Thread: Firearms you're glad you sold.

Originally Posted by hunter308

x2 mossberg ATR100's in 308, a SMLE 303 that couldn't hit the side of a barn door and a norinco bolt action 7.62x39

Recently, with the sanded-down stock? If it is, you'll see it again on trademe soon hahaha

Once upon a time a very long time ago and not long after I had left home and joined the Forest Service as a trainee I was offered "a really excellent double barrelled shotgun with good hammers and really tight chokes so it would be a great "long range gun"".

5 pounds was the asking price, which was a lot of money when your trainee wages were one pound 3 shillings and fourpence per week before 30 shillings was deducted for cookhouse and camp fees.

Being quite experienced in the use of .303's and single shot .22's I assumed faults in a shotgun would be easy to spot, and also, since the willing seller was a ranger trainee in his third year, and therefor of godlike presence and must presumably be of 110% credibility, I saved hard and dreamt of the day it would be mine.

The day came and transaction completed, gun in hand I retreated to my hut and started to clean years of accumulated grime from the weapon, all the while imagining the pristine firearm that would be revealed and the hundreds of ducks and pheasants that would fall to its reports.

Once I got the outside of the barrels cleaned, I notice strange but quite pretty scroll-like patterns in the steel work. I imagined this proved the superior finish of such a fine weapon. Then I thought about cleaning the inside of the barrels. The only thing I could find to do the job was the handle of the tiny standard issue NZFS hut broom, which, with a bit of rag wrapped around it, served as a cleaning rod. I noticed some difficultly in getting the broom through the barrels at first, but it became easier after a few hours but felt quite rough. Looking down the barrels I was amazed to see rather disconcertingly large corroded holes and they were so big I was even holding my hand over the muzzles to see if there was any light showing through the sides of the barrels.

Somewhat aghast, I tremulously approached the senior ranger trainee / willing seller to discuss this alarming phenomenon of scabby barrel syndrome. He looked disparagingly down upon me and assured me that such minor wear was nothing more than proof of the great and venerable history the gun had as a long range killer of ducks and rabbits. Thus temporarily reassured I returned to my hut to consider the matter. I decided that it would be wise to seek a second opinion and so approached a local relative who knew a bit about guns. His advice was brief and awful. "Throw it away laddie".

The connotations of a 5 quid loss were too awful so yours truly decided he better find another willing buyer. One was eventually found but refused to pay more than 3 pounds 10 shillings for it, and then only after I referred him to the previous owner for a rundown of the illustrious history of that gun. I was relieved to be rid of it, and have until this day felt guilty about selling it on, even though I lost a weeks pay in the process. Never again did I look at buying a Damascus barrelled gun or anything with exterior hammers. Nor have I ever trusted a gun "expert' unless I could verify his credentials. A lesson learnt the hard way, and never forgotten.

Walther G22 the biggest piece of sh-t, so glad I was able to rid myself of it for the same as I paid of it.

sako 85, way to pretty for a ruffian like me to be bashing around the bush.

norinco bolt action 7.62x39

Originally Posted by machiavelli

Walther G22 the biggest piece of sh-t, so glad I was able to rid myself of it for the same as I paid of it.

I bought one of those. You are so right...

But once stripped , cleaned and couple of internet mods done its actually an awesome fun gun. No one cleans them properly as it
throws every spring in the world into the darkest corners of the room when pulled to bits. They recommend you strip it inside of a plastic bag to contain them.
Four reassembly attempts with a day or two in between them to regain lost patience. ha ha
The one I got was so filthy inside it wasn't funny. It wouldn t even cycle ...
Mint as now like brand new and a good piece of something different plus fun to shoot. Never failed to cycle or mis behaved and accurate enough ..

Originally Posted by Tommy

Recently, with the sanded-down stock? If it is, you'll see it again on trademe soon hahaha

Nope the 303, 7.62x39 and one of the mossbergs were four years ago the other mossberg was 2 years ago

Originally Posted by Maca49

Shitty Brno semi auto .22, use to carry my bolt action over my shoulder as backup for when the bloody thing jammed solid, nearly every trip!

yep there crap alright I've known a few people with them

To compliment the other thread running at the moment.

Remington 700 XHR 270 with a triangular blued barrel..

Midland 243, my first centrefire. What a heap of shit Springfield crossbreed English mauser crapper.

My 1970's - 1980's Ruger M77's.

Oh and the worst kicking rifle I have owned, A Ruger .270 Mountain Rifle with a drinking straw barrell. Bloody light to carry, but kicked worse that any of my other rifles in bigger calibers. Very light weight and poorly designed stock is all I could put it down to. My 7mmRM's & 30-06's were easier on the shoulder.

My first rifle.
Sako a7 in 7mm rem mag, had a barrel forward suppressor that made it front heavy and if I'm completely honest not the ideal caliber to learn to shoot with.
Nothing wrong with it other than the barrel forward suppressor it was just too much for a complete novice.
Would happily own another one now.

Originally Posted by JoshC

Baikal single shot 308, and a Remington 7400 308. Both very average.

+1 for Baikal 308.