I bought my first No. 1 in 1975 - a 45-70.
I committed to buy my most recent today - a 30-40 Krag.
I have had 2 45-70, 2 .375H&H, a .458 Win, .416 Rigby, 450-400 3", 300 H&H and now the 30-40.
As stated above, I buy them for the chamberings coupled with the nostalgic lines that generally look just right to me (especially in the 1A and 1H). I also like the way they handle. I guess 43 years of familiarity makes them like an old friend.
The second 375, the 458, the 416 and the 30-40 all have killer wood. The 300 H&H and 450-400 are both Boddington's with above average wood for the breed, but not as nice as the best standard rifles.
And I have never had a No 1 that wouldn't shoot well with a little load development....and none of them shot poorly with anything I put in them.
Yes, I wish the lock time was faster and the triggers crisper. But no rifle is perfect at this price point.
