The first acquisition was a Rossi Model 62 .22 pump action with hexagonal barrel, a late 70′s reproduction of the Winchester Model 62. Should be a great little plinker.

Next, I had a .22 semi-auto on my list of guns to acquire. I could have just gotten a new Ruger 10/22, but talk about boring. My sister-in-law’s friend had some inherited guns for sale and amongst them was a Remington Nylon 66 .22 semi-auto at a pretty good price. It was in very good shape and was definitely more unique than a 10/22.  It is tube fed like the Rossi so no need for magazines and the tube runs through the stock instead of under the barrel. Not sure how old it is, but I’m guessing it was made in the 70′s.

I guess all I need now is a .22 lever action to complete my little .22 rifle collection. My last addition was a little more important because it will serve several roles. This 1977 Browning Challenger II .22 semi-auto pistol is perfect for my training and introducing new shooters to handguns. The light recoil lets the shooter focus on stance, grip, trigger pull and target acquisition while avoiding the development of a flinch and other bad habits. I expect this to be very fun gun to shoot. Because of the similar grip and single action trigger, the Challenger should provide good training for my eventual step up to Browning’s other masterpiece, the 1911.

I’m planning on getting a membership at The Firing Line in Huntington Beach on Monday which will allow me to practice more often without breaking the bank. The guy’s range trip is on for the 29th. If you haven’t shot before and are even remotely interested in doing so, let me know. I’ll make a standing offer of a free range trip to anyone who has not fired a handgun and would like to do so.