kimporter
Member
i have 2,my very worn and lose m28-2 that i paid way to much for and a kimber ultra carry 2 that the wife got me for an anniversary gift,both shoot so good i amazed myself
The gun that surprised you the most
- Thread starter Stainless44
- Start date
Frank237
Absent Comrade
Twenty years back at a gun show I traded into a 3rd Gen Colt SAA. Another Dealer at the show HAD to have that gun. He is a noted Weatherby dealer and offered me my choice of Ultra Light Weight bolt guns, with scope for that Colt.
My intention was to snag a NIB gun, mount the scope, sight it in....and roll it.
I picked a .280 Rem and got a 2.5-8X Leupold in matte finish and a box of Federal, 150 gr Nosler partition ammo in with the deal. Mounted the scope and went to sight in the gun. Bore sighted it so I should be on the paper.
First shot at 100 yds, off the bench is off to the side....figure I better check that before I make any adjustments. Second shot was right in the 1st shot. By the time I was done it was readily apparent this gun could shoot little groups.
I was NEVER ever a Weatherby guy ,but kept that little .280 Rem. With the scope, mounts, a 1" nylon sling and 3 rds of ammo it weighs in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
Ended up taking several deer, half a dozen elk with that rifle over the years. An absolute one shot, zero drama rifle.
At 200 yds off the bench it has done 4 shot groups under 1", several times. MORE than good enough for a hunting rig.
MY absolute most surprising gun ever.
FN in MT
My intention was to snag a NIB gun, mount the scope, sight it in....and roll it.
I picked a .280 Rem and got a 2.5-8X Leupold in matte finish and a box of Federal, 150 gr Nosler partition ammo in with the deal. Mounted the scope and went to sight in the gun. Bore sighted it so I should be on the paper.
First shot at 100 yds, off the bench is off to the side....figure I better check that before I make any adjustments. Second shot was right in the 1st shot. By the time I was done it was readily apparent this gun could shoot little groups.
I was NEVER ever a Weatherby guy ,but kept that little .280 Rem. With the scope, mounts, a 1" nylon sling and 3 rds of ammo it weighs in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces.
Ended up taking several deer, half a dozen elk with that rifle over the years. An absolute one shot, zero drama rifle.
At 200 yds off the bench it has done 4 shot groups under 1", several times. MORE than good enough for a hunting rig.
MY absolute most surprising gun ever.
FN in MT
DWFAN
US Veteran
Most of all a 1918 Steyr in 7mm Mauser. It was a gift from a wonderful friend. This was a military issue with all the components number matching. It shoot's better than I can see. I think it got cleaned more times than it was shot. I enjoy it a lot.
DW
DW
ChuckS1
US Veteran
Not me, but my 15 year son. After watching "Band of Brothers", he wanted to shoot my M1 Garand. He quickly found out that real life shooting isn't like it is on TV. He warmed up to it pretty quick, had some fun and most importantly, still had his thumbnail at the end of the day. 
Ok, I'll be the oddball here. It's not any of my Smiths or Colts. I expect good results from those.
It has been the dreaded Glock and AK for me.
Maybe not target guns, for sure, but reliable and acceptable accuracy? Heck yes! I've been pleasantly surprised by both of those guns that I swore I would Never own.
They have their place in my collection and they do not get babied.
It has been the dreaded Glock and AK for me.
Maybe not target guns, for sure, but reliable and acceptable accuracy? Heck yes! I've been pleasantly surprised by both of those guns that I swore I would Never own.
They have their place in my collection and they do not get babied.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
A .177 cal Webley Eclipse air rifle I bought on a whim from the Barging Cave at Cabela's in Prairie du Chien about 10 years ago. Easily, have had more smiles from that one gun than any other single gun I own (primarily, because I own so many real firearms those smiles are spread out. This is my one and only spring-cocker).
Was surprise at how fun it was to just sit and plink at pop cans at various distances from a bench rest table in the back yard. No noise, no recoil, and very little cost - no pressure.... it's very relaxing to shoot in the way few true firearms can equal. Great trigger right out of the box. And it does a number on various winged and four legged pests.
The Eclipse is made in England, very high build quality (no plastic anything), but they are no longer imported. It's the same Webley that made all those British service revolvers back in the day.
It has a little trap-door that pops up for loading pellets. You can see the rifle itself is an underlever design, which simplifies cocking.
Was surprise at how fun it was to just sit and plink at pop cans at various distances from a bench rest table in the back yard. No noise, no recoil, and very little cost - no pressure.... it's very relaxing to shoot in the way few true firearms can equal. Great trigger right out of the box. And it does a number on various winged and four legged pests.
The Eclipse is made in England, very high build quality (no plastic anything), but they are no longer imported. It's the same Webley that made all those British service revolvers back in the day.
It has a little trap-door that pops up for loading pellets. You can see the rifle itself is an underlever design, which simplifies cocking.
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jon p
Member
my biggest surprise, a phoenix HP22A, 3" barrel, silver finish, $150.00 new. I wasn't expecting anything too good really, but I like the looks/feel of it. out of the box ran 100% perfect and is very accurate. SV ammo works great, any brand. I am enjoying it so much I got the optional 5" barrel a few months ago.it is the most solid feeling small .22 I have ever used. a few mods to remove some of the MANY safeties and it shoots/performs perfect.
Just to keep the list short, I'll mention two.
First, back when I worked for a living, I had occasion to buy an AMT Hardballer Govt. Model 1911. Wanted a Colt, but being newly married and just a couple years OTJ, there wasn't money for it. The Hardballer fell within the budget guidelines, and I didn't know enough about .45's at the time to know that they were junk, unreliable, didn't shoot straight, and couldn't be forced to function right. So, off to the pond dam I go, with an assortment of hardball and a couple different hollow point loads.
All the target ammo flowed through the gun like slippery snot, almost always hitting where I pointed it. Then to the hollow points. One of the boxes of HP was the old Flying Trashcan, which of course could never be made to work in the junk AMT. Except---almost the whole box went into the chamber just fine, and (gasp) kept hitting the target! So, I kept two magazines worth, to carry for work, went to the next qualification with the worthless, piece-of-junk gun, and proceeded to ace (no pun intended) the course, and promptly began carrying it as a BUG and off-duty piece.
Later, for some stupid reason I don't remember now, I traded it off. Stupid stupid stupid.....
Second, I had a Concealed Carry student qualify with a Taurus 9mm Slim. I was looking the gun over, and he asked if I wanted to try it. I'm not a fan of baby 9's, but any time I can try a new (to me) model, I will; and, I didn't want to hurt his feelings. He put five rounds in a mag, and from about 10-12 yards, I proceeded to put all five of them in a hole I could cover with the pad of my thumb. Still not a fan of tiny 9's, but if ever I'm in the market for a watch-pocket gun, this one will be high on the list to think about.
Sorry for the long post. Acebow
First, back when I worked for a living, I had occasion to buy an AMT Hardballer Govt. Model 1911. Wanted a Colt, but being newly married and just a couple years OTJ, there wasn't money for it. The Hardballer fell within the budget guidelines, and I didn't know enough about .45's at the time to know that they were junk, unreliable, didn't shoot straight, and couldn't be forced to function right. So, off to the pond dam I go, with an assortment of hardball and a couple different hollow point loads.
All the target ammo flowed through the gun like slippery snot, almost always hitting where I pointed it. Then to the hollow points. One of the boxes of HP was the old Flying Trashcan, which of course could never be made to work in the junk AMT. Except---almost the whole box went into the chamber just fine, and (gasp) kept hitting the target! So, I kept two magazines worth, to carry for work, went to the next qualification with the worthless, piece-of-junk gun, and proceeded to ace (no pun intended) the course, and promptly began carrying it as a BUG and off-duty piece.
Later, for some stupid reason I don't remember now, I traded it off. Stupid stupid stupid.....
Second, I had a Concealed Carry student qualify with a Taurus 9mm Slim. I was looking the gun over, and he asked if I wanted to try it. I'm not a fan of baby 9's, but any time I can try a new (to me) model, I will; and, I didn't want to hurt his feelings. He put five rounds in a mag, and from about 10-12 yards, I proceeded to put all five of them in a hole I could cover with the pad of my thumb. Still not a fan of tiny 9's, but if ever I'm in the market for a watch-pocket gun, this one will be high on the list to think about.
Sorry for the long post. Acebow
In the spring of 2003 I met up with a group of guys ,along with my LGS to spend the day at the big bore range blowing up stuff ,and to test the new to us S&W 500.( had been planning on buying one that day ) To my surprise the rep from IMI Desert Eagle was also there to promote the IMI 50 cal desert Eagle.I was completely thrown off gaurd when I held one for the first time ,The quality was superb in every way right down to the very best nickel finish I have seen to date on a handgun of any make ( Ford's nickel plating job ) The powerful 50 AE shot through cinder blocks,split big boulders in half,and zipped right throug level III body armor. Accuracy which can hold its own up against a rifle with iron sights at 100 yards.And an impressive ring of fire about four feet in diameter as it follows the bullet down range.I passed on the S&W 500 and bought two DE's in 50 that day.If you can get passed the movie lore and videos gammers addition to the cyber gun,you won't be disappointed in this amazing weapon.
Snapping Twig
Member
I have so many really nice ones.
Recently I found a Sig P210-1 and OMG!! I believe it is as accurate as they say. These shipped with a 50m target and HAD to do an 8 shot 1/2" group or they went back to the shop. It delivers.
Being a revolver guy and liking large bore, I shoot things that start with a 4, but when I had a chance to get a 480 Ruger, I jumped at it.
I've loaded two levels of 400g cast bullets - 1000fps and 1200fps.
Let me tell you... I've only shot the 1000fps loads and it is a handful!
Makes me giggle like a little girl. Accurate and definitely hard hitting.
Recently I found a Sig P210-1 and OMG!! I believe it is as accurate as they say. These shipped with a 50m target and HAD to do an 8 shot 1/2" group or they went back to the shop. It delivers.
Being a revolver guy and liking large bore, I shoot things that start with a 4, but when I had a chance to get a 480 Ruger, I jumped at it.
I've loaded two levels of 400g cast bullets - 1000fps and 1200fps.
Let me tell you... I've only shot the 1000fps loads and it is a handful!
Makes me giggle like a little girl.
Accurate and definitely hard hitting.ironhead7544
Member
6 inch barrel Desert Eagle lightweight frame 44 Magnum. With full loads it recoiled like a 1911 with hard ball. i wouldnt mind having a 10 inch version today.
I thought of another one. I can't say I was surprised at the time because I didn't know enough back then to have expectations.
I bought a Squires-Bingham Model 20, 22 rifle from K-Mart. Made by Armscor in the Phillipines, I think I paid $49.99 for it. All I knew was it was an inexpensive 22, and I could afford it.
That was a shooting little trick. It wasn't until years later it occured to me that it probably should have been a piece of junk. It wasn't. It was actually a fairly nice rifle.
It had a 15 round stick magazine that worked, which since then I'm learned isn't supposed to happen. That was the only thing I didn't really like about the gun. The magazine stuck out pretty far and would dig into your back when on a sling. I just got to removing the mag when slinging the rifle. Killed many a squirrel with it.
I bought a Squires-Bingham Model 20, 22 rifle from K-Mart. Made by Armscor in the Phillipines, I think I paid $49.99 for it. All I knew was it was an inexpensive 22, and I could afford it.
That was a shooting little trick. It wasn't until years later it occured to me that it probably should have been a piece of junk. It wasn't. It was actually a fairly nice rifle.
It had a 15 round stick magazine that worked, which since then I'm learned isn't supposed to happen. That was the only thing I didn't really like about the gun. The magazine stuck out pretty far and would dig into your back when on a sling. I just got to removing the mag when slinging the rifle. Killed many a squirrel with it.
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tndrfttom
Member
Surprising Rifles
Not so good:
Ruger 77/22 in .22 Hornet. Had to have one when they first came out. I could not get it to shoot a group with either factory ammo or reloads that shot well in another Hornet I owned. At one hundred yards it would shoot two within an inch and the third bullet 3-4 inches away; a five-shot group was more of a "cluster". I returned it to Ruger and got it back with a note on the repair order that the accuracy was "within acceptable limits" (or something to that effect). I tried a few more reloads and then traded it off.
Good:
Marlin X7 and X7VH in .223 Rem. I was looking for an entry level (cheap) .223 bolt action. I got the X7 (standard weight 22 inch barrel) first, cleaned the bore, installed a 1980's Leupold 3-9 scope on it and went to the range. I got it rough-zeroed in the black in 3 shots of ball ammo and then went to my 'match' 69 Sierra Match King load that shoots like crazy in my AR-15 target rifles. Well that shot under an inch at 100 yards just out-of the-box. I was so impressed that I bought the X7VH (26 inch heavy barrel version) a month later. I guess I was expecting the heavy barrel to put all the bullets in the same hole. Well, it doesn't; so far it groups about the same as the light barrel version but I'm working on some different reloads tailored to it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, they both shoot under an inch right out of the box. I hope Remington never finds out about these Marlins – they will probably make Marlin drop them from the line. They shoot great and cost half of what a Remington does.
Honorable Mention:
Norinco JW-15 in .22 LR. I believe Clayco Sports imported these. Anyway, a friend of mine bought several since they were a copy of a Burno and urged me to get one. If I recall correctly the rifles were $55 and they had some "seconds" with dinged stocks that were $45. I got one of each and put a Lyman receiver sight on one and 4X scope on the other. They are foolproof and amazingly accurate shooters.
Not so good:
Ruger 77/22 in .22 Hornet. Had to have one when they first came out. I could not get it to shoot a group with either factory ammo or reloads that shot well in another Hornet I owned. At one hundred yards it would shoot two within an inch and the third bullet 3-4 inches away; a five-shot group was more of a "cluster". I returned it to Ruger and got it back with a note on the repair order that the accuracy was "within acceptable limits" (or something to that effect). I tried a few more reloads and then traded it off.
Good:
Marlin X7 and X7VH in .223 Rem. I was looking for an entry level (cheap) .223 bolt action. I got the X7 (standard weight 22 inch barrel) first, cleaned the bore, installed a 1980's Leupold 3-9 scope on it and went to the range. I got it rough-zeroed in the black in 3 shots of ball ammo and then went to my 'match' 69 Sierra Match King load that shoots like crazy in my AR-15 target rifles. Well that shot under an inch at 100 yards just out-of the-box. I was so impressed that I bought the X7VH (26 inch heavy barrel version) a month later. I guess I was expecting the heavy barrel to put all the bullets in the same hole. Well, it doesn't; so far it groups about the same as the light barrel version but I'm working on some different reloads tailored to it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, they both shoot under an inch right out of the box. I hope Remington never finds out about these Marlins – they will probably make Marlin drop them from the line. They shoot great and cost half of what a Remington does.
Honorable Mention:
Norinco JW-15 in .22 LR. I believe Clayco Sports imported these. Anyway, a friend of mine bought several since they were a copy of a Burno and urged me to get one. If I recall correctly the rifles were $55 and they had some "seconds" with dinged stocks that were $45. I got one of each and put a Lyman receiver sight on one and 4X scope on the other. They are foolproof and amazingly accurate shooters.
The good: a "ridden hard, put away wet", ugly, pitted, and battered old Ruger .22 auto--paid $59 for it. Replaced the springs, sandblasted and blued it, did a trigger job, zeroed it. Always take it when I go shooting, always enjoy it; probably the best shooting .22 pistol I own.
A Ruger .45 Convertible, 4 5/8". Took a while to find that it liked .454 cast bullets. Light for its size, mild recoil, excellent shooter with both ACP and .45 Colt. Just plain fun with power.
The bad: Ruger P97 .45 ACP. Never fed right no matter what the factory or I tried. Wasted about 1000 rounds and a year on it. By popular vote the factory took the gun back, destroyed it, and sent me a NIB gun. I immediately put it on consignment as I had had enough. To this day I want nothing to do with their centerfire pistols.
Kahr CW45. Nice feel, great DA, accurate. Prone to feeding problems, mag drops. Apparently they are a love/hate thing. I grew to hate it. (I especially hate unreliable guns.)
I don't waste much time on problematic guns anymore. If they don't straighten up in a reasonable period of time, out they go.
A Ruger .45 Convertible, 4 5/8". Took a while to find that it liked .454 cast bullets. Light for its size, mild recoil, excellent shooter with both ACP and .45 Colt. Just plain fun with power.
The bad: Ruger P97 .45 ACP. Never fed right no matter what the factory or I tried. Wasted about 1000 rounds and a year on it. By popular vote the factory took the gun back, destroyed it, and sent me a NIB gun. I immediately put it on consignment as I had had enough. To this day I want nothing to do with their centerfire pistols.
Kahr CW45. Nice feel, great DA, accurate. Prone to feeding problems, mag drops. Apparently they are a love/hate thing. I grew to hate it. (I especially hate unreliable guns.)
I don't waste much time on problematic guns anymore. If they don't straighten up in a reasonable period of time, out they go.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
In a good way - this 329PD:
I bought it because nobody else did. It sat in my favorite pawn shop for many months, slowly working its way down in price. One day two clunkers I had on consignment sold for $500, and the owner said "You keep playing with that damn .44, just take it instead." So I did. I put Pachmayr compacs on it.
I planned on trading it, but then I shot it. I love this thing, lock and all.
In a bad way, this Contender .223:
I thought, this will be great. I have a ton of .223 ammo and this thing will be like a death ray on prairie dogs. Then I shot it.
I expected it to be loud. But they need another word for loud when describing this thing. It gave me a toothache. Someone on this great forum took it off my hands, and I hope they are happy together.
I bought it because nobody else did. It sat in my favorite pawn shop for many months, slowly working its way down in price. One day two clunkers I had on consignment sold for $500, and the owner said "You keep playing with that damn .44, just take it instead." So I did. I put Pachmayr compacs on it.
I planned on trading it, but then I shot it. I love this thing, lock and all.
In a bad way, this Contender .223:
I thought, this will be great. I have a ton of .223 ammo and this thing will be like a death ray on prairie dogs. Then I shot it.
I expected it to be loud. But they need another word for loud when describing this thing. It gave me a toothache. Someone on this great forum took it off my hands, and I hope they are happy together.
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A police trade-in from J&G sales I bought two model 64 DAO
38 specials to trade on and was pleasantly supprised on how accurate I could shoot them and the nice triggers. I kept one and traded the other on a 1911 Kimber.
38 specials to trade on and was pleasantly supprised on how accurate I could shoot them and the nice triggers. I kept one and traded the other on a 1911 Kimber.
jlrhiner
US Veteran
For me it has to be a Luger in .30. That was the most naturally pointing handgun ever. really. ever.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Well, the one that shot less than a foot over my head while I was deer hunting comes to mind. That was a considerable surprise.
But the one that surprised me in the most pleasant way was an inexpensive little Stevens 311 side-by-side in twenty gauge, 28" barrels choked modified and full, 3" chambers. Double triggers, extractors only. But MAN, that little gun shot well for me! It was deadly on doves. I can't even hunt anymore, but I wish I had that twenty back.
But the one that surprised me in the most pleasant way was an inexpensive little Stevens 311 side-by-side in twenty gauge, 28" barrels choked modified and full, 3" chambers. Double triggers, extractors only. But MAN, that little gun shot well for me! It was deadly on doves. I can't even hunt anymore, but I wish I had that twenty back.
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OLDSTER
Member
surprise
On a recommendation from a friend a few years back for a "pocket" pistol; I bought this little Kel-Tec P32. Love it Well made ( arguable Kel-Tecs best--and they have had some stinkers over the years). Great quality, tiny, dependable, accurate, and a nice trigger
On a recommendation from a friend a few years back for a "pocket" pistol; I bought this little Kel-Tec P32. Love it
Well made ( arguable Kel-Tecs best--and they have had some stinkers over the years). Great quality, tiny, dependable, accurate, and a nice trigger
My Rock Island 45 acp G.I Model sure suprised Me with how accurate it is.
I installed a Tactical Beaver Tail Safety and New Hammer so I dont get Slide Bite anymore and even with the G.I sights I get great groupings. I cant call it a Tack Driver but maybe a Nail Driver for sure.
I installed a Tactical Beaver Tail Safety and New Hammer so I dont get Slide Bite anymore and even with the G.I sights I get great groupings. I cant call it a Tack Driver but maybe a Nail Driver for sure.
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