I decided to post this in response to Igbal's question about the quality of American firearms.

This was one of my most prized rifles, it is a Cascade Arms .22 Hornet. 3 fellows bought all the patterns from Kimber when they went up the tubes in the early 90's, and so this is same mini-mauser action designed by Kimber, only much better. I bought Serial #3, yes, the third one built by Cascade, for my brother in .223 Remington, it was completely handmade by Cascade except for the barrel, which was from Hart, if my memory serves me correctly. It was stunning, and when I worked up some loads for my brother it turned in 5 shot groups consistently under 1/4 of an inch. I had bought it for a birthday gift for my brother, but he almost did not get it.

So I got in contact with Cascade and they assigned the next #3 of each model to me. So next was the rifle pictured above, the mini-mini-mauser available only in 22 Hornet derivatives. This gun was reluctantly handed over to me by the owner, since when he test shot it, it was grouping factory ammo under 3/8", and he admitted he had so much fun shooting it, that he had fired over a 100 rounds through it before he shipped it to me. It was a most exquisite rifle, and was a consistent sub - 1/4" inch shooter. It had a hand shaped and checkered Claro Walnut stock with skeleton butt-plate and pistol grip cap, inletted sling swivel bases, the action was as smooth as silk, the trigger a very crisp 2.5 pounds. I mounted a set of early Warne double lever QR bases and rings with a Burris Signature Series 6X.

The next model they were going to bring out was going to based on the .250 Savage and similar calibers. I was absolutely drooling to get my hands on it, but the first 2 models took off so well, that it was several years before they released it and by that time, my budget could not handle dropping $3000US for a rifle. Unfortunately, a collector found out that I had the other number #3's and offered me a price I could not resist, so.....

My brother still has his even though he has had offers over $5000US for it. His is very desirable, since all markings on the gun including the caliber and etc. are all hand-engraved, and it has the a different address on it than the current rifles.

So there you have one of America's finest "factory" rifles, costing in 1993 all of $2000US.

One very hard lesson, I have learned hopefully, is that no matter, how hard times are or what price you are offered, the money gained by selling a prized possession never comes close to dulling the pain of the loss.

If I could go back.....

Lynn