Favorite Firearms: A First Firearm From Western Auto

by
posted on February 3, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Mossberg Model 342KA bolt-action

I grew up in the Schuylkill County area of Pennsylvania. It was a rural and predominantly poor area. My father was a hardworking coal miner, with not a lot of extra money on hand as he was raising a family of five. Despite that, I did receive a Daisy pellet rifle for Christmas at an early age.

In the spring of 1964, I had a stay at the hospital and received many get-well cards, with money in them as gifts. Not too long after the end of my hospital visit, I went with my father to a Western Auto store. While there, I saw a Mossberg Model 342KA bolt-action—a .22 rimfire with a folding forearm and seven-round magazine—sitting on the shelf.

After showing the rifle to my father and convincing him of just how responsible I was with my Daisy pellet rifle, I was allowed to purchase the Mossberg with my accumulated hospital money at the age of 13. For many years after that point, I used the rifle twice a day in the field and shot thousands of rounds through it.

It has always been lovingly cared for and is still in excellent shape. After doing further research on the rifle, I found out that Mossberg made those specific rifles for Western Auto. My father passed away in 2015, and I have accumulated many more firearms since this first one. I plan to pass down my Mossberg Model 342KA to my twin grandsons in the future.

—Carl Romanies

Latest

CZ 600 01
CZ 600 01

CZ 600+ Introduces Switch-Barrel Capability

In 2025, CZ USA expanded its 600 series rifle lineup with the CZ 600+, a design that delivers on the company's promise of a switch-barrel platform.

Preview: Savior Equipment Specialist Double Rifle Case

The Specialist Double Rifle Case from Savior Equipment is, as its name suggests, a rifle bag capable of carrying a pair of longarms simultaneously ...

Gun Of The Week: Traditions Outfitter G3 Pro

Join American Rifleman staff in this video to get a close look at a single-shot rifle design oriented toward today’s modern hunter, particularly those in states where straight-wall cartridges have been legalized for hunting.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 12, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Sellmark Ranch Opens, Offers Hunting & Shooting Opportunities To The Public

Sellmark Corporation, the parent company of several notable firearm industry brands, opened its 6,800-acre ranch to the public, which provides dedicated hunts, mile-long shooting ranges and more.

CZ Recalls All-American Trap Combo Shotguns

CZ-USA has identified a manufacturing defect affecting the barrel of certain CZ All-American Trap Combo shotguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.