Retro Guns...Let's See Them...

[SteyrAUG]

Getting a little serious around here lately so let's do something most can agree on. Handguns, rifles, shottys, SMGs...whatever. What do you have from the glory days of old?

Here's a pair of Colts from the days when they ruled the land.



A vintage Mark IV / Series 70 1911 and an original Python. Both in classic blue, with walnut from the days when things were made out of steel.

The 1911 owned the 20th century and was there when Cooper devised the "modern pistol technique", and if you were on a department that frowned upon semi auto handguns the Python was the go to for those who couldn't practically shoulder holster a S&W Model 29.

In addition to practical utility, they brought elegance to even service handguns. Only S&W achieved a more perfect blue that bordered on black glass but you still couldn't go wrong with the prancing pony.

[Straight Shooter]

You know...I grew up with & around those guns..and Colt did, indeed, rule the land. They were such good guns. Friend had a Diamondback we shot the heck out of, & my first handgun was a NIB Series 70 Colt, purchased for $350 with my very first income tax refund...1980.
And Col. Cooper, Kieth, Jordon, Carmichael, & a couple more were my teachers in the good ole days before computers & cell phones.
Thank you for that pic & post!

[gaijin]

A "pre 80 series" Combat Commander by Jim Hoag-

[Arik]

How about a pre WW2 Colt!??

SW model 15 (70s)

SW Model 36 (70s)

1898 Martini Henry 303

[SteyrAUG]

[Circle_10]

I've got a bunch of Retro clone ARs, but I'm assuming this thread is for actual Retro guns.
In that case, this is the only actual "vintage" AR I have.
Colt 6520


1985 MkII FN Hi Power. Ex Israeli police gun.

[Arik]

S&W 5906 and Browning HiPower

[sundance435]

S&W 5906 and Browning HiPower

I have a soft spot for 3rd gen S&W autos, but especially 4506s. Where did you get your Martini-Henry? It looks like it's in fantastic shape - do you handload .303 for it? I've seen "Zulu" too many times and I've always wanted to own/shoot one in .577.

[Arik]

I have a soft spot for 3rd gen S&W autos, but especially 4506s. Where did you get your Martini-Henry? It looks like it's in fantastic shape - do you handload .303 for it? I've seen "Zulu" too many times and I've always wanted to own/shoot one in .577.

The thing is dang near mint all around.

Semi local gun store that unfortunately recently discovered the internet. It's a small unassuming place thats been a gun store since the early 60s and in the same family. They basement was like a time capsule. Enfields, Mausers, Gew88s, Sniders, double barrel shotguns, Springfield 45-70s, Arisakas, Vetirlli, even a few Jezail rifles. And that was just the basement. The showroom had all sorts of Colts and S&W revolvers in boxes some with paperwork, gazillion lever actions, more surplus rifles, funky ammo. I found boxes of 11mm Mauser, 405 Lot, 6.5 and 7.3 Carcano.

All kinds of handguns. Italian 10.4mm Italian Bodeos and Glisentis. English revolvers, FN pocket pistols, French models 1935, Savage pistols...etc...etc.. Of course Glocks and ARs as well.

This Martini came out of the basement. Chambered in 303. I shoot PPU in in. I was going to buy the 577 Snider as well but ammo for that is impossible to find and it's not compatible with the later 577 Martini Henry. And I don't know if I want to scrounge for individual part to make ammo. Heard brass shotgun shells work for it.

[TexHill]

I submit for your consideration my M1 Garand which was manufactured by the Springfield Armory in October of 1942 and re-barreled by the Aniston Arsenal in 1965. The gentleman holding my rifle is Mr. Harmon. He is 96 years old, served with the Big Red One in WWII, and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.