Made this post on another forum in an answer to "why bolt guns." Want to put what I wrote into my writing journal, which has grown quite dusty over the years. Just can't seem to find the time to sit and write, anymore. Didn't want to lose track of the words while I try to remember which computer the darn journal is on, so I am pasting it here for safe keeping.
Please feel free to post why you like bolt guns. Here is my response:
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A bolt gun spreads the pleasure of shooting over more activities than simply pointing and pulling the trigger.
Although I do have one more "modern" BA with a synthetic stock, all the rest are milsurps. I generally find I enjoy them just fine with iron sights, even with my old eyes (just had to find that sweet spot in the bifocals)
-Heft the gun, feel the smooth wood, smell the faint aroma of oil in a beautiful mechanism
-Think about the hands that have held this gun before you, and honor them as you take your time to "do it right"
-Pull back the bolt, feel the cartridge pick up, appreciate the mechanism for it's simplicity and reliability
-Hear the "Snik, chuk "of chambering and locking, and the satisfaction of KNOWING it's chambered and locked because you did it yourself
-Shove the stock into the sweet spot on the shoulder (carefully because I am a woman LOL)
-Find the target
-Breathe in, breathe out
-Then, pull that sweet trigger through the break
-Feel the kick
-See the accuracy
-Marvel once again at the remarkable achievements of the makers, who didn't have the "benefit" of fine-tuned computer-based building, but had to rely on skill and care
-Rinse, repeat
Springfield 03A3, Model 1898 Krag, VZ24, Enfield No 4 Mk II, Enfield Jungle Carbine, Various 91/30's, Mosin M44, Spanish Mauser, Howa 1500, Couple of straight pulls 96/11 and K31, and a couple of others I am probably forgetting
Don't get me wrong, I am not a self-loader hater - M1 Garand, FN49, SKS, WASR 10/63, Beretta MR1 and the obligatory AR 15 in a couple of flavors, and I love them all, too, but....
The 03A3 just "fits" me and the action of the Krag is smooth like the caress of a soft, early morning summer breeze
Every shot is a pleasurable ritual, and leaves me breathless for the next one
And THAT"s why I love bolt guns
Why bolt guns?
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Vividia
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Why bolt guns?
It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. - Daniel WebsterMexican Kerry wrote:Except for Viv. I predict she will be the leader of a group that roams the countryside pillaging for survival.
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jackalo626
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Why bolt guns?
It is kind of like switching gears on a motorcycle for me and I love to be the one in charge of what gear I am in so that is one of my reasons.
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kyswede
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Re: Why bolt guns?
I worked in the machine tool/aerospace industry for 30 years. I love to take a Mauser apart and see all the machining that went into each part. I have several rifles over 100 years old that I shoot regularly. If I could only have 1 rifle, it would be a Mauser bolt rifle. I also have a Krag, Swiss K31 and 96/11, at least 10 Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines, along with my 7 Mausers.
Cutting grass is the price I gladly pay for not being cold.
