My dad made me save up for my model 69a to use in NRA. About 1955 I had enough to buy it, we went to a local hardware store in Springfield, Mass and i got the chrome bolt, trigger, and guard plus grooved receiver, with rear peep sight and hooded front sight. After he bought it my dad took me to the local 5cent savings bank and deposited matching funds. I was mad at first, but knew he was teaching me a valuable life lesson. We shot together every Saturday afternoon for some time, weather permitting. I'd go to work with him Saturday morning (he worked half day) then we'd have lunch and shoot at a nearby outdoor range the National guard used. He died very suddenly in 1958, but I still have the rifle in nearly perfect condition. My son, and daughter learned to shoot with it, and I will pass it on to them. It's a great rifle, with near perfect accuracy.