quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:
I hadn't seen an Officer's Model Match of any flavor for sale for a while, and I'll be training my son on handguns soon enough. I like to start with revolvers. That's 1967, my Python is '68.
If you're going to pick one .22 revolver, the pistol that became the Python is a great choice. I had a Ruger Bearcat, and a S&W 8shot at one point. I forget the model of S&W.

Colts Trooper .22 was a stout package for a wheel gun. Like your OMM, the trooper frame is pretty much like a Anaconda, I think. The Trooper .22 would have been my 1st ever side arm. I went home that day with a 8 3/8" S&W 586. My 1st side arm.

The trooper could have been on a Python frame, The Anaconda frame would be a mighty .22.

Nice Woodsman. I keep thinking some day I'd like to pick one up. That, or a Hi-Standard.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:
I saw a 41 with a 7" barrel, I want to say they were asking $3k for it... They are rare and all..

Well, I dunno about $3k, but I know what they're not worth. In a fit of stupidity last year, I took mine to the LGS to sell it or trade it. Thankfully the fuckwit behind the counter told me "I'll give you $300, these old ones aren't worth anything." I checked, and the best I can estimate, it was made either in 1968 or 1969. The list didn't specify starting or ending serial. 7" and 5" barrels. I was ringing a man-sized steel target at 120 yards with it several weeks back.



I like the Clark on yours. Before any other "fun" .22's happen, I need a threaded Clark barrel so I can make this one a suppressor host. I mean, stupid accurate with an amazing trigger and this quiet? Want. Too bad Clark is back-ordered on barrels.

That is a very nice 41. The $3k one was at a shop I stumbled upon, that had some really rare stuff but every price in there was wild. Prices in MA run high, certainly for ARs right now.. but when the whole shop thinks highly of itself.. hmm.

Shooting .22 out to 100yds+ is loads of fun. My range isn't great ever since they added some rules. There are new cameras everywhere, and now no handguns beyond the 25-50. So clearly some shitbags ruined it for the rest of us.

First gun shop I worked for, owner was a Colt collector. I had seen many photos of those but until I worked for him never held one. It was in the box also!

Always wondered how it shot too.

You got that Officer's Model from Mo (MCS) in Brookfield, didn't you?

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
You got that Officer's Model from Mo (MCS) in Brookfield, didn't you?

You have a good memory. Is he still kickin'?

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
You got that Officer's Model from Mo (MCS) in Brookfield, didn't you?

You have a good memory. Is he still kickin'?

He closed the shop quite a while ago. I saw him about four years ago by chance when we both happened to go to a UPS hub at the same time. I haven't seen him since then, so I don't know if he's still around on this side of the grass.

I wish I could recall the Mass. FFL I bought a pistol from on line. First name Eldan? He had a .22 Short conversion unit in its box for the Model 41. Twas a 7" barrel and 1 magazine. That, back many years ago was a $1,200.00 unit. S&W didn't make very many .22 Short 41s.

quote:

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
You have a good memory. Is he still kickin'?

He closed the shop quite a while ago. I saw him about four years ago by chance when we both happened to go to a UPS hub at the same time. I haven't seen him since then, so I don't know if he's still around on this side of the grass.

Aw well now we'll go down memory lane. A good guy and a unique individual. The mill powered thru a Model A transmission? I forget why I first landed there, it might have been a recommendation from you or Vin. A number of return trips followed. M14 parts and other firearms. I remember he had a nice SPP.

That might just be the place where I really learned to scour a shop, and that the shoeboxes beat the Cabela's all day any day. There was a dusty brick in the corner down the end. What's that?

"Oh that's something that I saved, when I used to shoot competition I thought I'd put together a real sweetheart on it." Life gets away from us all, he always meant to but never did. But he always might, and there it sat. A receiver he purchased from Ron Smith when only professionals were doing that, and saved because it's got his birth year on it. Once upon a time he was saving it, then it was a curiosity, after that I imagine people he told the story too were softened. But because I was in my mid 20's and it was in the case, it was for sale. So I just matter of fact asked what he wanted for it. The price he asked was a kings ransom from what he'd paid, and real high for the time. But back then, options for these rifles were limited, and If you wanted a receiver as a non-match shooter, the market wasn't there yet really. It was rare then. I remember there was talk of SEI making receivers again for a while... It's even more rare now.

I held onto that receiver for a while, gathered the sweetest of parts with the intention of having a rifle built worthy of what he'd have done. In time I developed a friendship with a member in Florida, and he took me to a shop not to far from him. I met this fossil named Bruce Dow. This was after I moved back to MA, so Charlie was too much of a haul.

He put this together:




That rifle shoots overwhelmingly better than I do, and I don't shoot it half as much as it deserves to be shot. Maybe when my son is older. 83 isn't that old these days, I hope he's doing well wherever he is.

All the commercial parts options for these rifles, and the receivers, is really encouraging. USGI parts? If the things brewing last I checked have come true, high quality commercial op-rods are a thing.. I hope so. SEI seems even less accessible than they ever were, there are fewer M14 smiths out there. I really hope all that institutional knowledge isn't loss, but some of it absolutely will be, with the experience of these men and the memory in their hands. I've spoken to Ron on the phone, Elmer Ballance might still be available, I've enjoyed listening to a lot of cranky, old, antisocial men. Not Mr. Ballance on the cranky list, I imagine a lot of tire kicking wears people down, and this pesky internet thing. Les Tam retired?

In all honesty, thanks for reminding me of Mo. I had starting eyeing that rifle as potential deadwood. I have long said that I don't run a museum, then life, and I am. I've been in the process of an overhaul, see all those SBRs.. The Classic NM M14 might be approaching passé or relic status, but shoot one and you find them hard to argue against.

Thread drift.

Very nice rifle.

Yeah, Mo's was my favorite place. Nice guy and he always seemed to have what you asked for.
I bought a lot of stuff from him.

I remember talking with him and mentioned that I was thinking about getting a Benelli .22 target pistol.
He went over to a shelf and dug around and came up with a dusty box with a NIB Benelli Olympic target pistol.
So I went home with it.

I had two complete Colt 1911 slide assemblies that I inherited from my Uncle.
He built me two nice pistols using Caspian frames.

I got my LRB M14 from him, too.

Good memories.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:


Your dad might have had one of these. A great feeling little pistol.

I inherited my fathers Colt match target .22,fantastic pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:


Shooting .22 out to 100yds+ is loads of fun. My range isn't great ever since they added some rules. There are new cameras everywhere, and now no handguns beyond the 25-50. So clearly some shitbags ruined it for the rest of us.

I had a 10" round steel at 100y years ago. I hit it nearly every time offhand with this gun.


Lots of fun. There was enough time to hear the ding after the bang.

Was gifted this Huntsman model a few months ago.

Some fine .22s. These are underappreciated. From target shooting, to general utility, to putting one behind somebodies ear.

I have a 50’s vintage pencil barrel huntsman. Mags are made of unobtaniun. It did come with both plastic and wood grips.

Bought it becuase it reminded me of shooting my late grandfather’s Woodsman from the 1930s with him. He gave it to my uncle ( by marriage) and then uncle had a heart attack and passed. My cousin I suppose has the guns but has never brought it up. Her husband said they did an inventory at his death and sounds like some parts are missing. Like the bolt from an 03 Springfield. I’m across country and they are not gun people so it’s frustrating. Oh well.