What I've Learned from Classic Firearms

[Cosmoline]

Here are a few lessons I've learned from the funky old rifles and handguns I've owned over the years. Feel free to dispute or add more.

Long guns should be long, short guns should be short, carbines should be right in between.

The K frame Smith and the D frame Colt are ideal platformsfor the .38 Special

The Walther PP and the Colt 1903 are the perfect platforms for the .32 ACP

The full size 1911 is the perfect platform for the .45 ACP

The Single Action Army is the perfect platform for the .45 Colt, if loaded sanely

If you think you need a handgun more powerful than a .357 Mag., get a rifle instead

Have six pounds of gun for each ounce of shot

2,200 feet per second is about as fast as any bullet needs to travel to kill anything on the planet, provided you use the right bullet and put it in the right place.

If you want a bullet to penetrate deeper, make it longer and thinner before you make it faster.

Handguns are strictly for defensive use

Scopes are overrated and in most cases aren't even necessary

Never have a hunting rifle that you have to worry about dropping or scratching

Simplicity beats complexity

 

[MLH]

I've also found that......

Old guns will kill you just as dead as modern ones!

 

[cslinger]

Old guns will kill you just as dead as modern ones!

Nuh uh!!! The BATF even let's me have old guns delivered right to my door I just had to pay them $35. So that tells me that K98 Mauser is completely harmless as is an M1 Garand.

Now a Remington 700 now that thar is a dangerous piece of boomstick.

I mean that is pretty much my take on how the BATF looks at it.:banghead:

 

[Dave R]

Scopes are overrated and in most cases aren't even necessary

Well, they're kinda mandatory for varmit hunting. I've never seen a successful varmit hunter use iron sights.

'Course, I've never seen a varmit hunter use a "classic firearm."

 

[Cosmoline]

It's true in the old days they tended to favor traps or mass poison for varmints, but that doesn't mean folks didn't nail coyotes with iron sights from time to time.

 

[Dave R]

You're right. I'm sure many a 'yote fell to a levergun or a boltgun with irons.

I was thinking more about Prairie Dogs at 200 yards. You would need aviator's eyes for that.