Faulkner
Member
I acquired several Mossberg Model 44US training rifles in .22LR from the CMP about 10 years ago and gave them to by sons. I was able to acquire another nice specimen this weekend and had forgotten how much fun they are to shoot and how accurate they are.
The 44US target trainer was designed exclusively for the war department, and intended solely for use by U.S. troops. O.F.Mosssberg had filled orders for almost 58,000 units from 1943-1945, with another 19,000-plus rifles scheduled but not shipped due to contract cut-backs and cancellations near the end of World War II.
The 44US was adapted from the pre-war 44B model, and the adaptations were mostly made to keep costs down. Ordnance wanted an accurate, dependable, heavy-barreled trainer, and sacrificed some cosmetic detail to make it affordable. While the 44B featured a deluxe, genuine walnut stock with long beavertail and cheek piece, the 44US stock was plain, usually birch with walnut finish. The heavy barrel was manufactured utilizing a lead-lapped process that is used today only on the most expensive target rifles.
The United States Armed Forces continued to train with the Mossberg 44US target .22 after the war. Government nomenclature designates these rifles as either "M13" grade (training rifle) or "M12" grade (match use).
Specifications for Model 44US (Military)
• Manufactured between 1943 and 1949.
• 7 Shot Detachable Box Magazine
• Weight 8 Lbs.
• Rear Sight – Mossberg micrometer click receiver peep.
• Barrel: 13/16 heavy-type, 26” long with crowned muzzle, chambered for .22 cal. long rifle
• Target Stock, Military walnut-finish oiled stock with front and rear sling swivels.
• Bolt Action
• Overall Length 43 ¼ inches
• US PROPERTY marked on barrel, receiver
• Rifles with serial numbers 14,500 through 138,921 were produced in 1943. Serial numbers 139,922 through 165,648 were produced in 1944. Serial numbers 165,649 through 177,948 were produced in 1945.
The 44US target trainer was designed exclusively for the war department, and intended solely for use by U.S. troops. O.F.Mosssberg had filled orders for almost 58,000 units from 1943-1945, with another 19,000-plus rifles scheduled but not shipped due to contract cut-backs and cancellations near the end of World War II.
The 44US was adapted from the pre-war 44B model, and the adaptations were mostly made to keep costs down. Ordnance wanted an accurate, dependable, heavy-barreled trainer, and sacrificed some cosmetic detail to make it affordable. While the 44B featured a deluxe, genuine walnut stock with long beavertail and cheek piece, the 44US stock was plain, usually birch with walnut finish. The heavy barrel was manufactured utilizing a lead-lapped process that is used today only on the most expensive target rifles.
The United States Armed Forces continued to train with the Mossberg 44US target .22 after the war. Government nomenclature designates these rifles as either "M13" grade (training rifle) or "M12" grade (match use).
Specifications for Model 44US (Military)
• Manufactured between 1943 and 1949.
• 7 Shot Detachable Box Magazine
• Weight 8 Lbs.
• Rear Sight – Mossberg micrometer click receiver peep.
• Barrel: 13/16 heavy-type, 26” long with crowned muzzle, chambered for .22 cal. long rifle
• Target Stock, Military walnut-finish oiled stock with front and rear sling swivels.
• Bolt Action
• Overall Length 43 ¼ inches
• US PROPERTY marked on barrel, receiver
• Rifles with serial numbers 14,500 through 138,921 were produced in 1943. Serial numbers 139,922 through 165,648 were produced in 1944. Serial numbers 165,649 through 177,948 were produced in 1945.
