Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What gun would you buy from the year you graduated HS?

For all those of you who really had to struggle to make it through highschool, it might sense to buy a gun just to commemorate it.

In 1966, I knew without a doubt that if I had the $119.99 dollars required to buy a Remington Model 600 in 6MM Rem from the Montgomery Ward catalog that I could destroy any coyote within a 5 county area around my home, Unfortunately I didn't have the required tariff at the time.

I thought about one for quite a few years but never ran across one until about 5 years ago I did run across one totally by accident one day. It was in LNIB condition and still in the original box. I asked if it was for sale and the owner immediately decided it could be, so a quick trip to an ATM to gather the necessary cash (which was a bargain price) took place.

It's a definite looker (vent rib barrel and shark fin front sight, etc. )and it's also a great shooter. The best part is its now mine complete with a Leupy 2.5X8 scope on board.

I think it was available in 1984. Marlin lever in .41 Mag.

As many M1 carbines from the CMP as I could.

It wasn't a particularly good period for Remington / Winchester / Ruger bolt actions, nor for Winchester / Marlin lever actions, nor for Ruger #1s. It was a year or two before the Single Six in .32 mag or Blackhawk .357 Maxi or Redhawk in .357 came out. Nothing special about the S&W revolvers right then either.

I guess maybe a Ruger Security Six?

Spent much time and $$$ at Cranmans back in the day

I was working at my first gun shop when I graduated in '87 and vividly remember a competing gun shop had a Valmet 412 O/U double rifle in .375 Winchester. The owner offered it to me for $500 but $500 to me at the time might as well have been $5000. I have never seen another one since and would love to go back in time for that one.

I would buy a 4" Python, stainless wasn't available back then so I'd buy it in blue, and have it hard chromed.

Otherwise, I'd buy a S&W model 18 in .22lr.

I bought a new Ruger M77 mkII in 30-06.

In 1963 St. Elizabeth High School released me and my gift to myself was a Smith & Wesson .41 magnum revolver, blue, 4 inch barrel, and a shoulder holster.

Terry

never struggled with highschool never had to compensate

I spent a lot of time in Cranman's, but not nearly as much money as I would have liked to spend. I always enjoyed my trips in there and got a lot of hunting and fishing stuff, but I don't think I ever bought a firearm from them. They probably had the best selection of firearms in the area in the late 60's. Cranman's would have been the place I would have bought the gun the OP was asking about.

Graduated in 1956 & bought a Model 70 (1955 Mfr.) Featherweight 30-06 in 1959. Little did I know how desirable they would become! Still have it & will pass on to my son or one of thirteen grandchildren. Would do the same now; would buy a dozen if at 1956 price!!!

1993, it was the first brand new gun I ever purchased, Remington Model 700 Classic in .222. Only year they made em, paid $424.00 and still have it today with the box and paperwork. Topped it with a Leupold 3-9 i bought used for 100.00 and killed a ton of critters over the years. That gun will shoot 52 grain anything, loaded with just about anything into tiny little groups.

I graduated high school in 1978 and turned 18 over the summer. So I bought my first gun, a 10/22. Paid $89 including sales tax. Back then they still had real walnut stocks on the base model.

Knowing what I know today I would have chosen a 39a instead but no regrets.