doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cheap Thrills

I picked up my Miroku made Westernfield 326 EMJ at a pawn shop. Traded even for it for an old Ruger P95 I had that was worth, -maybe- $300 at most. It's a BLNE 20 bore, 28" barrels, fixed M/F with double triggers. It's a slick shooter. I love it to death. It has killed many doves and quail in recent years.

That was definitely a cheap thrill for me.

I was at the local garbage dump about 30 years ago when a neighbor arrived. He was getting ready to throw a ratty looking MAS 1936 rifle into the pit when I asked if I could have it. Lotsa elbow grease and a new buttplate put it back into action. It was a sporter that was marketed back in the '50s, but I cannot recall the name. I have seen similar guns marked with the name, but mine isn't. It shoots quite well!

First thing that comes to mind is my latest cheap thrill. I won an auction back in February, I think, for a 32" Montgomery Ward New Leader double, 12 ga., for a whoppin' $255.00. Very good condition, good triggers (surprisingly), perfectly regulated (surprisingly), and very good original oil finish. Someone put two "ivory" beads on her (hey, maybe you CAN make a silk purse out of a sow's ear). Has an unusual old recoil pad on it with pheasants all over the butt.

Rides with me in the pickup every day on the farm, and in the tractors and hi-boy when I'm on them. It has sounded the death knell for a good many crows already. No buyer's regret with that one!!

Stan

For me, it's hard to love an expensive gun, not that I have much experience with it. It's kinda like an expensive lady...you can admire her, respect her, maybe make love in a self-conscious and stitled way. But for a good time, a GREAT time, give me a waitress and a 12 pack of PBR.

My forays into FEDs have left me disappointed. I always bought turn-of-the-century English stuff, and found them to be money and maintenance pits. After reading about Weiand's Hussey in the last Shooting Sportsman, (mine weren't THAT bad, by the way) I know I am not alone, anyway.
I did win an auction for a Falcon 1302, built in the 1970s by Ugartechea. Similar to a model 30, but, built with a well fitted hidden third fastener, I suppose because it is proofed for 3" ammunition. $379 with a 20 spot thrown in for shipping. Shot very little, and I originally intended for it to ride shotgun in the shooting brake, but, it is just too good for that-off at Cole Haugh's Custom Gun for choke relief, bending, a new pad and some stock refinishing as we speak. Might as well have it fit, and it should still total a good bit less than 1K when completed. The lack of pedigree is pretty obvious looking at the exterior barrel striking, but, damn if those Spaniards didn't get the inside of the tubes just flawless, and properly regulated, too.
Pretty sure I couldn't duplicate it, especially with my lefty stock fitting requirements, for the money it will take to do it.
Cheap thrill for sure.

Best,
Ted

Going through the book, under $300
Win. M52 target gun barreled action, free.
Stevens 5000 12ga. VG $125
Stevens 5100, 16ga, EX, $100
Uberti Colt Walker, NIB, $125
Lefever NS, 12 ga. Mongomery Wards Western Field, EX $205
Rem. M-30SL EX $275
Savage 99RS VG w/ G&H side mount & Kollmorgan scope $275
Rem. M17 2 barrel set, refinished, $275

Then there's FED that cost me $100 to buy and ended up a $5000 BLNE when I was done. As close as I will come to a bespoke gun...

I am an addict to the cheap thrill. Last year I got a 1910 LC Smith 12 gauge 00grade for $186 off Gunbroker. Unaltered 30" barrels, tight as the bark on a tree. It had "safety issues" that were due to incorrect reassembly. It took 5 minutes to fix. That gun is possessed with killing birds. It practically hunts by itself. The bores are clean, the case coloring is gone. The wood is perfect. I love it.

Then I got in on the wave of inexpensive spanish doubles with an extinct makers 12 gauge boxlock for $200. It has everything I love in a gun and it shoots where I'm looking. It has some fine surface pitting but the bores are mirror. English stocked, decent checkering, great wood to metal fit, DT, splinter.

In the final paroxysm of buying I picked up an AYA #4 with beautiful wood for $285. It has external wear and blemishes, but the bores are mirror and the lockup great. It is what a fine AYA is supposed to be. I had to stop because I couldn't shoot them all. I took the AYA out for dove and shot 75% with it.

Rob.

English guns are like anything else you got to know how to spot a good one or you'll get an expensive thrill like you did.
I shoot old English SxS's weekly without a hitch.

Homelessj0e, you are an amazing man !!

Two weeks ago on a Wed. I bought 2 16 SxSs, total spent $700. One is a very nice old French Guild with 2 9/16ths chambers and the other a Long Range Arms in 90% condition. I think the most I've spent on a shotgun this year was 1K and I bought 7 or 8 this year. I'm happy with them all and that's all that matters.