Mossberg 22 addiction

[Bawanna]

I've been in to accumulating (don't like to use the word collecting) Mossberg 22 rifles for several years. Had them out this afternoon for a routine cleaning and checkup, just prior to the big flood. Sadly, lost the whole bunch.

At least I still have a photo to remember them by.

Anybody else in to off the beaten path stuff?

[dao]

Yes, but not in firearms. My first firearm was a Mossberg .22. I ended up trading it and a bow for an 80cc Suzuki. Bad trade, but we live and we learn.

The guns that I have which are off the beaten path so to speak are two Ruger P345's. Not a very common, collectable, or desireable gun but the ones I have are in great shape, one being pristine and part of a collection that a Ruger afficionado had in which Ruger would send him an example of every new pistol they came out with and each would bear the same digits in their serial number.

[AJBert]

Before the avalanche, I had a Mossberg .22 that looks like the last on one the right from the 40's with a period correct Redfield scope, kinda like the on just to the left. I also had a Springfield 1886 in .30-40 Krag, unfortunately it was sporterized long before I got it. Still had the military sights on it, but the barrel and stock had been cut down. I have mentioned the 1950 Winchester Model 94 I had. Not unusual in itself, but it is chambered in .32 Winchester Special. Not a common round in the least. Everything else I had were all pretty common.

[yqtszhj]

I think many of us here know that you also have a small addiction for wood. Those are nice. Did you do any refinishing or just clean them up a bit? I really like the stock on the one in the center.

[Bawanna]

Before the avalanche, I had a Mossberg .22 that looks like the last on one the right from the 40's with a period correct Redfield scope, kinda like the on just to the left. I also had a Springfield 1886 in .30-40 Krag, unfortunately it was sporterized long before I got it. Still had the military sights on it, but the barrel and stock had been cut down. I have mentioned the 1950 Winchester Model 94 I had. Not unusual in itself, but it is chambered in .32 Winchester Special. Not a common round in the least. Everything else I had were all pretty common.

I've wanted a 30-40 Krag for a long time. So many are butchered and those that aren't are way out of my neighborhood these days.

[Bawanna]

I think many of us here know that you also have a small addiction for wood. Those are nice. Did you do any refinishing or just clean them up a bit? I really like the stock on the one in the center.

That one in the middle had a painted wood grain finish when I got it. Only found that on one other I refinished for a fella years ago. Plain finish but sanded down and incredible wood. Mine looked ok but was slightly rough, so I decided to refinish it. That's what I found underneath. It's gorgeous. I wish that stock would fit the one next to it but it semi auto versus the bolt. That little bolt is one of my favorites. Most of these were missing a piece, a sight hood or sometimes sights, one had the wrong feed tube which I knew so I got to do a little searching to get the right stuff. Sadly, the world found out that I was looking for these and where I used to find them for 150 -200 bucks all day long, now they all seem to start at 300-350. Even the rough ones.
Every one of these has functioned perfectly and each is a tack driver. Not a disappointment in the bunch.

[Armybrat]

I've wanted a 30-40 Krag for a long time. So many are butchered and those that aren't are way out of my neighborhood these days.
My Dad had bought a surplus 30-40 Krag for $2 when he was in high school (he paid $1.25 each for two Springfield Trapdoors at the same Missouri National Guard sale) in the 1920s.
Unfortunately, he had the Krag “sporterized” for my brother sometime in the 1950s. It is a beautiful rifle though…. action is as smooth as butter.

[Bawanna]

Wish I'd been around in those days, knowing what I know now. Trapdoors, even rough ones are starting at about a grand now days. One of those is high on my want list. I now have two list, a want list and a must have list. There's a bunch on the want list, virtually nothing on the must have list. I think I need an evaluation.

[AJBert]

I messed up on the Springfield, it is a 1896, not a 1886. It was a typo. Cool thing about these is that they saw one conflict with the US military, the Spanish-American War. I need to break mine out for next year's hunting. I've carried it before but have yet to get a deer with it. I won't be trying it out for elk, though.

[Bawanna]

I always hunted with a 1917 Enfield 30-06. My Granddad and Dad both bought them military surplus. Granddad sporterized metal and wood. I ended up having a scope put on it and that was my hunting rifle. My dad just cut the stock on his. I scrambled and found a not great but original military stock for his. Tried to get it done in time for a picture before he crossed the river from cancer. Didn't quite make it. Still have them both.

[AJBert]

My grandpa worked at a military surplus store from when I could first remember until the 80's. Best part was he worked the gun counter. Any time something would come in that was nice and priced right (military or civilian) he would call his two son-in-laws, my dad and my uncle, but not his two daughters, my mom and aunt. I remember my dad showing up with a number of firearms after work and my mom not asking any questions. She knew where he got them and who told him. I know my uncle did the same, but I don't know how my aunt reacted. My dad split his firearms between my brother and myself when he was in his 70's. Wanted to make sure they were going to the two people who would cherish them and not sold for pennies on the dollar.

[BirdsThaWord]

Nice rifles Colonel! Too bad about the flood. I know you’ve fallen victim to all sorts of disasters taking your various guns over the years. Glad to see you keep up a good spirit after it all!
Crazy what those parts you mentioned are running. Hard to believe the prices on just about everything these days. What’s this world coming to?