Less Than Perfect . . .

[redlevel]

We all have our show-off guns, "just barely a turn line" . . . . "at least 98%" . . . . . . "possibly unfired since the factory" . . . . we like to post pictures of the BBQ guns and rigs, but I suspect many of us have a lot more less-than-perfect guns. These are the ones we shoot regularly, carry every day, or haul around in our pickups. Here are three of my favorites . . . finish challenged, but reliable, faithful old shooters . . . lets see some of yours.

P&R Model 19-3 . . . neglected for years by the worthless son of a local LEO . . . still a good shooter

Model 15-3 with a dulled out, purpled finish, traded to me from a member of this forum several years ago. Still one of my favorites.

K22 from, I think, 1947. Freckled a little bit, but what a great trigger. I found it on a state S&S about three years ago. Drove all of 25 miles to pick it up on the day before T-giving.

No fears about scratching any of these, or of a little surface rust from too long in Georgia humidity or a quick rain shower on a day long outing..

 

[Cyrano]

Here's my candidate, a pretty rough pre-39. Still shoots quite reliably though (it has the conventional vertical stamped follower, probably not original to the gun).

 

[sigp220.45]

Here's my ugly duckling:

This heavy barreled Model 10 is an ex-Twin Falls PD gun. It has the smoothest action of any of my guns, and currently pulls nightstand duty, loaded with +P+ Hydra-Shoks.

A friend of mine shot a guy in the face with it, so it already knows the drill.

 

[rimfired]

Inherited from my dad and the first .38 I ever shot. He bought it @ 1960 from a local alphabet Fed. Shipped 4/1950 a K38 Masterpiece with a professional barrel cutdown and sight replacement. Birth year gun and I've
shot and carried it plenty since '83 when it became mine.

It hasn't been used much lately but it's a keeper.

 

[Black_Sheep]

My latest S&W purchase was this gently used 5" M&P. The grips have a fair amount of character and the finish has some honest holster wear. It would be fun to know the history behind it, no doubt it would be a lot more interesting than "it sat in a sock drawer since 1950". I just scored a vintage Hunter holster that looks like the one in redlevel's bottom picture. It should make a very suitable rig for the old M&P...

 

[pilgrim6a]

Just what do you mean' Less than perfect'?
Don't people stuff their 99% RM in a grubby old holster and hike out to the back 40 for some quick draw practice? You don't think they just drag them out of the safe and post pics just to make us drool do you?
What kind of SICKO does that?
These are my real showpieces. They go to the range a lot!
The Pre Model 10, 4" RB has that dark gray finish that only 62 yrs can give you. If I was to pick a favorite, this is right up at the top.
My brace of 10-8s are the same. One has a bent trigger guard that always makes me wonder. I burn a LOT of .38s!

 

[TACC1]

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This one's
pretty enough for me. All I see is the sights, anyway. TACC1

 

[old bear]

This old guy and I've been together quite a few years now, and shared an adventure or two.

 

[David LaPell]

My Outdoorsman defines the term shooter. It looks ok on its right side and has some pitting on the left side of the barrel. I however wanted a handgun I could shoot and shoot alot without worry, and this is it.

Of course there is my Model 27 which I carry alot, some people might call me crzy for it. It isn't quite 98 % or so since it does have some holster wear, but I enjoy it so much I will carry it all the time. It's just a downright fun carry gun.

I have this 1950 vintage M & P .38 that gets carried when my Model 27 doesn't.

This old Woodsman was my grandfather's and he carried it alot and I do when I can. I have no qualms about taking this gun out and about.

 

[O2Guy]

Most of these photos are very refreshing to see. Every time I see all the immaculate revolvers and holster rigs, I wonder if the owners really enjoy them. I cannot imagine just owning a gun just take photos of it or having a nice leather holster and worry about getting a little sweat on it. Enjoy these things while you can, they will probably end up in a yard sale after you're gone.

 

[Muddyboot]

This Colt OP from 1941 Has seen lot's of use, but I take it to the range often as it is a great shooter.

 

[5-Shot]

I bought this guy for $40 many, many years ago. It had been carried by a Chesapeake Bay muskrat trapper. I believe it qualifies for this category.

Ed

 

[fat tom]

This is an old K-22 that I got from a now deceased friend who was a prolific bullseye shooter back in the '50's. It is equipped with a King's "cock-eyed" hammer,a King's mirror front sight and a set of un-identified (I'm guessin' Hurst) target stocks.

f.t.

 

[kraigwy]

My Model 28 service revolver I carried most of my 20 years with the Anchorage Police Dept. which they gave me when I retired 18 years ago today.

My brace of Bullseye Pistols:

My Model 64 ICORE revolver:

 

[Ironhand]

My new carry piece, as soon as my CCW permit comes in. The bluing looks very good everywhere but on the front edge of the barrel and the cylinder. The cylinder has a lot of bluing loss on it, on the front edges but also on opposite sides. It looks like it's been sliding on those 2 surfaces for a long time, like maybe in a desk or sock drawer. It's 30 years old so it doesn't bother me, but I wish the wear was even all over the gun.

 

[410bore]

66-1 with some old ratty mod'd Cokes

4" 29-2 with a lot of Finish "Character" (somebody didnt treat it too well before i got it)

 

[flgolfer29]

This is my less than perfect revolver. I paid $20 for it and another $20 or so to get it running. It accompanies me on most range visits as a warm-up and carried at home when doing yard work.

H&R 929 22lr

 

[deadin]

You guys are a bunch of pikers when it comes to showing USED guns. This Colt M1903 (c.1909) came off of a ranch in Eastern Washington where it spent most of its life. (The ranch was homesteaded around 1900).
Internally the gun is tight, barrel is good, shoots well. It just was carried and handled A LOT!!!

Don'tcha love the price on the ammo??

 

[Davwingman]

Here are a couple K22s that have been used a bunch.