Many are attracted to the older firearms and tend to visit store after store or search the Internet in their quest for Colt or Smiths or anything pre-64 and others. Me, too.

Craftsmanship may be one of the big reasons. Over the past few decades manufacturers have resorted to cost cutting wherever possible while still delivering good dollar values. In fact, tolerances have tightened with the new machining techniques. That said, free floatng barrels, stainless steel and synthetics have been promoted by gun rags as good, if not essential, elements of "improved" firearms. Polymer frames have come to dominate the pistol market and that finely polished and blued revolver is seldom to be found amongst what is being offered. Still, I search for the older guns and acquire them as I can, not to be collected, but to be used and enjoyed. For me it is pride of ownership that directs me to the older firearms when I hunt.

When I saw the old Model 99, 300 Savage, takedown adorned with an ancient Weaver 440 tapered post, I had to look at the price tag. Immediately I plunked down the asking price of $335. Its an 80% rifle that exhibits honest useage but no abuse. Rifling is sharp and bright. I shot it with some handloads and it stays 1.5MOA, 5/100, good enough for any hunting situation. I like that old brass rotarty magazines and cartridge counter window. I simply enjoy looking at it and am aware that this rifle was easily available to most hunters in their days of production.

I'm a sucker for old Smiths as well. Pre Models in particular. Once in awhile there is one with a submarket price and it follows me home. Most recently, I found a four screw 44 Magnum in great shape and traded a more recent version for it. And some cash. Still, I keep searching for a Triple Lock, hope against hope.

The new Model 70s are absolutely the best I've seen from USRAC/FN and I will probably acquire one. The new Featherweight with SS fluted barrel and kevlar/carbon stock has one of the best triggers I have ever felt on a sporting rifle. And, it has a good feel and balance. Still, I'll take the FW pre-64 270 when hunting time comes around, confident it will continue to rack up kills as good as it has over the years.

Eventually we die and those rifles and handguns and elegants shotguns of yesteryear will be parcelled out to others, our custodianship of them finished. Fortunately, of my 16 grandkids, most are involved in the shooting sports or hunting and all have an interest in inheriting some of the ones I've used and enjoyed. I hope they don't get them too soon. Until then the quest continues.

I agree. The older guns get my attention and you are right on. All the best...
Gil

Here's one that I have been assigned the task of selling for my grandpa. It is a Pre 27 model N frame, fully factory engraved. You are more than welcome to click the link below the picture to peruse through over 80 more pictures of the gun.

s73.photobucket.com/al...ecaraudio/

Handloader...like you, I very much like the older things (damn, don't tell the missus that) for all of the reasons that you mention plus one other... plain simple nostalgia...they bring back comfortable and familar feelings of our younger days, a bit like the blanket that Grandma crotecheted for ya when you were a youngun'.

Hang onto that revolver Cody....I reckon in years to come it will be worth a helluva lot more than it is now mate. Then again, maybe Handloader might want to "look" at it.

Cheers, Vince

I agree with Vince Cody, hang on the gun, unless you are desparately needing the money.
They just dont make them that way no more.

That is a work of art !

It's my grandpa's gun, and he needs money for medical expenses. I would love for him to keep it, and I would inherit it one day, but it's not looking like that's going to happen.

I like WW2 era Mausers (96, 98), and a pre 64 Mod 70's bolt is slick as a hot knife through warm butter.

In revolvers I like 1858 New Army.

Show me an old Lever Gun, or even a new Lever, and I get all excited.
I was brought up with Levers, and they still get me interested when I see them on the rack.

Eric

You excited yet, Elyboy???

Send it up my way Bushy, and I'll find a good home for it.

Eric

Yeh...I bet you would...

That's a 42 year old Colt above it...That should really excite you...

Went down to my RSL (Returned Services League) Club the other night for my birthday and had these fine firearms as the backdrop to our table.

They bookcase contains a display of firearms used by the Australian Army over the last century.

The single rifle is a .303 Lee Enfield, chromed and refinished, baynet fitted and "stuck" in a piece of granite, with the words Lest We Forget, as a memorial to the Fallen.

Enjoy.

Cheers, Vince

I got 2 older firearms, I know one was produced in 1950 (ie its 58 years old! ) , the other is older then me by atleast a decade maybe more.

My newest gun was developed, trialled and standardized by the US military back in 1957.

So does that count as old ??

Dimitri

My oldest gun is a S&W Model 1 1/2, .32 S&W top-break revolver. According to S&W it was made in 1878. Yes, I did have to shoot it at least once.