Author Topic: Ever sold a rifle and wish you hadn't ? (Read 2123 times)

Atomic Chicken · « **on:** July 06, 2005, 12:34:52 PM »

Greetings!

I've bought and sold many rifles in my lifetime, although when I started out I swore I'd never sell one...

The one that I wish I still had, though, was an old post WWII era M1916 (Guardia Civil) Spanish Mauser in .308 Win. with iron sights. One of the UGLIEST rifles I've ever seen, absolutely trashed from crown to stock... beat up brown wood with burn marks and God knows what other kind of stains, 1/8" thick iron strap for the recoil pad and half of that was rusted... overall just a disgusting rifle to look at.

However, that thing could SHOOT!!!! From Iron sights, I could easily print 1-1/4" groups at 100 yds., and after figuring out how to machine a special side bracket and attach it for a 6x scope, I shot MANY 1/2"-5/8" groups with that rifle. It was as accurate as my bull barrel Remington 700 .308 Win. sniper rig, with about 1/2 the recoil. Bought the rifle for $60 back in 1992, sold it in late 2001 for $150 and I've been KICKING myself ever since... one of the stupidest things I've EVER done.

Any similar stories out there? Anyone sell a rifle and wish you could turn back the clock to do it differently?

Best wishes,
Bawko

myarmor · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2005, 12:42:58 PM »

Those Spanish Mausers are great. I killed my first deer with a sporterized one. If I find one around I'll jump on it.
I am about to trade off an Norinco SKS I picked up back in January. Though I don't believe I'll regret it. Whoever had it before me tried to make a full auto out of it :eek: .
It didn't work-though now it is extremely dangerous if upon cocking you let the action fly instead of letting it up slowly.

Norseman112 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2005, 01:28:15 PM »

Yep sure do!

when I started Deer hunting we could only use shotgun the first two days and rifle the remainder of the season. I always seemed to get my deer the first day. I had a 30-06 savage I never used much and I really wasn't into range shooting at that time. I moved to MN and met my wife and got married and where I hunted there it was shotgun only. That rifle shot good! less than 1 MOA at 100 yrds . Times were tough and wife said" hey you " "why don't you sell that rifle to my brother " I thought ok we need the money and he said you can buy it back at anytime. Well anytime came 3 years later and he said sorry its sold. I thought oh no, but was my own fault :cry: Well long story short the rifle and my wife are gone, but I never sold any of my guns again.

Norse

ms · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2005, 01:34:30 PM »

I had a 30/30 marlin that shot dead nuts! I cry all the time about that . bad subject. I HAVE TO TAKE A PILL NOW SORRY. :cry:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2005, 04:14:18 PM »

To many to list. But I just keep doing it and getting something else to replace it.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2005, 04:31:04 PM »

Only a couple hundred times or so. Ah to be able to call back some of those bad moves.

Slamfire · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2005, 07:39:57 PM »

A Ruger #3, loved the gun, hated the .22 Hornet chambering. I should have kept the rifle and converted it into a .30-40. :oops:

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2005, 02:24:50 AM »

Oh yeah, two of them that come right to mind. One was an early Marlin 444 - 24" bbl and monte carlo stock - shot like a match gun and I loved it. Brought home a number of whitetail and a bunch of hogs with that one. The other was a Sako Forester in 243 - an easy 400 yd woodchuck rifle. Sold them both the same day and have regretted it for 20 years. Well, almost. Mikey.

CowboyEngr · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2005, 03:59:50 AM »

These are only the ones I'm willing to admit:
1. Win. Mdl. 71 348 win.
2. Win. Mdl. 70 264 Win Mag
3. Sako action 35 Whelen Improved
4. S&W mdl. 24 44spl. 4in. (revolver)
5. Colt Ace 1911 22lr. (pistol)
6. Colt SAA 5 1/2" 44 spl. (revolver)
7. Pre 64 Win. mdl. 100 308
8. Browning BLR in 358

Gee, I can't believe I have admitted to these. I bought most of them at really good prices and many are now through the roof, which just means I'll probably never have them again!

Why did you have to ask? Now, I'm really bummed!

PEPAW · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2005, 04:28:15 AM »

Sure, several. A certain lefty 788 comes to mind first. And that is the only one I will admit.

pepaw

Chuck White · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2005, 04:56:08 AM »

YES !!! Two of them!

Back in my younger (and foolish) days, I had 2 Pre-64 Winchester M-70's chambered in 300 H&H Magnum!
It still pi$$e$ me off and I kick my own a$$ whenever I think about it!
In the 80's, I sold both of these rifles for $300.00 each!

Then I think that today, I could pretty-much name my price!

DUMB, DUMB, DUMB, DUMB, DUMB!

cal sibley · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2005, 07:16:55 AM »

My first ever rifle was a Savage 99 in .308Win. I kept it for a couple years then got rid of it because it would shoot no better than 1 1/4" groups at 100yds. (5 shots). Being young and inexperienced I didn't realize that it wasn't half bad for a light, lever action rifle. Quite a few times I've wishes I had that rifle back again. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2005, 08:35:52 AM »

Yep. My first Winchester M70 .30-06. Almost twenty years ago, the basic blind-magazine, wood stock plain-jane model was called a Ranger - aka cheap and inexpensive. A push feed action, it didn't have a controlled round feed claw on it. Being a sophmore in college working 60 hour weeks during the summer, I put a Bushnell Sportsman 3*9 on it as that was all I could afford.

That rifle could shoot a group at 100 yds that I could cover with a dime.
I haven't owned anything that comes that close since.

I traded it for a S&W 586 .357 Magnum a couple of years later.
STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!!!!

oso45-70 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2005, 11:52:36 AM »

You are always hearing about Buyers Remorse, And very little about
Sellers or traders Remorse, Not too sure which is worse but i would say in my case it seems like the latter is true. I'm sure if one of my legs was turned around i would still be kicking where i sit.......Joe.......

Lawdog · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2005, 12:14:17 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Only a couple hundred times or so. Ah to be able to call back some of those bad moves.

On no, we have found something else we agree on. :eek: :-D Too many times to recall and many a time I day dream about having them all back. :cry: Lawdog

jvs · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2005, 01:05:09 PM »

I can only remember two rifles that I sold. Neither was worth keeping in my opinion. I have traded two other rifles for other things, like a pick-up and an aluminum deer cart. One of those I regret, but the one I traded for the cart was a good deal.

Now, if someone wants to ask about some of the used rifles and shotguns
I bought at really good prices, I can give you an earful.

cal sibley · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2005, 11:58:55 AM »

On an earlier post on this same thread I complained about selling off an old Savage 99 in .308Win. Because of that experienbce I'm now reluctant to part with a rifle, any rifle! As a result of this reluctance I have several old miltary rifles that should have been consigned to the scrap heap years ago, but I still have them to no ones benefit. An old German M98 I have goes a long way to explain how Germany could lose 2 world wars, but I'll carry on with it because of my own silliness. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

7mm MAGNUM · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2005, 02:40:32 PM »

Ahhh,... my ol' model 94 Winchester .30/30 at the time I thought I'd not miss it but you know how that story ended up. :roll:

Then again there was my Belgian Browning Gold auto 12 ga. sure miss that puppy too!

Coalminer7 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2005, 04:20:08 PM »

OH YEAH,

788 Reminton carbine .243

88 Winchester .243

Don't like to think on this subject as there are more,, just want to
VOMIT.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2005, 04:42:51 AM »

I picked up a well worn older Marlin Mod 25 from a pawn shop. As a winter project I completely restored it by striping and refinishing the stock (Walnut) and metal. I recieved many compliments on the outcome. Even the Mrs. was impressed. A couple months later, I sold it to another pawn shop for a bit more than I paid for it to help fund my Handi Rifle habit. The pawn shop owner said he was going to keep it for himself. Sometimes, I think about going back to make him an offer for it. It was really a nice little gun.

Wish I had a nickel for every stupid thing I've done in my life. I suspect I would be quite wealthy.

EVOC ONE

UtahMike · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2005, 10:22:43 AM »

I guess several come to mind.
First, was an old 30.40 Craig - I shot my first Mule deer with it in 1960.
Second, was a 30.06 Remington 700LH -- I thought it kicked to much.
funny how things change over the years.
Third, was my Ruger #1 in 22-250, it had an inscription in the barrel
"Made in the 200th year of our American Liberty" It was Liberty or Freedom, I can't remember now. I sold it in a good cause, to buy my son a High School Grad. Present. Didn't quite have enough bucks without selling it. I miss it alot.
A number of 870's, 22's and several pistols, T/C Smith & Wesson,H&R 22lr w/12" barrel

Oh well I've got new memories to make!

FirstFreedom · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2005, 05:52:04 AM »

Quote

I am about to trade off an Norinco SKS I picked up back in January. Though I don't believe I'll regret it. Whoever had it before me tried to make a full auto out of it .
It didn't work-though now it is extremely dangerous if upon cocking you let the action fly instead of letting it up slowly.

I certainly hope you tell the buyer/trader of it about this.

kudzu · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2005, 10:16:54 AM »

Utah Mike, that 22-250 sure sounded like a good graduation present to me. I'm sure your son would have even let you use it if you asked real nice.

Me, I've never sold, therefore no regrets. Have gave a few away to close friends. Still have visitation rights. LOL

Zeke Menuar · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2005, 10:58:34 AM »

Marlin 30AS. Selling that gun was one of the stupidest things I ever did.

ZM

Powderburner22 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2005, 05:46:18 PM »

yes,everyone of them,i guess i will never learn.

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TexasNimrod · « **Reply #25 on:** July 20, 2005, 10:56:47 AM »

My biggest regret was trading a Winchester 670 in .30-06 with a Weaver K-4 for a Remington 700 BDL. I was young and stupid at the time. I thought I wanted the hinged floor-plate more than an economy Winchester. I had bought the 670 new in 1972 as a 12 year old, and at 26 just had to have that Remington. I went from a dependable 1 1/4" rifle to a 3"+ rifle. Goes to show that hind-sight is always 20-20.

Simple Man · « **Reply #26 on:** September 01, 2005, 09:16:16 AM »

ummm....Just about everyone that I ever sold.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 01, 2005, 10:10:41 AM »

When i was younger i went through a lot of guns, shotguns,rifles, pistols,
of all sorts of cals and makes. Not till i got older(much) did it dawn on me had i kept those weapons i`d be in high cotton.
Seems money was the evil villian in this mix so something had to go and go they did. I see i`m not alone on the count.
Now i can really appreciate what i have and am still looking . As i`m a
Savage 99 fan (pre-mil) i`m constantly on the prowl for same.
Hard to find, cost has gone up , not a collector but know one when i see one.
If i knew then what i know now and had more money i`d be gun poor.

" The best part of thr hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

7x57mm · « **Reply #28 on:** September 01, 2005, 10:19:56 AM »

I worked the summer of 1963 at West Thumb in Yelowstone National Park to earn money to buy school clothes, or so my parents thought. Dad was in the Air Force stationed at Minot Air Force Base and they dropped me off there on a trip back to California because my sister and I had been arguing so bad. They said they would pick me up at the end of summer and were proud of me for earning my school clothes. I hitched a ride to Minot a week before I was supposed to come in, got in touch with one of the men who worked for my dad and we went to the PX, where I bought a Pre-64 Winchester Model 88 in .284 Winchester, two boxes of ammo, a Lee handloader in .284 Winchester and some Sierra 120 grain bullets and IMR 4350. I was proud of my purchases but my parents were not. Later, I sold it to get enough money to buy a Ruger Model 77 in .284 Winchester. I later sold that rifle too. I also had an FN Model 98 Commercial Action, Harry McGowan Barreled Action with a piece of French Walnut furniture on it that would knock your eyes out. It was a true piece of beauty, but so was whiskey and I was a practicing alcoholic at the time so the rifle went down the tubes for money to buy whiskey. Well, I finally stopped the booze June 27, 1992, one day at a time, thanks to a 12-step program, but I still wish I had exercised better restraint rather than to sell the Ruger .284, the Model 88 in .284 and that Model 98. It also was in 284. I have since switched to 7x57mm. :lol:

aulrich · « **Reply #29 on:** September 01, 2005, 10:51:40 AM »

A tikka 595 (pre Sako take over) in 223 that whole college and need to eat thing.