Didn't buy this weekend

[Rich Jordan]

I've been trying to save up enough money to pick up a decent, shootable, reasonable condition Springfield Krag rifle this fall. Today was the first gun show of the season. Not one Krag, nor one box of ammo.

I did see a Winchester 1897 take down, 16 gauge, somewhere around 22" barrel. There was almost no finish left on the metal, but it looked like honest wear, not abuse. The action was tight as a drum. The buttstock was cut down for a smaller person to use and had a plastic buttplate but otherwise clean.

$300. Really not bad for a gun with character that had been well maintained despite a lot of use. I can get a replacement buttstock.

I just couldn't do it. Another gauge to start buying ammo in. Plus it cut into the Krag money. Darn. And I've always wanted to try a 16; I own a couple of 12s and I used to shoot my Dad's 20 all the time.

I also walked away from a 12 gauge takedown for $500; a lot better external condition with factory stock, but the barrel had fiber optic front sight attached. I didn't handle that one after seeing the sight.

So it goes!

[Rumpshot]

Rod will have some nasty comments about passing on that 1897. Especially a takedown model.

16's are slowly coming back into favor. For a while I watched garage sales, swap meets, etc for old boxes of 16g. My side by side Model 311 is really a nice gun and contrary to popular belief, it does not kick like my 12g. And I think it hits harder than a 20g.

But you put it into perspective when you said you are planning on a Krag and a purchase today would postpone that purchase. Rod might say some unpleasant things about the pass, but will approve of the Krag.

[Rich Jordan]

Then Rod can comment on two years ago when a serendipitous Colt 1917 revolver, original finish, slightly pitted barrel, repro stocks, displaced the Krag.

Or the year before when a Rock Island Arsenal 1903, double heat treat, gorgeous worn patina with all original parts (nice barrel, straight handle double-heat-treat bolt) except the stock, which was a pre-war 'C' in decent shape, did the deed.

But we won't talk about the one that got away because I didn't have my Krag book with me and didn't realize what I was looking at (Jan 2007...) That one still hurts too much.

I have to say that if that shotgun is still there next time (I'm pretty sure it was there in the spring) it will be hard to walk away again. I _know_ someone with a spare buttstock that he'd let me have for a fair price.

BTW darn near every 97 I see is a takedown. Its the solid frame models that seem to be hard to find.

I don't need another shotgun. I don't need another shotgun. I don't need another shotgun.
And I don't need to start buying another caliber/gauge, darnit! Except .30-40 Krag which has an exemption

[SeekHer]

Yes you do! Yes you do! And now you'll have the ideal hunting shotgun if only one bore was to be chosen...Does everything a 12 will do and with less recoil and a lot better then any 20 with about the same...

Check out:

16 GA Society

I've hardly shot either my 12 or 20 bores, hunting in a long time--except for turkey and pass shooting geese...I've almost eliminated the 20 with a couple of 28s that I've been shooting to great success or just letting my 16 O/U or S/S be my primary gun for everything…

[Flintlock Tom]

I don't need another shotgun. I don't need another shotgun. I don't need another shotgun.

I don't need to breathe...at least for the next couple minutes.
I've been watching the online auctions for a model '97 in 16 Ga. for awhile now. Lots of them for sale, but few under $500. The one you passed up would have been a struggle for me. If it had the full length barrel it would have been a no-brainer.
I love the 16s. I have a Browning Auto 5, a Mossberg Bolt action, a Stevens single shot, and a Stevens 520 pump. I'm still looking for an O/U and a side-by-side in 16, to fill out the collection.
My primary home defense gun is the 520 with a shortened barrel and #1 buckshot.

I need more shotguns, I need more shotguns, I need more shotguns!

[Rich Jordan]

Mean vicious people. Tempting me they are.

I just found a machine shop to do the needed work on my Challenger's engine. If I want to get that done by Christmas, the Krag, and any other pre-election firearm, and pre-election ammo purchase (beyond straight replacement of what I shoot, which will also be reduced) is off the table, unless I can pick up an inexpensive bargain.

So we'll see what happens next month.

Machine work isn't cheap.

I'll check through my '97 books for what to look for for real in a used gun.