45/70 Thompson Contender - 16" with Muzzle Tamer - as much flame thrower as handgun

Without any doubt, it's this one!

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Ruger Super Blackhawk, .44 magnum, 4 5/8" barrel. In an indoor range.

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I hope I copied that right

I should add, I was firing Garrett loads!

Rifle wise, my T/C Benchmark with scope and bipod gets attention. Most think it is a trick 10/22 though.

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I hope I copied that right

.75 cal Brown Bess gets some attention at outdoor range. The 4" S&W 500 seems to attract interest at the indoor range.

Used to be my MG/SMG's now just my Can.

8th

It would have to be the M1 Garand. Alot of kids know it from their games. I always ask them if they want to try the real thing and let them shoot a clip. After they are done they have a big smile on their face and say "it pings just like on the game". I say, know the game pings just like the real thing.

I also like like getting the reaction from the once a year hunters sighting in the fancy bolt actions with big scopes when I out shoot them with the irons.

I also love the stories it brings out of the old timers that have used one for it's intended purpose. Make me feel honored to own it.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

S&W 15-22..

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Whenever I show up with a custom-built, hi-cap, compensated race gun with a C-more red dot on it, a crowd gathers quickly. Most think the red dot is a laser and strain to see the projected dot. They also are amazed at how loud the high-pressure ammo is through a compensator(always make sure they all have ear protection on first).

These guns are good recruiting tools for getting new members.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

My 6" Freedom Arms 454, 500 Linebaugh Long, S&W Model 53, 7-1/2" Ruger 357 Maximum, or Ruger Hawkeye can all be show stoppers with full house loads, but the one that gets a ton of attention every time is the Barrett M82. On the rare occasion it comes out (very few ranges in these parts will allow a big 50), I have friends that insist on tagging along to watch.

My 1941 Johnson Automatic.

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Good one. I want to run some rounds through one of those before I die so I can say I've done it.

As a side note to this topic. Who else kind of meanders up and down the line to see what else is at the range that day? Sometimes thats as much fun as actually shooting to me.

Mine would be a Winchester M-70 in .375 H&H magnum,.......... very loud but the Mod 29 stilldraws a crowd too.

Don Getz told me that Hoyt is still in business. That was at Dixon's a couple of weeks ago that I talked to him and his son John. Sounded from the conversation like he's doing mostly rebore/rerifling and relining work.
Getz refered me to him for relining work on a barrel I have.

I've heard yes and no about Bob Roller. Some say he's only making up parts to upgrade the locks on an import target rifle (Pedersoli ?) but others say out of the business altogether.
I really don't know much about him myself.

I did pick up a Roller DST set and Hawkin style lock (dated '82) recently. Nice workmanship.

Back when I turned 50, I came to the realization no one was ever going to buy me a righteous gun, other than me. Its a sad conclusion, but its the truth. I've spent my adult life showering presents on my wife. Even on my sons and daughters-in-law. But I had/have no hope of anyone ever giving me something cool.

So on my birthday back in 1998, I was feeling rich. And maybe just a little like splurging on myself. I already had some pretty nice rifles, being partial to Brownings over the years. And I'd never been partial to Weatherby's. Too much gloss to be practical.

But that day I stumbled upon a brand new Weatherby .30-378. The shop didn't even want to sell me any ammo. They had 4 boxes, but somebody's friend wanted the ammo. Well, you can't sell the gun unless you sell the ammo with it. And I caused kind of a problem at the gunshop that day. I knew the staff, they knew me. But I was ready and willing to buy the rifle, if they'd sell me at least 2 boxes of the ammo. The store manager had some common sense. He could sell a high dollar rifle and some ammo, or he could have the gun forever.

The ammo looks like an old fashioned soft drink can, the ones with the funnel top and a cap like a bottle. Its not really that big, and it won't hold 12 oz of Coke. But looks like its close. And the powder it burns is what they refer to as slow burning. About like charcoal briquets. But when its stuff full behind a 180 or 220 gr bullet, it does tend to get on down the road.

The rifle comes with a muzzle brake. For a very good reason. Its not that unpleasant to fire with the brake installed. Without it, it takes on the characteristics of its evil big brother, the .378. Lets just say the recoil and muzzle blast is significant. With the brake installed, the noise out to the side is unbearable. Firing it is simple. You install your ear plugs, then you put on your shooting muffs. Keep your mouth open to equalize pressure.

The roar is in the same class with a .50 BMG. Maybe not as bad/good as a Barrett, but it makes a reasonable impersonation. Good range manners requires you to warn those around you that it's going to be noisy. The manly types don't hold their ears.

Just one time I'd like to fire it in the indoor range. Because that's probably all they'll allow before they ban me.

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Dick Burg

I have one of those 10B's. It does draw the looks but its a bit unpleasant to shoot. I actually prefer to shoot it one handed with the buttplate swiveled.

Probably the two rifles I have that get the most looks are the beltfed Lakeside Razorback 22 and my M11A1 (full auto) with the Lage upper. Well I guess technically the Ingram is an smg. Here's my son with the Razorback

As far as pistols its the Lugers that draw the looks. Especially when I slap the stock on the artillery.

Quality Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers seem to generate approving remarks these days. The last time I had the simple ol' Model 17 K-22 out when other gun club members were present proved to be a sensation with all lining up to give it a try. "It's so "old-school" yet effective" was one remark. Makes a fellow feel his age since he's owned it since it was new.

Any U.S. military issue rifle from World War II or earlier is a head-turner I've found.


A .405 WCF chambered Winchester Model 1895 that I own is one of the more fun rifles to pull out at a rifle range. Everyone has to see it and most want to give it a try. I make 'em shoot it from the bench rest for full effect if they brag about recoil tolerance too much.


A .405 and a .308 side by side

A couple of years ago though I was verifying the 95's sights at a crowded range just before opening of deer season and had a fellow take me to task for shooting it with jacketed bullets. Claimed I would "wash the rifling out" in only a few shots, not preserving it for future collectors. Bit of a nuisance, he was.

Kel-Tec PLR 22

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Enter through the narrow gate

Got beat to this one, and by another Virginian!

I've got the Lakeside Razorback posted earlier as well (I like my beltfeds).

Rburg, You are right about the Weatherby at the range, with the accubrake installed they make a lot of noise, I've got the 416 and it's a lane clearer. I will generally warn if there is someone close but generally try and get off by myself when I take it to the range.

Out at the WMA I normally shoot at I normally just get dirty looks when I take it to the range.

Cheers,
Sam

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Beware the man with one gun...

When I rapid fire a mag out of the Hakim to test a newly aquired batch of 8mm I frequently draw a look or two.

My Astra A-80 .45 (basically a SIG P220 knockoff), but only because it ejects the empties about 20 feet to the right rear, which is why I only shoot it if people are to the left of me -- tossing hot brass in someone's face just doesn't seem friendly.

My .72 caliber Pedersoli double barrel express rifle. People assume it's a shotgun until they see me loading the huge conical bullet or round ball down the muzzle. I've let many a fellow shooter drop the hammer on it and it alway's brings a smile.

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OGCA Member.

The FAL for looks, and the Ishy for noise.

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

Probably my Stolle Panda benchrest rifle draws the most attention at the public range. For those that aren't familiar with benchrest rifles, it is a custom made action, by Kelbly's in Ohio, in a grafite/fiberglass stock with a large diameter custom, match grade barrel. It is chamberedin 6mm PPC. Typically they are painted wild colors with lots of different graphic designs. The appearance draws alot of attention.

What really sets them off is when the groups are measured! If a benchrest rifle won't put 5 shots under .250" at 100 yards it needs a new barrel or a different driver. I'm talking about doing this every group, not just once or accidentally.

I'm not shooting in registered competition at the present, but when I was shooting regularily my rifle would agg in the teens for 5 five shot groups at 100 and 5 five shot groups at 200. Now that's a sweet shooting rifle!!!

This one usually draws a crowd when I disintegrate large rocks with it at 200 yards. I have to be careful to keep it under lock and key when I'm through demonstrating its awesome effectiveness.

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Since I started this thread, I judge this weapon as top gun so far..

My Armalite AR10 Chambered in 7.62x51 NATO usually gets a second look after I fire it. It's a beast compared to 5.56x45 and the muzzel brake is brutally LOWED!

My Garand .

TC Super 14 in .223 and a 3" Model 29 usually get me looked at even after warning folks.

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You do what you are.

My 577-450 Martini Henry Mk IV loaded with black powder sure draws some looks.

On the rifle side,a pre-64 mdl 70 Win. 250 sav. supergrade or the 1922 Springfield .22 cal. 1st variation.On the pistol side ,either my S&W pre-mdl 29 or the Colt Officers mdl. target in .32 cal.

I have a 1936 Luger that I very rarly take to the range.

The sights are TINY, and the trigger HORRIBLE, but it shoots 3/4" groups at about 25 ft. The are 2" low and 1" to the right.

I know I could fix that by moving the front sight, and filing it down a bit, but I only fire a few magazines a year through it, if that.

If I break ONE part that's numbered, (they all match) the value goes down by about 50%; or more.

People ALWAYS want to just about grab it out of my hands.

If someone is polite enough, I let them handle it.

Once, an older gent showed me his mid 1920's 30 cal Luger.

We traded for a magazine. His had a VERY acceptable trigger on it, and the rear notch was noticeable larger than mine, and it shot right to point of aim.

He lamented at the cost of ammunition in 30 Luger.

I let him shoot my HK P9S Target Model, in 9mm. It has about a 2lb trigger.

He REALLY liked it. It will eat anything I put in it, while I have to load 124 gr. FMJ really hot (to +P, or +P+ levels) and load them as long as possible, so they will feed and cycle the action in that old Luger.

A scope RG .22 short.

That would definitely get my attention!

My 8" naval gun.

My Ruger 77 in .308 with factory Mannlicher stock seems to draw alot of attention. Handgun-wise, any of my older Smith or Colt revolvers as the younger crowd seems to shooting nothing but polymer Krunchentickers and have never seen quality machining and finishes.

My 3" Lew Horton PC Factory Quad Ported 629... BOOM/FLAME= BIG HOLES..

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

My AMT Hardballer Longslide. Looks just like the one in the first Terminator movie, sans the scope. My OM Ruger Blackhawk .30 Carbine also creates a stir.

I bought my OM Ruger .30 Carbine years ago at a gunshow, got some factory ammo and headed straight for the indoor range. I began blasting away getting the full experience of .30 Carbine ammo in a revo. The people in the next bay went home quickly. I apologized to the owner but since I was a regular, he forgave me.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

my old double barrel muzzleloading shotgun. everyone seems to love shooting it, or even just watching.

... my 629 with the 3" barrel draws unwanted attention ...

My Westinghouse mosin.

T/C Contender .22 carbine.
"Is that a real gun?"

I like to use it deer hunting with a 7-30 Waters barrel. I get a lot of comments about it too

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In dog years I'm dead.

It seems that any of the big boomers draws attention. I have had people mistake my 308 for a 50 cal.

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It is what it is.

I have a pair of repro #3 Russians, "Why dose it have 2 triggers"
?"

Richards Conversions, My Henry's often draw comments as well

I guess this would have to be most "unusual" firearm that I take to the range.

It's FN FAL. It's fun to shoot and always draws a crowd.

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G.P. Charlie

M1 Garand and/or 30-40 Kraig.