The Gun I Wish I Had Bought, Way Back When

[Retired W4]

In the same vein as the other two threads, which seem to be pretty popular, I'll start with... a fully transferable Thompson M1A1. That would have been a pretty good investment in 1969 (I was 21) and a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[Rodan]

For me it's also a full-auto Thompson. I had the opportunity to buy one about 20 years ago for $3k. At the time it was a lot of money for us and I passed on it. Still kicking myself.

Most of the others are the ones "I wish I hadn't sold"...

 

[mk70ss]

Colt Trooper 4 inch in .22 mag and/or a Colt Diamondback 4 inch in .22 LR

 

[Dieseltech56]

I wish I would have bought the Marlin 444 my LGS got in when they first rereleased them a few years ago. Also I had an opportunity to buy a Marlin dark series 45-70 at retail right before they went under.

 

[LVSteve]

My "way back when" only goes back to 1997 when I got here. I wish I had known the significance of "New England Westinghouse Mosin Nagant M91" for $150 when I was looking at a list of stuff from a distant relatives estate.

 

[Billylee]

Back in 1960, as a ten year old, looking in the back pages of my Outdoor Life magazine…type 38 Arisaka carbine 29.95, SMLE 39.95, K98 49.95, 1903-A3 and P-17 59.95. I believe you could also buy a complete, running WWII Jeep for less than 150.00…ahhh the good old days.

 

[peterGun]

I grew up shooting Dad's 2nd series match target yet I wanted a Diamondback (.22lr) in the worst kinda of way.

Wished I would have bought one in 1978 as a graduation gift to myself.

 

[robvious]

if I had invested all my college money in Berkshire Hathaway and S&W model 76... I would be well retired by now... but I would not have met my wife at college.. so I will pass.. would rather be happy instead of rich..

 

[Richard Simmons]

A 1941 Johnson rifle. I've posted about this previously in similar threads but a quick recap. It's 1978 just before I left for boot camp and my father and I are in a little store in western Oregon. Wasn't really a "gun store" but they had a rack of rifles. Due to its rather odd appearance one of the rifles caught my attention. It stood out from the other bolt action hunting rifles and lever actions. At the time I had no idea what it was. I just knew it was chambered in 30.06 and it stood out from all the rest. Based on the parkerized finish and markings we figured it was some kind of military rifle. The price is a little fuzzy now after all these years but I think it was $400 something or maybe $700. Neither was a small amount at the time for a 17 year old apprentice plumber.

I'd been saving my paychecks that summer and with boot camp starting shortly I figured I could shoot my wad, so to speak and be just fine however I can still recall dad saying, "What do you want with an old Army rifle"? Thinking it over I agreed and back in the rack it went.

Later on when I was home on my first leave I ended up getting a brand new, 4" Colt Trooper MK III in .357. Some years later with a wife and new baby on E-4 pay I sold that Colt. Had I bought that Johnson instead it too might have been sold but I still wonder, "What if".

 

[Muley Gil]

Back in 1960, as a ten year old, looking in the back pages of my Outdoor Life magazine…type 38 Arisaka carbine 29.95, SMLE 39.95, K98 49.95, 1903-A3 and P-17 59.95. I believe you could also buy a complete, running WWII Jeep for less than 150.00…ahhh the good old days.

If your dad or mom are still around, ask 'em how much they made back then.

 

[Laketime]

I would say a few Pythons when they were on one hundred more than the Smith & Wesson

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In 1982 & 83 Thompson (Savage) M1A1 $800, Also Thompson (Colt) 1928 with 100 round drum $2000. My wages $400 a week with a wife and 3 kids. I bought the MAC-10 (SW Danials) 9mm for $450 and the MAC-10 (RPB) Suppressor $350 + sales tax and 2 transfers. Sure wish I got the Thompsons!

Ivan

 

[Rpg]

In 1980, an art dealer/attorney I knew hit a spot of trouble and needed some legal help. He retained me and offered to pay in $ or give me his civil war Gatling Gun.

If I took the Gatling gun, it was a flat fee case. If I billed as usual, there was no limit to the total fees.

Of course I skipped the Gatling gun and opted for the dollars.

The total fee was less than $10,000.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A Colt New Frontier in 44 special with 4 5/8" bbl. for $640..........30 years ago.

 

[harvester1]

Luger Artillery in 90 percent condition with holster, 600 dollars 34 years ago.

 

[Retired W4]

20 some years ago the widow of 3 war veteran had, among others, an old Colt Frontier Six Shooter that her husband bought out in West Texas in the early 60s. She would have taken $500 but I knew it was worth much more and I did not want to take advantage of her. She passed a short time later and her jerk SIL got it all. She really didn't want him to have any of the guns but slicky boy did his thing. That's one I wish I had bought.

 

[The Preacher]

Used Winchester Model 71 348 Win. back in the day. The price was $300 and for me at the time, starting a family and buying our first home it may as well had been $3000. I still think of that rifle from time to time.

The Preacher

 

[xray97]

S&W model 66, my original issued service revolver. In the early 90's when my agency transitioned to semi-auto Rugers we were given the option to buy our issued 66's for $185. Mine had been finely tuned by the department armorer and had as smooth an action as I've ever experienced. It was new when issued to me so I had been the sole user. But, having 2 active teenagers and limited income I passed. Have regretted it ever since.

 

[JohnRippert]

The original .44 Automag.

 

[pantannojack]

I have pretty much rectified my mistakes by now gun wise, but it is still US 20$ gold pieces I want for 20$.