What is the rifle you passed by that you regret not buying

Heading UP North on U.S. Route 1 thru Maine, back pre- internet days was a endless Yard sale going on. If a guy spotted old pickup truck tinwork or front end parts off a 1940 Ford would probably pull in for closer look. Those old wooden shot shell boxes would sometimes have single action Colt parts, which could also lead in to a rifle with an octagon barrel for sale.Just had to ask politely.

An all-correct Garand National Match in 95% condition for $270.

I've mentioned it here before, a guy in New York had a box of Charles Daly Mini-Mauser actions for like $200 each on GB; this was back in the 90's, or early 2000's, I was remodeling the house we were in, and I only bought one. Had a super nice 20 VarTarg built, and it is one sweet rifle. I could have had a safe full of similars if I'd only bought them all lol.

just_jon said:

The one that hurts the most is a Remington XP-100 in 7BR. I think they were asking $750 in 2019.

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If you're patient about looking - and looking in the right places - these still pop up for around that or even better. Often times they pop up and just sit. The best chance is to catch them as a package deal.

As an example: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/xp-100-7mm-br.4095043/

^ A thread where I know that the package deal went for less than the gentleman was asking. It looks like you still have a chance to catch the one that got away, unlike some of these other unfortunate passes!

A 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser going for $175 with all matching numbers. This was back in '88 while in service. Was even given the rifle for a weekend hunt and got a nice buck as it shot lights out with open sights. Ol' lady said we can't afford it and that was that.

I used to work in the sporting goods department for a small chain of stores coming out of high school. I was constantly getting guns in that I wanted and just couldn't afford. One I wanted the most wasn't at our store but a nearby gander mountain. It was a xr100 in 223. I'd go in every couple weeks and hold it. Then they had a fire and never reopened. Every once in a while I look to see if there are any available online.

In the mid 70's my Dad became manager of a grain elevator in a very small town. The old manager had a FFL and my Dad wasn't interested in keeping it so he called me and said he had 3 shotguns he wanted to get rid of and he'd sell them to me for $150 each, all NIB. A Belgian Browning Sweet 16 and 2 Ducks Unlimited Remington 870's. I was too young and dumb at the time and told him- Nah, not interested.

Recon$$ said:

Bitcoin, when a guy I knew told me it was gonna blow up. At $200 bucks a pop, I passed.

Rifles - m40a5 when I had a chance for next to nothing.

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I was there when it went to a dollar. And a few Hollyweirds were raving about it. I thought about investing $100.00. But I just could not wrap my head around how a imaginary coin made from excessive electricity would be worth anything. lol

Years ago when Korean M1 Garand's came into the country I spotted one on the rack for $350, it looked ruff, but had three holes drilled and tapped in the side of the receiver (an original M1C) It has haunted me for all these years....

Dakota 10 with scope in 250 Savage for 2,500.00

A SS M70 in 300RUM that sat forever @ $550, I told someone about it and they ended up getting it for $450, I'd never asked for a lower price.

3 SS M70's in 375 H&H for $450ea when Gander Mt opened in the early 2000's.

Steyr Professional in 270Win, one of the distributors was closing them out @ $400 prior to the SBS launch, I was working @ a gun shop during college and could've ordered it for cost.

I should've bought several short-action Fieldcrafts. I wish I'd bought 1-2 6-Lug Ultralight AccuMark Weatherbys. I should've bought a Win 52B when Win re-ran them in the late '90's.

There's probably more if I think a bit but those stick out.

Marlin 336 Deluxe Texan in 35 Rem. about a month ago. Was down with the flu and just couldn't get motivated. Price was $2000. Still regretting this as it would have fit in with my Marlin collection. It has been going through my mind many times. LOL

For me it has to be the three new in the boxes hk g3 rifles I came across at a gun show about 20 years ago . I couldn't convince the wife that they were a steal at the 1300 bucks he was asking . I figured I'd keep one and sit on the other two and eventually sell them . Even back then they were worth twice his asking price.

Couldn't think of any rifles I passed by, but I passed by a Dan Wesson pistol pack in 1972 new in the box for $350..