Gun Whine

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
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What a day. I went today and filed for my CC permit. Unfortunately, I wasn't in time for the fingerprinting office, and it was closed. Just so we don't think I didn't do my homework, they closed a half hour earlier than I got offline. I had to get today's batch to a certain point before embarking on personal stuff. So, its a 30 mile drive through ATL suburb traffic back to my 2nd stop.

See, yesterday I was at some sporting goods store so Leah could buy shoes for tennis, and noticed a Ruger 10/22 with a stock that was so curly I would have used it for knife handles. I decided to get the rifle, and even spoke to Leah about it. But, when I went back today it was sold. Can't help having good taste in wood. C'est la vie.

So here is the problem. I want a good semi auto .22. I do seem to have lots of Rugers, and collect carbines. But I went to another place, and I didn't like the way the 1022 was made really. If it has to be cast metal, I want to get an SS one. Kinda like my Mini 30. But I'd rather get one with a milled receiver like I have on my .44 magnum (also a Ruger carbine). Personally, I like wood parts on my gun. My Mini 30 will never leave my truck. Its black and SS and if the truck burns then I'll get another truck gun. I can't walk through the woods with a .22 that looks like that.

Maybe the 10/22 isn't the answer, and I need to look at CZ??? Who has a beautiful quality made .22?

Now. I am offering a trade. If someone has a nice wood furnitured 10/22 with a milled receiver, I'd like to trade for a special order knife. I trade dollar for dolllar. I'm not trying to get over on anyone, I just want a really nice rifle. What I'm not interested in is macked out competition upgraded to the hilt 10/22's. I would also consider other .22 semi auto or nice bolt action rifles. Again, I like carrying a gun with wooden parts that is beautiful. Please don't offer rifles with shot out bores and thousands of rounds through them without cleaning. I take price in my guns and keep them clean. I know the 10/22 isn't the most accurate, and dock it for this, b elieve me. That mini 30 is horrid. But, the .44 is grand. I'm hoping to get a good accurate semi auto shooter.

I don't do special orders, so this part of the value is thrown in by me.
 
Andy - I love my CZ 452 rifles. For my money, there is no better rimfire rifle. I only have their bolt actions and mostly 22LR (1 17HMR and 1 in 17 HM2). I have one of every 452 variant, except the Style as I didn't like the nickel action/barrel aesthetics. My 452 varmint will hold < 1 MOA @ 100 yards with Wolf Match Target ammo and it is a joy to shoot.

I don't think I'm willing to part with any of mine and it seems like you have your heart set on a semi-auto. I hear good things about the 512 though if you don't get an offer to trade for a gorgeous 10/22. Good luck with your search
 
Got to second Brian's take on the CZ. Have done a ton of research on this because I'd like to have the same sort of rifle as you describe except a bolt action is very workable. I'll not let go of my Ruger 10/22, but would like to jump the next step up. Like you, I'm a hard and fast Ruger owner, both long guns and hand guns, but the CZ seems to make a ton of sense.
 
I've wanted a CZ rifle for years, but I always envisioned it as a big one. Maybe a 30/06. I'm down with CZ trades as well. Probably have to go more than one knife or knife and cash maybe. I'm game.
 
I like that CZ 512 too. That looks nice.
 
There is a VERY active CZ forum over on RimfireCentral but be careful :) that crowd is just as happy to help you spend money on things to go bang as the Fiddleback crowd is to help you spend $$ on things that go slice/cut/poke - but seriously - they are a great rifle. Not as inexpensive as the savage, but the fit/finish and old world feel really come through. I'm in the process of taking a CZ scout and adding peep sights onto it for my 11 yo daughter to use in position shooting competitions -- sure it is no Anschutz -- but then again, it is no An$$$$$$$$chutz.

They tend to be Very accurate out of the box - have very reasonable triggers (and plenty of RimfireCentral threads on how to improve) out of the box and are, by most accounts, real lookers. I particularly like the hogback stock profile on the Full Stock and shoot it with a rear peep installed.

Here is the one which got me started: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=64698 MaxiCooper had ordered a CZ452FS in 22LR and then decided he wanted the same rifle in 22WMR. I bought his 22LR and as they say - the rest is history....

I'm sure the 455 models are just as accurate - but if you like to shoot iron sights, CZ changed the rear sight config and IMO it is not as nice as the 452. You can still get 452s, but that is more challenging and here in MD, finding a stocking CZ dealer is a little challenging - although most of them will order one in for you. I've bought several CZs from Whittaker Guns in KY (http://www.whittakerguns.com/) and in fact, they are currently running a special on CZ 452 Americans -- .22LR or 17HM2 for $369.99

Here's the pic thread from RimFireCentral: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86203

Here's a pic thread of MaxiCooper's rifles: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438326&highlight=maxicooper He's since sold them all as his son has really taken off to pursue International Air Rifle - so the CZs sold to fund the higher cost shooting gear - but he's a heck of a photographer (and a professional one at that).

Good luck on your search Andy -
 
I nice looking gun with nice wood rules out most all production semi autos in my opinion but I prefer a bolt action anyway. CZ's are nice and so are the ruger 77s. If you want to get a little more fancy, check out a Kimber.

There are plenty of nice, older, well made bolt action 22s out there that are pretty to look at and a joy to shoot. They can be had for less than a new rifle if you hunt around at gunshows and such. One of my favorites is an old tube fed Remington sportsman.

If you do go semi auto, I think the 10/22 is a better choice than the Marlin model 60 in terms of durability.
 
Andy, I have an old Marlin M989 M-2 (M-2 is the detachable mag-fed version, M-1 has a tube magazine). It's a semi-auto .22LR that's dressed up to look like an M1 carbine. All wood furniture, including the handguard. At least one original 7 round mag, and at least a couple new ones. I also have a LNIB Weaver 4X scope that I put on the gun. Nice combo.
 
Dingotech said:
Andy, I have an old Marlin M989 M-2 (M-2 is the detachable mag-fed version, M-1 has a tube magazine). It's a semi-auto .22LR that's dressed up to look like an M1 carbine. All wood furniture, including the handguard. At least one original 7 round mag, and at least a couple new ones. I also have a LNIB Weaver 4X scope that I put on the gun. Nice combo.
Click to expand...

Man I like that gun. Wanna trade? Send me an e-mail to: andy at fiddlebackforge dot com

I have a FFL guy to ship it to, and will pay the transfer stuff.
 
I was looking at the 452 trainer today. Will hopefully be back to the shop to work a swap with my Marlin 22 mag. I can't wait!
 
the Trainer is a GREAT rifle - want to have a blast with it - get a set of peep sights :) the hog back stock and a good set of peeps along with some practice can be very satisfying. Several of the RFC crowd shoot 100 yards with the peep sights and do every bit as well as when they use a scoped rifle. Those that have never shot peeps can't believe the results.. It really is quite fun.

If the store happens to have an Ultra Lux - that thing is the cat's meow -- very long barrel, long sleek lines - many of the juniors on the shooting team use an ultra lux for their position shooting.
 
They have one of those little Brownings at the pawnshop right around the corner. Its beautiful.
 
Andy, I was gonna suggest a Marlin. I like the older model 60 with the tube feed. My son and I both shoot one and they're great. Been going strong for years and we shoot a LOT. The possible trade above sounds like a pretty good deal both ways. If its in decent shape I'd say go for it.
 
That trade does sound pretty good to me also. :)

By the way, my most used .22 is a Henry H001T Frontier Model with a 20" Octagon barrel. It shoots might more precise then I can. Cans at 50 to 75 yards don't stand a chance against me. ;) Also, it has the slickest out of the box action of Any lever gun that I've ever handled or used.
 
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Me too. I'm really stoked. I can't wait to hit the range and plink.
 
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