Kevin, do you have any idea how lucky you were to even be able to find that gun, much less at that price? I assume you are aware that Herstal Group, which owns Winchester Firearms (USRC), announced in January that they were closing the New Hartford, CT plant, and ceasing production of all Winchester models manufacturered there, which includes the classic rifle models 70 and 94, as well as the 1300 series pump shotguns. In the subsequent weeks, there has been a substantial run on remaining stocks of M70s, especially classic blue-and-walnut guns in traditional calibers. But that has been nothing compared to the consumer feeding frenzy on 94s of every configuration. We sold out our entire existing inventory over a month ago, and the handful of various additional guns we've been able to scrounge from distributors, have sold within hours of arrival.
You're a lucky, lucky man, Kevin, and I'm glad for your good fortune.
I walked into a gun store today with $550 in cash in my pocket (just sold my Kimber to a buddy, forgot to go to the bank first) and no intention of buying a gun. I barely escaped with my $519.27 in hand. :p
I have a rather similar gun, a Legacy Puma (Winchester 92 knock-off) in .454 Casull/.45LC. I think it's the most fun-to-shoot gun I've ever had. The combination of light recoil (in .45LC, anyway), lever action, and big easily visible holes in paper is what makes it.
Legacy's Puma line includes a .45 Colt,
Large Loop Lever, Blued 16" round barrel model, MSRP $457.00, actual price considerably less.
http://www.legacysports.com/product/index.htm
This company
http://www.wildwestguns.com/
makes some short, big-loop lever-actions with impressive features. They're expensive. (And they need a better photographer.)
5 hundreds, a ten, a five, three fours and 27 cents. I came outa there with a .22 rifle cleaning kit (kleen bore) and a bore snake for my .300 ouch mag.
I actually did escape with the $519.27 in cash. But only because I'm married. And expecting a new Springfield 1911 and a .22 rifle in the mail any day.
As for the ammo question... I just mail ordered 5 boxes of "Wolf Gold" .300 win mag. It was so cheap I couldn't pass it up. I hope I don't regret it. There are no reviews of the stuff anywhere online, so I'm the guinee pig. The only reviews of any wolf gold are in reference to mil surp rifles, and the stuff functioning just fine in that capacity.
I've got a Legacy in .44 mag. It's a sweet little rifle and will last forever. You might find the factory sights a bit poor, so the good news is that Williams makes a nice peep sight that doesn't cost much and works great.
One thing about the Marlin (at least the 1894 in 38-55) is that the action is such that you don't need a klutzy big loop. If TV's Rifleman had a Marlin he could have worked a different trade than blacksmith.
I've tried the Wolf Gold in 6.5mm Swede, and it works okay. Not as well as the mil-surp, but not too bad, for the price.
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JS-Kit/Echo comments for article at http://smallestminority.blogspot.com/2006/03/jumped-gun-bit-so-to-speak.html (18 comments)
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Very nice.
Which reminds me - I need to do my taxes and see if there is any money left over.
I used to have a little .45 Colt Trapper to go along with my 3" Model 625. Shouldn't've sold it. Reckon I should shop around for another one. :)
I'd have preferred a Trapper, but the price (and availability) got me.
I can always have the barrel shortened!
Now I have to find a John Wayne "big loop" lever...
Kevin, do you have any idea how lucky you were to even be able to find that gun, much less at that price? I assume you are aware that Herstal Group, which owns Winchester Firearms (USRC), announced in January that they were closing the New Hartford, CT plant, and ceasing production of all Winchester models manufacturered there, which includes the classic rifle models 70 and 94, as well as the 1300 series pump shotguns. In the subsequent weeks, there has been a substantial run on remaining stocks of M70s, especially classic blue-and-walnut guns in traditional calibers. But that has been nothing compared to the consumer feeding frenzy on 94s of every configuration. We sold out our entire existing inventory over a month ago, and the handful of various additional guns we've been able to scrounge from distributors, have sold within hours of arrival.
You're a lucky, lucky man, Kevin, and I'm glad for your good fortune.
Steve
I walked into a gun store today with $550 in cash in my pocket (just sold my Kimber to a buddy, forgot to go to the bank first) and no intention of buying a gun. I barely escaped with my $519.27 in hand. :p
Kevin,
I want one like that too. Only I'll get a Marlin, with an octagonal barrel.
By the way, why the hell are Henry rifles so damn expensive? I mean, I know they're made in New York and such, but good grief.
Oh, and if you shorten the barrel on that pretty rifle, I'm going to come after you with mayhem in my heart. Don't make me come down there...
I have a rather similar gun, a Legacy Puma (Winchester 92 knock-off) in .454 Casull/.45LC. I think it's the most fun-to-shoot gun I've ever had. The combination of light recoil (in .45LC, anyway), lever action, and big easily visible holes in paper is what makes it.
Legacy's Puma line includes a .45 Colt,
Large Loop Lever, Blued 16" round barrel model, MSRP $457.00, actual price considerably less.
http://www.legacysports.com/product/index.htm
This company
http://www.wildwestguns.com/
makes some short, big-loop lever-actions with impressive features. They're expensive. (And they need a better photographer.)
Charles:
Yes, they're very nice. Not one to be found around here, though.
Like I said, I bought this one because of the price and the availability.
And Kim? I was just kidding about cutting the barrel. I'd buy a Puma first. ;-)
So Ben, what did the $519.27 in hand look like?
And why didn't you spend the leftover thirty bucks on ammo? ;-)
Oh, you bastard. Finding something like that for that much and telling us about it.
You'll pay for this!
5 hundreds, a ten, a five, three fours and 27 cents. I came outa there with a .22 rifle cleaning kit (kleen bore) and a bore snake for my .300 ouch mag.
I actually did escape with the $519.27 in cash. But only because I'm married. And expecting a new Springfield 1911 and a .22 rifle in the mail any day.
As for the ammo question... I just mail ordered 5 boxes of "Wolf Gold" .300 win mag. It was so cheap I couldn't pass it up. I hope I don't regret it. There are no reviews of the stuff anywhere online, so I'm the guinee pig. The only reviews of any wolf gold are in reference to mil surp rifles, and the stuff functioning just fine in that capacity.
I've got a Legacy in .44 mag. It's a sweet little rifle and will last forever. You might find the factory sights a bit poor, so the good news is that Williams makes a nice peep sight that doesn't cost much and works great.
I've already been checking Midway...
One thing about the Marlin (at least the 1894 in 38-55) is that the action is such that you don't need a klutzy big loop. If TV's Rifleman had a Marlin he could have worked a different trade than blacksmith.
Congratulations, you scored big. I was amazed to hear there was still a deal like that on a 94, and at a dealer, on top of that.
Ben,
I've tried the Wolf Gold in 6.5mm Swede, and it works okay. Not as well as the mil-surp, but not too bad, for the price.
Note: All avatars and any images or other media embedded in comments were hosted on the JS-Kit website and have been lost; references to haloscan comments have been partially automatically remapped, but accuracy is not guaranteed and corrections are solicited.
If you notice any problems with this page or wish to have your home page link updated, please contact John Hardin <jhardin@impsec.org>