Which rifles would you replace with the same thing?

[HowieG]

We've had some good discussions on favorite rifles/cartridges, and least favorite rifles/cartridges.

Here is a new premise. If a natural disaster took every rifle you own, and the insurance cut you a check, would you replace any of them with a duplicate if you could find one?

 

[chicharrones]

I would have to get another Marlin 1894 CSBL, and I'd wait for the Ruger version.

Other than that, everything else would be different. Maybe just a slightly different version, or maybe completely unrelated to what I had before.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Sure would, but it better be a big check, as it's taken me a lifetime of finding, selling, and trading to get what I want. Many rifles I got for dirt cheap, like SMLE's, FR8's, etc. are sure not dirt cheap anymore. M1's sure ain't a dime a dozen!!

My Jeager was a custom build, that the maker kindly made for me at a very low (compared to the usual price) price. That rifle would cost twice the original price to build/replace.

And of course the rifle that's been in the family since 1846 could not be replaced. So the answer is yes, but I don't think any insurance company could cut a big enough check to actually replace everything. One would have to have a policy with pictures and appraisals of every rifle, which I don't think most people have. I know I don't. !

 

[swg1]

It would be really difficult to replace a lot of the C&R firearms.

 

[LoonWulf]

I would replace my Christensens with the same guns.

Edit: Except the 28Nosler, id get that in .300PRC or 7 Mag.

My 375 Ruger browning A bolt would get rebuilt.

Actually id replace most of the guns I currently own with the same things I had before.... While I haven't gone through nearly as many guns as a lot of the guys on here, I've gone through enough to have decided on which ones I want to keep..... At least the ones I've tried at this point.

 

[Legionnaire]

Interesting thought experiment. If the insurance company gave me fair market value, I’d probably take the opportunity to downsize dramatically and purchase a much smaller set of choice firearms. Stage of life thing. But I’d probably replace the 7mm-08 Model Seven (a favorite) and the custom 700 Mountain Rifle in .280 AI … and the Ruger Hawkeye African in .375 Ruger.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I wouldn't replace the Mosin, SKS, or 10/22.

 

[chicharrones]

If the insurance company gave me fair market value, I’d probably take the opportunity to downsize dramatically and purchase a much smaller set of choice firearms.

Same here.

 

[someguy2800]

Would definitely be replacing my Tikka but in 30-06 rather than 25-06. The rifles I would replace with the exact same model would be,

444 marlin handi rifle
1898 krag sporter (that would be tough to replace)
77 mkii 338 win mag stainless
Marlin 1895 CBA
Remington 141
358 yeti AR15
7.62x39 AR15
6x45 AR15
Savage mk2 classic
Lithgow 17hmr
Magnum research ssp91 35 rem
Mosin Nagant
Marlin model 60

the ones I probably wouldn’t replace or would replace with something significantly different

Type 99 arisaka
98 Mauser
Enfield no4
10/22
Savage 219
Some other AR15’s
Stevens 22wmr
Cmmg banshee
Savage model 12

I won’t go into shotguns and handguns to keep it reasonably brief.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I wouldn't replace the Mosin, SKS, or 10/22.

Oh yeah, I have "this and that" that I wouldn't replace. But not a lot of this and that do I have. I have a Russian SKS, so I'd replace it. But really I've shed most or all of my "don't really wants" long ago.

 

[lightman]

Many of them would be replaced but not all of them.

 

[Varminterror]

If I lost everything, I probably would not replace everything. But without exhaustive review of our accumulation:

I WOULD replace like for like:

• My PRS match rifles - my Defiance PRS match rifle, but would probably use a TCS instead of the T4A it currently wears. I’d replace my son’s Defiance match rifle exactly as it is. I would replace my Seekins PRS match rifle, but would likely put that money towards another Impact in a Foundation instead. Or I might replace the Seekins with another, but leave it in its factory form as a hunting rifle. I would replace my 6 creed LFAR match rifle and my 243LBC AR-15 match rifle.

• I would take the money from my rebuilt Savage MkII BSEV and put it towards a RimX for PRS-Rimfire use.

• My 20” Service Rifle and my Ruger Vaqueros, Marlin 1894, and Stoeger Coach gun for CAS/SASS.

• My 10.5” SBR in 5.56.

• Both of wife and I’s custom stainless switch barrel Ruger M77 Hawkeyes.

• My wife’s Marlin 1895GS .45-70 and my 1894SS .44mag. Probably not my other 1894’s, though.

• My Marlin 60

• All of my wife’s, my son’s, and my Benelli Super Nova 12ga’s.

Firearms I know I would not replace with like-for-like:

• Heirloom firearms: just can’t replace sentimental value, and most of these just don’t see enough use to replace for objective, functional use. Rem 700 CDL in .30-06 which was my wife’s father’s rifle - can’t replace the nostalgia and personal sentimentality of it, and don’t have much use for it otherwise. JC Higgins Model 20 12ga which was my first shotgun I bought for myself. Iver Johnson Champion .410 which was my great grandfather’s, my grandfather’s, my dad’s, mine, and now my son’s - can’t replace the meaning it holds. Ruger M77 MkII standard in .30-06 which was my first rifle I bought for myself - but again, I just don’t have much use for a blued and walnut sporter in .30-06 any more. Marlin 99M1 which was my grandpa’s, dad’s, mine, and now my son’s - fun little rifle, but can’t replace sentiment. I also wouldn’t replace my Ruger MkII stainless 22LR pistol, nor any of my MkIII’s - I would buy a few again as MkIV’s, but losing the sentimentality of my first MkII which has been on my hip for so many miles and having opportunity to upgrade MkIII’s for IV’s is a no-brainer. I probably would not replace my wife’s father’s Marlin 336 in .30-30.

• I have a collection of over 40 original/large frame stainless steel Ruger Vaquero’s in .44mag which I would not replace. I collected them as a personal idiosyncrasy, but recognize there’s no appreciating value against them, so the best value for me would be to replace the 4 I would want for myself, then use the insurance check for something else.

• I wouldn’t replace either of the remaining Bushmaster AR-15’s I have: one is an M4gery/HBAR, the other a Varmint Special Stainless, neither of which do I use for much, but can’t bring myself to resell since they are the only remaining Wyndham made Bushy’s I have left.

• I would not replace my 18” 6.8 SPC, and would replace my 10.5” 6.8 SPC upper with 6.5 Grendel.

• I also would not replace my 10.5” 458 Socom.

 

[Stumper]

That is an interesting question. While there is sentimental attachment to some of my firearms if the ones I have were gone most wouldn't be replaced with duplicates. The rifle exceptions? Rossi 92 in .357, Beretta Cx4 Storm 9mm, Ruger 10/22 Keltec sub2000 9mm. I can't think of anything in their respective categories that I would like more for what they do. OTOH In the "serious" rifle category I could easily replace with different bolts and semis in differing chamberings and feel upgraded and blessed even though I like what I currently have.

 

[adcoch1]

I would replace my Tikka t3 30-06 with another identical down to the sling and leupold scope. I'd also replace my cz 527 7.62x39 carbine without question. I'd rebuild a few of my remaining ars with similar if not identical models, but I would rethink my shotguns and most of my handguns. My super Blackhawk would be replaced with a near identical but nice version. Don't think I'd replace my polymer pistols with the same models.

 

[Risky buisness]

Oh boy.... the thought of having to replace my " collection" is sobering. Since I've culled the herd somewhat, leaving real treasures, I would be hard put to be able to replace them. In a recent tack room fire I lost irreplaceable saddles and bits, camp and hunting equipment, so finding an original 1879 target rolling block, a 2 digit Marlin 336, both a Navy 7.62 and a 3006 match Garand...... dang, these days it's difficult to come across a JM 1894. Im glad the safe is fire proof.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I would replace my Christensens with the same guns.

Edit: Except the 28Nosler, id get that in .300PRC or 7 Mag.

My 375 Ruger browning A bolt would get rebuilt.

Actually id replace most of the guns I currently own with the same things I had before.... While I haven't gone through nearly as many guns as a lot of the guys on here, I've gone through enough to have decided on which ones I want to keep..... At least the ones I've tried at this point.

Interesting comment on the 28 Nosler. In your opinion why a 7Mag over a 28 Nos? I totally get the .300 PRC.

 

[H&Hhunter]

If mine were all destroyed I’d have another Stainless synthetic .375 H&H built on a M-70. I’d replace one of the Steyr Scout in .308 and I’d have another Sako S-20 in 6.5 PRC. I’d also replace my Beretta 686, 28 and buy a replacement Glock 19. The rest would just be memories.

 

[LoonWulf]

Interesting comment on the 28 Nosler. In your opinion why a 7Mag over a 28 Nos? I totally get the .300 PRC.

In that specific combination The 28 Nosler is more case then I am happy with.
The Mesa only carries a 1-9 twist tube, which limits the rifle to 160-175(maybe) vld type bullets. I really want to be able to run 180-190 VLD types if I'm going to be burning almost 90gr of powder.

I'm also not interested in a heavy gun like that as a point-and-click rifle. Which is where the scorching velocity of that big case and lighter bullets has an advantage.

For somebody else its likely fantastic combination, But the overall efficiency loss isn't worth the performance gain in my particular application.

If they put a 1-8 on the Mesa I would probably stick with the 28 Nosler, especially since I just ordered the S20 in 7 Mag.

 

[H&Hhunter]

In that specific combination The 28 Nosler is more case then I am happy with.
The Mesa only carries a 1-9 twist tube, which limits the rifle to 160-175(maybe) vld type bullets. I really want to be able to run 180-190 VLD types if I'm going to be burning almost 90gr of powder.

I'm also not interested in a heavy gun like that as a point-and-click rifle. Which is where the scorching velocity of that big case and lighter bullets has an advantage.

For somebody else its likely fantastic combination, But the overall efficiency loss isn't worth the performance gain in my particular application.

If they put a 1-8 on the Mesa I would probably stick with the 28 Nosler, especially since I just ordered the S20 in 7 Mag.

I’ve got a buddy with $3k burning a hole in his pocket and is looking at a Fierce in 28 Nosler. I can’t warm up to the 28 but I do like the rifle. The 28 just seems like to much of a good thing to me. I do love my S20 in 6.5 PRC, the thing is stupid accurate and well built and feeds and functions off the charts smooth.

 

[LoonWulf]

I’ve got a buddy with $3k burning a hole in his pocket and is looking at a Fierce in 28 Nosler. I can’t warm up to the 28 but I do like the rifle.

Friend of mine has a Fierce and really likes it. I haven't spent much time with the gun but I've been very impressed with them ao far.

Personally I consider the 28Nos a more "modern" version of the 7MMSTW.....

It's good for the same applications and suffers the same drawbacks,.
Except that since it's shorter for the same capacity it deals with longer bullets better, or with regular hunting bullets fits into shorter actions.


I might actually buy one as a dedicated hunting rifle if I regularly shot at game animals in the 100- 450 yard range, and had to do so quickly.
Running 120-140 grain monometal from a 3.4 inch magazine box it would probably take advantage of all of its strong points.

 

[.308 Norma]

would you replace any of them with a duplicate if you could find one?

Oh, yeah - my 308 Norma Magnum. Unfortunately, I would not be able to find one like it because it's a custom job in the first place, and in the second place, it was built by Montana Rifle Company, who I understand is no longer in business.
The one I wouldn't replace is my .338 Win Mag. It was custom built too (around a pre-64 Model 70 action), but it could be replaced for about a bushel of money. Nevertheless, I haven't used it in years, and the only reason I keep it around is I told one of my grandsons he can use it for elk hunting next fall, and just keep it after that.
I wouldn't replace my old tang-safety Ruger 77, 30-06 either. I've already got a 308 Norma Magnum that will do everything it will do and more.
I'd replace my heavy barreled Kimber 22-250 with a lighter weight 22-250 - maybe a real light, synthetic stocked, Model 70 Winchester 22-250 like my wife has.

 

[entropy]

None. I'd buy fewer, and better ones. I would build another couple 10.5" AR pistols, but even these would not be exactly the same.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Scares me to think about losing the one's with sentimental value. I still have the rifle I shot my first buck with, my first bear with the Jeager, my 7.7 Ugly Scout which is probably not worth fifty bucks, but I've had it since age 16, shot boatloads of deer and coyotes with it, one can "duplicate" those, but not replace them. My great-great grand dad's double barrel 12 gauge, that I hunted with all my life, and still use sometimes...that would hurt.

Others just plain difficult if not impossible. Five SMLE's, dated in sequence, 1914-1915-1916-1917 and 1918...imagine the search to find that line up again! And people with a pair of guns with serial numbers in sequence. !!! SCARY STUFF!

 

[tark]

It would be really difficult to replace a lot of the C&R firearms.

How would you replace a never fired after proof 99+% C-96? Or a 1968 T- series Browning Hi-Power in the same condition?

Some guns are irreplaceable due to their condition and others, because of their sentimental value. But I know what the OP meant. I have gone through this very situation decades ago. When I left the Army and married my first wife, we pulled up roots and moved to California. I only had a few guns pre-service, and they were all sold, leaving me with nothing. Decades later, I discovered that I had Mineral rights in North Dakota, McKenzie county, on top of the Bakken Oil field. Long story short, suddenly, I had money. Lots of money.

I went after the guns of my early years, with a vengeance. I found almost all of them. I upgraded the condition of my early guns by buying replacements in much better condition. Simpson's in Galesburg will forever have my profound gratitude. Mr. Simpson is a fantastic person. His knowledge of damn near everything is mind- numbing. The first time I met him he was sitting behind the counter puffing on a Cuban Cohiba Churchill... In spite of the states indoor smoking ban. I mentioned this, in a humorous way, and he responded with an expletive or two that will not be repeated here. He taught me a lot. I learned that I shouldn't store my C-96 in the wooden stock because it I ever dropped it, the stock would almost certainly crack.

I'm still looking for a few guns I used to have. Tops on that list is a pristine 1903A3 Remington. It had a two groove barrel and is was an M.O.A. gun. A H&R top break "Defender" in 38 S&W still eludes me. I'll find them eventually.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Id be too heartbroken to start over collecting the Milsurps and old revolvers.

I would probably standardize on a bunch of slightly different AR-platform rifles, cuz they are just tools. Fun and efficient tools, to be sure, but not sentimental.

Oh, ya, I would hunt down another 52 Winchester. It pretty much obviates the need for all other .22 rifles.