Best 'off the wall brand.'

[1 old 0311]

What is the best non big name firearm you have bought that you really liked? In the late 1970's I bought a 4" Squires-Binghan .22. It is a EXACT replica of a S&W model 18, 10 shot but was made in the Phillipines. Built very well, adjustable sites, very accurate. Sold it to a friend for like 50% more than I paid figuring I would get another. No such luck. Never seen another. They do make a .22 AR15 type but I still look at gun shows for another.

[Forester]

I had a Herters single action 22LR that was given to me by an uncle about 10 years ago. That was really a pretty decent little gun and it brought way more in trade than I would have thought.

[Injunbro]

Any handgun made by High Standard.

[DocZeus]

For me, the best "Off The Wall" brand I've bought have been Astra's.....

In the past year, I've bought two of these, Astra A-70 9mm's:



The A-70's are single-stack, 8-shot 9mm's, and are exemplary performers on the range; the "feel" of that design is just perfect in your hand; feels almost like a Combat Commander, down to the bobbed hammer and 1911-style safety, slide lock and mag release, just no grip safety. I believe they are still in use in Spain in many Police Departments. I bought one back in 1993 when Interarms was importing them, but let it get away in a trade, figuring I'd get another when the time was right. Interarms only imported them for 4 years (in VERY small quantities, I discovered to my chagrin!), and when I went to get another, NO dice. Found two on GunBroker late last year, and snatched 'em up.

And, I've bought two Astra .22 Short "pocket pistols", a "Cub" model, and a longer-barreled version of the Cub, a "Camper" model:





The "Camper" model actually has usable sights for a "pocket pistol", and is quite accurate at astounding distances, considering it's a .22 Short with a 4" barrel.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[azmick]

Not really 'off the wall' but a suprise to me,,,
Years ago, late 70s, I worked for an outfit that had us busy from April until Mid-January working alot of hours but from Feb to March, it was pretty boring. We had a cement block warehouse that was about 75 ft long and would be about empty that time of year. I traded a guy some thing and ended up with a Glenfield bolt action, single shot 22. After cleaning it up and playing, we set up a 'gallery' in the big warehouse. For targets we used wet phone books and circles drawn on paper. After a couple weeks, we were using the copy machine to make targets by putting pennys on the thing and running off copies. Three of us got good enough with that little rifle to put five for five inside a penny at the 75' with the open sights. The fourth guy just liked to watch (older fella, truth be told, I don't think he could see the 75'). In the end, we started using washers and shooting out the centers.

[Injunbro]

off brands? Ruger? Glock?.... ok,ok just kidding!

[Dalan]

Rossi M677 snubnose I bought for Christmas for my wife. No money for a Smith years back. I know it is a Smith knockoff. Always works flawlessly. Action smoothed a lot with some use. I have perfect confidence in it to defend her.

I know Rossi is not held in high regard. But the Reliability, finish and price continue to be good.

[gearchecker]

I have an old EASA 22 convertable single action 22LR/22WMR revolver. It's a really popular gun to take to the range. Everybody like shooting the 22 magnums more than the 22LR rounds. I was told it dates back to the early 1960's from the previous owner.


Regards,
Gearchecker

[EXNJCOP56]

Amt...................no way.................

[EXNJCOP56]

For me, the best "Off The Wall" brand I've bought have been Astra's.....

In the past year, I've bought two of these, Astra A-70 9mm's:







The A-70's are single-stack, 8-shot 9mm's, and are exemplary performers on the range; the "feel" of that design is just perfect in your hand; feels almost like a Combat Commander, down to the bobbed hammer and 1911-style safety, slide lock and mag release, just no grip safety. I believe they are still in use in Spain in many Police Departments. I bought one back in 1993 when Interarms was importing them, but let it get away in a trade, figuring I'd get another when the time was right. Interarms only imported them for 4 years (in VERY small quantities, I discovered to my chagrin!), and when I went to get another, NO dice. Found two on GunBroker late last year, and snatched 'em up.

And, I've bought two Astra .22 Short "pocket pistols", a "Cub" model, and a longer-barreled version of the Cub, a "Camper" model:





The "Camper" model actually has usable sights for a "pocket pistol", and is quite accurate at astounding distances, considering it's a .22 Short with a 4" barrel.

DocZeus
AKA
David

Doc..............I Had a ASTRO... toy back in the 60's