Had a few minutes to kill this morning, so I went to an out of the way gun shop. [Yes, out of ammo.] Toyed with getting a Berretta 950 (I already reload, so reloading 25acp shouldn't be bad--but I suspect I'd rather have something else for my next handgun), but I think the Christmas money in my pocket is leaning more towards something to shoot at 100yards. Which is the max distance at the range I go to.
Now, other than the aforementioned 25acp, anything will hit the berm. And since I don't hunt, I really don't need a "serious" caliber. But as a cheapskate...
Anyhow, they had a Rem 121 pump, with a BSA 3-7 scope on it. I already own a Rem 572 but it's on indefinate loan to a friend. I didn't warm up to that gun: stiff trigger, and the forend seemed loose. The 121, despite being much older, just felt better in pretty much every way. Other than being old and an unknown (is it a shooter? broken? unreliable?). But it looks like parts are available on Numrich.
This particular gun was $200, with a cracked forend (not badly) and hardly any blueing; scope was new but I don't think BSA is highly rated. The scope was also sitting on the rear site. Would you buy it? I read good things about the 121 but I'm wondering if I'd rather wait and buy something else--or if I'd regret letting it pass. [They did have a bolt "target" rifle, forgot the model, but it was $400+ and used peep sites.] I prefer shooters, so low cosmetics don't bother me--except I prefer wood stocks.
I already have a 10/22, but I kinda like it just as it is: high viz sights, carbine, and I bought it new--I just can't bring myself to mar the paint putting a rail onto it so as to take a red dot (which is something else I'd like to have). [But I might, if it takes much longer for me to get those sights dialed in!]
I suspect the "right" answer is to buy this for fun, if I can afford it and want it; and hold out for either a 22Mag bolt or 17HMR for 100 yard shooting. [22Mag isn't as accurate but could be used for pest control--while I don't hunt I wouldn't mind something with a bit more umph. 17HMR might actually be boring--or, might reveal too much about the shooter--a 22Mag can always be blamed as being inaccurate, not so much so for the 17's.] But discussing this is more fun than the other current discussions about guns...
Now, other than the aforementioned 25acp, anything will hit the berm. And since I don't hunt, I really don't need a "serious" caliber. But as a cheapskate...
Anyhow, they had a Rem 121 pump, with a BSA 3-7 scope on it. I already own a Rem 572 but it's on indefinate loan to a friend. I didn't warm up to that gun: stiff trigger, and the forend seemed loose. The 121, despite being much older, just felt better in pretty much every way. Other than being old and an unknown (is it a shooter? broken? unreliable?). But it looks like parts are available on Numrich.
This particular gun was $200, with a cracked forend (not badly) and hardly any blueing; scope was new but I don't think BSA is highly rated. The scope was also sitting on the rear site. Would you buy it? I read good things about the 121 but I'm wondering if I'd rather wait and buy something else--or if I'd regret letting it pass. [They did have a bolt "target" rifle, forgot the model, but it was $400+ and used peep sites.] I prefer shooters, so low cosmetics don't bother me--except I prefer wood stocks.
I already have a 10/22, but I kinda like it just as it is: high viz sights, carbine, and I bought it new--I just can't bring myself to mar the paint putting a rail onto it so as to take a red dot (which is something else I'd like to have). [But I might, if it takes much longer for me to get those sights dialed in!]
I suspect the "right" answer is to buy this for fun, if I can afford it and want it; and hold out for either a 22Mag bolt or 17HMR for 100 yard shooting. [22Mag isn't as accurate but could be used for pest control--while I don't hunt I wouldn't mind something with a bit more umph. 17HMR might actually be boring--or, might reveal too much about the shooter--a 22Mag can always be blamed as being inaccurate, not so much so for the 17's.] But discussing this is more fun than the other current discussions about guns...