Guns you wish you still had

I had a Mossberg bolt action 20 gauge with a polychoke back when I was a teenager.
Killed my first grouse, squirrels and rabbits with that gun. Threw slugs extremely well even though i never killed a deer with it.
Traded it in for a 870 Express the first year they came out. Regretted it ever since, I couldn't shoot that Express worth a damn.
 
I've been pretty fortunate over the years, I still have my first guns, Remington Nylon 66 .22cal, Ithaca model 37 20ga, and Ruger 44 mag carbine. I have sold a few that I killed lots of game with but nothing that I felt I needed back. I did sell three rifles due to financial reasons that I would like hold again, a Ruger 44 carbine "Deer Slayer" model, A Remington pump 35 whelen and a Sauer model 200 .270 that was unfired. I would really like to see those guns again, but I'm happy with all that I have too.
 
A bunch. However there two that stand out. One was A Bespoken Arrizabalaga made for T R the 3rd, 12 bore Live Bird gun. I won a little money in the pigeon ring , shot a lot of doves and many wildfowl with it. The other a W. C. Scott 10 bore 32 in. that was a joy to shoot. It also took it share of fowl. If I could find them I would give a Kings ransom for them. But so it goes. Cheers.
 
Phil

Sorry you had to sell your Browning, I know the feeling. Things happen in life,family comes first. So you have to do what you think is right. You always have the past to look back on.
 
Troy

That 44 I bet was sweet. I'm very happy with all of the guns I have. But I do wish I could of got one or two back. We are all lucky PEOPLE .
 
Just read this and it reminded me of the same Mossberg bolt action but in 16ga. First shotgun I ever shot and kicked like a mule! Somehow a brother-in-law traded a sorry excuse of a pistol to him for the Mossberg and then turned around and pawned it at some shop. He wasn't much of a relative in my book!
 
Every time I see Anthony's photo with his Moosberg it reminds me of a high school, late season hunt. I believe it was a group of six in two boats. We were heading to a breakwater at the mouth of the Connecticut River, having to follow a barge out to break the ice ahead of us. In those days, there was actually solid ice during the season and barges/tankers carried oil up to Hartford. Conditions were perfect for a good day and we had a new hunter along, on what I recall was his first time.

Upon arrival at the wall we unload some gear and a couple of hunters so we can rig out without climbing over each other. As the guns are being transferred to the wall, although they are all cased, one gets dropped to the sound of a nice crack. I knew it wasn't mine, and a couple of the other guys start ribbing the new guy, who was obviously the victim. Nothing like high-school age kids, like the old saying goes, when something bad happens half the people don't care and the other half are glad it happened to you and not them.

When we get situated, it's a perfectly clear, cold day with the wind at our back. A dream day. Out come the guns, the new guy has a bolt action (maybe Mossberg but not sure) with what's now a two piece stock. The stock split from the buttplate to the trigger guard leaving a potentially lethal spear to absord recoil.

Choices needed to be made, maybe take him back in and get another gun, but too late-the ice has closed up again so we're staying awhile. We decide his best bet is to take a boat cushion, lash it to his shoulder, and use that to take the recoil. Somehow it worked and the guy wasn't harpooned to death but the cushion was destroyed. Great day for all with lots of birds, the new guy was hooked and had himself a new gun in a couple of days.

I miss being a kid. [smile]
 
SJ -

Now that is one helluva good story!

It seems like whenever "Bolt Action Long Barrel Shoot Guns" are in the waterfowing mix, there are always memories. In more ways than one, they never cease to deliver.

I miss being a kid also, but doubt I would live through it again...[;)][smile]


Best regards
Vince
 
Glad you enjoyed it Vince. It's a wonder we lived through the teen years. [;)] I keep thinking I may have posted that story before, but it pops into my head whenever I see Anthony's bolt gun. Old guy syndrome.
 
Never owned it but the English sxs 410 hammer gun I used for my first duck opener would be one I would love to own, it was loaned to me for opener by my old neighbor (a Fishery and Wildlife officer) as the single shot bolt action my dad had was a 2-!/2 chamber and the sxs was a 3" chamber. The other would be a 28ga Winchester 101 or Nekko golden eagle with IC/Mod or win chokes
 
Awesome thread!!


In college I bought an American Arms side x side 10 gauge with double triggers from my roommate. At the time there weren't good choke tubes available so I bought an extra set of full choke tubes and had my buddy open them up for steel shot. That thing was DEADLY on decoying geese, usually mowing down 2-3 at a time. For spring gobblers I'd have the extra full choke in one barrel and improved in the other, so I'd have my choice depending on how close he came in. I traded it in for something stupid that I don't even remember. Kick myself every time I think of it, or every time I miss a gobbler!! I've looked a couple times for one, but they're now like $1k and really hard to find.
 
Vince

Being a kid again would be great. But only if we could be a kid again back in the day! I think. When we grew up!. Times were better I feel for the youth. Where going hunting with your dad was a big deal. Playing outside was all we knew. Most kids now days have it to easy if you ask me. Not talking about about kids that are poor or sick. But the average Joe or Jane. The stories we read everyday on here are mostly from days gone by. Its great when we read of a young father building a duck blind with his son . And even better when we see pictures of a Mom or Dad taking their children hunting. Being a kid again would be great. But its stories coming from you guys that makes the kids want to be like us. Enjoy who we are and what we seen. Be careful what we wish for. Nothings better then the first time around.
 
Kirk

That my friend is a great gun. My buddy had the same gun. He wanted to sell it to me years ago. But like most things the money wasn't there back them. Kick your self once for me. Because I still kick me for not buying that double barrel. Sorry you couldn't find another one. Thanks
 
Back
Top