That One rifle you wished you had back.

I had a Browning Lever action in .22lr that I traded for a couple fishing reels and a live bait system for a boat I had at that time. The wood was gorgeous and the action smooth as silk. I was doing more fishing than shooting then...
 
I wish I had kept the first rifle I "built"... an all original 1903 Springfield 03A3 that I found at a pawn shop for the outrageous price of $90 (in 1971). Had a gunsmith alter the bolt and drill and tap, reblue, and I did a semi-inletted stock for it that turned out almost flawless (beginner's luck). I don't think I've ever felt a slicker bolt action than that one. I'm sure they're out there, but that one did it for me... shoulda kept it.
 
More than one, unfortunately. The ones I miss and foolishly got rid of include a .22rf Winchester Model 69, a Remington Model 788, chambered in .243 and a Winchester Model 100, chambered in .308. On the positive side, I usually keep what I get and I've got quite a few. :)
 
I have a 9422 but in a long rifle I can see why you miss it. but the one gun I miss was a bolt action 410 that was my grandpa that he gave me 10 years ago and I used to hunt ever thing form squares to crows. It was stolen out of my grandfathers garage where I left it to shoot crows out of the pecan tree.:( dont even know that manufacture made it or i would buy another
 
I wasn't even going to mention my earlier mistake because it makes me sad, It was a Remington 700, in .300 WSM, black laminated stock in stainless with the matching rings and topped with a Leopold 4-9x50, the most expensive scope I ever bought--very accurate and the finish was flawless---the most beautiful gun I ever owned, but a retired dentist kept plunking down hundred dollar bills until I couldn't say no-----I'll regret selling that gun for a long time ---------- John
PS A few months later, his son took it out to Montana and shot an Elk with it
 
The one I miss the most is an Underwood M1 carbine. I had two stocks, the regular wood stock and a paratrooper folding stock. Also had the bayonet and sling and oiler. I had magazines from 5 to 60 rounds. I bought it from a lieutenant on the Lexington, KY police force. He had bought it through the DCM. He said that it appeared to have never been fired when he got it. He fired it once.....through his living room floor. After that his wife insisted that he get rid of it. From him I got a bunch of 15 round mags and several 30's. He had taken the springs out of two 30's and welded them back to back, then reassembled them to make a 60 (flip it over). After I got it I ordered two five round mags from a commercial source. I have read that M1 carbines aren't particularly accurate. This one was. I once picked off a crow at 90 yards with it. Slid the sight to the second notch and hit the crow exactly where I aimed.

This was about 40 years ago. I was young and foolish and needed money and sold it.
 
I sold a 1997 Remington 700 ADL 30-06 with synthetic stock and blind magazine in 2011 to help pay for a Remington Model Seven in 7MM-08. My 700 shot just over an inch at 100 yds with inexpensive factory ammo (truth told, with a better shot she probably would have printed an inch) and never failed to function. In contrast, my Seven had to go back to the factory with headspace issues and the finish would rust if there was any moisture in the air. I should have never made that switch.
 
A Model 70 in .338 for $300 new and sold for $300. I never shot it so sold NIB. It was late 80's - early 90's rifle so the workmanship of the wood was a tad sloppy but I still wish. That is the only rifle I ever sold.
 
Ruger 96/17. A leveraction in 17hmr with a detachable box mag and an internal bolt. Gun was very accurate, compact, quick handing and reliable. I sold it for what I paid for it. They go for twice that now.
 
Two of them. A pre 64 Winchester in .32 Special and a Savage 99 in .308. Two of the dumbest deals I've ever done. Don't even remember what I got in replacement.
 
For me, I wished I still had my Savage Model 110 fp 7mm Mag with heavy barrel. That rifle was awesome! Slightly on the heavy side but man did it shoot well. But, as life would have it, I was young, dumb and needed money so I sold it. Worst mistake I ever made (regarding selling something I owned). I also had an old Ithaca lever action .22 that I wished I still had for my kids to use.
 
Man, that’s an easy one,,, two.
HK91 and a 93. Sold them in the early 80’s to get money up to buy my first house.
 
A Yugo Mauser 24/47?, I don't remember exactly which but it was in great shape, shot well and smelled better than any firearm I've ever had. I don't know what kind of oil soaked up in that wood, but it smelled great. I traded it and a Mosin + ammo for a Marlin 1894 in 45 Colt. I didn't have money to buy the rifle outright at the time and I still feel like it was the right thing to do... but I do miss that Mauser. I love the Marlin though, so I don't lose much sleep over it.
 
I had a Remington 740 Woodsmaster 30-06 my father bought me when I was a 17. I ended up pawning it back when I had a drug problem and I never got it back. It wasn't a particularly great rifle and it jammed quite often, but it had sentimental value and now that my father has passed away I feel really bad about pawning it.
 
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