Saturday, October 4, 2008

See ya!


Over the years I've purchased and un-purchased a fair number of guns. Here's a breakdown of some of those guns, in no particular order, along with a few words on each.


Armalite AR180B: For many, many years, I resisted buying any type of AR rifle, mainly because I didn't personally see the need for one. Finally, I bought one. I owned the AR180B for a little over two years and, while it was a decent gun, I just never made a connection with it. I've shot other AR rifles, including the military version while I was in the army, but I just don't see the big deal about them. I wonder if the big thing about them is the fact that they are at the top of every gun-banner's list, and therefore people want them not so much for the gun, but so that they can have one before some idiot socialist/communist puts the kibosh on all sales. There are better, IMHO, and not so overpriced, guns for hunting, varminting, casual plinking, and, arguably, self-defense, than the uber-popular AR. SOLD.

Savage Model 10: This gun was bought to use for varminting, something I never got around to doing. I really liked the caliber it was in, .22-250, but I never shot the rifle enough to work up a tack-driving load, although I was getting there. SOLD.

Charter Arms Bulldog Pug: No, this wasn't the original CA Bulldog, the gun made infamous by that whack-job David Birkowitz, aka the Son of Sam. This was the stainless steel version that came out, IIRC, somewhere around 2000 or so. The .44 Special is a fine cartridge, but I can't say the same for the Bulldog Pug. The only ammunition I could get it to fire reliably was the Blazer load with the 200-grain HP (Gold dot?) bullet. Pretty decent accuracy, as I recall, when it did fire. By the way, I did relay the revolver's shortcomings to the buyer. SOLD.

Ishapore Enfield: This is the only gun I've ever sold for more money than I bought it for. Not a whole lot more, mind you, but I did make a few bucks. This gun was chambered for the 7.62x51mm or .308 round. It was a no-nonsense, tough-as-nails design that could easily do 2-2.5 MOA with iron sights, and probably a lot better with a scope and/or better eyes. It was HEAVY, probably around a good nine pounds, minimum, and it was a hoot to shoot. Although I don't regret selling this one, I must admit that I miss it from time to time. SOLD.

Ruger Blackhawk: Two of 'em, in fact. Both were in .357 Magnum, and one had an extra cylinder to convert it to 9mm. I know a lot of folks love these, but I just couldn't find a thrill in them. They were well made, just like all of Ruger's guns, but boring. I just don't get the whole single-action scene, not that it should stop you from enjoying it if that's what you like. SOLD.

Stoeger Coach gun: This was a 12-ga., side-by-side, double-barreled shotgun that was pretty cool to shoot, but which I had no real need for, especially in light of the fact that I have a Remington 870. The 20" barrels and the short overall length made it quite handy to wield, but it needed to go to another home. SOLD.

CZ75 and CZ75BD: Yup, I had the early CZ75 9mm pistol, and the later version with a decocker. They were both fine guns, as are all CZs, but once the Glock 34 came to town, the CZs became obviated. I also had a .22LR conversion slide from CZ that went. SOLD.

CZ527: I'm still not sure why I bought this bolt-action .223, but I did. A well-made rifle that I never got around to wringing out. I traded it at the gun store for something else, but I can't remember what. TRADED.

Springfield Armory M1A: The most expensive gun I ever bought, and will ever likely buy, I had this gun for about a year before I let it go. Unfired(!). SOLD.

S&W Model 625: I'd always been attracted to the idea of shooting semi-auto cartridges in a revolver, in this case .45 ACP. I finally bought the 4" version when it came out 5-6 years ago. While this was a nice gun, it didn't fit my hand well. It went to a good home with a Denver cop I was acquainted with. SOLD.

S&W Model 25: This was in .45 Colt and it was a version from the 1980s. 'Twas a good gun, but I traded it at the gun store for a gun that was much better for me: the wonderful S&W Model 19. I've never regretted the swap. TRADED.

Kahr MK40: A solid, dependable handgun, but too heavy for carry. I can't remember if I SOLD or TRADED it.

Glock 36: To the best of my knowledge, this is Glock's only single-stack gun. It's chambered for the .45 ACP. I didn't like the perceived recoil, plus it was not an easy-to-carry gun, so it went bye-bye. SOLD.

Glock 26: For those who like, and can carry well, a subcompact 9mm, this is the model to beat. I liked everything about it save for its bulkiness, which did not comport with the way I like to carry. I also had an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion slide for this gun that the same person bought. SOLD.



Well, THAT was cathartic.

I'm finally getting my group of guns down to a manageable, usable level, a place where it should have stayed. But you know what they say about a fool and his money. As I alluded to in an earlier post, I think I've finally wised up and the gun industry will have to make due without my dollars, but there are plenty of other up-and-coming marks, so I'm sure their future is secure, barring an unConstitutional government fiat, of course.

Take care.
DAL357

ADDENDUM:
Kel-Tec P3AT: Oops, I almost forgot this one. This was an okay little mouse gun, but it was quite picky about what ammo it liked, as are many small auto handguns. It was definitely concealable, but the .380 ACP cartridge did not lend me much confidence. The gun went to someone else who wanted it, and I haven't missed it one bit. SOLD.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What did choose to keep????

And why, of course.

Your assesment: How many is too many???

Whats the minimum to have ???? and why of course.

Your choice of calibers.

If you choose not to answer I will understand.

DAL357 said...

Without going into too many specifics, as I alluded to above I decided to keep the following: my Glock 34, the very best of the three Glocks I've owned; the S&W Model 19 because the double action trigger is soooo sweet, and I just had stocks custom made for it specifically to fit my hand--what a joy they are; and the fantastic Rem. 870 12 ga. There are others, like my do-all .30-06, the most versatile cartridge on the planet, particularly if you handload (I do), Marlin Model 60, and my carry snubbies, but I don't want to divulge much else, not that there IS that much else.

Suffice it to say that I think I've gotten things to a sane level. There might be a little more room for whittling down my collection, but I think I'm pretty close to where I want/need to be.

I'll tell you one major reason why I've pared down my collection: I'm trying to simplify things in my life somewhat. It's become a chore to block out enough time to make the 80-plus-mile round trip to the range, so when I do go, I want to concentrate on just a few guns and learn them well. Also, trying to handload for umpteen calibers is a time trap I don't need.

I can't really give you a number as to how many is too many. That's a personal decision each gun owner has to make. Generally speaking, if I haven't gotten around to firing it in a couple of years, it's superfluous and needs to go.

As far as calibers I like: .38/.357, 9mm, .30-06 (God's gift to the hunting world...yeah, I know it was originally invented as a man-killer round), and .22LR. For shotguns, a 12 ga. is the best all-around, life-simplifying choice.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your insight.

I been looking for a .22 L.R. I have narrow mi choices to Browning, Charter arms AR7 and tauros 62 and 72 models. those are the only ones that a person can take apart for traveling and of course trekking.

I totally agrre with your choice of shotgun and gauge. your 30-06 match also my choice. I'm very partial to the .45 ACP but I dont understimate the 9mm.. My revolver choice has been forever the .44 mag. due to the fact that I own a Marlin carbine .44 mag I just load the cartridges to the .44 spl. levels for revolver use. I have never ignore the power of any other caliber (.357, 380, 32, 25 ) They all have their uses and purposes I just decided that there are only a hanful of guns that a person should own. Anything more than you can carry or use that will be on the way if TSHTF.

If I would have a spare or two of course will be on a popular caliber (357, 9mm, 40, 308 and .223) At the moment those plans had been shelved.

Couple of rifles, shotguns, pistol, and revolver should suffice for an arms battery for every person. Dont you think ????
Of course .22's also

BTW love and copy the picture of your previous post.

Old Timer

DAL357 said...

"Couple of rifles, shotguns, pistol, and revolver should suffice for an arms battery for every person. Dont you think ????
Of course .22's also"

Yes, I'd have to agree with that, everything above that is gravy, not that gravy is a bad thing if one wants it.

The Other Mike S. said...

I can't bring myself to part with any gun I've bought! I just stash the ones I don't use much. Part of my 'just in case' cache.

Anon: For a travel/packing .22, consider the Henry Arms Survival Rifle. The receiver and barrel and two magazines all fit in the stock. It's not a hearty gun, but pretty damned accurate considering the price and convenience.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mike.

I got it now (AR7)...I could not resist and got a Browning.22 made in belgium (mint condition)..Expensive but as I said Made in Belgium. Just got to wait 8 more days to pick them up.

I'll be set up. no need for more...Of course ..unless I happen to run into a couple of spares for the right price. But I'm not going to look for them.

Too old to get that many...I got to be realistic...I dont have much time left....Rather I'll buy a travel trailer (in secrecy) and I'll place it in my daughters and mine property without the knowledge of my old lady.

Old timer