FNG's Lament

**hiflyf22** · April 12th, 2009, 11:05 PM

So, I bought my first gun, a Remington 870, in early July; I bought my AR-15 in late October, following advice from a pro-gun friend. I quickly bought a second and tried my hardest to stock up on mags n'at.

I don't think I could have picked a more expensive time to get into this. A few guys at the range on Saturday were lamenting that they couldn't find Wolf 7.62x39 for $79 a case anymore. FML.

So, in the hope of keeping the thread going, any good stories from "when I was your age?"

**87th PVI** · April 12th, 2009, 11:56 PM

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/421...-old-days.html

Here are some good stories from the old timers

**Xringshooter** · April 13th, 2009, 04:49 PM

I bought my first .357 Magnum (Ruger Security Six, Blue, 6" bbl) in 1973 for the ungodly high price of $97.50

.

**SauerGrapes** · April 13th, 2009, 09:47 PM

Some late 60's and early 70's prices.

1968 Browning Light 12 auto5 - 212.00 w\tax {my dad}

1970 Browning Superpose 12ga. Lightning o\u 386.00 w\tax {dad again, He gave me the Auto-5}

1971 Remington mod. 572 pump 22 BDL? about 117.00 {my first to pay for, wow that was a year of saving}

1974 Remington 870 wingmaster 3"mag 139.00? {my second one, been cutting grass to make that money}
We used to find 16ga target loads on sale for 2.25 a box.

Still have those guns plus my dad's. Shot many a pheasant with that Auto-5 and many a squirrel with the 572 fieldmaster.We had goose for Christmas dinner a lot thanks to that 870 wingmaster.

That was a whole bunch of money in those days.

BTW, I just spent more money for two handguns, then I did for all my other guns combined. Needless to say I have not bought any guns in a long time. Go figure!

**BIGSHOVEL** · April 13th, 2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by SauerGrapes

Some late 60's and early 70's prices.

1968 Browning Light 12 auto5 - 212.00 w\tax {my dad}

1970 Browning Superpose 12ga. Lightning o\u 386.00 w\tax {dad again, He gave me the Auto-5}

1971 Remington mod. 572 pump 22 BDL? about 117.00 {my first to pay for, wow that was a year of saving}

1974 Remington 870 wingmaster 3"mag 139.00? {my second one, been cutting grass to make that money}
We used to find 16ga target loads on sale for 2.25 a box.

Still have those guns plus my dad's. Shot many a pheasant with that Auto-5 and many a squirrel with the 572 fieldmaster.We had goose for Christmas dinner a lot thanks to that 870 wingmaster.

That was a whole bunch of money in those days.

2.25 for 16 gauge back then? Are you sure.

Brad

**phill** · April 13th, 2009, 10:49 PM

Colt 1911 Gov. Royal Blue full retail $89.95 1961
Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag. used with 47 rds. $57.50 1958
Ruger MK I .22 New $34.95 1957
Colt SAA .357 Mag. 5 1/2" barrel Walnut Grips $125.00 1962
1911A1 from C.M.P. $17.50 + 2 or 3 dollars freight

I could go on all night

**BIG MIKE 2003** · April 13th, 2009, 10:59 PM

can remember 7.62x39 for 89.00 a thousand.

but bought my first handgun colt king cobra.425.00 and sold it 2 years ago like a dufuse.

**SauerGrapes** · April 14th, 2009, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by BIGSHOVEL

2.25 for 16 gauge back then? Are you sure.

Brad

Pretty sure that was the price. We used to stop at a dept. store or sporting goods store in the concord mall in Delaware. They were paper hulls, forget the brand. {Mohawk maybe?} 2 1\2 Drams 1 ounce shot 7 1\2 and 8 shot. On sale once in a while, not everyday price. Late 60's. Been a long time. sigh 16 ga. was more popular back then.

**87th PVI** · April 14th, 2009, 11:41 AM

I'd love to shoot my grandfather's 16 GA more often, but until I get a reloading bench set up, I tend to go for my 12 GA just because the ammo is easier to find & less expensive.
Even reloading equipment is harder to find for 16 than it is for 12 & 20.
Yet every guy I talk to on the subject, who is my parent's age or older, says they love 16 GA or they wish 16 GA would've stayed more popular or they miss their 16 GA & wish they had it back, etc.
So why did it decline in popularity?

**Xringshooter** · April 14th, 2009, 11:56 AM

The rise in the popularity of the 20 ga, with magnums it would do all and more of what a 16 ga would do. Same with the 12 ga with light loads. You could take a 12 ga and shoot light target loads, medium hunting loads or heavy goose/duck loads. The 16 ga was the in between shotgun for a long time, and then when the multitude of different loads were developed for the 12 and then the 20, it just kinda felll out of favor. The 16 ga was the first shotgun I was given, I still have it, a JC Higgins, bolt action, tubular magazine, full choke model. I still have shells for it to include 2 3/4 inch magnum loads.