Old Collection
 

I had been bugging my gf's parents for some time about letting me see their gun collection. The dad knows im into em. I knew it was a touchy subject for them since their son (gf's brother) had died 12 years ago from a gun shot wound. What I didnt know is that the safes had only been opened once since then. First, we had to get to the safes in the back of a overpacked closet. Luckily, the keys were there. One of them we had trouble opening. I didnt image that it was because it was so packed full.

It was quite a collection, I was impressed. About 2 dozen long guns, a dozen hand guns, 1k rounds ammo, and various other accessories. Most of the handguns were S&W revolvers and a S&W 9mm auto. Also a baretta 9mm auto. Various long guns inculding several .22's, shotguns, 30-30, 30-06, etc. The one that caught my eye was a Rem 870 Marine Magnum. Incredible gun, extended tube, tac light the works. Gf said her brother used to sleep with that one, not beside the bed, but in the bed with him.

The not so good part was that these really nice pieces of machinery had obviously been neglected. They had no gun oil or even 3-in-1, so I wiped them all down with a rag and wd40. Took me quite a while. I know, I know...... dont use wd40, but i figured it was better to get a coat of something on the outside of them than to let them continue to corrode. Next time I go over, ill bring some proper cleaning supplies.

I was considering asking if they wanted to sell anything, and weve been shopping for the girlfriend, but figured Id wait after the father said he was going to send me through a metal detector before I left. Must have been the twinkle in my eye. They had some hard to find ammo for guns that wernt even there, and some sks mags (no sks) which ive been searching for and havnt been able to find locally.

They had a very nice knife collection as well. An very old gerber that was in great condition. I told dad that he should have that one appraised. After we left, my gf said they also had a coin collection. Next time.

It ended up being really fun evening just thought Id share. S if your out there, nice collection bro! Oh yeah, and Im bangin your sister.

Re: Old Collection
 

Just thought of another gun safe story. Year and a half ago, my best friend died. Few days before his unexpected passing, his mother asked him to write down the combination to the safe. He looked at her, pointed to his head, and said "dont worry ma, its right here".

Not sure if they have got the safe open yet.

Re: Old Collection
 

Yikes..TAUNTING THE DEAD...that is madness. You should rescind your statement, and apologize to S, before he decides to rise and put his ghostly foot in your business.

Re: Old Collection
 

Wow, I wouldn't show any BF of my daughter's my gun or coin collection.. I would also severely reprimand her for even mentioning either of them to ANYONE.


You sound like a nice guy.. :bear_rolleyes: Go over and clean his guns with WD40 and then taunt the dead brother that you are banging his sister on an Internet forum.. I hope your GF or her father doesn't read GIM.

Re: Old Collection
 

Maybe they were reluctant to show you anything because they were afraid you would get on an internet forum and post about it. :wink: No, I'm sure you wouldn't do anything crazy like that! I can't wait to hear all about the coin collection!

Re: Old Collection
 

Sheesh folks, lighten up a bit. It was an attempt at humor. I think S and myself wouldve been good friends.

The point of the post was that you never know what your neighbor is packin. Just think, this safe hadn't been opened in years. There could be a little ol lady down the street with a freakin arsenal from WW2 and she may be willing to share if the SHTF.

Re: Old Collection
 

I've got ona them Marine Magnums....it's NIIIIICE! :)

Don't sleep with mine though....muzzle's not big enough.

Re: Old Collection
 

I have a Marine Magnum also.

I bought it very cheap, same as new. Problem was it was defective and after firing it wouldn't cycle. I would guess this is why the guy sold it so cheap, he just forgot to mention the defect. :sarc:

Cost me $14 to get it fixed so I got a great deal.:565:

Re: Old Collection
 

Hmmm...what was the problem that had to be fixed?

Re: Old Collection
 

True that - a few years ago I was training with a local SWAT team and the armorer pulled out an MP-40. Said it was a WW2 bring back that was turned in by an old lady who didn't want her son to get hold of it. Shooting that piece of history was fun.

Re: Old Collection
 

PR,
You bring up a really good point.

As the greatest generation dies, there will a LOAD of large and small collections of firearms that will be up for sale.

Never hurts to get to know gun owners of ALL AGES. I've passed on several larger gun collections. But have passed the info onto a buddy of mine who has always made a fair offer. The folks get to sell the collections and he makes SOME money in the process. And the guns DON'T go to the police to be destroyed or end up in a cops hands.

Re: Old Collection
 

Whew! Glad this thread took a turn for the better. Thanks for all the comments. :15_1_70v:

Seems mossberg and others also make mariner models. Different coatings make em more resistant to corrosion. Seems like a good thing in a SHTF scenario. Moss 590 also has 20in barrell. How bout smaller tubes to comply with hunting regs? Maybe use a plug?

wall, are these just local friends of the family? My family attends a lot of estate sales and pick up some things that way. Too bad its so difficult to advertise private sales, and not on sites like craigslist and fleabay. Gunbroker has been a problem for me and hate the transfer fees.

Re: Old Collection
 

MP 40, had to look that one up. Does look like fun!

Re: Old Collection
 

PR,
The FUNNY part is they are not. Though I do get leads that way.

But NORMALLY I get them while I'm out just living my life. I always talk to people. Like in line at the grocery store. I tell them I'm retired. They ask what I USED to do. I tell them I was a gunsmith. Then BOOM, they are saying "you know, I've got a friend (cousin, uncle, aunt, parent) that may want to talk to you because of a recent death in the family they have a collection of guns to sell".

I give them my card and tell them that I will gladly appraise the value FOR FREE, but that I rarely buy firearms any more. But I can put them in touch with a couple of gunsmithing buddies that might be interested.

I even had one guy, whose 1971 Mustang I was looking at to purchase pull HIS collection out and said, "Well, I ain't gonna be around forever" and then went on to show me over fifty firearms. As usual, I gave him my card and told him if he needed any help finding buyers to contact me. AGAIN, I do this for free.

Re: Old Collection
 

Very interesting thank you.

So as a retired gunsmith, what do you keep in your collection. What are some of the most reliable, most versitile, and most collectable (investment).

Some time ago a mentor in my field of work, told me that his collection of firearms had appreciated in value better than some of his paper investments, and urged me to do the same when I actually started making some coin (he certainly wasnt paying me enough to be investing, lol, but the knowledge he taught me was priceless). I have never forgotten that.

Re: Old Collection
 

Actually I don't own firearms as an investment. I own them for protection and fun to shoot.

The majority of my firearms are from ComBloc countries. AK's. CZ52's. Ammo has been cheap until a few months back. But I stocked up when 7.62x39 was around $130 a case. 7.62x25 is STILL cheap with a spam can roughly $130 shipped and if you buy several at a time it means only one $20 hazmat fee.

The WIFE shoots .357 mag and she is flat deadly with this round. I 'roll my own' so I can make it wild or mild and the costs are fairly inexpensive. The powder I use is Winchester 231. Seems to be the best for what I shoot. I got my bullets from Montana Bullets. For primers I use Remington 1 1/2 small pistol primers (they are NOT magnum primers). I've been reloading these types of rounds for 12 years with zero complaints from my wife or I.

Plus I LIKE Winchester Model 12's. Although the Winchester Model 1897 will also work. NEITHER of these models have a 'trigger disconnect'. Which means after you have one round in the chamber, you pull the trigger and it goes boom.

So far, that's just like EVERY OTHER SHOTGUN OUT THERE. But here's where the lack of a trigger disconnect comes in. YOU KEEP HOLDING THE TRIGGER BACK. As you rack the next shell into the chamber, as soon as the bolt goes into battery IT FIRES. I can empty five rounds into a target in less than ten seconds.

I keep several flavors of 12 gauge in stock, from 00, to #4, to #7 or #8, they ALL have a place in my working stock.

Then my 'long range' rifle is my Rem 700 BDL heavy barrel. Bedded, larger recoil lug, trigger job. Wears a Burris 3 - 10x Signature scope. Shoots further than I can see with it.

I HAVE SHOT all sorts of .308 from South African to Portugese to Lake City. I caught about 1000 rounds of Lake City on sale quite some time ago and have been sitting on that for at least 15 years. WORKS GREAT. ALL THE TIME.

Re: Old Collection
 

That's the truth. My previous boss used to tell us stories about the neighbors i her mother's retirement community. One was a little 90 year old jewish lady who kept a loaded uzi, reportedly full auto, near her front door.

Re: Old Collection
 

Fantastic! I have a model 12, was a hand-me-down from my father. Literally thousands and thousands of shells through it. Thanks for the info!
:565: