This old CIL 167 followed me home last week. I didn't pay much as she looked very plain. All the finish was removed from the stock and it had a couple of nasty dark stains on the pistol grip. Sorry no before pictures because the stock looked like an old piece of hardwood that had been left out in the weather for a long time. The bluing was still decent however and the stamping on the receiver "J G Anschutz " hinted at some possibility of potential. This was a 1960's or 70's department store single shot rabbit gun sold by Canadian Industries Limited.
I stopped at the range on the way home to try out my new old .22. After a couple of boxes of ammo and some adjustments the results were underwhelming at 50 yards. So that's why nobody loved this ugly duckling.....
Upon returning home I noticed that the barrel mostly floated freely but that the front of the stock was applying pressure to the barrel and that the action wobbled in the stock. Out came the elbow grease.................
A week and 4 coats of tung oil later she was at least a looker. I left the stock in its natural colour as a contrast to my Cooeys.
Some sanding of the stock to relieve the pressure on the barrel and a few dabs of epoxy putty to quell the rattles (sort of a Bubba bedding job) and it was off to the range again. The groups had tightened up considerably but I just couldn't get enough elevation at 50 yards with the rear sight maxed out. A little "Bubba bending" was in order......... hmmm....better.....just a little more.....just another little tweak with the pliers... then it happened. The rear sight snapped off. I did it all by myself with no help..... nobody else to blame. That sight had been through thick and thin for 40+ years undamaged. I broke it in a split second of ham fisted re engineering. I slipped Blondie back in her case and into the trunk of the car hoping nobody had noticed. I swear I heard my Cooey 39 laughing at me. That's what I get for picking up one of those cheap German floozies......
That night at home I considered my options. Scope? Red dot? What would Bubba do? Then I remembered the fiber optic shotgun sight that I had unsuccessfully tried to Bubba onto something else. It fit the remaining tab of the broken rear sight perfectly.
Sunday morning and off to the range again.
With the sight just thrown on at home last night and no further adjustment, the Bubba Gods were smiling down on me!
Once in a while even Bubba stories can have a happy ending.
I stopped at the range on the way home to try out my new old .22. After a couple of boxes of ammo and some adjustments the results were underwhelming at 50 yards. So that's why nobody loved this ugly duckling.....
Upon returning home I noticed that the barrel mostly floated freely but that the front of the stock was applying pressure to the barrel and that the action wobbled in the stock. Out came the elbow grease.................
A week and 4 coats of tung oil later she was at least a looker. I left the stock in its natural colour as a contrast to my Cooeys.
Some sanding of the stock to relieve the pressure on the barrel and a few dabs of epoxy putty to quell the rattles (sort of a Bubba bedding job) and it was off to the range again. The groups had tightened up considerably but I just couldn't get enough elevation at 50 yards with the rear sight maxed out. A little "Bubba bending" was in order......... hmmm....better.....just a little more.....just another little tweak with the pliers... then it happened. The rear sight snapped off. I did it all by myself with no help..... nobody else to blame. That sight had been through thick and thin for 40+ years undamaged. I broke it in a split second of ham fisted re engineering. I slipped Blondie back in her case and into the trunk of the car hoping nobody had noticed. I swear I heard my Cooey 39 laughing at me. That's what I get for picking up one of those cheap German floozies......
That night at home I considered my options. Scope? Red dot? What would Bubba do? Then I remembered the fiber optic shotgun sight that I had unsuccessfully tried to Bubba onto something else. It fit the remaining tab of the broken rear sight perfectly.
Sunday morning and off to the range again.
With the sight just thrown on at home last night and no further adjustment, the Bubba Gods were smiling down on me!
Once in a while even Bubba stories can have a happy ending.
