Hi my name is Chad and I'm a handi-holic.
It is after 11pm and I can't sleep, I need help here.
I was in my local outdoors superstore tonight, and saw a used (its new, but a raffle trade in so it has to go on the used rack) synthetic stocked 45-70 SB2-S57. I feel like a cartoon charcter with my devil on one shoulder and my angel on the other fighting with both ears telling me to buy it and to not buy it. The price is right, but I need this gun about as much as I need a .458" hole in the head. I already have a scoped 45-70, and a B.C. 45-70, AND 2 450 marlin barrels, one shortened 18" and one 22". The 450's are only because I don't reload, and with factory ammo the 450 will make animals much "deader" than 45-70 big 3 factory loads.
I look at this gun and reality disappears. I almost want to buy it just to have the barrel and get rid of the rest, but I know I would be better off with a factory fit barrel on my other 45-70 frame.
With deer rifle season fast approaching, I am torn as to which handi barrel to use. I almost want to take a #3 screwdriver and 4 barrels (.243, .280, B.C., and 450) up to my treestand and swap barrels depending on how big and how far away the deer is standing. This 45-70 will make the deer rifle decision that much harder.
I have no wife to yell at me if I buy it, but on the other hand, my German Shorthair wants me to buy a 20 gauge so I can take him grouse hunting.
To tell the truth, I don't know if i really even WANT this gun. I feel like the dog in a pack who eats all the food just so the others can't get it. The only reason I want this gun is so someone else can't get the good deal.
Here is the question I need answered. Do I buy this gun and let it possibly sit in my safe for 99.999% of its life?, or should I buy my hunting dog a new grouse gun and let someone else have the good deal on the 45-70?
