Originally Posted By: zerosoma
Good evening bitog. The more I shoot and learn from my mistakes I realize its just silly and exhausting to mess around with cheap stuff. Every time I'd think I'd be better off saving that extra $200 or whatever, buying entry level brand x vs brand z, I was eventually sorry for it. Don't ask me how.i know this.
When you buy a nice gun, you appreciate it a lot more, enjoy the heck out of it, and chances are it will last you a lifetime/son's/grandson's...
Just my thoughts here.
I couldn't agree more. First, I love .22 guns. They are so economical to shoot, and just fun to play with. When I was younger, I became quite a fan of the 10/22. And I still am. But they are essentially a utility tool. Very reliable. Quite accurate. Just a great gun.
But recently I have started searching for and buying nicer guns. I recently picked up a Browning grade 2 BL-22 lever action. While it is also very reliable, and even a little more accurate than my 10/22's, it is both a visual and engineering work of art. The high gloss, checkered, walnut stock is just gorgeous. And the scroll engraved receiver adds a very nice touch to it. Then there is the super smooth, short throw action. I bought the BL-22 at a gun show. I am sure that there were many more expensive assault rifles being bought that day. But when I left, both of the gentlemen working security made comments about how beautiful of a gun it was, and jokingly commented that I should put it in their car when I left. I didn't hear them make a single comment when the assault rifles were checked out right before me.
I suspect that, when my wife and I die, and pass our guns on to the kids, they will like the 10/22's because childhood memories were formed, shooting these guns. But I also suspect that the BL-22 will be something that will stay in the family for generations, because everyone will enjoy showing it off, and shooting it.
From now on, I don't plan on buying many "utility" guns. Maybe a nice concealed pistol, and a tactical shotgun. But most everything else that I buy from now on, is going to be something that is a work of art. Beautiful to look at. Fun to handle, because it is engineered so well. Or, perhaps because of historic significance. Nice guns are a joy to collect.