Pump it up
If you were to take a little look on Guntrader, a cursory glace would reveal that of the 2,464 rifles that are for sale, only 21 are pump actions. Unlike our American cousins, for no real reason us stout bulldogs don’t consider them to be ‘part of the woodwork’. Indeed the same said search of Guntrader would reveal that most of the ‘pumps’ that are for sale are old Brownings such as this
that are in the rack at £150, less dealer discount. So, cut to an undisclosed location in Texas just over a month ago when I had the opportunity to shoot a Taurus thingy or to give it its full title a Model 62C-SS
Now I have to ‘fess up’ that my initial reaction was less than even tepid right up until the moment when I actually shot it.
In the interests of brevity, shall we skip what might laughably be described as a technical description because that would miss the whole point of these things - here’s what you do with them
1. Stuff them full of ammo
2. Shoot said ammo off as quickly as possible
3. Reload
4. Repeat #s 3&4 until you are out of ammo
5. Go to the gun store, buy more ammo and then repeat #’s3&4 ad nauseam
… what they don’t tell you on the tin is these things are small, light, childishly simple & utterly addictive to shoot.
As Kim advises about his Taurus (the one I was shooting)
I could not put this little rifle down.Now, I’m not saying that you’ll have as much fun as I did when you get to shooting your pump-action .22 rifle. I bet you’ll have even more fun than I did. My advice to you: take twice as much ammo to the range than you normally take, then you won’t be as disappointed as I was when I finally had to quit. Set aside some extra ammo for other guys to shoot too, just like I had to
You don’t one of these, you need one … now. Trust me, I’d never tell a porkie about such weighty matters
Comments
I think you'll find that the 1988 Firearms (Amendment) act was responsible...
All Section 5 except 22 rimfire.
Posted by: EX_STAB | May 7, 2008 8:06 AM
Why go to the US? these are readily available here in classic rifle format being the Winchester 62 and 62A shooting .22 Long, LR and Short. The best fun is holding the trigger down and cranking the action to slam fire - almost as good as the old days but heavy on the ammo. Great gun for the kids to shoot as well.
Posted by: Guy | May 7, 2008 9:10 AM
What about pump action shotguns? I own a 12 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster. thought on pumps vs over/under and sid by side?
Posted by: MP | May 7, 2008 6:29 PM
Re pump shotguns, I also own a Remington 870 Express. In fact only today I added a magazine extension! ;)
As to the merits:
Side by side is quicker for second shot. Pump is quicker for the third and fourth shot but once the mag is empty the side by side will have the higher average rate of fire. This is rarely likely to be important though.
Pump can be slightly lighter. only one barrel to clean.
If I was going off to the woods for a long time and needed one universal shotgun I would take the 870. It does everything. However, the side by side does do certain things better and second shots at fleeting "walked up" targets are one.
Posted by: EX_STAB | May 7, 2008 10:14 PM
So, Mr. FM... have you ordered your Win 62A or Taurus 62 yet?
Posted by: Kim du Toit | May 9, 2008 7:49 PM
Well, when I'm at home (not in the People's Republic of California) I'd prefer a pump shotgun, not only because of the added capacity, but the sound of the action strikes fear into the heart of any intruder like no other
Posted by: LCpl Dan | May 10, 2008 1:04 AM
Thanks, EX_STAB.
LCplDan - You are absolutely right about the action - It is immediately identifiable - as unique as the rattle of s sidewinder.the only disadvantage is it also tends to disclose your position in the dark.
Posted by: MP | May 12, 2008 7:02 PM