cool. Shoots good. Gotta be in the running.

Mark
 
Pizzapinochle said:
. So i definitely want one "old" gun with some cool history. But, I don't need a safe queen, i want something that i can still shoot.


i know this will probably be the priciest gun in my collection, so i want to start figuring out what the "perfect" piece would be.

Criteria:

Something with historic significance
Something that ammo is still readily available for
Something enjoyable to shoot
Something US (no mosins or german guns, as cool as they are, i want a piece of my history)

I have some ideas, but i want to see the un-prompted responses first.

What are my options?
Click to expand...
Thompson machine gun

1. Infamous, lot of historical significance
2. Made in the U.S.
3. Ammo still available
4. Should be enjoyable to shoot
5. Pricey
6. Old
 
Last edited:
My first thought, as well as many others, was the M1 Garand. If that doesn't do it for you...which seems nearly impossible, check out the M1 Carbine, or 1903A3. All saw lots of action in WW2 and all are definitely American. For me, it would be the Garand without question.
 
I have a small collection of WWII rifles. If you told me I had to sell them all except one, my '42 M1 Garand would be the one still in the safe.
 
If I had a few grand to spend on a Garand, I'd look really hard at new production models unless you're stuck on an original. This applies to the Garand only, as I don't think anyone has reproduced the Johnson.

If I was going to spend money on a rifle, why gamble on the condition you'll get from CMP?

I've seen some Johnson rifles going for decent prices (under a grand) in VERY good condition. They looked nearly new.
 
In this order ... M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1903A3, and if your budget allows someday, M1941 Johnson.

From there you can stay with US arms, moving forward or backward in time ... or move laterally into SELECT foreign arms: Kar98k, Type 38 and/or 99, Carcano in 6.5mm, M-N 91/30, SMLE No1 MkIII or a MkIV.

Years back I went that way and for quite a while it worked for me. I got to load for and shoot a wide variety and calibers of war horses and the above are still some of my favorites. This last season I went through my complete collection of shootable .303s starting with my Long Lee and ending with my Jungle Carbine. It was a fun season to be sure.
 
You could also select an original Springfield Trapdoor 45-70 from the 1800's which served the military for 35 years for fairly reasonable prices in the $750-$1500 range
 
witchhunter said:
Am I alone in the Winchester lever camp? Any of the early Winchesters from the 66 to the 94 are significant to U.S. history. I guess along with Sam Colt's Single Action Army, but they are usually priced kinda high.
Click to expand...
You are not alone. It was my first and only thought.
 
For a practical piece I would say 1911. Of all the guns mentioned the 1911 is the one that is arguably still state of the art.
 
I definitely applaud your intention to buy an American firearm. After all part of the joy in shooting a historical American gun is the fantasy that you were there. Having the weapon in your hand somehow takes you back. Although British is not necessarily bad. You could have a Martini in your hands facing a line of steel gongs while you imagine that you were with Gunga Din "A far, far better man than I," as you eat the dust of the Northwest Frontier of India facing a charge of tribesman. With a Krag you could stand with Teddy's Rough Riders. You get the idea.

But what could you do with a Chinese SKS or a Russian AK-47? Mow down a line of gongs and mutter to yourself, "Take that you running dog Capitalist Lackeys."

Pick the '03 Springfield. To the old school rifleman of between the wars the Garand was a Mickey Mouse rifle. That they were wrong makes no difference. At no time in American history did the American infantryman bond with a rifle more than that small cadre of between the wars riflemen bonded with the Springfield. Maybe when you hold it you can feel something of the rifleman who knew that '03 in the 20's and 30's.
 
I will second the Krag, for some reason I think they're just plain cool.

It meets all these requirements as well:

Something with historic significance
Something that ammo is still readily available for
Something enjoyable to shoot
Something US (no mosins or german guns, as cool as they are, i want a piece of my history)
Click to expand...


Historic? Heck yeah, it's the "original" .30 caliber, I think it even pre-dates .30-30 Winchester. I don't think they used them in WWII but I know they did in the Spanish-American war (think rough-riders) and maybe WWI (not sure but I think the guys behind the lines were still using Krags while the front line guys had .30-06s)

Ammo? You can still find it but is less common. Check this out:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...x-ammunition-30-40-krag-180-grain-power-point

Enjoyable to shoot? I would contend that one has not truly experienced the bolt action until one has fired a Krag.

Something US? Yeah mostly. It was the official weapon of the US army (the round is often called .30 Army, as well as .30-40) and was produced here, but it was originally designed in Europe (Norway I think?)
 
1917 S&W .45 revolver with moon clips is fast to load and it is in a major caliber... .38 S&W Victory revolver can be had in .38 special or .38 S&W, get the .38 special, and you will have a revolver with good, cheap ammo.1911's can still be had for under a thousand.
 
BHP FAN, your username reminds me of when I briefly worked for a distributor, and the cases of Inglis HPs he had on hand.

Excuse me while I go kick myself...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
Lookong for a historical ccw gun for my brother.
2 3
Replies
67
Views
6K
Vern Humphrey
V
B
  • Locked
What should I add next to my gun collection?
2 3
Replies
71
Views
3K
boom boom
boom boom
T
  • Locked
Frazier Historical Arms Museum
Replies
1
Views
958
garrettwc
G
V
  • Locked
  • Poll
Want an engraved gun. Which one?
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
akodo
A
P
  • Locked
Huge gun auction in DE
Replies
1
Views
336
atomicferret
A
Back
Top