Firearms - traditional vs new (NGC)

[Gliderjohn]

The thread on the Sig pistol motivated me to post this.
Pictured is a Winchester customized Highwall. The design dates back to 1885 and was designed by Browning. I really enjoy this rifle and someone spent serious bucks to get it like this (not me). Caliber is a wildcat, .219 Donaldson-Wasp. It will consistently shoot 3/4" groups at 100 meters. The action is butter smooth and with double set trigger the set trigger weight is ounces, not pounds. It is a joy to shoot. That being said I also have a late model Savage 110 in .243 which cost around $400 and will match the accuracy. Modern machine work provides amazing results for the money.

GliderJohn

[wymple]

I have a .243 Savage Model 14 that I have about 7 bills in, with the scope. Looks really nice and as deadly as the shooter. My .270 Mossberg 4x4 shoots equally well, and fits me best. Sub 500 dollar purchase brand new. Either is easily matched by my old 22-.250 Mossberg 800 with it's bull bbl. It was a cheap gun in 1973. I don't think money is the bottom line anymore.

[Farmer Dan]

Most accurate gun I have is a Savage 110-L in .30-06  can hit a dime at 400 yards.  If I want something fun to shoot I get out my .36cal pepperbox. Well maybe the .69 muzzle loader pistol is a lot of fun too.  Either way old guns are awesome!

[rodekyll]

I'm more of a traditionalist in both design and materials.  The only autoloading long gun I own is a .223 mini-14 ranch rifle -- excellent utility piece, and responsible for a lot of winter eating.  It's about half a toy -- I have the cute stocks and drum/swoopy magazines to make it look like an assault weapon, but dress it up and put sparkles on it, it's still just a varmiter.  All my other long guns are either single shot of some description or bolt/lever action.  I'm a big fan of the pump shotgun with BPS and Ithaca at the head of the line.  For rabbits and ptarmigan my model 24V in .22/20ga is the cat's meow.

I've got autoloading handguns, but with the exceptions of a 1911 Gold Cup and a Springfield 1911 officer's "star" they're just trading stock taking up room in the safe.  I can't get my head (much less my hand) around a double-stack 9mm, Glocks are distinctive but butt-pretty, and I think polymer is as silly on a gun as it is on a bike.  I do like a stainless piece.

OTOH, I don't think there's a wheel gun in my inventory that's not a high-quality classic revolver -- A K22 Combat Masterpiece, Python, Anaconda SS, 629, super Blackhawk, etc.  I enjoy the feeling of well made machinery as much as I do shooting them.  The exception is a S&W K-frame model 10.  It was the service revolver of a LEO friend who gave it to me when he retired.  It has fixed sights, 4" barrel, and has been fires so many times the action has tuned itself.  Inside 50' everything it points at goes away.

I reload all my centerfire cartridges.

[LowRyter]

Browning Sweet 16

[JoeB]

Over the years I've enjoyed trying to make the rifles I've acquired more accurate. From tuning to loading some have been a real challenge. Awhile back an AR stripped lower came my way. Took over a year to complete the build by adding parts I found here and there for the right price. Being a Guzzi owner this means heavily discounted on sale or free. Doing nothing special with ammo other than matching twist rate of barrel the sucker was moa first session. Didn't know if I should laugh or cry.

[frans belgium]

On my last visit to the States, 2 years ago, I noticed a shelf with some lovely little pink guns in the Wall Mart, they would have looke great on my granddaughter.

[boatdetective]

My natural inclination is to go with tradition and craftsmanship. I bought a Colt Officer's model 22 revolver last year when it popped up locally. Built pre war and all parts hand fitted. Phenomenally smooth action. It's also sad that there is no one at Colt today who could build this gun.  I also have a penchant for S&W revolvers. Mechanically, they are much easier to work on and tune for accuracy than the Colt system. I found a K frame model 66 in SS with a  4" barrel. Really wonderful piece of classic American machine work. I had been on the hunt for a 686, but now am glad to have the K frame. The weight and balance are great and it's not as much of a big lug as the L.

All that being said, I now appreciate some of the polymer frames for what they are. As noted, when properly dialed in, modern CNC tools can produce remarkably consistent parts to tremendously close tolerances. My VP-9 is not a cheap piece of mass produced shyte. Judging by all reports, it's also 100% reliable and will cycle anything. Granted, it's got zero "craft". However, it's still something that can be appreciated for what it is.

[guzzimike]

I got into firearms for the same reason I got into motorcycles. They are mechanical entities designed and streamline-built  to optimize their purpose for existence with practicality and efficiency. There is beauty, balance, art and complex engineering working in concert when one examines a fine Motorcycle as well as when I contemplate a classic firearm. Whether they be vintage or new is of little consequence to me. When its right, you know it.

Because of this, my own guns run a non specific range. In handguns, I prefer revolvers to autoloaders, but somehow I have more  Autos than six-shooters. A S&W 586 and Dan Wesson .44mag are it for those.

A BHP , Gen2 / G19 < both 9mm> ; PPK/s < 380 > and IAI Long Slide 1911 in 10mm are my existing autoloaders, soon to be joined by the Sig SP2022 < 9mm>

Long guns are a bolt action Savage 10PC ( .308 ) and a couple of AKMs in 7.62 X 39. Also one Franchi LAW12, autoloader 12 Ga.


Sadly, as a result of a tragic canoe accident, those 3 long guns now rest at the bottom of Lake Titicaca, . I was  in Peru recently, on a sanctioned Field Trip, researching the elusive Altiplano Carnivorous Butterflies... 

 

On a different subject, regarding Traditional firearms..

Lately, I have been thinking seriously of kit-building one of these:

1851 Navy Revolver in .36cal - This is the Black Powder revolver with the Hexagonal barrel.




I've always liked the distinctive lines of this revolver...






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[Chuck in Indiana]

As with bikes, I'm an antiquer. Make mine out of steel and wood. Don't need no steenkin plastic.  Yeah, I'm fully aware that modern manufacturing methods can turn out really nice stuff relatively inexpensively.
I, too, enjoy the mechanical complexity.. fit and finish, etc. same as with a motorcycle.

[charlie b]

I've owned or shot too many different guns to count.

Yep, I like traditional and yep, I like modern.  But, I only own guns that I shoot a lot.  That means quite a few have been sold over the years cause I just could not do them justice with range time.  Mostly applies to long guns.  Why have a 1000yd gun when I don't get to a range that is more than 100yd?  To me it's like having a RSV4 and only being able to ride it on crowded city streets.

I did black powder for a while, muzzle load and cartridge.  Even 'built' a few.  Not much interested anymore.

I have only owned a few guns that I just did not like.  They were quickly sold.  Others I have held onto for a while until I stopped shooting them.

How many are 'traditional' vs modern?  Unless you consider the little Ruger SP101 modern, then only one, a Springfield XD.  The rest are old, including one that is over 100yrs old, the 1896 Mauser pistol (and it belongs to my wife :)  ).

A friend got a Tavor last year.  That is one I could come to love.  But, I also liked the Steyr AUG and P90.  Only cost has kept me from owning any of them.

[Dilliw]

I like the old stuff but I don't shoot it much.  I have an old Remington Rolling Block (1897) but the trigger pull on it is a bear.  Shoot the 03a3 sometimes and it's just as good as anything new. 

For pistols if I go to the range I'm going to take my P35.  It just feels right.

[StuCorpe]

I have 3 different blackpowder "kit" guns that I have built up. A .36 confederate Colt, a .44 Colt Navy and a New Orleans Ace. All 3 are a lot of fun to shoot at the range and usually draw a few spectators while shooting them.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I did black powder for a while, muzzle load and cartridge.  Even 'built' a few.  Not much interested anymore.

Yeah, me, too. Bench rest with a big octagon barrel, and off hand pistol. Just lost interest.. too many other toys to play with, but still have a Ruger Remington Old Army revolver replica. That is a really nice shooting piece. Just too much trouble molding round balls,cleaning, etc. I've thought about converting it to 45LC, and I may yet.

[GearheadGrrrl]

If you guys spent less money on guns... You could afford more newer motorcycles!

[rboe]

While I like a good looking gun, I prefer one that can shoot. If it ain't accurate I'm just not that into it. That said, I also can not warm up most of the plastic guns out there. But I see there place and the new generation of shooters won't have a problem with them. sigh.

[boatdetective]

If you guys spent less money on guns... You could afford more newer motorcycles!

Moderation in all things. The well rounded person has a prudent selection of guns, watches, tools, and motorcycles.

[segesta]

Moderation in all things. The well rounded person has a prudent selection of guns, watches, tools, and motorcycles.

Which is why I'm selling my Monster to fund a Jaeger-LeCoultre. 

[charlie b]

Moderation in all things. The well rounded person has a prudent selection of guns, watches, tools, and motorcycles.

Yep.  One motorcycle is all I can handle right now and I have the one I want for now.

Don't wear watches.  Use my phone.  Oops, that puts me in the modern vs traditional I guess :)  I do own (inherited) an Omega.  Sits in a drawer unless my son wants it.

Tools I am reducing to what I use (kinda like guns).  Sold off the big machines and got rid of all my duplicate sets of wrenches, screwdrivers and such (I 'only' had 5 sets of wrenches and 6 sets of screwdrivers :)  ).  I did keep all of my 'cordless' tools.  Brace and bit, chest drill, planes, hand saws.  Hmmm, that puts me in the traditional side ?!?!?!

[Dilliw]

If you guys spent less money on guns... You could afford more newer motorcycles!

I don't spend money on guns but with the WWII generation passing I having to deal with more guns.  Every time an uncle or a father in law or a friend's parent passes I end up with a boat load of guns to get rid of.  Since I don't like selling them to people I don't know I end up keeping a few or giving them to the younger generation (but then I have to store them because they are in college or something). 

Some guns I've gone through in the past few years:
Winchester Model 99 "thumb gun"
Spencer carbine
Berthier 1907
Every kind of Mouser you can imagine
4 screw S&W 29 (got money for that one)
Colt Detectives
Winchester Centennial 66

They've got cool watches too.

In a country full of black and plastic guns it's kind of neat to get you hands on some of these.  Just wish the WWII folks would hang around a little longer. 

[Rich A]

I recently bought a Thompson Center Contender--a break action pistol made in the mid 70s. Very accurate. This for silhouette shooting.

Rich A

[segesta]

PS speaking of the WWII generation. I'm not a Gun Guy, though I own a Browning Buck Mark for target practice. Anyway, my grandfather's Colt Python .357 magnum ended up with me.

Good God, what a beautiful--and intimidating--gun. But it will likely stay in the safe until it too goes to my son. I wonder if anyone will ever shoot it?

[Penderic]

Prices used to be reasonable ... but back then I had no money. Please Mom!

 

[Dilliw]

PS speaking of the WWII generation. I'm not a Gun Guy, though I own a Browning Buck Mark for target practice. Anyway, my grandfather's Colt Python .357 magnum ended up with me.

Good God, what a beautiful--and intimidating--gun. But it will likely stay in the safe until it too goes to my son. I wonder if anyone will ever shoot it?

Awesome gun that I frame.  It would be a shame not to shoot it although I hate the sound of .357 mags and generally use the specials.

[rboe]

I recently bought a Thompson Center Contender--a break action pistol made in the mid 70s. Very accurate. This for silhouette shooting.

Rich A

Then check out this site. I'm considering having him do up a .22 mag barrel.

[Rich A]

Then check out this site. I'm considering having him do up a .22 mag barrel.

Uh, you forgot something.

I'm thinking of getting a .357 barrel for big-bore hunter pistol silhouette (do not like those damned chickens).

Rich A

[rodekyll]

???  Does he have to spell it all out for you?   

[Chuck in Indiana]

Awesome gun that I frame.  It would be a shame not to shoot it although I hate the sound of .357 mags and generally use the specials.

You aren't doing hearing protection?? 

[Dilliw]

You aren't doing hearing protection?? 

Even with my Silencios that "crack" that the .357 makes has always irritated me.  For me a 6" Model 57 is a better choice as a shooter.

[rodekyll]

The .357 is annoying when the guy next to you on the range is popping them off, but when I'm behind the muzzle it's the recoil rather than the noise that bothers me.  Worse with a .44mag, and worse yet as the barrel gets shorter.  I 'tune up' and pllink with light std loads and shift to magnums when I carry.  NB -- I always CC with factory loads.  Handloads are for off-road system and range use only.  If I do have to use the piece I don't want the opposing lawyer to say I was deliberately loaded with 'hot' rounds.  I prefer CC with some version of frangables or other 'LEO'-grade loads.  There is less trouble in the legalese if you can say "I'm having what  y'all are having.  . ."