Getting Rid of Junk Gun

Newbie Joined: Jul 27, 2010 Posts: 5

My cab driver uncle gave me a Jennings J-22 pistol many years ago, pre-internet. At the time, I bought 3 extra magazines for it before I figured out through trial and error that it often will not feed even the best ammo and is comically inaccurate when it does work.

I still have this gun, and I understand there are actually fans of these junk pistols. I took it to my range/store and literally asked if they would give me two boxes of ammo for it. Because they are nice guys they did not make fun of me, but actually ran it past the owner. He declined, and advised that the guns are notoriously unsafe and should not be fired. They recommended that I drop it off at a police station to be melted down, which is exactly what I would do if I knew of a buyback... it is (IMHO) a political statement to give the state a worthless gun in exchange for good money that can be spent on a formidable weapon.

Anyway, can I trade this thing and the magazines off to someone in the state of IL with a valid FOID in exchange for a couple of boxes of decent ammo without running afoul of the law? Does it actually have to go through an FFL? I can just take it over to the police station, but I'd rather have something to show for it.

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:11 pm

If you where anywhere near me I would be happy to work out some sort of legal swap of ammo for it understanding fully that it should not be fired.

You do not have to go through a dealer.

Private Joined: Sep 16, 2009 Posts: 171

I can't shoot that gun either, and the reason being is I do not have a rigid stance when shooting. The only way to successfully fire the Jennings is, with locked elbows and a rigid stance, any absorbtion of recoil on that piece of junk and it stove pipes. Sounds strange, but it's true.

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:17 am

frizzyt wrote:

any absorbtion of recoil on that piece of junk and it stove pipes. Sounds strange, but it's true.

Actually that is a problem with many .22 semi-auto guns.

We have a P-2 here that we shot hundreds of rounds through perfectly.
I hand it to my sister-in-law and it will stovepipe every mag dump!

It's hard to convince people that they need a death grip on a .22 hand gun.

Corporal Joined: Jul 20, 2007 Posts: 871

My Dad (RIP) inherited one from his great uncle (RIP) and it didn't work, I did some work on it and it shoots just fine now. They are junk but they aren't unsafe to shoot, I wouldn't however go out a look to see if anyone makes 22++++P and try it.

Private Joined: Sep 16, 2009 Posts: 171

I wouldn't call them unsafe either, junk & unreliable maybe.

Newbie Joined: Jul 27, 2010 Posts: 5

Trigger, I'm in the west suburbs. If you're really interested, PM me an email address and I'll send you a photo of the gun. Looking for any decent 22LR ammo or hollow point 9mm.

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:18 am

PM sent.

Thanks

Newbie Joined: Jul 27, 2010 Posts: 5

PM'd and emailed photos. If you're interested, just let me know. Any decent 22LR is of interest. Thanks!

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:14 pm

MWorrell wrote:

PM'd and emailed photos. If you're interested, just let me know. Any decent 22LR is of interest. Thanks!

Got then and responded via email.

Will send again.

Newbie Joined: Jul 27, 2010 Posts: 5

Just saying it publicly - just did a deal with Trigger, and he and his son are fine folks. Do not hesitate.