The Gun Owner’s thread

[BabaYaga 15290]

14 hours ago, Enchubben said:

Any recommendations for something suitable for a beginner hunter in the $200-$500 range that will last me 5 seasons or so? 

Benelli Nova - period.  They are bomb-proof

[T’Boo Ted Marshall 2732]

Benelli Nova - period.  They are bomb-proof

Truth. I sold mine for nearly what I paid for it.

[crimsonlonghorn 2306]

On 9/7/2022 at 4:11 PM, Enchubben said:

I’ve only ever been dove hunting and clay shooting, but got the offer to join some friends for a duck hunt in a month or so.

Butttttttt, I only have a browning 20 o/u that doesn’t strike me as a gun to take to the water and mud. 

Any recommendations for something suitable for a beginner hunter in the $200-$500 range that will last me 5 seasons or so? 

You might be able to find a 12ga 1100 at the upper end of your price range, too, or just beyond it.

But if you just want a workhorse "hunting gun" then the recs for an 870 is probably the best idea for that price. I personally have just grown to hate (and often forget) to pump the gun, so I'm inclined towards automatics, which aren't a problem in wet conditions provided you clean them soon after.

[BabaYaga 15290]

Took a few of the toys out this weekend with a friend.  No doves.  Tons of fish, and spent shells

Rhino .357 and Ruger .17hrm 

I have been on the fence about these new Chiappa's, but that little gun is sweet.  Usually those smaller wheel guns in .357 are snappy.  Not this one.  

The Ruger was a blast.  Could not load it fast enough.  Its loud as sin, but damn that little round is nasty.  I was plugging steel plates with it across the stock pond.  

 

[heinhorn 16]

I have an AR with a side charging handle.  The screw came loose and the charged handle popped off while shooting.  Couldn't find the little screw.  Anyone know of gun shop in west houston that would have that part?  Thx!

[BHMCruiser 1813]

On 9/11/2022 at 7:32 AM, crimsonlonghorn said:

You might be able to find a 12ga 1100 at the upper end of your price range, too, or just beyond it.

But if you just want a workhorse "hunting gun" then the recs for an 870 is probably the best idea for that price. I personally have just grown to hate (and often forget) to pump the gun, so I'm inclined towards automatics, which aren't a problem in wet conditions provided you clean them soon after.

Do not buy a new 870. You will regret it. They are not the quality they were even ten years ago. I'd buy a Mossberg if I wanted a similar quality pump shotgun now. The 870 has gone down the toilet (and I think it's one of the top 5 American guns ever made). 

[crimsonlonghorn 2306]

3 hours ago, BHMCruiser said:

Do not buy a new 870. You will regret it. They are not the quality they were even ten years ago. I'd buy a Mossberg if I wanted a similar quality pump shotgun now. The 870 has gone down the toilet (and I think it's one of the top 5 American guns ever made). 

Excellent point.

I almost recommended a Mossberg as an alternative. 

I have an 870 Wingmaster that was made in 1973 that I bought in a pawn shop and an Express that was made in 2010 that I won in a raffle. You can guess which one is better quality. 

[BHMCruiser 1813]

4 minutes ago, crimsonlonghorn said:

Excellent point.

I almost recommended a Mossberg as an alternative. 

I have an 870 Wingmaster that was made in 1973 that I bought in a pawn shop and an Express that was made in 2010 that I won in a raffle. You can guess which one is better quality. 

870 Wingmaster is one of the finest guns every produced. I have an early-90s 870 Express and it is definitely ugly. It's also fabulous, reliable and accurate. 

[BHMCruiser 1813]

By the time Cerberus bought Remington and stripped down its operations, the firearms they produced went South. They just are not that good. 

And I am not a huge Mossberg fan so it pains me to recommend a 500 series over an 870, but the quality is higher.

[Reagan1k 3024]

For those $400-$500 shotgun/boat paddle combos - Don't overlook the Turks.

Mfgs. like Tristar and Impala make some nicely functional semis that won't break the bank or your heart if you fall asleep before cleaning them or need to use them as a push pole.

[Brew 3049]

If I’m spending $500, I would look at the CZ 612 and the Benelli Nova/Supernova and see which fits you better. The 612 is annually one of the top selling pumps out there because you get quite a but for your money.

You could also potentially catch an A300 if you go a little past the $500 mark and keep an eye out or buy a used one.

[Frank Erwin 203]

Agree on the 870 recs, if you can find an old one buy it, for the new ones, just walk on by

[Reagan1k 3024]

12 hours ago, Brew said:

If I’m spending $500, I would look at the CZ 612 and the Benelli Nova/Supernova and see which fits you better. The 612 is annually one of the top selling pumps out there because you get quite a but for your money.

You could also potentially catch an A300 if you go a little past the $500 mark and keep an eye out or buy a used one.

Agreed.  CZ pumps or Benelli pumps are outstanding in that price range.

[Fondren & Main 6714]

That new all steel M&P sure looks sweet.

[Fat Bastard 600]

Need recs on a .22LR for the soon to be 10 year old boy. Have looked at the Ruger 10/22 and Savage FV and while both look great, mostly plastic stocks. Is there anything else maybe in the $5-800 range that could be more heirloom-y? It’s his first gun so would like for It to be special - if something nice would engrave it too. 

[Jkwellborn 6697]

CZ. You can put a nice stock on the savage for a couple hundred bucks.

[686 3448]

Need recs on a .22LR for the soon to be 10 year old boy. Have looked at the Ruger 10/22 and Savage FV and while both look great, mostly plastic stocks. Is there anything else maybe in the $5-800 range that could be more heirloom-y? It’s his first gun so would like for It to be special - if something nice would engrave it too. 

How big is he? If he’s a “normal” sized 10yo the stocks on non-kid guns will be too long, and it will be hard for him to shoot. If you want to get him some good trigger time, I’d look at the Savage Rascal. Better action that the Cricket IMO, nice little package. This is my 9yo shooting it.




Here she is trying to shoot my Chistensen Ranger, which is a really great 22, but as you can see, stock is too long:

[686 3448]

Excellent point.
I almost recommended a Mossberg as an alternative. 
I have an 870 Wingmaster that was made in 1973 that I bought in a pawn shop and an Express that was made in 2010 that I won in a raffle. You can guess which one is better quality. 

I have a 870 Wingmaster built in 1964 and the action rings like a hammer on an anvil when you close it; its great. I hunt better with autoloaders, but the old 870 has never had a hiccup.

[RMac5 1551]

Have several 870’s, including the one my dad hunted with when he was a whipper snapper, they are bomb proof for sure. I have an 870 20g that we cut the stock down on to fit the kids when they were young and needed a shorter stock, been trying to find a replacement butt stock to make it full size again. They want as much for the butt stocks as buying a used 870. 

[RMac5 1551]

Great looking patio and set up you got there @686, Is the 686 for Beretta 686? Those are great scatter guns!

Edited September 18, 2022 by RMac5

[686 3448]

Great looking patio and set up you got there [mention=2146]686[/mention], Is the 686 for Beretta 686? Those are great scatter guns!

In my case 686 is for one of my favorite pistols, the Smith and Wesson 686. Beretta 686 shotguns are very nice, too.

I set up a steel target game ~30 yards off this patio and the kids have a lot of run “racing”against each other. My folks just renovated this ranch house west of Lampasas over the last 18 months, it is nice.

[RMac5 1551]

Looks awesome. My wife’s family’s place is just up the road in Mills County. I would love to build a house there when we retire. 
What’s the semiauto pistol on the rock column in the first pic?

[686 3448]

Looks awesome. My wife’s family’s place is just up the road in Mills County. I would love to build a house there when we retire. 
What’s the semiauto pistol on the rock column in the first pic?

A cheap ~30 yr old smith and Wesson 22; fun to shoot and lightweight.

[83Horn 1640]

4 hours ago, Fat Bastard said:

Need recs on a .22LR for the soon to be 10 year old boy. Have looked at the Ruger 10/22 and Savage FV and while both look great, mostly plastic stocks. Is there anything else maybe in the $5-800 range that could be more heirloom-y? It’s his first gun so would like for It to be special - if something nice would engrave it too. 

10/22s come in a variety of configurations, including with wooden stocks, and it's such a popular weapon, the aftermarket is huge so you can customize it to your liking.  Another option to consider; I don't know what gun shows in Texas are like, but here in Virginia there are a large number of sellers offering classics.  Very easy to pick up a nice Winchester model 62 slide action for about $700-800.  I have one that I inherited from my dad, and they are great little shooters.  And almost forgot, take a look at Henry Repeating Arms.  They offer a huge selection of American made, lever action .22 LRs, and even a slide action.  They make a really quality product.

Edited September 19, 2022 by 83Horn

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4976]

A Winchester 9422 or model 63 would be my vote. Can't go wrong with the classics if they are in your price range.

[BabaYaga 15290]

My little monkeys love my Henry Golden Boy more than any other.  It's one of my favorite little rifles to carry around the ranch as well.  

[davidg 4036]

CZs are very nice if buying new. Both of my kids started on a youth Marlin single shot with a red dot. I bought my daughter a Browning SA-22 (great gun and daughter is right handed, left eye dominant) and my son a S&W MP-22. If I had to do over I would have bought the CZ instead but 25rnd mag dumps with the M&P are a lot cheaper than a full size AR.

[Parliament 14257]

19 hours ago, Fat Bastard said:

Need recs on a .22LR for the soon to be 10 year old boy. Have looked at the Ruger 10/22 and Savage FV and while both look great, mostly plastic stocks. Is there anything else maybe in the $5-800 range that could be more heirloom-y? It’s his first gun so would like for It to be special - if something nice would engrave it too. 

Then slide into a .223 and 6.5 Creed later.

[Armybrat 40834]

I like the .22 leverguns too…. Winchester 9422XTR

 

[4th and 5 4914]

20 hours ago, Fat Bastard said:

Need recs on a .22LR for the soon to be 10 year old boy. Have looked at the Ruger 10/22 and Savage FV and while both look great, mostly plastic stocks. Is there anything else maybe in the $5-800 range that could be more heirloom-y? It’s his first gun so would like for It to be special - if something nice would engrave it too. 

Ruger 10-22T in laminate, mine drives tacks with just the cheap Remington Golden Bullet ammo, it'll be a little long and heavy now but your kid will be 6 feet tall in a few years

[fattyflattie 4639]

@Fat Bastard unless something has changed with the new ones, the 10/22 trigger is cheeks. I started my oldest on a 10/22 I built for target shooting when she was 7 or so. Thumbhole/beaver tail stock with a very heavy barrel.  Topped it off with a 3x9x44.  Ended up dropping a Volquartsen trigger in it, which was damn near the cost of the 10/22 when I bought it.  It’s a great little rifle, and accurate af.  But meh triggers on the old ones. But it taught her to shoot ragged holes with no fear of recoil.  
 

eta: I’m going to be adding a CZ 22mag to the safe at some point.  Those are nice little rifles. 

Edited September 19, 2022 by fattyflattie

[noharleyyet 2838]

Sent the 1895 45-70 Big Loop to a smith in Nevada for some work. Removed checkering and slimmed the wrist and fore end & darkened the laminate stain. Polished the internals, took the edges off the loop, removed the front sight and machined a brake, lightened the trigger pull., and bead blasted the metal. 

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by noharleyyet

[USCATX 1078]

I can fap to that.  

[fattyflattie 4639]

46 minutes ago, noharleyyet said:

Sent the 1895 45-70 Big Loop to a smith in Nevada for some work. Removed checkering and slimmed the wrist and fore end & darkened the laminate stain. Polished the internals, took the edges off the loop, removed the front sight and machined a brake, lightened the trigger pull., and bead blasted the metal. 

 

That’s gorgeous but the screws are giving my OCD fits.  How did you find that particular smith? I assume he is known for his work with those? 

[davidg 4036]

7 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

@Fat Bastard

eta: I’m going to be adding a CZ 22mag to the safe at some point.  Those are nice little rifles. 

You can get the CZ 457 American with a 22LR and a 17HMR  switch barrel.  I think I’ve read on Rimfirecentral that someone doing the same with the bull barrel  Varmint model.

[Frank Erwin 203]

Henry or Winchester makes a great keeper gun for a kid

[noharleyyet 2838]

10 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

That’s gorgeous but the screws are giving my OCD fits.  How did you find that particular smith? I assume he is known for his work with those? 

Followed his build of a similar lever on a hunting site I frequent. He's not famous, yet. Just a guy with skills and good tools. One of the screws is the punch safety delete. Looks better to me and I use the hammer de-cock for safety. Holler should you ever want his contact info....great guy to deal with and fair.

[BabaYaga 15290]

Whatever you get, make sure they clean it with you after every outing.  I learned more about guns breaking them down and cleaning them than anything else.  

[fattyflattie 4639]

12 hours ago, davidg said:

You can get the CZ 457 American with a 22LR and a 17HMR  switch barrel.  I think I’ve read on Rimfirecentral that someone doing the same with the bull barrel  Varmint model.

That’s right they sell some in a package, too.  My only gripe with CZ, at least in the 455, 457, and 527, is they don’t make too many attempts to attach them to + wood. Every now and again you’ll see one with some character.  

[fattyflattie 4639]

1 hour ago, noharleyyet said:

Followed his build of a similar lever on a hunting site I frequent. He's not famous, yet. Just a guy with skills and good tools. One of the screws is the punch safety delete. Looks better to me and I use the hammer de-cock for safety. Holler should you ever want his contact info....great guy to deal with and fair.

It looks stunning.
 

My #1 love is boats, and you can bet every screw head (thru bolts) are all clocked the same.  Just an OCD habit of mine.  Same with the switch covers in my house. OCD brainworms on my end.  

[atomheartbevo 89656]

people post some weird memes.  SIAP.

Hickok45 is my aunt, Garand Thumb is a soccer mom, and Gun Jesus is forever Gun Jesus

[noharleyyet 2838]

38 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

It looks stunning.
 

My #1 love is boats, and you can bet every screw head (thru bolts) are all clocked the same.  Just an OCD habit of mine.  Same with the switch covers in my house. OCD brainworms on my end.  

Haha, you made me look...totally get it flattie. 

[fattyflattie 4639]

10 minutes ago, noharleyyet said:

Haha, you made me look...totally get it flattie. 

I'm not certain guns are supposed to be that way, or that it would look better.    I'm absolutely certain I've never aligned any of mine.   

[noharleyyet 2838]

Top lever is the machinist's build. He made the stock. 

 

[BabaYaga 15290]

On 9/20/2022 at 10:37 AM, noharleyyet said:

Top lever is the machinist's build. He made the stock. 

 

Needs a sidearm to go with it.  Looks fun....

[Handcruser 2805]

Combat armory billet lower/upper sets.

Thank me later.

[Reagan1k 3024]

On 9/21/2022 at 10:39 PM, Handcruser said:

Combat armory billet lower/upper sets.

Thank me later.

I'm intrigued at first glance and looking at some of those prices.  Is that for real on their billet pricing?

[Reagan1k 3024]

New pills for aoudad control.

[Handcruser 2805]

New pills for aoudad control.

Well is it 308 or 7.82?

[Parliament 14257]

From the pull of the trigger, roughly 24 seconds elapsed before forward spotters heard the telltale plunk of a 422-grain copper bullet piercing the thin metal target.

The shooter was 4.4 miles away, a distance so great, the Earth’s rotation came into play.

It was a new world record for a rifle shot, set by the Jackson-based Nomad Rifleman team led by Schott Austin and Shepard Humphries. The shot was made with a custom-built rifle chambered for the .416 Barrett cartridge.

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/09/20/at-4-4-miles-wyoming-team-sets-new-rifle-shot-world-record/