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This past Saturday I attended a gunshow here in Columbia, the first I've been to in several years. I went soely because I was trying to sell my Marlin 1895M .450 Marlin. Blue Book value on it in 98% condition (accurate for my gun with one box of ammo fired through it) is $455, but I knew that local shops are selling the new for $490, and saw similar knew ones for as low as $425 at the show.
Spent about 3 hours crusing the aisles, finally made a deal. Traded it for an Emerson Mini CQC7 ($119 retail) and $230 cash. I then purchased for $190 a used Rem. 870 stamped "SCHD" (SC Highway Dept.) that had the 18" bead sight cylinder bore bbl., stock riot grooved forend, and non-checkered buttstock. There's some finish wear, and a few minor pits on the exterior of the barrel, but the bore was pristine, and the action tight. After getting it home, I cycled some shells through it, no problem. It will eventually go to Scattergun Tech for their Remington Steal package, and I'll add a Choate 7 shot mag extension, sling swivels, and a tactical sling. Then I'll have MY ideal Social Shotfun. Plus, I can always buy a standard 28" Remchoke bbl. for it, remove the extension and put in a plug and use if to shoot a dove or duck if the mood should strike me. For quail, I'd just take off the mag extension and use the standard magazine cap with the short barrel.
I also rejoined GRSC, and bought a raffle ticket for a Custom Harley 1200cc (retail $22K) to be given away this Dec. 31.
Bottom line: I got a gun and a knife I wanted, joined an organization I needed to be in, and came away with 7 extra bucks in my pocket. I'm a happy camper. I'll be an even happier camper if by some long shot I win that Harley. I'll drive it for a month and then sell it.
Bikes and I don't mix well. I love the feel of wind in your face and the throb of a good motor between your legs, but I am decidedly uncomfortable knowing that there's nothing between me and any hard objects except a helmet and a layer clothing. My last experience on a bike was not good, so I have little confidence in my ability to drive them well. There are other things I'd rather use the time to learn better; a trip to either Thunder Ranch before it closes or else Gunsite comes to mind.
Spent about 3 hours crusing the aisles, finally made a deal. Traded it for an Emerson Mini CQC7 ($119 retail) and $230 cash. I then purchased for $190 a used Rem. 870 stamped "SCHD" (SC Highway Dept.) that had the 18" bead sight cylinder bore bbl., stock riot grooved forend, and non-checkered buttstock. There's some finish wear, and a few minor pits on the exterior of the barrel, but the bore was pristine, and the action tight. After getting it home, I cycled some shells through it, no problem. It will eventually go to Scattergun Tech for their Remington Steal package, and I'll add a Choate 7 shot mag extension, sling swivels, and a tactical sling. Then I'll have MY ideal Social Shotfun. Plus, I can always buy a standard 28" Remchoke bbl. for it, remove the extension and put in a plug and use if to shoot a dove or duck if the mood should strike me. For quail, I'd just take off the mag extension and use the standard magazine cap with the short barrel.
I also rejoined GRSC, and bought a raffle ticket for a Custom Harley 1200cc (retail $22K) to be given away this Dec. 31.
Bottom line: I got a gun and a knife I wanted, joined an organization I needed to be in, and came away with 7 extra bucks in my pocket. I'm a happy camper. I'll be an even happier camper if by some long shot I win that Harley. I'll drive it for a month and then sell it.
Bikes and I don't mix well. I love the feel of wind in your face and the throb of a good motor between your legs, but I am decidedly uncomfortable knowing that there's nothing between me and any hard objects except a helmet and a layer clothing. My last experience on a bike was not good, so I have little confidence in my ability to drive them well. There are other things I'd rather use the time to learn better; a trip to either Thunder Ranch before it closes or else Gunsite comes to mind.