Magnet fishing. Found gun.

[bblaha]

Was going for round 2 of magnet fishing in the Ohio river after I went detecting and found the best ring Iv ever found so the day was already looking good, tossed the magnet out a few times along the river and got nails and random trash and was about to give up but then a couple of friends showed up and just hung out there so I kept on tossing. About the 20th toss I pulled this in and thought it was a toy at first but it's a 380 pistol in great shape, there are just pretty deep Nicks and scratches in the metal wherever there is a corner in the gun, like around the hammer. The gun appears to be stainless with plastic grips so not sure why it stuck to the magnet but it did. There was no magazine and no bullets in it, I gave it to my dad and he turned it in to the authorities because we figured the gun was used in a crime then tossed into the Ohio river. Thanks for looking

 

[old digger]

You did the right thing!

 

[jewelerguy]

no reason for it to be in the river. probably used in a crime. would be nice to keep, but best to turn over to the cops

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

wow what a find, that thing is in some shape for being in a river. Could have also been tossed in the river by a POed wife.
ZDD

 

[stewielouie]

I would tell the cops that I wanted it back if its cleared of any crime

 

[Lanny in AB]

Now, that is a cool find! Nicely done.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[YoungBlood]

Nice find!

 

[TNGUNS]

OK....I can't hold it in......The gun is no more evil than a car used in a hit-and-run or a building that person is pushed from. Evil is a trait reserved for us humans. The Bersa is a descent quality, fairly popular handgun. If the police do not tie it to a crime and need it for evidence, or find it to be stolen and need to return it to its owner I would surely want it back ( you certainly did the right thing by taking it to them ). If you are not a gun person sell it just like a piece of jewelry or any other object of value that you may have no interest in keeping. Just hard for me to give $ 250 away. Don't misunderstand me....it is or was yours to do with as you see fit. Just my 2 cents.

PS....bet you would have never guessed I am a gun person.

 

[Talon]

I have a Bersa .40 cal that I use for concealed carry. Decent gun for the money. Most likely used in a crime for sure. Doubtful someone "lost" it.

 

[bblaha]

OK....I can't hold it in......The gun is no more evil than a car used in a hit-and-run or a building that person is pushed from. Evil is a trait reserved for us humans. The Bersa is a descent quality, fairly popular handgun. If the police do not tie it to a crime and need it for evidence, or find it to be stolen and need to return it to its owner I would surely want it back ( you certainly did the right thing by taking it to them ). If you are not a gun person sell it just like a piece of jewelry or any other object of value that you may have no interest in keeping. Just hard for me to give $ 250 away. Don't misunderstand me....it is or was yours to do with as you see fit. Just my 2 cents.

PS....bet you would have never guessed I am a gun person.

I LOVE guns. Iv grown up around them and shoot allll the time. In one month I turn 18 I'll finally be able to buy that sig sauer AR Iv had my eye on lol

 

[Calvin.Coin]

Just to show you that there are legit (well at least non-crime related) reasons for guns to wind up in rivers here is a story.

When I was young and impetuous (aprox. 15yo) I destroyed a perfectly good pheasant hunting 12 gauge by turning it into a homemade (hacksawed), pistol-gripped, sawed-off shotgun. I liked it for the fact that it would dang near tear a doorknob off and could kick out a gnarly flame at night! The only thing that gun ever shot was inanimate objects and it was never used in a threatening manner. After crossing the states a few times with it in my duffle I realized what an idiot I was and pitched it in a river.

peace,
cc

 

[FoundInNC]

You are lucky! I was under the impression that stainless did not stick to a magnet! Maybe the barrel was just enough And I agree with TNGUNS, you turned it over way too easily. If you know guns, you know that it has value, and you should have told the law you wanted it back after their investigation. This post is confusing to me, anyone else?

 

[Dynamo76]

What kind of magnet do you use?

 

[Diamondplate Dave]

You are lucky! I was under the impression that stainless did not stick to a magnet!

MOST stainless (not all) is not magnetic. However, a "stainless" gun is not made out of stainless, it's just finished with a stainless-look material. ("10 myths about guns" 2012 Gun Digest)
DD

 

[FoundInNC]

MOST stainless (not all) is not magnetic. However, a "stainless" gun is not made out of stainless, it's just finished with a stainless-look material. ("10 myths about guns" 2012 Gun Digest)
DD

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[gleaner1]

Some ss is magnetic.

 

[bblaha]

MOST stainless (not all) is not magnetic. However, a "stainless" gun is not made out of stainless, it's just finished with a stainless-look material. ("10 myths about guns" 2012 Gun Digest)
DD

Thanks that had me stumped. And foundinnc I knew it had value but I was still thinking that if someone through a perfectly good gun in the river it must be for a reason, I let my dad decide what to do with it because I just didn't want to take the risk. The police department is right by my house so I will keep you posted on it

 

[Dihren]

whats your setup for magnet fishing?

 

[bblaha]

The magnet I use has a hole in the middle so I tie a rope through it then duck tape around the knot and at the base of the rope to help secure it, then I just toss it out into the river or pond until it sinks to the bottom, after I know it's on the bottom I slowly pull it in kind of feeling if anything heavy is on it so I will know if I have to be extra careful or not. I haven't had much luck even getting trash in ponds. I think it's because everything sinks into the mud too deep.

 

[got2dig]

The magnet I use has a hole in the middle so I tie a rope through it then duck tape around the knot and at the base of the rope to help secure it, then I just toss it out into the river or pond until it sinks to the bottom, after I know it's on the bottom I slowly pull it in kind of feeling if anything heavy is on it so I will know if I have to be extra careful or not. I haven't had much luck even getting trash in ponds. I think it's because everything sinks into the mud too deep.

Man you have a good mind to come up with this if you did. And look at your find that's some good stuff. Your on to something. Very nice.