Back when I was making good money, I collected guns. 52 handguns, 27 long guns, and 13 shotguns, all with ample amounts of ammo. I used to buy them cheap-usually from people who were hard up for cash. I decided to sell off most of the collection. The only handgun for carry that I kept, was the XD45 that my dad bought me for Christmas one year. Its probably the one gun I will always keep.
The reason I have 2, is because back at the beginning of February when my pops went into the hospital and I didnt think he was going to make it, I went around to all the local stores we go to, and was telling the people he wasnt doing good. At the little hunting/fishing store we go to, I was telling Terry, the owner and Vietnam Vet like my pops, that dad probably wont make it. As we were talking, I was looking in his case at the used guns. Like I said, he's a small shop and never has more than a dozen or so used guns, usually revolvers and stuff. Well the day I told Terry about pops, it just happened that an hour before, one of his customers dropped off an XD45 to sell on consignment. So I bought the 45 for my dad, so we could have matching guns.
I told him about the 45, and when he got out of the hospital, I gave him the gun. Unfortunately, since his last stroke he has lost strength in his left hand, so he can not slide the 45. I have it loaded, chambered and ready to roll for him in his room. We now have matching guns, even though he cant fire it without me chambering it for him.
The short version: My dad bought it for me.
I couldn't tell from the pic if it was a 61 (black powder) or a 65/66 'cartridge conversion' with the front flipping block. The rolling blocks have the double hump and are in 45/70 while the springfields were either .58 muskets or 50/70 cartridge. I spent what seemed like forever trying to find a 45/70 1866 and came up with nothing! It's still a nice rifle but you had me running in circles for awhile trying to see if it was some rare prototype...
I have always told myself no 9mm, but the more I look at the number of people with them, the more I realize there will be a lot of ammo lying about for it when they get eaten. I'm going to plink a little at the guy's house to see what it feels like first.
