Originally Posted by
georgerkahn
Re, "What would you do?" -- I'd keep it -- for several reasons. First, for me, would be the "sentimental" one, as it is something which belonged to a relation. I have a Mossburg .22 which belonged to me Great-Uncle Vincent, who used it to shoot rabbits off the (New York City) 3rd Avenue El (elevated subway) for meat during the Depression. And, it is an item I could probably always sell -- if I became in real need for a bit of cash. Secondly, when Winchester stopped lever production, prices sky-rocketed, and (in my area) the norm price for one was in the $700 USD range. Now? At a recent gun show, the average price was LESS than $300 USD! Visiting with a most reputable dealer, upon my "Wowsers" at the low prices, he purported that "new, young shooters" seem to want AR-type, sniper, and bench-rest type arms; those who have loved and collected "winnies" through the years are mostly old persons -- who -- or their kin -- are in need of getting rid of them. Hence, the supply is ever exceeding any demand -- which equals super low prices. And third/finally -- the .32WS is a delightful calibre for casters/reloaders. I have one which had a hard time getting five shots (my magazine loading) on a paper plate (my target) at 75 yards using factory J-bullets. I slugged the barrel, cast some FNSWCs (gas checked), and using IMR3031 powder and CCI primers -- cut the group almost exactly in half! Tweaking -- ladder tests, etc. -- albeit lots of fun, shrunk the group size even more, albeit maybe only 3/4" at most. Yes.... I'd surely keep it.
My two pennies on it!
geo