Yesterday was an unexpected pleasure.
My awareness of the day started out with that blissful, luxurious state of zombitude which can only be enjoyed on the weekend. You know what I mean. The sky is luminous, but the sun hasn't yet made it's appearance. The cats are still content to snuggle, not quite ready to go through their feed me morning song and dance moves.
Just lying there, aware but not fully awake, snug under the blanket and absolutely basking in the knowledge that duty is not calling, and you're in no hurry to stir.
Which is precisely when Marcus called. 0800. Damn.
Once I gained the semblence of coherence on the phone, he reminded me that I'd offered to meet him in Houston at Collector's Firearms to look over their selection of new and used .22 rifles.
A gallon of coffee later, I was ready to go.
Earlier in the week, he had asked me where I'd reccomend buying a Ruger 10/22 (a fine rifle). Knowing that Wal-Mart indeed usually has the lowest price on those, I still suggested first perusing the aisles at Collectors, perchance to find a sterling example of a used 10/22.
If you're not familiar with firearms, suffice to say that previously owned rifle or pistol isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've bought unfired and seldom-fired weapons which their original owner had bought over twenty years before. And they're not only "as new" in condition, they're sometimes even more valuable than new. But, I digress.
After bouncing a couple more en-route phone calls back and forth, I arrived at Collectors at about 10:30. (It's about an hour's drive from the Sloop New Dawn). They didn't open till noon. Damn!
Thwarted at our first attempt to satiate gun-lust, we effected a tactical flanking manuver over to the Taco Cabana just across the street.
Of course, I had also stopped at the office on the way North, and had loaded my large (200+ cigar capacity) humidor into the car. Just Friday, I had received a shipment of about sixteen sample cigars from Cuban Crafters Cigars, on which I'll write at length in the very near future.
Stopping at the only cigar emporium open on a Sunday at that hour, we relaxed over cigars, coffee and a very invigorating conversation with the young shopkeeper in attendance. Suffice to say, I think he has a new insight into taxation, personal sovereignty and freedom.
While there, we also met Greg, a fellow customer enjoyng his morning cigar.. That man needs his own radio talk show. To say that he was knowledgeable and in command of the issues would be an extreme understatement.
But again, I digress.
Salllying once more to Collectors Firearms, we arrived to find their doors open and the beautiful sight of guns guns guns guns guns guns guns. They have guns there. Lots of guns. Guns aplenty.
I suggest wearing a bib to shop there. It helps to soak up the drool.
Marcus quickly located the used 10/22s and selected a fine example. On another rack, I found a mint Marlin .22 semi-auto for only $98 bucks. We also looked at Ruger 10/22 variants, such as the laminated stocks, stainless models and the like. I had also found a nice, used Czech .22 bolt action, which wasn't exactly what Marcus had in mind.
Yet.
Knowing that Norman works that particular niche in the store with unparalleled expertise and service, we patiently waited for him to finish with a customer. When our turn came, we laid our several finds on the counter and the conversation ensued.
One does not just grab a gun and run to the register. Yeah, you can do just that, but you end up missing half the fun, and all of the bargains.
First, we discussed exactly what Marcus sought in a .22. Not only was he looking for a good "turtle shooter", (A sport in these parts to thin the damned snappers, which if not controlled will anhiliate gamefish and the tiny fish they feed upon.) Moreover said that he wanted a nice rifle, something which he would not regret buying, and which he could hand down to his kids or grandkids.
That's when I stepped back over to the rack, picked up the CZ and placed it on the counter with the Ruger and the Marlin.
Norman got some snap-caps out to protect the delicate .22 firing pins, and we all tested the actions and triggers on each rifle. The Ruger was typical factory Ruger. 5 to 5-1/2 lb pull, with noticable creep and one hell of a lot of overtravel. The Marlin was similar, but with less creep and maybe a 1/2 lb. stronger pull.
But when we tried the CZ, even Norman's eyes widened. That beauty had about as crisp of a three-pound trigger as you'd ever hope to find on any rifle. No creep, a break like frigid glass and not a bit of overtravel.
I've been familiar with CZ pistols for twenty years now. They're very well made, but they've just never been my cuppa tea. Just the way they (don't) fit my hand, I think. I've handled the CZ centerfire rifles, but never their .22. Let me tell you, this is a Rolex that spits lead. It's that finely made.
Kim Du Toit's write up says it better than mine, and includes a very nice photo to gaze upon with unbridled gun lust.
Notice that $795 suggested retail price though. In comparision, the Ruger 77/22 bolt-action .22 LR which Collectors had in stock was priced at $459. A bargain, you say?
How 'bout the CZ, purchased at under TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS? And then include a free 10 round magazine, two boxes of match ammo and a good-but-used rifle case thrown into the bargain?
After Marcus revived me with the smelling salts, I indeed agreed that he'd scored one helluva deal on that exquisite rifle. Damn his hide, I should have bought it when he wasn't looking!
Wrapping up the purchase before the folks at Collectors could come to their senses, I followed Marcus to the Smoke Ring's new store in Sugarland. He was kind enough to buy me a Flor de Olivia cigar for my advice and assitance.
Luxuriating amidsts wisps and billows of glorious, fragrant smoke, we celebrated his good fortune with the other guys at the shop. I must tell you, it's such a great thing living in Texas, where half the guys smoking in the cigar shop's lounge were armed, CCW permit holders. That's fine company.
It was a good Sunday, indeed.
Jim
Once again I remind you only two kinds of people in this world:Texans and those that wish they were.
Posted by: Airboss | February 10, 2004 at 07:35 AM
I've had some of my best luck with pre-owned firearms. I bought a Marlin Glenfield Mod 25 for $89 for my birthday, and that gun fires better than I do. It's only two years younger than I am. I have a .38 Special revolver (summer carry piece) that was an old police pistol, and is in damn near perfect condition. And my current carry piece, a Rock Island Armory 1911 in .45 ACP, which was still new enough that it had not been broken in yet, but only cost $269 because it was "used".
The "used" tag doesn't bother me one bit. My best guns were ones that I got "used".
Posted by: Raging_Dave | February 10, 2004 at 02:10 PM
First off, it's just a rifle, OK? But when I first saw it in Collectors Firearms last Sunday, I admit, I wanted to have it. The Ruger 10/.22 appealed to me for the convenience of popping in a clip holding 10 rounds. That and the fact that I had owned one before that was lost in a house fire. I just wanted to get that one back.
That was all but forgotten when I saw the CZ. Sitting side by side on the counter at the store, there was really no comparison between the Rugers and the CZ regarding looks----length, stock, steel sites, Schnabel, and the bolt action, the CZ truly is a sweet looking piece of work.
So on to the range. Starting at 50 yards. The first shot was on the "X". The next 9 shots were grouped with the first. Moving to 100 yards, I slid the sight to that distance, took my best shot and looking through the glass saw a new hole on the first ring from the bulls eye. Nineteen shots later, except for 3 in the 7 ring, the grouping was awesome. And I'm no marksman. But I suppose a good rifle can make a difference.
Next I will be mounting a scope and shooting HMR17's and Viper ammo @ 200 yards. I bet the grouping will again be on the "X".
From the moment I saw her I knew she came from good stock. From the graceful Schnable curve to her plastic butt plate, this baby looked good. Upon laying of my hands upon her, I gently slid the bolt and opened her chamber...so smooth it was as my trembling hands handled the steel as if it would break. The coldness of the metal warmed in my gentle but firm grip. Cautiously, I placed a plastic cap into the chamber and purposely closed her, methodically locking the bolt as I had done a million times in my mind already. Raising her to my cheek, nestling her at my arm pit at the front of my right shoulder, my left hand carressed her Schnabel. I felt like I was shaking, but looking through the steel sites all I saw was steady. My index finger searched for that magical piece of metal. My finger found the curve and ever so slightly tickled it. I tried to control my breathing, mentally counted to three and softly commanded a pull of her trigger. Such sweetness of sound----like the crispness of a piece of glass cracking. I thought, " The turtles and turkey don't stand a chance!" Having once again found the ability to speak I said to the salesman, "Sold!" Afterwards, in the privacy of my truck, I lit a cigar, closed my eyes and smiled.
Posted by: Marcus | February 11, 2004 at 07:25 PM
AAAAAUGH! Gun porn! I'm all hot and bothered now...
Posted by: Mollbot | February 12, 2004 at 01:54 AM
grrrr, two weeks and I still haven't gotten my licence (I live in Sweden). Anyway, I too looked at a BRNO CZ 452 Lux...didn't stand a chance against the Sako Finnfire, wich I've ordered...
Posted by: Fredrik | February 13, 2004 at 04:51 AM
Yep Mollbot. For a while there, I wasn't sure who was going to fire first; Marcus, or the CZ!
Fredrik, send me an e-mail when you get the Sako. What a fine piece of shootin' iron that'll be!
Hope you bring it to Texas with you when you immigrate, too. *heh*
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Posted by: Jim | February 13, 2004 at 08:24 AM
Aaargh aaargh aaaargh!
Just goes to show that you should NEVER leave a gun store without looking at EVERYTHING they have one display.
I was in Collectors two weeks ago, but spent little time in the .22 section (because I was on the trail of a Browning Sweet Sixteen instead).
As the shotguns are on the other side of the store from the .22s, I never saw the 452 -- or Marcus, you'd never have got it.
Gah.
Shoot it in good health.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | February 13, 2004 at 08:18 PM
Oh, and Airboss, there are only two kinds of people: gun owners, and some other kind of creature I don't care to meet.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | February 13, 2004 at 08:20 PM