Beckerhead firearms

NWFRS said:
@Tanker 1/66 …

Wow what a great story. Super score! Extra points for bargaining.

I definitely wouldn’t have known what I was looking at. Low serial numbers are exciting but I never remember where the various manufacturers started or stopped serial production on a given model.

That ^ silly little Stevens model 75 might actually be my lowest serial number now, at about 1000, but I don’t think they’re super collecty yet. The only other marking on the whole gun is “Ranger” scribed on the left side in flowing, loopy cursive.
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A bygone era and super cool Stevens you got
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
A bygone era and super cool Stevens you got
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Yup! Sure is. And thank you. I’ve always liked pump .22 and shotguns especially. They’re so useful, and they can still be found in nice shape. I was on a Marlin hammer/pump shotgun kick back about fifteen years ago, mostly because they were more affordable than the Winchesters. I never hunted with them though, and I think the modern company actually recommends against shooting them, or at least being very mindful of the ammo used. Speaking of bygone eras, one even had a previous owner’s name and SS# scribed on the receiver..!
 
NWFRS said:
Yup! Sure is. And thank you. I’ve always liked pump .22 and shotguns especially. They’re so useful, and they can still be found in nice shape. I was on a Marlin hammer/pump shotgun kick back about fifteen years ago, mostly because they were more affordable than the Winchesters. I never hunted with them though, and I think the modern company actually recommends against shooting them, or at least being very mindful of the ammo used. Speaking of bygone eras, one even had a previous owner’s name and SS# scribed on the receiver..!
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They could steal the gun and identity lol
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
My son and I were fondling thru Rockys gun and pawn in Eustis Florida about 10 years ago. I was checking out the surplus rifles and he was in the back racks with the shotguns. Hey ya old POG (He’s an Infantry puke who thinks that Tankers exist to serve them) I found you a cool 16/870. I knew it was old from the low number and the barrel had the matching #. Remington did that until about 1955 IIRC. I pulled off the barrel and removed the bolt. It looked like new inside and the action was smooth like popcorn butter. Hey Rock I’ll give you a buck fifty for this old POS 870 back here. Oh hell no you won’t you’ll give me 2. Alright lay a 4473 on the counter I’m still looking around.
It came with a 28 inch full choke barrel and the fancy wood stock. I’ve since picked up a 28 inch 1955 IC barrel. Which I pulled out of a wooden barrel full of barrels lol at Webster Flea market over in Webster Fl. Paid 50 bucks and it’s a beauty. That barrel is on the 870 in the picture. I use it every other weekend bird hunting every year. It’s a pheasant dropping machine.
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I used to live in Center Hill 4 miles from Webster I still have reloading supplies I bought from A.W.Peterson and a hunter safety card from taking the course with my son from the gun shop in Wildwood
 
Winchester model 12.

I think this one was made in 1939. Metal finish is grey/green and very glossy. Weirdly, it had an old rubber recoil pad that was about 1/4” proud of the stock, held on with hot glue and too many drywall screws. I refinished the stocks and shot trap with it these last ten years. Barrel is choked full and 30” long. Operation has always been very smooth, and it’s a lot of fun to shoot with. My trap buddy has been shooting with a 1961 model 12 that was given to him by his grandfather’s pacific theatre WWII friend. Both our guns are chambered in 12ga.
 
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Finally found a Swiss pistol grip for the 551a1. I think that may conclude my fussing. The SigArms/Exeter rifles were infamous for being a fairly low quality clone, but I think much of that was due to the ill-fitting forearm, spongy trigger, incorrect A2 birdcage, high price at launch, and other niggling issues. I haven’t fired it yet. I did used to have a 556 which suffered from the same issues but had a smooth recoil impulse, was accurate, and fun for what it was. I’m hoping it likes some of the ammo I already have…fingers crossed…! Gas tube and regulator Cerakoted in SavageStainless. Scope rail Cerakoted in SigDarkGrey. Swiss pistol grip, stock, and forearm. 552 style flash hider by MFI. Fabricated Accu-wedge alternative. Steiner P4Xi in Warne Vapor 30mm medium rings. As set from the factory, the triggers on all these 551a1/556 rifles are really bizarre and spongy. A little tinkering can make them one of the very best, though. This one now has the feel of a smooth two-stage with a crisp 3 lb release.
 
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Happy belated Veteran's Day! (Sorry, I didn't get the memo about a video.) :oops:


Prerequisite gun pic...
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I'm embarrassed to say I ain't had the time to go to a range yet! :eek:
It is very smooth, right up to the break, even in double action.
 
tanglediver said:
😆 I'm embarrassed to say I ain't had the time to go to a range yet! :eek:
It is very smooth, right up to the break, even in double action.
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Old, now-departed, friend inherited his brother's 6" Python (blued), with the remains of the box. 10 years later he wanted to sell it, not being a gun guy (vintage Euro motorcycles were his jam - and work). Wondered why anyone would want such a "small gun". His hands were HUGE, he could barely hold the thing. I got (begged for) the job of cleaning it up and function-testing it. My range buddy and I took it out for a spin and it was lovely. Cleaned it up and sold it being able to claim it fully functional. Only a couple small blemishes in the finish. Sure glad I don't own such a fancy piece! 😆
 
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