I was out at the range today shooting my cz550. I was shooting off the bench so I could get an idea of how a new load would group. When I got up from the bench to look through my spotting scope I bumped my gun and it slipped off the rear bag and hit the edge of the bench. I now have a nice ding about 1/2" long on the stock about an inch in front of the rear sling swivel. I was extremely pissed at myself for my carelessness. The guys at the range said it would add character, but I didn't see it that way. I knew it would happen sooner or later since it is a hunting rifle, but I didn't think it would happen at the range.

think about it this way..

you have hunting dents
using dents
whiskey dents
and those that someone else gives you..

this is an honest dent... love the gun for being yours
jeffe

You could try sweating it out. Not saying it would all come out but it is easy to do and worth a try. Sean

I hate to do that kinda thing to a nice rifle. Rubbed the blue thin on top of the bbl of my .416 Rigby because I didn't adequately protect it in the run rack of the hunting car in RSA. Got aggravated at myself ... then realized it would still be perfect if it was home sitting in the safe ... but not nearly as interesting to own. Rifle did a fine job on a nice Gemsbock stallion that trip. Could not ask for more, save the funding to have more interesting targets ;>

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
think about it this way..

you have hunting dents
using dents
whiskey dents
and those that someone else gives you..

this is an honest dent... love the gun for being yours
jeffe

I agree with Jeffe.


Rub some boar blood on it to appease the gun gods.

thornell ,

I got a story for ya:

I sent to ZIPPO for a brand new, chrome finished lighter with MY Signature 'laser carved' into the finish ( I picked ORANGE paint, no less, to fill the laser engraving ).
I was visiting a friend at his house just after I got the lighter and was showing it off.
Everyone gave me the thumbs-up.
So, I pulled out the NICE, SHINY, VIRGIN lighter and gave it a toss at the fireplace!
Others present were totally aghast!
I, however, was confident that the first 'ding' in this otherwise pristine piece of equipment would solely belong to ME, hence rendering future damage to a place of non-relevant excitement...

I have since followed that episode and method of thinking with doing 'first damage' to shoes, cars, or whatever and have been completely satisfied with the results.

May your experience be as fulfilling...

I knew a pair of guys who instead of putting dings in Zippo lighters put dings in each others shotguns. The one guy was a banker and I forget what job the other one had but they both were more than comfortable in the money sense. The greatest was they ordered a pair of Beretta 686's, and when the came in, the banker (I forget his name) pulled out his pocket knife and tapped each one in the center of the stock (after paying for them) His words were. "Well now there broken in I guess we can take them chuckar hunting."

I smiled and realized they had a good point. Scratches add character, and you normally will remember getting "that scratch or this gouge" sometimes more than you will remember other little things about a hunt. It's normally not fun hunting with a pretty gun. You worry about it to much.

You only cry about the first one!

I knew a rancher once that bought a new truck for his ranch every year, rotating them out of service about every five or six years.

First thing he would do is take out a new truck a bugger up the bed. I asked him why, told me if he didn't do it his cowboys would pussy foot around with the truck for months and no work would get done with it. Seemed to work for him.

I agree, these things are to be used. Buddy wanted to sell me his sako 300 win mag. He was showing it to me and he points out a little scratch and he's all pissed off about it falling over and hitting a rock-while he was hunting no less. I think that's just part of wear and tear and it shows a well used gun-rather than a wall hanger.

My chefs knives are well used too, I don't abuse them at all but shit happens!!

the chef

And look on the bright side where possible.
It was only a CZ.

Jeffe - You forgot mystery dents. I seem to get those alot.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
think about it this way..

you have hunting dents
using dents
whiskey dents
and those that someone else gives you..

this is an honest dent... love the gun for being yours
jeffe

BusMaster007 and all who said the same:

You all are right and I'm obsessed. I just can't do it. But once it is done, I settle down.

What is even better is when I buy a used gun that is already dinged, and I don't have to hardly pay for it. A couple of years ago, I bought a Colt Match Target Woodsman (2nd Series) for $50, because of the deep external pitting from being stored wrapped in a towel. There was NOTHING wrong with the gun.

You guys are ahead of me, but I get by.

quote:

Originally posted by thornell:
I was out at the range today shooting my cz550. I was shooting off the bench so I could get an idea of how a new load would group. When I got up from the bench to look through my spotting scope I bumped my gun and it slipped off the rear bag and hit the edge of the bench. I now have a nice ding about 1/2" long on the stock about an inch in front of the rear sling swivel. I was extremely pissed at myself for my carelessness. The guys at the range said it would add character, but I didn't see it that way. I knew it would happen sooner or later since it is a hunting rifle, but I didn't think it would happen at the range.

thornell

If it is directly in front of your rear sling swivel, you could consider having a silver oval fitted to hide the damaged area, if the exact point of damage allows for it.

Brad

Thanks for the input guys. I fill better about it already.

I call them "love bumps"

I know how you feel. My new 300 WSM survived an African Plains Game Hunt. Then hunting Dall Sheep in the NWTs I went down in a shale slide and put an inch and a half gouge in the stock. I don't care what others say, I pride myself in taking good care of my guns.

Years ago I had to do a five mile hike out through a sudden snow storm. I was on auto-pilot trying to get back to camp before I froze. I kept hearing a tapping noise. I never could figure it out until I got warmed up back at camp and it dawned on me that my stock had touched the cartridge heads on my belt everytime I took a step with my right foot. I had thousands of little dings in one area near the pistol grip. It took a long time to get over that little stunt.

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
, I pride myself in taking good care of my guns.

I kept hearing a tapping noise.

Well anything getting used is likely to get dammaged, makes you wonder about these characters here paying big money for very fancy stocks on user rifles. A pleasing stock is good and any dings should be a badge of honour so to speak. Otherwise hang the thing on a wall somewhere.
AS for noises, I was walking along once and this noise was following me. Couldn't figure it. Dog was in front, and I couldn't see any Bunyip, Bigfoot, Yetti, sneeking up on me.
Turned out this half deaf old coot was being followed by water slopping around my water bottle.