American Rifleman – September 2019

FAVORITE FIREARMS

Nearly every shooter has a favorite  rearm. If you would like to share the experience of owning yours with

other American Ri eman readers, or on americanri eman.org, send a sharp color photograph of the gun,

accompanied by its story in fewer than 400 words, with your name, address and daytime telephone number

to: Favorite Firearms, American Ri eman, National Ri e Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-

9400, or email it to americanri [email protected]. Photos and submissions cannot be returned and may be

edited for clarity and brevity.

A Boy’s Big Surprise

M

y dad carried his injuries from
World War II his entire life.
Although he never discussed
the circumstances, I suppose we
never talked about me getting a gun
because of the painful memories of
his experiences. Guns were never
allowed in the house.
That being the case, to my shock
one day when I was 10 years old,
he showed me an ad from our local
sporting goods store for a brand
new Marlin Model 81-DL .22 rim re
bolt-action ri e. He asked if I wanted
to go look and buy one. The price

was less than $20, and I was ecstatic

when I was allowed to buy it.

I shot the gun at our youth center

and outdoors at friends’ farms when-

ever opportunities presented them-

selves. As the years passed, my sons

were eventually taught  rearm safety

with this gun and would shoot it at

Scout camp. When their turns came,

my grandsons also received their

initial gun safety training using the

Marlin. I retain it in my gun safe and

from time to time still shoot it at the

range. It is still as accurate as it was

the day I  rst shot it, and I have the

same feeling shooting it now as I did

my  rst time at age 10.

The gun now shows signs of its

age and use, but every time I look at

it, the joy of the day my dad offered

to let me buy it brings a smile to my

face. This gun will never leave the

family, and the story of its origin will

never be forgotten.

DENNIS M. PASTOR, GEORGIA

NRA member photo

A Boy’s Big Surprise

M

y dad carried his injuries from was less than $20, and I was ecstatic

initial gun safety training using the

Marlin. I retain it in my gun safe and

from time to time still shoot it at the

range. It is still as accurate as it was

the day I  rst shot it, and I have the

same feeling shooting it now as I did NRA member photo

• MATCH-GRADE BULL BARREL
  
  
  • FORGED ALLOY FRAME
  
  
  
  


• HAND-FIT AND HAND-POLISHED
  DANWESSONFIREARMS.COM • CUSTOM GRADE WITHOUT THE CUSTOM PRICE TAG

AMERICANRIFLEMAN.ORG SEPTEMBER (^201943)