Ever have a gun just fall to you?
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hivel37
US Veteran
A beautiful 686 that I've previously owned came back
to me in a trade. Maybe a meant-to-be thing?
to me in a trade. Maybe a meant-to-be thing?
It's probably getting around 30 years ago. I was at the Monroeville (PA) gun show. I was just cruising the aisles, not looking for any particular thing, and in the middle of a white circle on the table cover, just like a spotlight, was a customized Colt Series 70 Government Model in 9mm Luger. It had a thinned hammer, low mounted Bo-Mar sights, and locked up like a bank vault. My club was starting up with IPSC shooting and this looked like the perfect gun. It was like that gun reached up and grabbed me.
After going through the necessary legalities, I had the gun and took it up to a club IPSC match. One target had an "A" zone about the size of a pop can. I made a double tap, and both shots went in the "A" zone. That convinced me I did the right thing. I still have the gun.
After going through the necessary legalities, I had the gun and took it up to a club IPSC match. One target had an "A" zone about the size of a pop can. I made a double tap, and both shots went in the "A" zone. That convinced me I did the right thing. I still have the gun.
I have never had one fall for me. However, i have had hundreds flirt with me .
I had my wife's uncle, who was around to visit the MIL, drop off a gun case with me saying he heard I liked guns and he wanted someone who appreciated them to have his. I opened the case to find a pre 64 Winchester feather weight in 30-06
When my step brothers' mom's 2nd husband died, she told everyone Bill wanted us kids to have his guns. He had no kids of his own. Being a step step I never went to get one. About a month later she showed up at my door said Bill really like you, everyone else chose a gun, take this one please. A Winchester Model 21 SxS 12 gauge.
When my step brothers' mom's 2nd husband died, she told everyone Bill wanted us kids to have his guns. He had no kids of his own. Being a step step I never went to get one. About a month later she showed up at my door said Bill really like you, everyone else chose a gun, take this one please. A Winchester Model 21 SxS 12 gauge.
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WOW!......
pointed to a pair of comm block pistols on a table at a gun show explaining what they were to my buddy... man at the table said I was the only one all weekend that knew what they were... he said that he would make me a heckuva deal... and he did.. then threw in 6 extra magazines and a broken parts gun too... I agreed... and home they came... parts gun was missing one part... less than 2 bucks.. it worked... have given them away to friends to pay it forward...
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Just after Christmas this year I walked into my LGS and saw a 4" nickel 586-3 on the counter with two other handguns. Salesman was logging them in. Out of casual curiosity I asked what he wanted for it. He said he hadn't priced it yet because it required repair, was out of time, action jammed. Didn't know how much repair it would take, etc. I looked it over and found that with the cylinder open the DA cycled just fine and felt very smooth. The cylinder would only rotate with a good deal of effort. I told him either the ejector rod was bent or the yoke was full of crud. He suggested I clean it. I suggested the shop clean it. No one in the shop knew how to remove the cylinder, so I walked another salesman through the process. After a thorough cleaning and reassembly it worked like a charm. They offered it to me at about half retail and I took it home.
Usually don't care for nickel guns and never owned an L Frame before but now I know what I was missing. It makes every trip to the range with me.
Usually don't care for nickel guns and never owned an L Frame before but now I know what I was missing. It makes every trip to the range with me.
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Stainless Ruger 10/22 TD, replacement custom wood stock, UTG bipod, Skinner peep sight, Volquartsen trigger, Romeo 5 on a high rise rail. Built it for a friend who kept his garden cleared of rabbits with it. Vietnam cancers got him.
Mutual friend dropped it back off to me after his memorial service. Case contained a note that it was to come back to me.
Mutual friend dropped it back off to me after his memorial service. Case contained a note that it was to come back to me.
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Yes. Twice. The first one from a dear friend who gave me a 1936 Smith and Wesson Heavy Duty .38/44 for my birthday one year. Stag grips and a trigger pull that is as smooth as butter.
The second from another mule packer. We had taught a horse and mule packing class together at a university for several years. Together we packed groups into wilderness areas. Together we packed into the annual elk camp. We hunted bear together. Then, I moved 800 miles away.
We've kept in touch over the years. He suffered a stroke a while back and had to sell all his horses and mules. This past year, I got a phone call from him. "Send me your FFL's number and address. I'm sending you a surprise."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Not telling or it wouldn't be a surprise. Just this...you're going to like it."
Sometime later, my FFL called saying that he had a delivery for me. I drove into town. There was a 1906 Winchester Model 1894 saddle ring carbine in .30-30. This was the gun that my friend had shot a bear with about 20 years previously.
When I called him that day, he explained, "After my stroke, I can't shoot a gun anymore, and I wanted you to have that rifle."
So, yes, I've had a couple guns fall to me, and for that I am grateful. Even more, though, I feel blessed to have such good friends who would trust me with one of their firearms.
The second from another mule packer. We had taught a horse and mule packing class together at a university for several years. Together we packed groups into wilderness areas. Together we packed into the annual elk camp. We hunted bear together. Then, I moved 800 miles away.
We've kept in touch over the years. He suffered a stroke a while back and had to sell all his horses and mules. This past year, I got a phone call from him. "Send me your FFL's number and address. I'm sending you a surprise."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Not telling or it wouldn't be a surprise. Just this...you're going to like it."
Sometime later, my FFL called saying that he had a delivery for me. I drove into town. There was a 1906 Winchester Model 1894 saddle ring carbine in .30-30. This was the gun that my friend had shot a bear with about 20 years previously.
When I called him that day, he explained, "After my stroke, I can't shoot a gun anymore, and I wanted you to have that rifle."
So, yes, I've had a couple guns fall to me, and for that I am grateful. Even more, though, I feel blessed to have such good friends who would trust me with one of their firearms.
Almost 30 years ago I was in a shop where I had bought frequently used guns. I had little interest in the newer stuff. I saw a Savage 24 22/20 gauge with a very odd home checkering job. I asked the owner what is was and he told me took it on trade about six months ago. They had had no interest in buying it and if I wanted it for what they had in it it was mine. IIRC I paid $125.
I don't shoot it often but it is fun.
I don't shoot it often but it is fun.
Rammer Jammer
Member
My first S&W was an unexpected birthday gift from my father. A Mod 67-1 that was a local gunsmith's personal gun that my dad literally purchased off the hip of the ow retired gunsmith. Greatest trigger pull on any revolver I've ever handled.
Protocall_Design
Vendor
I've won 18 guns in matches over the years. Friends have given me some.
The most expensive one was an over/under Franchi Instinct SL 12 gage. I have never won anything in a drawing in my life, except this one time. I guess all my luck was building up for that one. Now it is probably all used up.
The most expensive one was an over/under Franchi Instinct SL 12 gage. I have never won anything in a drawing in my life, except this one time. I guess all my luck was building up for that one. Now it is probably all used up.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
I have hunted with an Uncle's Rem 12 Ga that the previous owner used to take his life.
My Buddy QC for some reason insisted that I buy his Model 25.
He kept pouring and lowering until I caved.
Five Screw with Cokes.
My Buddy QC for some reason insisted that I buy his Model 25.
He kept pouring and lowering until I caved.
Five Screw with Cokes.
Man, I thought that title said fall ON you! I had a 92S fall on my foot because the holster broke. No, I didn't properly check it as I should have. I had sandals on and I thought I shot a hole in my foot! I went out to the car and screamed like a little boy bully-tied to an ant hill. I heard.
So, in a round about way, that caused a new Holster to fall TO me. I'll shut up now...
So, in a round about way, that caused a new Holster to fall TO me. I'll shut up now...
I'm in the middle of a, "meant to be" situation.
Last Tuesday Honey and I went to shoot pistols and fill out a 4473 for a transfer at our range. In the shop's used case was a S&W 340PD, in okay/good shape. I've been looking for a light weight J frame. A slightly disapproving look from Honey and knowing that we would be back in three days (and a heavily leaded bore) made me wait. The salesman even offered to hold it for me, but I foolishly declined. Did a little research that evening, obsessed a little, worked on Honey a little and called the range next morning. Someone else had bought it.
Running errands last Saturday, including a visit to my LGS, with Duke Jr, who loves going out without his other two packmates. As we wandered happily into the shop Jason came over to greet Duke and tease me about buying something. I told him I wanted to order a new S&W 340PD, he queried, "you don't want used"? Over to a display case and he put a newer, much better condition 340 into my hands. $50.00 more, but still a great price. I was meant to own a 340PD!
Boulder Co has a local ten day waiting period. So not quite yet!!
Last Tuesday Honey and I went to shoot pistols and fill out a 4473 for a transfer at our range. In the shop's used case was a S&W 340PD, in okay/good shape. I've been looking for a light weight J frame. A slightly disapproving look from Honey and knowing that we would be back in three days (and a heavily leaded bore) made me wait. The salesman even offered to hold it for me, but I foolishly declined. Did a little research that evening, obsessed a little, worked on Honey a little and called the range next morning. Someone else had bought it.
Running errands last Saturday, including a visit to my LGS, with Duke Jr, who loves going out without his other two packmates. As we wandered happily into the shop Jason came over to greet Duke and tease me about buying something. I told him I wanted to order a new S&W 340PD, he queried, "you don't want used"? Over to a display case and he put a newer, much better condition 340 into my hands. $50.00 more, but still a great price. I was meant to own a 340PD!
Boulder Co has a local ten day waiting period. So not quite yet!!
Got me to thinking......I have gifted 5 guns to people that were not expecting it....To see the surprised look....Then the smile of appreciation was worth more than the cost.......
