I scored a very nice .22 rifle yesterday,,,

[aarondhgraham]

I popped in to The Evil Pawn Shop a few days ago,,,
In the rack with the usual .22 rifles,,,
One stood out by about 4".

I took it down and it was a very nice Western Field M815,,,
.22 single-shot bolt action with a 24" barrel.

This rifle was clean,,,
There wasn't one dent in the wood,,,
There aren't any scratches to speak of either.

Someone had taken nice care of it,,,
The blue on the metal is at least 95% original,,,
I got a light reflected in and the bore is crisp and shiny.

The price tag said $129.00.

I left thinking about the rifle,,,
After a quick Google search I found it.

Marketed in the early 60's by Montgomery Ward,,,
The rifle is in actuality a Mossberg 320B.

I own a Mossberg 340-KC from that same era,,,
It shoots as tight a group as I get with my CZ-452 Trainer.

So I go back in yesterday and say,,,
You know I'm your favorite customer,,,
What's my price out the door for that rifle.

The Evil Pawn Shop Guy punched a few buttons on his calculator,,,
Then told me I could have it for $100.00 total.

I jumped on that like a hamster on a Cheeto!

I love the older vintage rifles,,,
I have an affinity for single-shots,,,
But most important I love a good bargain.

I think I did just fine on this deal,,,
I'll get to the range this weekend and test it out.

Aarond

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[rawhide]

Nice find. Love the vintage .22s

 

[Mr.Glock]

Oh man did you ever do good! You lucky day. I would have went home looking over my shoulder after that one. Good find and very nice rifle. But no way would I have walked out the door and waited a day, my luck it would not have been there. Whip out that smart phone right where you stand guy! Have you tried to date it yet?

I have a couple old Savage model 15's bolt action single shots set back for the grandson, and couple of tube fed bolt action model 5's Savage's as well. I too like old 22's, love em. Kids love em too! My oldest is a 1907 Visible Loader.

I sold a really nice Model 5 to a fellow member. I did not need three of them, and he was looking. I was happy to sell it, and almost a year later, the same fellow member helped me out on some hard to find loading powder. Good Karma comes with these old 22 rifles, good karma!

 

[aarondhgraham]

Good Karma comes with these old 22 rifles, good karma!

I believe you are correct on this,,,
It was a matter of good fortune and patience,,,
The Evil Pawn Shop does get some beauties in every now and then.

I did find a list of older Mossberg models and dates,,,
Assuming that this is a Model 320B,,,
It ranges from 60 to 68.

That puts it exactly in my time period,,,
I got my first rifle in 1960,,,
Graduated HS in 1968.

I can't wait to get out to the range this weekend,,,
I'm hoping for an accurate shooter.

Aarond

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[SPDguns]

Good score. And from a pawn shop!

 

[GlockPride]

Nice. Can't beat a working gun for $100.

 

[FamousAJ]

wanna make a quick 10% profit? hehe. nice find!

 

[Mr.Glock]

wanna make a quick 10% profit? hehe. nice find!

I would go 15%.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Thanks for the offers gentlemen,,,
But I think I'll be keeping this beauty.

You are correct in that Pawn shops aren't usually bargain oriented,,,
But I have been doing business at this one for a long time.

I've purchased close to 30 firearms from this particular toy store,,,
Some were used and others I've had him order a new one,,,
So every now and then he gives me a great deal.

The rifle was originally priced at $129.00 plus tax,,,
I think the $100.00 out-the-door was "customer appreciation".

I tease David and call his store The Evil Pawn Shop,,,
Mainly because when I first started going there,,,
He determined what types of guns I liked.

Then the low-life money-grubbing merchant found a few gems for me.

Curse him!

That first year he had the place cost me well over three thousand dollars.

If you are ever in Stillwater,,,
Pop into Best Pawn & Trading Company.

Ask for "The Evil Pawn Shop Guy",,,
He'll laugh and know who sent you there.

Aarond

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[Super Dave]

I have an old Mossberg made Western Auto single shot that looks very close to yours. Not as pretty, though. You can split hairs with it. Great find you have there!