In the 200th year of American Liberty…

The year would have been 1976; I was not even born yet. American cars where made in this country, not built somewhere else and sold under an American name plate. I mean come on, the Camaro, an American icon is nothing but an Australian made Holden with Chevrolet skin.

Recently I have had the honor of playing with a Bicentennial Model Ruger 10/22. From the moment I held this gun I felt like I was holding a piece of Americana. Don’t get me wrong, Ruger is still a great American brand. However, due to the economic climate and other companies selling out to the Chinese to make cheap guns, they have had to take measures to keep their pricing competitive.  I have the luxury of working at a great gun shop where I have exposure to many superb guns. I could tell this one was a diamond in the rough.

The 10/22 is the best selling semi-automatic rifle in history. It shoots any ammunition that you can think of, it is simple, rugged and reliable. It is really all that you could ask for in a firearm, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to shoot because it is chambered in 22LR.

This Bicentennial gun makes me feel pride in America. Every component on this firearm is metal, from the barrel band to the butt plate of this rifle. It was in such bad shape when we got a hold of it, it was sad. It was filthy and shooting it with out first cleaning it was not even an option. Once we got the action out of the walnut stock I felt a great sense of urgency to breathe life back into this handy little rifle. After a thorough cleaning and some TLC it was a thing of beauty.

My brother and I wasted no time heading out to the farm to run some rounds through our newly reborn friend. It ran flawlessly and the grins on our faces were priceless. It brought us back to an easier time where neither of us had the obligations of college or mortgages; it was as if this gun was a time machine that transported us back to our youth, and for a moment all things in the world were right.  We do not have many opportunities to escape like this, but I cherish each of them.

So, in conclusion if you have the time to stroll up to the attic or down to you basement and pull out any vintage things that were proudly made in America I encourage it. It does wonders to your fun-o-meter, and it may even make you feel like a kid again. If you have a Louisville Slugger, Radio Flyer, baseball, or baseball mitt made prior to 1980 think about this, only the Louisville Slugger is still made in America.