In putting together a match at our club over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of time thinking about old Cooey .22's. I put together a few thoughts that I'd like to share.
If it says H.W. Cooey on the barrel, it was made before 1961.
If it says anything about Winchester, it was made after 1961.
The long barreled ones shoot better with standard velocity ammo.
The shorter barreled ones shoot better with higher velocity ammo.
Once you get a second Cooey, they start to multiply...kinda like hamsters.
Old rusty ones shoot better than those that you have lovingly preserved for your whole life.
If you have spent hours sighting in a Cooey and then notice that the front sight is bent, its OK, don't straighten it and start over, leave it for the next generation. You've done your part.
If there is a strong wind blowing you will need to use Kentucky windage. If you lose your rear sight elevator, you can slip a dime under your rear sight. This is known as Canuck elevation. Proper Canadian etiquette and protocol requires that the Queen's head be facing up when using Canuck elevation....... unless you are from Nova Scotia, in which case having the Bluenose facing up is also permitted.
If your single shot Cooey doesn't extract fired cases, don't be disappointed. This is part of its "character and charm". If it takes two extra seconds to pick the case out with your fingernail, remember a Cooey 39 was never intended for bear defense.
If you have a perfect shot lined up in the sights of your Cooey, you probably forgot to #### it.
If you have cocked it, it will probably misfire due to the cheap bulk ammo you are using.
You never see anyone using Lapua or Eley match ammo in their Cooey.
A Cooey can be a perfectly viable canoe paddle. They can also grind coffee.
A long boot lace makes a perfectly acceptable sling for a Cooey.
A Cooey single shot can shoot .22 short, long, long rifle, BB cap, CB cap, .22 shotshells, .22 acorn blanks, acorn blanks with .22 airgun pellets and probably nail gun blanks, (but I haven't tried those yet).
A Cooey doesn't need batteries. There is also no USB port. I think they must be solar powered.............although they also work fine in the rain........hmmmmmm...
Most of the old Cooeys never had serial numbers. No wonder the long gun registry never worked. Thank you Mr Cooey!
The Cooey I got 43 years ago will be with me 'til I die.
When you see a beat up old Cooey at a gun show, treat it with respect, someone probably had to die for it to be there.
If you are thinking of turning your Cooey into a Tacticool Cooey, consider your actions carefully. We don't want any previous owners turning over in their graves.
If you miss what you thought was a perfect shot, it's not the cheap bulk ammo. It is just the ghost of the previous owner playing tricks on you.
If you think Cooeys won't ever be valuable, then don't read old magazines that had ads for cheap surplus Lee Enfields and Garands.
Colt Pythons easily sell for 4 or 5 times their original price today.
So do Cooeys.
If your Cooey could talk to future generations, what would it say about you?
Don't forget to hug your Cooey today
In putting together a match at our club over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of time thinking about old Cooey .22's. I put together a few thoughts that I'd like to share.
If it says H.W. Cooey on the barrel, it was made before 1961.
If it says anything about Winchester, it was made after 1961.
The long barreled ones shoot better with standard velocity ammo.
The shorter barreled ones shoot better with higher velocity ammo.
Once you get a second Cooey, they start to multiply...kinda like hamsters.
Old rusty ones shoot better than those that you have lovingly preserved for your whole life.
If you have spent hours sighting in a Cooey and then notice that the front sight is bent, its OK, don't straighten it and start over, leave it for the next generation. You've done your part.
If there is a strong wind blowing you will need to use Kentucky windage. If you lose your rear sight elevator, you can slip a dime under your rear sight. This is known as Canuck elevation. Proper Canadian etiquette and protocol requires that the Queen's head be facing up when using Canuck elevation....... unless you are from Nova Scotia, in which case having the Bluenose facing up is also permitted.
If your single shot Cooey doesn't extract fired cases, don't be disappointed. This is part of its "character and charm". If it takes two extra seconds to pick the case out with your fingernail, remember a Cooey 39 was never intended for bear defense.
If you have a perfect shot lined up in the sights of your Cooey, you probably forgot to #### it.
If you have cocked it, it will probably misfire due to the cheap bulk ammo you are using.
You never see anyone using Lapua or Eley match ammo in their Cooey.
A Cooey can be a perfectly viable canoe paddle. They can also grind coffee.
A long boot lace makes a perfectly acceptable sling for a Cooey.
A Cooey single shot can shoot .22 short, long, long rifle, BB cap, CB cap, .22 shotshells, .22 acorn blanks, acorn blanks with .22 airgun pellets and probably nail gun blanks, (but I haven't tried those yet).
A Cooey doesn't need batteries. There is also no USB port. I think they must be solar powered.............although they also work fine in the rain........hmmmmmm...
Most of the old Cooeys never had serial numbers. No wonder the long gun registry never worked. Thank you Mr Cooey!
The Cooey I got 43 years ago will be with me 'til I die.
When you see a beat up old Cooey at a gun show, treat it with respect, someone probably had to die for it to be there.
If you are thinking of turning your Cooey into a Tacticool Cooey, consider your actions carefully. We don't want any previous owners turning over in their graves.
If you miss what you thought was a perfect shot, it's not the cheap bulk ammo. It is just the ghost of the previous owner playing tricks on you.
If you think Cooeys won't ever be valuable, then don't read old magazines that had ads for cheap surplus Lee Enfields and Garands.
Colt Pythons easily sell for 4 or 5 times their original price today.
So do Cooeys.
If your Cooey could talk to future generations, what would it say about you?
Don't forget to hug your Cooey today
