A relative came by this morning wanting to borrow one of my small caliber guns for fun on the range. I had the perfect gun for him so I went to get it.

The problem is it was not where it should have been. I searched all my gun cabinets, safes, closets, desk, file cabinets and it is not here.

I let him have another gun and he left for the range. Then I went to my computer records and did an inventory of the guns. All handguns are in place except the one I loaned the relative and the missing .22, which happens to be a S&W.

Since I know the house has not had a burglary, I have not used the gun in over two years and have not loaned it out, I cannot figure what I should do. It has not been stolen that I can say for sure. It is not where I can locate it. But a missing gun is not funny either.

What should I do other than keep looking for it?

Better clean your house. You probley will find it and a couple more you forgot to enter in your records! You might also mow your back yard. Might find a 57 chev?

Did you check your range bag?

I've lost one or two over the years...usually just misplaced it.

I did lose a 20ga shotgun off the tractor a few years ago- I walked a 15 acre field looking for it for hours. I found it right behind where I parked the tractor.

If you are certain it isn't stolen or lost somewhere outside your home, there is no need to report it.

However, if there is a chance that it was lost outside the home, report it as "lost/stolen." If you find it, be certain to report that you have found it.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

I can sort of identify with you. Last week at the range, I reached in my bag for a Keltec P32 that I brought along (with 3 or 4 others) just to put a few rounds through it. I could not find that gun anywhere - I thought that I was crazy because I remember putting it there a few days before. When I got home, I went through all the safes & other bags and it was nowhere to be found. Finally, I emptied the bag that I had at the range again, and noticed one small zippered side pocket that was not undone and of course, there it was (these bags have lots of pockets and the P32 is so small that it didn't "print" at all.)

I would suggest that it is still somewhere in your house - relax for a few hours and methodically look more carefully in all the likely places. Maybe completely empty the safe(s) etc. With how careful you are (computerized lists etc) I would bet that it will turn up for you. Good luck!

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Lou

The range bag is empty.

Now if I find a 57 Chevy, it better be a black BelAir convertible with white interior. Been trying to buy one for the last five yrs but the seller wants too much money for it and I am a poor man.

Seeing as I know that guns reported lost are often found and then remain on the lost or stolen report, I am leary of reporting it. I am leaning toward a continued search for a week or so before doing anything. It is insured under my homeowners insurance rider but the deuctible on such a cheap gun is way more than the gun is worth. In fact the gun is not worth stealing even though it is in like new condition. I usually let new shooters that I take to the range with me use it until they get used to shooting but it has been two yrs since i remember doing that.

Well, you're doing the right thing by posting this because, as we all know, anything can be found on the internet!

Youse guys are too funny

Last time I looked, I had more guns than I thought.

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Sure you did

Everything but a S&W 422 and the stats on law enforcement I need.

Keep looking, I found two I had misplaced this weekend when I organized a closet. I was sure I had them, just wasn't sure where.

Hey, I only moved 18 months ago, whatya expect?

Being afflicted with old-timers disease, I can relate - I'd check coat pockets, and likely places where it may have not made it back to the safe the last time it was shot. Jackets or coats that get worn seasonally are great places to lose things.

Since I don't loan my wife, my guns, or my guitars, I would not forget loaning it to someone but I know of some folks who have done just that.

Unfortunately, I also knew a feller who had some family in to visit and one of his Colt 357's turned up missing later. Sad, but only you would know about that sort of thing.

And then there was the guy I knew who traded cars and remembered TWO MONTHS LATER that he'd left one under the seat. The new owners of the car didn't know a thing about it . . . .

Are you sure you didn't set it on top of the toilet paper dispenser in a restroom up in Alaska? It happens.

Rburg will tell you that if you know one is missing-you don't have enough!
I've had a few go missing for a few months and they've all turned up sooner or later.

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Forum consigliere

I hate admitting I lost anything because then my wife always finds it and laughs at me !!!

Do you want me to tell my wife what you lost? Heck, she will find it and give you a hard time for a few days but at least you will have your revolver back.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

I would loan my wife but cannot find anyone willing to put up for her for the little benefit they might receive every six months.

Guns are ok to loan to some. I figure if they do not have one, they should have.

I would not loan my Gibson flat top but I would love to watch someone play it that can.

Heck, I spent an hour looking for my glasses the other day. They were on the dashboard of my truck. I know that I looked in the truck at least twice. If you are a NRA member you may be covered.

The problem according to the one that lives here with me just to make my life miserable is I already own more guns than the National Guard.

I would have never missed this gun if I had not been going to loan it out.

I once thought I lost my sunglasses at the Home Depot store, which I had just come from. Drove all the way back then realized they were on my hat.

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Sure you did

Try a prayer to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost stuff. Tony, Tony, turn around; help me find what can't be found. It has worked for me.

I looked almost everywhere for a .22 rifle once. I even asked my neighbor and my brother if I gave it to them.
Two years later it turned up beween two studs in my gun room and I swore I looked there several times.
I hope your's shows up too sooner than mine did.

It will turn up eventually. Where and when is the question. I only paid $89 for it sixteen years ago. I tend to get upset when I find I am missing a gun. All my guns are accounted for other than that one gun but I am still looking.

But I have to ask, how did you let your gun get between two studs?

Quit looking for it. It will show up when you least expect it.

Did you hear about the guy whose genie wish was "I wish I were a stud?"

Poof! He ended up on a snow tire in Alaska.

You'll find it in the last place you look.

D.G.

I guess that sounded odd. My gun room is also the mechanical room and the back side of the finished basement's walls. I must have put the rifle between two open studs by the water heater and it got covered by an outdated world map mounted to a board.
I just knew I'd looked there or thought so before.

It is a cheapie Romanian surplus trainer ($50.00) and just no room in the supposedly 56 gun safe. It's still there as I just checked to be sure it didn't go lost again.

I keep buying safes because none of them ever hold what they say. But you gave me an idea about where to store some guns. All I have to do is remove some paneling temporarily.

I had one go missing for nearly 2 years. Its reappearance proves multiple dimensions exist, as it rematerialized in the gun safe where I had searched a dozen times....

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Same thing happened to me yesterday. Went to pull a .22 Ruger from the safe and it wasn't there. Turned out I had gotten sidetracked a couple of weeks ago on my way to the range and had left it in the bedroom. Keep looking. I hope it turns up soon.

I thought I was the only one who lost things. I just keep looking and sooner or later "my stuff" shows up. Hmmm I wonder where I put that weight check set, its been gone for 3 months. Keep looking

This is the best advice, but it too will drive you crazy.

The missing gun is no longer missing. It was located this morning when I retrieved a fresh handkerchief. After trying to figure how it got there, the one that lives with me just to make my life miserable and exhaust my financial holdings told me she remembered placing it there a few months ago after my daughter carried it to the range with friends. It seems the daughter left it on my desk so I could clean it and some visitors came by so the one that lives with me just to make my life miserable and exhaust my financial holdings put it in the first drawer she came across.

Do not think I went for months without obtaining a fresh handkerchief either. As they were washed, the one that lives with me just to make my life miserable and exhaust my financial holdings would place them on top of the gun and it would up being on the bottom of the stack. When I got one today my hand touched the bottom of the grip and i checked to see what was there that was not supposed to be there.

Well done! That's the way stuff happens when "other folks" try to help by touching your "stuff".

Oldman, you remind me of a old friend I had that always referred to his other half as the mother of his children. He never married her.

This whole thread would have really had its emotional ups and downs if it had been some interesting revolver, rather than just a 422. Still glad you found it.

At least she serves a purpose.

Just goes to show that you should always rotate your stock-this is doubly important with drawers

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Forum consigliere

As I keep lecturing my wife - most problems in this country can be traced back to 19A

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Lou

I figured that you'd find a chunk of cheese in your gun safe, which would lead you to find your gun in the refrigerator.

I'm glad you found it. I was about to ask MY wife where your gun was, as she knows everything. I've never lost a gun.....I don't think. I have found a few I'd forgotten I had.

If it had not shown up by Sunday night I was going to suggest buying another just like it. That usually forces my lost items to appear.

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Infected by Smith&Wesson

I am sure glad that you found it. Otherwise we would have to conclude that it had walked off on its own and was mowing down kids at the local school yard.

(At least that is what the antis keep telling us.)

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Only a cold warrior

I am glad you found it. I can relate to the postings about guns and glasses being misplaced. Now for my dumb move yesterday, I got a diet coke out of the fridge and then went to replace some light bulbs. Ladder check, light bulbs check, Diet Coke, where did I leave it?? 4 hours later I gave up looking. My son told me he thinks I just thought I got it out and did not. Hmm, old timers disease strikes everyone. My wife got a chuckle when I told her if she finds a bottle sitting where it does not belong, that the Gremlins put it there, not me!!

If that gun had remained missing, you'd never have heard the end of it. If you attempt any remarks now, you will never hear the end of, "thought it was lost, good thing I put it away".
Sure glad you found it! When that happens to me, I can't stop looking until it's found.
TACC1

I was going to suggest that maybe you put on the holster but actually forgot to get the pistol, and didn't really notice until late that night, because those darn little 342 Ti's are so light you can't really tell it is there or not. And dang good thing you didn't need it that day, hunh?

Cause, I've heard that has happened to people, or something.

The Highlander

Glad you found it. It's funny how little stories like this get told on this board.

We will all learn something from this. Not really sure what it is, but well - - - something.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I don't see any good in it reporting stolen (unless it is a state crime not to do so). The odds of the police finding it and returning are slim to none, especially if you can't account for the missing .22 in 2 years. Just keep looking. I bet your over 50-.

Report stolen guns. They get recovered.

Two quick recent stories.

A stolen gun was recovered from a gangbanger last month. Stolen 20 yrs ago and has been returned to the owner in the same condition it was when stolen.

A man was murdered by an 18 yr old punk. The punk was arrested and the gun used was recovered. Turns out the gun was stolen 16 yrs ago and that was before the punk was old enough to steal. Once the trial is over, the gun will be returned to the owner.

As to your betting I am over 50, you would be safe pushing the age up way past 50. In fact, go way past 60 and still be covered.

Was I right?
Glad it's OK.

D.G.

I'll bet he wuz. I'll bet he wuz. I'll bet he wuz.

That really is irritating isn't it?

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Actually not.

I found it true enough. Yet I was not looking where it was found. I was after a clean handkerchief and stumbled upon it.

Now the gun is where it should have been in the first place.