As you all can tell, I like old rifles. Yeah, the AR-15 and the other modern or semi-modern guns are fun and I geek out over the latest gilding of the firearm lily. But I have to admit, there’s just something about a big chunk of steel and wood that just feels right against my shoulder.
So, here are a few descriptions of old rifles that just make me happy.
- M1903 – Take the bolt handle between the thumb and forefinger gently, but firmly. With just a practiced flick of the wrist, you can cycle the smooth-as-butter action and be right back on target.
- Mosin-Nagant 91/30 – Smack that thing like it owes you money, tovarisch, and it’ll cycle every time. If it doesn’t, try hitting it with your shovel.
- M-1 Garand – The ping of freedom. Just watch out for your thumb.
- Winchester 94 – I’ll admit it, I like Louis Lamour and Chuck Connors. There’s just something satisfying about working that lever. Almost makes me want to invest in a pair of boots. Almost.
- G-3 / CETME – Fired this a couple of times when I was working toward my Schutzenschnur. More teutonic fun than should be allowed by law.
- Schmidt-Rubin K31 – Bang, pull, bang, pull, bang, pull, bang, pull, with each cycle making the cheap bastard that lives in my head yell out “We are not made of money!!”
DaddyBear’s Den 
MaddMedic
/ January 26, 2019Mosin’s yes. Lever’s yes….
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OldNFO
/ January 26, 2019You ever get down this way, we’ll get you a good pair of boots! 🙂 And hand you most of those to shoot too! 😀
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pigpen51
/ January 26, 201930/40 Krag. Just sayin.
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thinkingman
/ January 27, 2019What, No Enfields? No Swedes? Do agree on the M1; fortunate enough to have a couple. Really wanted an 03 or 03A3, but now too broke to entertain things that are tough for me to get out to shoot.
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Ray
/ January 27, 2019Yes I own all of them. Except the G-3. When I got cancer for the first time in ’08 I had to sell the bulk of my life long collection. I kept the cream. All of the above -except the G-3(guy offered stupid money-and my copay was 30 grand then) What hurt most was selling my .45 collection. Again I only kept the few I loved. Pop’s WW2 Remington Rand. The pair of cowboy .45’s my wife bought me. The Navy arms BP that was the first gun I paid for out of my pocket in the early 70’s. Stuff like that—Ray
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John in Philly
/ January 28, 2019.45-70 Trapdoor Springfield.
Years and years ago I bought Harrington and Richardson’s carbine version of that classic rifle.
That reminds me to spend some time at the reloading tool and then head for the range for a .45-70 fun festival.
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Mack Culverhouse
/ January 31, 2019You need a good pair of boots. They also pair well with a G-3 clone
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mrgarabaldi
/ February 3, 2019Hey DB;
I have a couple of those, I bought my O3 in Germany of all places in 1988, it has the German import stamp on it from 1977. Brought it back because I used the words “Remington” and “30-06” on the ATF and custom forms. I am surprised that you have no Enfields in your selection…good choices by the way
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daddybear71
/ February 3, 2019Wish I still had the Swiss rifle. Had to sell it to pay for SAT tests a few years ago.
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