Actually I have three that surprised me. First, I couldn't bring myself to shoot my now very expensive, pristine high wood 1943 NPM M1 Carbine I've had for 35 years any more. Problem is, I really enjoy shooting the little carbines so I broke out some cash and bought a brand new AO M1 Carbine rather than a tired GI original as a shooter. I went with an AO over a GI because I can shoot this as much as I want and not worry about destroying a relic.
After I added a type II rear sight, it turned out to be a great little shooter, very accurate for a M1 Carbine (2" at 100yds), and has held up well so far with over 1,100 rds through it. I'm tickled to death with it as it's much more accurate than my NPM or any other GI carbine I've ever shot which makes it a great plinker and varmint shooter too. Heck, I shoot it out past 200 yds at bowling pins. Besides, the wife loves shooting it so we're both happy.
Second, I decided that I needed a 30-30 but am not a Marlin fan and wanted something different than a tired Winchester or super expensive Japchester. On a whim, I picked up a Mossberg 464 walnut pistol grip stock version and I have to say that I'm impressed with it. Plenty accurate, shoulders well with a decent trigger (for a new levergun), good set of sights, and so far no issues at all with just over 230rds through it.
Third, and by far the best of all was I finally acquired a rifle I've been wanting for over 20 years, a Winchester Model 88. I've seen many in my time but they all were too worn and too expensive for my taste. Recently, a friend told a recent widow he new about my search as her late husband had a decent cache. She invited me over and I told her about my quest. She opened his safe, and there in the back was a vision. An unfired, 1959 Winchester Model 88 in .308 she had given him for Christmas that year.
She said he put it in the back of the safe until he could set it up for elk but never quite got around to it. Her price to me was very reasonable as she said it should go to someone who really appreciated it so I immediately accepted her offer. Here it is rock stock with a factory installed Winchester recoil pad but no box or paperwork just after I brought it home. It's a vision of beauty with excellent wood and best of all, it's mine!
I found a period correct Redfield base and rings and got one of their new 3-9x40 Revolution scopes as it looked close to a period correct 4x40 but gave these 65 yr old eyes some extra help. Anyway, with an old cobra sling I'd had for forever, I set it up for elk hunting.
Model 88s are reported to be sharp kickers and with their light weight 22" barrels, many claim that they just can't group well. I'm delighted to say that I found it to be a pleasure to shoot with the Winchester recoil pad installed and during my final sight in shooting session, it produced excellent groups for my level of shooting ability (my astigmatism causes me to shoot horizontally strung groups). I couldn't be more happy with it.
All in all, it's been a great year!!!
After I added a type II rear sight, it turned out to be a great little shooter, very accurate for a M1 Carbine (2" at 100yds), and has held up well so far with over 1,100 rds through it. I'm tickled to death with it as it's much more accurate than my NPM or any other GI carbine I've ever shot which makes it a great plinker and varmint shooter too. Heck, I shoot it out past 200 yds at bowling pins. Besides, the wife loves shooting it so we're both happy.
Second, I decided that I needed a 30-30 but am not a Marlin fan and wanted something different than a tired Winchester or super expensive Japchester. On a whim, I picked up a Mossberg 464 walnut pistol grip stock version and I have to say that I'm impressed with it. Plenty accurate, shoulders well with a decent trigger (for a new levergun), good set of sights, and so far no issues at all with just over 230rds through it.
Third, and by far the best of all was I finally acquired a rifle I've been wanting for over 20 years, a Winchester Model 88. I've seen many in my time but they all were too worn and too expensive for my taste. Recently, a friend told a recent widow he new about my search as her late husband had a decent cache. She invited me over and I told her about my quest. She opened his safe, and there in the back was a vision. An unfired, 1959 Winchester Model 88 in .308 she had given him for Christmas that year.
She said he put it in the back of the safe until he could set it up for elk but never quite got around to it. Her price to me was very reasonable as she said it should go to someone who really appreciated it so I immediately accepted her offer. Here it is rock stock with a factory installed Winchester recoil pad but no box or paperwork just after I brought it home. It's a vision of beauty with excellent wood and best of all, it's mine!
I found a period correct Redfield base and rings and got one of their new 3-9x40 Revolution scopes as it looked close to a period correct 4x40 but gave these 65 yr old eyes some extra help. Anyway, with an old cobra sling I'd had for forever, I set it up for elk hunting.
Model 88s are reported to be sharp kickers and with their light weight 22" barrels, many claim that they just can't group well. I'm delighted to say that I found it to be a pleasure to shoot with the Winchester recoil pad installed and during my final sight in shooting session, it produced excellent groups for my level of shooting ability (my astigmatism causes me to shoot horizontally strung groups). I couldn't be more happy with it.
All in all, it's been a great year!!!
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