The one (gun) that got away

[TacosGigante]

You ever pass on a gun, maybe because you were trying to be financially responsible, or to preserve peace at home, or because you thought a better one would come along, and then regret it?

I did. I'm left handed and wanted a Terminus Zeus SA. I go on gunbroker and lo and behold there is one, with several barrels and brass for cartridges I don't shoot. The price for all the stuff was quite reasonable, but I had already spent a lot on guns and didn't feel right burning that much. I reach out to the seller to see if he would sell me just the action. He says he wanted to sell as a package but if he didn't have any luck he would let me know. Check back a week later and he said the package was SPF. Good for him. Good for the buyer. Less good for me, and I have nobody to blame but myself.

So, what is the gun that got away from you. Either that you should have bought but didn't or sold and now regret?

 

[jrassy]

S&W model 686, I could have got it for 350.00 but I had purchased a Dan Wesson 44 magnum the day before. I still think about that one.

 

[hlee]

Mine wasn’t even a particularly expensive gun, but there was a Swiss k31 with a beautiful stock (not so chewed up at the butt like so many) that I walked away from, then thought better of and went back for. It was gone… Oh well, I take only a small amount of solace that the supply of readily available gp11 had already dried up…

 

[LuvDog]

I passed on a Stainless AC556 Folder many years ago ago for cheap. Kick myself for that one

 

[MarshallDodge]

I wish I had bought an 03A4 back in the early 90s.

 

[Nik H]

In early 1980, I had a chance to buy 6 new RPB semi-auto, open bolt MAC 10s for $1,500 cash.

I am a complete idiot for walking away

 

[TheHorta]

“Buying guns IS being financially responsible.”
—Horta 5:11

 

[Ronws]

I bought the Mossberg 590A1 SPX (also shipped with a bayonet.) I then put Magpul stock on it, which is very comfortable. I like it but it is smooth bore. Which is also okay because mostly I shoot slug, even if I am hunting deer. But I wish had a threaded barrel so I could use different chokes for bird hunting with shot.

Don't get me wrong, I like this one and only shottie and have no reason to part with it. And I like having the bayonet, too.

 

[hlee]

In early 1980, I had a chance to buy 6 new RBP semi auto, open bolt MAC 10s for $1,500 cash.

I am a complete idiot for walking away

Assuming they stayed semi auto (and that $250 per was a good deal in 1980), take solace in knowing that their value barely kept up with inflation…

 

[Defiantly_Not_Bender]

Full Dan Wesson .357 kit in presentation box with 4 barrels in perfect condition for $360. About 13 years ago now

Just like this

 

[mi650]

M16s.

 

[Milf Dots]

I bought the Mossberg 590A1 SPX (also shipped with a bayonet.) I then put Magpul stock on it, which is very comfortable. I like it but it is smooth bore. Which is also okay because mostly I shoot slug, even if I am hunting deer. But I wish had a threaded barrel so I could use different chokes for bird hunting with shot.

Don't get me wrong, I like this one and only shottie and have no reason to part with it. And I like having the bayonet, too.

Yeah, she's a great shotgun. I installed a Speedfeed 4s. A Hogue rubber overmolded forend. Pushbutton QR sling studs.

590A1 SPX - 9 Shot

The Mossberg 590A1 is the most durable of our pump action shotguns, meeting MIL-SPEC 3443G, with its heavy-walled barrel, metal trigger guard and safety, clean out mag tube, and Parkerized finish. Its hearty construction and proven endurance make it a prime choice for home defense applications.

www.mossberg.com

 

[Milf Dots]

I should've bought two more Sig Sauer 516 g2 Piston AR complete uppers when they were blowing them out, NIB, for peanuts.

 

[Nik H]

“Buying guns IS being financially responsible.”
—Horta 5:11

But thermals and helmet mounted Quad NODs are OK?

 

[Nik H]

Assuming they stayed semi auto (and that $250 per was a good deal in 1980), take solace in knowing that their value barely kept up with inflation…

When you assume...

Not sure what an open bolt is worth today, if allowed.

 

[akmike47]

A really nice M40 clone because it was left handed, and one of those M24 built with stocks used over seas before people knew about them and it was way cheaper. I’ve also allegedly won expensive firearms in sales competitions and sold them without ever firing a shot.

I’m retarded for the second one.

Really I've passed on hundreds of good deals from dirt cheap pythons/cobras to FP-45 Liberator like new. I really regret not buying a HK P7 when they were cheap and I got discounts.

 

[jpjulian]

Series 70 Colt 1911 Government Model .45ACP........ I was convinced by a Colt rep at the LGS that the newly released Series 80 was the, THE!!, way to go. Still have the Series 80 but haven't put a round through it in maybe 20 years....

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Just about the time of the 89 AWB was at the Raleigh gun show and there was a Steyr AUG for $499.

Looked at it and put it back. Went back 5 minutes later to buy it and sold…

Dammit! I learned a lesson that day! Never pass on an instinct!

Sirhr

 

[akmike47]

Series 70 Colt 1911 Government Model .45ACP........ I was convinced by a Colt rep at the LGS that the newly released Series 80 was the, THE!!, way to go. Still have the Series 80 but haven't put a round through it in maybe 20 years....

The dumbest part of that was listening to the company sales rep pushing his own product lol

 

[BLEE]

A new M1 Tanker for $400, in 1991. Just seemed like a lot of money at the time.

 

[cnwrobb]

Valmet 78 HB I foolishly sold

 

[LuckyLuke80]

Can’t think of any I regret passing up, it I can tell you two that I regret selling/trading. One was a browning semi auto shotgun. Don’t remember the exact model, but it had progressing gas ports that allowed for the shotgun to shoot various loads reliably. It worked amazing. Ran different length shells in it to test it and never had any problems. The other was also not an expensive gun at the time, but I’ve not been able to find one for a reasonable price-a ruger m77 in 270. It was left handed. I shot that thing a ton. It literally was a sub moa rifle. I loaded 90 grain match grade hp’s and it was extremely accurate with those.

 

[sgtsmmiii]

Two years ago, a ( transferable ) converted Colt AR to full auto for $11K. The receiver 3rd hole was slightly off from straight across and the upper was slightly milled on one side to allow it to close properly. Colt would not destroy the lower and re-issue the same serial number on a new lower ( they would for LE but not a civilian ), and a local "gunsmith" wanted $3000 to "fix" it properly. So, I passed.
After it sold, I found out about Alumaloy.............

 

[lonegunman762x51]

I did buy one of those Remington M24 rebuild full kits back in the day. My buddy said it was the stupidest purchase ever.

I missed a left handed Pardini target pistol with the 32 conversion nib at a gun auction because I had to work. It sold for $1200 to an asshole who Gunbrokered it.

 

[ZiaHunter]

Just a kid with a paper route and used to ride my bike to this gun store/fly shop and hang out. They had a brand new Superposed 12 ga O/U on the rack and damn near had my dad buy it for me. Had the money saved up and for whatever reason didn't buy and regretted ever since. Fast forward decades later cruising Gun Broker and lo and behold a beautiful Superposed flashes before my eyes. Pulled out the credit card and bought it on the spot. Pick it up from the FFL and it is even better than the pictures. Shows a little wear on the bluing but has a beautiful patina and tubes are in excellent shape. Send it off to Art's and they replace the springs and firing pins and tighten the action. Built in 1959 and came out of an estate. Just to show it is never too late to indulge a fancy when it comes to firearms.

 

[roostercogburn98]

One of them yeet cannons by that high point company. Pretty sure I missed a real collectible piece

 

[Bacarrat]

Friend had a stroke several years back and the family basically sold all his guns. He had a M16. It was too late since they sold it off to a local gun store. This was when they were going for 14-16k.... Also should have bought some sear packs when they were 25-27k.

 

[RedDogN8]

I passed on an early 70s Browning Sweet 16. I wish I had bought that one.

 

[Threadcutter308]

Valmet 78 HB I foolishly sold

You're not alone......

 

[Threadcutter308]

Friend had a stroke several years back and the family basically sold all his guns. He had a M16. It was too late since they sold it off to a local gun store. This was when they were going for 14-16k.... Also should have bought some sear packs when they were 25-27k.

Late '80's when MP5 sears were $350.00 to $500.00.

"That little hunk of tin ? $500.00 ? What a ripoff !"........

 

[akmike47]

Friend had a stroke several years back and the family basically sold all his guns. He had a M16. It was too late since they sold it off to a local gun store. This was when they were going for 14-16k.... Also should have bought some sear packs when they were 25-27k.

Not that long ago multiple people I know got $3,000-4,000.00 Mac 10s, not anymore

 

[Ankeny]

I let one get away, but no regrets. When I was a senior in college (1973) a friend of mine inherited a gun collection from his father. He asked me if I wanted to buy a NIB Browning Hi-Power 9mm that he had for sale for $95.00. At that time a new T-Series was around $125.00 (if I recall correctly). I told him I would like to take a look at it. Low and behold, he produce a NIB Hi-Power Renaissance with the round hammer and pearl grip panels. The engraving was spectacular. Of course, I did the right thing and told him what he had and suggested he get it appraised.

 

[chevy_man]

S&W model 686, I could have got it for 350.00 but I had purchased a Dan Wesson 44 magnum the day before. I still think about that one.

My Dan Wesson has been my favorite gun of all time.
It was passed on to me when my Dad realized it hadn't been shot in years because the hand was worn out. Lucky numerich had a hand in stock so I got it running again.

He has 5 different Smith's, he still picks up the Dan when we're at the range...

 

[cas6969]

Just seemed like a lot of money at the time.

Like most I kick myself over some I missed. But it's the one's I sold "because it was a lot of money" to have invested in something I used so infrequently. Guns who's dollar amount, if I saw for sale today at that price I'd consider them as almost a free gun. lol Those are the ones that kill me.

 

[Maser]

I don't think about it all that often because it was such an impractical rifle for me, but I do every now and then think about the .338RUM Remington 700 I was given as a young teenager as a joke gift. I got rid of it simply because it was not only too brutal for my shoulder, but also on my finances to feed it. If I did keep it I guess I would have gotten into reloading to ease the cost of feeding it and also make reduced loads. Oh well, I guess one of these days I'll forget all about it.

 

[HPIguy]

I could have picked up a Desert Eagle .50AE in the late 90's that also came with the 10" barrel with a scope, extra mags, and two boxes of ammo for $850.

 

[Ledzep]

20mm Oerlikon with 1000 rounds of solid shot TP or AP ammo (can't remember), came in a crate with accessories and extra parts... $20,000

Was worth it for the ammo but I didn't have 20k sitting around, and the bank said no way.

 

[Niles Coyote]

No regrets really, if there was one it would be my first rifle but it's with a friend and he has taught his son on it now so I feel it has a good home. It is a 10/22 ruger purchased in 88 or 89 for right around 100