A 22 For Christmas

[Garth Gustafson]

When I read this story I was reminded how lucky I am for having grown up in a rural area with great parents who supported our having guns in the house. And being able to grab a gun, walk out the back door and hunt all day without crossing a road or seeing another hunter was icing on the cake. My first .22 was a Marlin 99 that Dad gave me for Christmas in 1964. What a thrill that was. Dad sold his Winchester Model 12 so he could afford that gun and I'll never part with it.

Merry Christmas and may you be blessed with good health and joy in the new year.

https://sportingclassicsdaily.com/22...eid=c2e7252e20

[Phil Yearout]

Great story Garth! And the Christmas .22 story is cool; I remember reading it a while back. I never got a .22 for Christmas, mostly because the "family" .22 - a Winchester 61 - always stood in the back corner of Dad's closet and there was always a box or two of shells in Dad's top dresser drawer; I could take the gun out whenever I wanted - never even had to ask. If I took some shells the next time I looked they'd been replaced; neither of us ever said a work about it to my recollection; that was just my dad's way. I still have the Winny, and like you, I'll never sell it. The 94 came along much later...

[Henry Verri]

Remember way back when. A box of .22s was a Buck!
Happy Holidays all,
HV

[Bill Murphy]

Henry, you must be a young buck. I remember when a box of .22s was half a buck.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Cool story Garth. I had the same experience growing up. In 1973 I got a Glenfield Model 60 with scope for Christmas. That was my first firearm. That rifle and I trekked around my pappy's farm for years! The following Christmas I got my first shotgun, an Ithaca M37 featherlight in 12g with a mod choked bbl. I still have that shotgun. I think my son has the rifle?

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Henry, you must be a young buck. I remember when a box of .22s was half a buck.

I remember when they were free. My pappy would give me a box when I needed it.

[Cold Spring]

22 Shorts 55 cents a box, Longs 65/box, and 75 cents for Long Rifles. Mr P the storekeeper who emigrated from "the old country" would count every coin on the counter and reject any Canadian pennies. A nice bit of nostalgia today but not back then when I was a penny or two short.

[J.B. Books]

I was 12 on Christmas Day 1969, Santa gave me a Savage Springfield 187 (Semi) with 4x scope. A few years later my Dad bought a case of Imperial brand 22LR, 5000 rounds for $52. I still have the gun but that ammo is long gone.

[Henry Verri]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Henry, you must be a young buck. I remember when a box of .22s was half a buck.

Yeah Bill, I'm Only 75 Years Young. I grow Great Antlers!
HV

[Jerry VanHorn]

For Xmas in 1957 my Dad bought me a new Remington Model 510...He took it to his friend and had a peep sight installed. In 1958 I joined our local gun club..YMCA sponsored..We had an indoor .22 range in a downtown building that we used for free..but little to no heat in the cold days. We could buy Remington 6122 bricks for $5.I still have the gun..Years ago I found a nice figured walnut stock for it. I take it out to my woods now and then..In 1959..I got a Stevens 311 20 gauge M/IC..Used to carry it on my bike on my morning paper route..and stop at a woods to squirrel hunt..Years ago I had Dennis Earl Smith restock it with XX wood and convert to straight grip. I hope one of the kids cares for them like I have. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all...jv..