It has been a long time since I last fired a Woodmaster, but I remember saying then — and I repeat now — that if ever there was a rifle built to sidestep the stupid “assault rifle” hysteria, then this would be it, in the very manly .30-06 Springfield chambering:
And there’s even one costing a little less, that doesn’t include a scope. Best of all is that these two rifles were made back when Remington still cared about quality.
Here’s the thing. All gunny goodness involves compromise — sometimes lots of compromises — and in this case, the major compromise is, of course, that teeny 5-round magazine. That’s more than adequate for hunting, but in a more, shall we say antisocial environment, not so much.
I would suggest that five rounds of .30-06 should pretty much end any dispute, but then again I’m of the “make every shot count” school and not in the “spray and pray” camp.
And, of course, this little honey would serve just as well as a hunting rifle — something you can’t necessarily say about the latest plastic fantastic Mattel offering — so there’s that. Also, the listed Collectors price of $700 isn’t too horrible, either.
And the 742 has exquisite, flowing lines which allow for a proper fondling and stroking, compared to the Mattel’s sharp corners and unfeeling plastic.
Needless to say, I’m just an old-fashioned gun lover who prefers the old over the new, and wood & blued steel over plastic & anodized. So sneer at me if you will, but that’s my position and I’m unlikely to change it.
