Wildwillalaska
AH veteran
Yepper…went and did it. It’s been a bit of gun whirlwind the past few weeks, so sorry for the longer intro.
So I’ve posted a time or two about my interest in the 505 Gibbs, truly more of a lust but possibly a foolish one given I hadn’t ever shot one. While I’ve historically fallen into a clump of friends known to be recoil tolerant if not immune, but everything has its limit and do not expect I’d be any different. For all I knew, first shot I’d chip a tooth or some such catastrophic event, forever ending my whimsical fascination with the cartridge. And I knew myself enough to plan for a custom gun, even if I didn’t mind the recoil, I wouldn’t be happy with it and have to buy another one. Waiting 1-4 years and spending $18k-$32k (Heym with nice wood on the lower end, highly figured walnut and GMA action built by Bolliger or Breeding on the high end) for a rifle I might shoot once and say “nope” to didn’t sound remotely logical, even by my more creative reasonings I sometimes use to talk myself into firearm needs, so I have waited to see if maybe the right gun might come around. Another thing I’m not all that great at.
While waiting, the right gun having not appeared, it did give me a chance to creatively talk myself into buying a Heym 88b in 470, which logically made sense that I should try and sort out if I’m one of those gents who loves .500+ bolt guns, or a more gentlemanly and sophisticated gun enthusiast meant to wield a double. Then while waiting for the 470 to make its way from Heym USA to JJ then to me, I tripped over another 88b in 450/400, which logically I should try to see if in fact I’m cool enough to be a double guy, would I prefer the more delicate proportions and lines of the 450/400. So yes, my creative reasoning while awaiting the right experimental 505 led me into buying not one but two doubles…all while somewhat patiently waiting for the right 505.
So not more than a couple days after picking up the second 88b, having my morning coffee, I did my normal quick internet searches for 505 Gibbs, 500 Jefferey (Not closed minded) and a few Heym and Rigby searches as well…in all the normal places. Lo and behold…what the heck, Cabelas has a 505 Gibbs on a GMA action. Very early gun, and they are calling it a GMA built gun. Cooler yet, it’s a more all weather build, which for me in Alaska, is awesome. It’s durable and ugly enough to use here for moose and big brownies. I correspond with the location and ask a number of questions since I was not aware of GMA ever making a full rifle themselves. The Library responded back that they were unsure, had spoken to GMA and learned nothing from the current owner, but had gotten Mike Roden’s number from him and left a message, never hearing back. While it looked well built in the few small small images online, I remain fearful of unknown built guns, especially expensive ones. While their price wasn’t bad, less than I’d seen a GMA action based rifle listed for in quite some time, still spooked me if I decided to sell it in a week, month, 5 years. No one loves not knowing who made it. So I made an admittedly low ball offer, with clear admission that I’d happily be closer to what they were asking if I knew the maker, and maybe even the asking price depending on who that maker was. Skip forward a few days as the person I spoke to had to try to research a bit more and then talk to the “main” manager gent. They got back to me with a counter that was close to my offer and accepted. Awesome, now the proud owner of a gun I may like…and this is where my luck really changed for the better I feel.
So I’ve posted a time or two about my interest in the 505 Gibbs, truly more of a lust but possibly a foolish one given I hadn’t ever shot one. While I’ve historically fallen into a clump of friends known to be recoil tolerant if not immune, but everything has its limit and do not expect I’d be any different. For all I knew, first shot I’d chip a tooth or some such catastrophic event, forever ending my whimsical fascination with the cartridge. And I knew myself enough to plan for a custom gun, even if I didn’t mind the recoil, I wouldn’t be happy with it and have to buy another one. Waiting 1-4 years and spending $18k-$32k (Heym with nice wood on the lower end, highly figured walnut and GMA action built by Bolliger or Breeding on the high end) for a rifle I might shoot once and say “nope” to didn’t sound remotely logical, even by my more creative reasonings I sometimes use to talk myself into firearm needs, so I have waited to see if maybe the right gun might come around. Another thing I’m not all that great at.
While waiting, the right gun having not appeared, it did give me a chance to creatively talk myself into buying a Heym 88b in 470, which logically made sense that I should try and sort out if I’m one of those gents who loves .500+ bolt guns, or a more gentlemanly and sophisticated gun enthusiast meant to wield a double. Then while waiting for the 470 to make its way from Heym USA to JJ then to me, I tripped over another 88b in 450/400, which logically I should try to see if in fact I’m cool enough to be a double guy, would I prefer the more delicate proportions and lines of the 450/400. So yes, my creative reasoning while awaiting the right experimental 505 led me into buying not one but two doubles…all while somewhat patiently waiting for the right 505.
So not more than a couple days after picking up the second 88b, having my morning coffee, I did my normal quick internet searches for 505 Gibbs, 500 Jefferey (Not closed minded) and a few Heym and Rigby searches as well…in all the normal places. Lo and behold…what the heck, Cabelas has a 505 Gibbs on a GMA action. Very early gun, and they are calling it a GMA built gun. Cooler yet, it’s a more all weather build, which for me in Alaska, is awesome. It’s durable and ugly enough to use here for moose and big brownies. I correspond with the location and ask a number of questions since I was not aware of GMA ever making a full rifle themselves. The Library responded back that they were unsure, had spoken to GMA and learned nothing from the current owner, but had gotten Mike Roden’s number from him and left a message, never hearing back. While it looked well built in the few small small images online, I remain fearful of unknown built guns, especially expensive ones. While their price wasn’t bad, less than I’d seen a GMA action based rifle listed for in quite some time, still spooked me if I decided to sell it in a week, month, 5 years. No one loves not knowing who made it. So I made an admittedly low ball offer, with clear admission that I’d happily be closer to what they were asking if I knew the maker, and maybe even the asking price depending on who that maker was. Skip forward a few days as the person I spoke to had to try to research a bit more and then talk to the “main” manager gent. They got back to me with a counter that was close to my offer and accepted. Awesome, now the proud owner of a gun I may like…and this is where my luck really changed for the better I feel.
