Dang it Armslist.

So I was bored the other night at work. No one was dying or in respiratory distress. All my charting was done. And I still had 8 hours to burn on my 12 hour shift. So, I hopped on Armslist. Figured shopping for stuff I won’t buy isn’t the worst way to kill time. And I’ll be danged if on the very first page wasn’t an Interarms Mark-X Mannlicher in 308 with a Leupold QD Manager 3x9x40. Price was $525. So I messaged the guy thinking it was probably a scammer. There’s one on Gunbroker right now for $857 without the scope or rings. So, I lowballed him at $450. He countered with $500. So I agreed to meet.

Well, long story short, I met the gentleman this morning after work. It’s in fantastic condition. Spent the better part of an hour in a grocery store parking lot talking to this older gentleman. Turns out he was liquidating his brother’s collection after he passed away. Broke my heart to see the pain in his eyes. And I felt guilty as hell for lowballing him. It was like I was being disrespectful to his brother’s memory. But I really thought it was a scam when I first messaged him.

So we talked about life, our brother’s, and the memories we shared with them. Kinda sounds like a sad country song doesn’t it? But it was great. Two complete strangers, 45 years apart in age, just standing in a parking lot solving the world’s problems. One 82 and clean shaven and well dressed. The other a 37 year old guy with a big beard, scrub pants and a camo hoodie. Total opposites except our love for firearms and our brother’s.

Oh yeah, the gun. So I offered him the full $525. And he wouldn’t take it. Said we agreed on a price and that’s the end of it. Just couldn’t argue with the guy. He was too nice. So I gave him the $500. He’s supposed to call me about a CZ target 22 his brother had also. And I’ve been looking for a CZ 22. Go figure. I won’t lowball him this time.

Well here she is. What do you all think? Did I do good?

I wish it had been a 7x57. But for the price I couldn’t pass it up. And somewhere I have a timney trigger that will fit it. I just have to find it.

greyling22 said:

It's a great night when you're all done charting by 2300. I tool around Armslist myself at work when I'm done with charting and medpass, but i never find anything good...... Sweet rifle. Those zastava guns are nice.

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While I did find this one locally, I typically search vendors nation wide if I’m looking for something specific.

bannockburn said:

BigBore44

Nice story about your transaction with this fine older gentleman.

Always liked the look of the Mannlicher style stock, especially Interarms Mark X model.

And yeah, you done good! Let us know how things go with the CZ .22.

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Turns out it’s a CZ 455 American with a cheap Bushnell scope. He’s asking “around $350”. Gun looks to be in phenomenal shape. He says no dents, dings, or scratches. And no bluing wear. I’m thinking he’s just about right on the price. New they are $386 plus tax and transfer. The scope and rings are about $40-$45. So $300-$325 seems pretty fair.

CapnMac said:

Yeah, we knock Bushnell for being cheap glass, but, since a person seldom is expecting to plink out past 200m with .22lr, they can be plenty good enough.

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I completely agree. It will all depend on the crosshairs, if I get the CZ, whether the Bushnell stays or is replaced. I prefer fine crosshairs. I have an old Tasco Pronghorn from the early 80’s still in the box. It might find it’s way to its first rifle.