I wanted to address Cal's point on another thread about older guns being his preference. They certainly are my only choices today. About 10 or more years ago, I quit buying new guns and went straight to the used gun racks. The older guns tend to have better workmanship, nicer stocks and are more affordable. They were not encumbered with all kinds of silly locks and redundant safeties. Just the iddle thoughts of an idle fellow. All the best...
Gil

I like to look at used firearms ,some time one can find a good buy, but there are some real dogs ,like some of the ones I got rid of.

I check the used guns out very carefully before I buy them. To date, I have not been disappointed. The shops I deal with have an unconditional return policy. All the best...
Gil

At the risk of sounding like an old fogey, I honestly believe the rifles from the 70s and 80s were better built and more accurate as well in spite of the claims made by todays gun writers. I have five older Remington varmint rifles, and I'd match them against anything coming from Remington today, or any other U.S. manufacturer for accuracy. Savage might be an exception here. It seems the best factory rifles today may well be coming from Sako and Tikka. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I too always check the used gun section in every shop I go into.
I am just a sucker for an old dog. Sometimes you can get a really good deal on an old gun that is not very pretty. You just have to know what you are doing and what you are buying. No one can force you to buy a gun, so unless it is totally misrepresented don't go back to the shop and complain, you bought it live with it.

You know, another thing worth considering is all the rifles going to gunshops to sell on consignment. We're an aging population now, and as we die off the widows don't usually want guns around the house, and rather than place an ad in the newspapers which might inform the wrong people she has guns at home she'll call a gun shop and solve her problem that way. I've purchased a couple of sweetheart rifles in the last couple of years from consignment and estate sales. Both were pretty good bargains. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

The best factory rifles are no more coming from Sako or Tikka.

So K.W., you believe Sako and Tikka rifle quality has done down. That's a shame considering the great reputation that rifles from Finland have enjoyed in North America.

What aspects of their quality are less?
What about their accuracy, their bedding/stocks, their triggers?

I think that two of the reasons that the older (40s through 80s) firearms are a little better than todays are lower operating costs in earlier years and much less danger of litigation. Most of today's firearms are "lawyer-proofed" to the point of being nearly inoperable. Only recently have rifles been offered with triggers that can once again be adjusted.

Baretta's purchase of them and the problems since.

This thread reminded me about Cal being gone.

Dimitri

Hmmm . . . older guns, huh?

My most recent addition is a 1960 Trooper 38 Special 4". 75% blue, but, totally tight lockup. It shoots great! This is the adjustable sight version. It had a little surface rust that came off easily and the single action is a crisp 3.5lbs. These are inexpensive on the used market but destined to increase in value in the coming years.

The Trooper series shared the same frame size as the Python. I have an extra set of Python grips and they fit fine, replacing the worn originals. Troopers in Mark III and Mark V, along with Diamondbacks, Anacondas and anything else that Colt produced prior to 1969 are good choices for excellent shooting handguns.

Dimitri wrote:

This thread reminded me about Cal being gone. Dimitri

I was just thinking the exact same thing. Cal was a good fella and its seems I ran into him often on different forums.

Hi Guys, new to the board. I have to agree, I love the old stuff Too. There is something about going through the used gun section , you just never know what your going to find.

newenglandjim,
Welcome to the Forum. I always visit the used gun racks and have often been pleasantly surprised. All the best...
Gil