Saw this gun 2 years ago at a gun show and I thought about it frequently since. He quit setting up at Berea because of health problems. The owner comes to the NE Ohio Bunch, I call him about twice a year to see how he’s doing. Asked him last summer if he still had the gun for sale and it was, he never got back to me on the price. Finally connected again with him and bought it.

I shot it Tuesday morning after I met him and he went back home. It wouldn’t feed ammo from the tube so I shot it single shot. Used the peep sights that were on it. It did great but it was 50 ft indoors. After I got home I took it apart, cleaned it and lubed it. It now feeds good and I put a scope on it.

These old basic .22 rifles are great shooters. They were cheap but well made. It took me back to younger days when I walked the woods with a .22 rifle enjoying the outdoors. This one was made abt 1949. It’s a Mossberg 146 B with the early “T” bolt. Tell us about your classic old rifle. Larry

Attached Images

	B270C0DA-2CD0-42FC-949E-473CB5E4D751.jpg (89.5 KB, 1439 views)
	692DD657-9055-49CD-9185-CD7A0C270BBB.jpg (72.2 KB, 1121 views)
	30A6C54A-4396-401F-B6C9-86201C54FDEA.jpg (69.8 KB, 1010 views)

So whacha got there?

I have a Marlin 39A that my parents gave me when I turned 13 in 1964. Very accurate, reliable and well built rifle that I hope to hand down to my son one of these days. Still enjoy shooting it. If taken care of....these rifles can be handed down for generations.

Still has an old 4x Weaver scope mounted.

At this point, I'm hoping my freedom to carry and shoot it endures as long as the rifle does.

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Looks like a Mossberg. Lovely.

I could kick myself for not taking my Dad's Remington 512 after he passed.
Mom offered it to me back in 1975. I think he bought it in 1951 or 1952 and I'm sure he never put more than a hundred rounds through it.

To be honest, i picked these up in the last two years as my classic 22 rifle bug kicked in.
Rem 12C target


Brno model 1 from 1946


Marlin 39A. 1939 gun, the first yr for the 39A.


Sold my Anshutz 54 sporter at tulsa in Nov, and a nice browning auto from 1958 sold last week.

Love those old 22 rifles.

__________________
Charlie

I actually just traded a shotgun to my father for two long guns... one being a Winchester 62 that my uncle owned.







Receiver dated to June of 1931, which predates the Model 62 by about a year. Has a later 62A bolt, which dropped the screws for the firing pin stop for pins. .22 Short Gallery Gun, with matched halves.

When I got it, thought the magazine tube was welded to the barrel. Grime and rust held it all together. Taking the bolt apart, must have shot a ton of ammo, since the lead was unreal. Barrel looks good, and after changing a spring and cleaning the wood, I have a nice (might not be pristine, but worth a lot to me) and functional rifle that is almost 88 years old.

Here's my dad's old squirrel gun from the late 40's to early 50's. He passed in 1955 and I finally inherited it in 2001 or so after my brother passed. It's an interesting Winchester 62A Gallery gun (.22 short only}. I'll pass it down to my son and grandson.

IMG_0068.jpg

My 7th grandkid is on the way, so I pick up all the "Classic" 22's I can. If I can afford to keep them in ammo we all will be happy!

Ivan

Still have and use my first a 1963 Remington 511-X Scoremaster my Dad gave me for Christmas.

If your looking for a new yet classic rimfire rifle you've got to look at the CZ 452 offerings...... old world classic looks and build with walnut stocks ..... and most seem to shoot 1moa....... .17hmr .22mag along with the .22lr.

Larry,

it seems that we share a love for classic rimfire rifles and handguns. I love Anschutz 54 sporters, particularly the short versions with set triggers.





But the newer ones aren't shabby, either.

Nothing prettier than a mannlicher........ I've got a couple.

Ruger International in .243

Three Ruger 10/22s

Four CZs..... 452s in .22lr,.22 mag and a 527 in .223/5.56

FYI - the 511X models were only produced between 1965 + 1967 - there is a date code on l/s of barrel near receiver that will tell the year + month of actual production -

Lot of nice guns showing up, try to get them out and have fun with em. Yes, these are great guns to start young kids shooting.

Although more of a target gun, gonna mention a BSA Martini Cadet. Have enjoyed this one for years, it’s a 12/15 model. Has a 8x32 scope on it. On Rimfire Central yrs ago, someone put some smelly stuff on a target and was shooting “flies” at 25 yards. This is the 3rd Martini I own but the only one in .22. Have a Hammerli free pistol in .22 and it’s a small Martini action. Larry

Attached Images

	FFA0CA7A-6064-4068-B2AA-9A0F49DA985F.jpg (50.7 KB, 243 views)
	30BEBAB5-B5C0-4455-81E2-181DA1FFB6F5.jpg (47.5 KB, 176 views)

I have my great grandfathers Savage 6a. It was said that my great uncle Dan could shoot pennies out of the air with it. I owe y’all a picture.

__________________
Do it outdoors

Long time ago.....I'll check it out.......

Dad bought the property in the Laurel Highlands in early spring of 63..... I spent a couple years/summers with a turn of the century single shot Steven's Favorite......... was on the JV Rifle Team in 9th Grade, 66/67...... and I had been shooting the 511 at least one summer.........

so ya probably was 65 ....... would have been 11 in my first year of Jr. High (7th Grade)

I've got several 22 rifles and only two aren't old classics. A early 10/22 and a Ruger 77/22. It use to be when you bought a 22 you expected it
to function and shoot reasonably for practical use. I've owned hundreds of
older 22s and I can't recall any that weren't accurate. They all aren't target guns. I have bought some nice old 22s cheap because feed system on Tube Mags were fouled up. This is usually because owner was prying on
a jam and bent some thing. Today a good 22 to equal the old ones is $500. They would not be able to make and sell the old classics for twice that.

Still have my Dad's Remington Model 33, single shot, bolt action, that he
got as a teen in the early 30's. My brother and I include it in our summer
trips to the range just to remind us how enjoyable a slower pace can be

My favorite classic .22 is the Remington 550-1. It was the first .22 rifle I could call my own (1956). I sold that one about 25 years ago, and I still don't know whatever prompted me to do that. Last year I ran across one in very good condition at a reasonable (for today) price, and it's even from 1956 according to the date code. So of course I bought it. They aren't seen too often even though there were many of them sold. At least to my mind, it is the finest .22 semiauto ever made. And not a piece of plastic on it except for the buttplate. It sure brings back a lot of good memories whenever I shoot it.

As I stated above ..... check out the CZ 452 line; while CZ is now offering the 455 and 457 lines ...... there still seem to be new 452s coming into the market. 452s are great rimfires with classic looks in the $350-550 range.

If you can find a CZ453 grab it as they come with single set triggers....like CZ centerfire guns.

You are correct to get a gun better than a CZ will cost you another $500

If I was in the market for a new 22 I would be looking at CZ or Sako. I have no complaints on 77/22 but it was bought when first out. There are
good shooting 22s made by American companies but they aren't classic.
Ruger American & Savage. The only decent semi is Marlin 60, the 10/22
has been cheapened. Their is no quality pump being made or lever.

I have a Liking for all things .22 mainly rifles 30 yo and older. I have a Marlin 39a I bought at Walmart 1984 that shoots perfect. It looks NIB yet has I bet 10K rds have gone through it without any issues with its mechanics. I Think the Best all around .22 rifle is the old Marlin 60, not the newer stuff. Use to be $79.99 at Walmart years ado...No plastic, brass feed tube, simple to use. When CMP had the Mossberg m44's for sale I bought several... DOM like the 1940's...well used in Basic...yet they shot well out to 50 yds. Sadly today all but a few build a low cost quality .22, CZ comes to mind as a good quality .22 for under $400.00.

I recently gave in to the rim-fire bug and bought this 1968 Remington 552. I'm now looking for a nice bolt action or pump .22 to round things out.

My dad bought me my first .22 (a Mossberg bolt action) when I was 12. My mom gave to my cousin when I moved (40 years ago).

Since my dads passing, I mentioned that I wished I still had the old .22 and my mom said she would see if she could get it back. I even offered to pay FMV. I don't know if my cousin still has it, but figured it's worth a try.

There's nothing like a classic .22 to bring back my earliest memories of learning firearm safety from my dad and small game hunting after school.

__________________
Free advice is worth the price

I am liking 22 lr more and more, some day, I will get that CZ:

Attached Images

22lrrifles.jpg (79.0 KB, 179 views)

My very first rifle was a Winchester Mod 03 22 auto. For those of you who know, you know I couldn't afford to shoot it, the ammo was 6-7 times more expensive than regular 22 LR. Last year (60+ years later) I find a model 63 at an auction that went at a reasonable price. Just like OP's, wouldn't feed properly, or extract correctly. A good cleaning and scrubbing of the chamber and it shoots like a new rifle.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

On the more modern side, I have several CZ 452's. The full stock below, an ultra lux 28" bbl that is super quiet for neighborhood squirrels, a trainer for my grandson, and a threaded model waiting on a silencer. All great guns, greater value.

__________________
Charlie

Just acquired one of the new CZ American 457s in 22 WRM; backasswards safety has been replaced with a more traditional "push to fire" one. Bolt throw is shortened, adjustable trigger, great looking walnut stock. Haven't had it to the range yet but if it shoots like the other CZ's I have it should become an instant "classic."

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I have a Winchester Model 52 C and a Remington 40 X that I'm in the process of gently re-habbing. I'll post pictures when they're complete. Both were apparently well used on the target shooting circuit in years gone by.
Jim

"My very first rifle was a Winchester Mod 03 22 auto. For those of you who know, you know I couldn't afford to shoot it, the ammo was 6-7 times more expensive than regular 22 LR. Last year (60+ years later) I find a model 63 at an auction that went at a reasonable price. "

When I was a kid I always wanted a Winchester 63, but I had to settle for the Remington 550-1 previously mentioned. Fast forward to around 2005. I bought the Taurus knockoff of the Winchester 63. It's a very good facsimilie of the 63, except the wood is very dark (I don't think it is walnut, no grain at all) and the wood finish is slightly rough and dull. I refinished the Taurus wood and it is an improvement. I never had any functioning problems with the Taurus 63. I don't think Taurus made many of them and I have seen a couple at gun shows priced in the $600 range.

The idea behind the special smokeless .22 Winchester Auto ammunition needed for the Winchester 1903 (later Model 03) was to prevent the use of conventional .22 ammunition. Black powder .22 loadings were still common when the Winchester 1903 came out and if used in it, would gum up the blowback action in a hurry. Aside from the different ammunition needed, the Model 03 and the later Model 63 are very similar in design. It is difficult and expensive to feed an 03.

Larry one of my favorites a Remington model 34
Tube fed bolt action that has a really neat loading mechanism.
The old Remington's are just that bit more streamlined that I find appealing.






another Remington this one a 24




Like Andy I like 54's and wanted one of these when I was a young guy.



a little Winchester

__________________
Paul
S&WCA #2726

I also have a Marlin 39A that my parents gave me when I turned 12 in 1963. I have not fired it since I was a teen. I will be taking it to a local outdoor range, in the spring. I have never sighted in the 4x scope that came with it. Should be fun.

Well I have a 7722 bought as soon as they came out. Classic, I realy do not know but its a great gun.

One that I have that I know most people will call classic is my little .22 take down Belgium made Browning semi!

I bought it new in early 1960s.I was a gun bug even in my teenage years. My father had given the gun dealer permission for me to do my thing. I worked hard over the late summer/fall cutting grass and raking leafs, washing cars and other odd jobs in my neighborhood. Then when winter hit I did a lot of snow shoveling to be able to come up with the 55 dollars it took to get that Browning. I bought and paid for it myself, it was a much simpler/better time. No sales tax back, then no goverment forms to fill out, just cash on the barrel head and a simple paper bill of sale.

Still have that little gun, its reasonably accurate for a light weigh take down and I have fired plenty of rounds threw this classic.

__________________
14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Walt, I'm with you. Have three 550's. One belonged to my Dad. It's still my favorite .22 semi. What's really neat about them is the floating chamber and the fact they will run with shorts, longs or LR. That fact makes the run with CCI Quiet.22's very well.

I’m right there with all of you . l’ve always had a soft spot for .22’s and I have a nice little collection of them, All good shooters. My favorites are the Old Mossberg rifles like the one posted by the OP. That’s a Really nice T handle bolt action . 22 you found there. I have a few different models and they are all crazy accurate for 60+ year old guns. Here’s one of mine.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

__________________
I reckon so

I love old .22 rifles, and I own a number that would certainly qualify as "classic." I'll show you just one, because it's quite unusual - I didn't know it existed until a few years ago.

It's a Stevens "Visible Loader." The pump-action actually places a round of ammo into the chamber from outside the frame! This one really works, and it's a blast to see it operate! These were made from 1908 to 1934; around 100,000 were produced. I have no idea when this one was made; they are virtually impossible to date accurately.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I have a old Mossberg 44 US .22 rifle. It's one of my favorite shooters. I can drill tacks with it. I have no idea how old it actually is (no serial number).

"Walt, I'm with you. Have three 550's. One belonged to my Dad. It's still my favorite .22 semi. What's really neat about them is the floating chamber and the fact they will run with shorts, longs or LR. That fact makes the run with CCI Quiet.22's very well."

One of the reasons I like the 550 is that it will function perfectly with .22 Shorts, even standard velocity Shorts. All you hear when firing SV shorts is a slight pop-pop-pop. Who needs a suppressor or earmuffs? Back when I was a kid, all I used were Shorts. At that time they were somewhat cheaper than .22 LRs which was a major consideration.

Wow, a lot of nice guns posted here.

I have an old Western Field 22 semi-auto, which I re-blued and refinished the stock. Sweet shooter. My favorite though is an Ithaca Model 49 lever-action single shot in 22 magnum. Sorry I have no photos. In pistols I have a Bernadelli 22 auto (looks like a Walther PPK) and of course my beloved S&W model 18-3 revolver.

Harold

My dad bought me a 1897 Marlin for my 5th birthday. I had my choice of
four rifles that a collector let him bring home. 1955 any kid would take the
lever gun. Some how a couple years later I wanted a Browning autoloader.
We went to a county fair shooting gallery that had the Brownings. When I
took my shots the empties went down my shirt sleeve. That ended my quest at the time for a Browning. They are one of the best 22 auto ever
made. I've had a couple but don't own one now. The 63Win is a fine 22 also. Remingtons 241 is of the same quality.

John heres my Stevens "miserable loader" that I inherited from my Grandpa.she's still a shooter

Attached Images

	IMG_0791.jpg (123.4 KB, 173 views)
	IMG_0792.jpg (138.0 KB, 121 views)
	IMG_0793.jpg (136.0 KB, 117 views)

I am a .22 rifle addict and have a pile of them. I especially favor old Winchesters. The top rifle in this picture is a model 58, the bottom one is a model 1900. The 1900 is the only bolt action .22 designed by browning.




Here are a few older single shots including the top rifle a Thumbtrigger.



A couple of Winchesters classics, a model 75 Sporter and an 1890 .22 long Rifle.



My favorite .22 classics models 61 and 62A Winchesters.

Nothing like all the beautiful rifles shown but mine is a pristine Stevens (Savage) model 15 bolt action single shot. I bought it new in 1967 at the local hardware store for about $25 upon returning from my 2nd tour in Vietnam. My father-in-law had a much older one just like it we had always used when fishing to shoot Cotton Mouths. My son now has both of them.

My first firearm was an Ithaca M49, a single shot that looked like a lever action, but was actually a Martini falling block. I got the Ithaca on my 15th birthday and I was also given my granddaddy's Stevens .22/.410 that day.

Growing up, one of my neighbors had a Mossberg Trainer and a thumb trigger Winchester. Another had a Winchester 75. I enjoyed shooting all of them. Then in college I got to shoot a friend's 1890 Winnie in .22 short and yet another friend had one of the Remington bolt actions with the plastic magazine.

Two other classic .22s has come my way over the years-a 1870-1970 Century Marlin lever gun and a solid frame Remington Model 4 .22 LR rolling block.

Now that I've dredged up these old memories, I need to dig these rifles out of the safe and do some shooting.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

One of the two accidental firings I've experienced in my life was with a Winchester thumb trigger .22 rifle. The other involved a M1903A3. Fortunately, no disasters resulted from either.

The Walther KKJ is a classic sporter; the name translates to small bore hunting rifle.

I gave this to my youngest son but he is storing it in one of my safes since December and I plan to fit a DST trigger group and trigger guard.



Larry,

the third rifle from the top is just around the corner from you. My son has it in Westlake, OH.

Mossberg's are a strange bunch of rifles that over the years were brought back to use with parts from salvage companies or the like, the T-bolt was only used on model 142A's originally.

I still have the one my dad bought me for my 6th birthday in 1951, my late nephew who was 2 years younger got his in '53 but it was standard round bolt knob. It was lost in a house fire in the 80's.

Some years back I found a 142A that once cleaned up looked like it was new. I have period correct Weaver K4 scopes on both and original two magazines for the gun dad bought me and an unused spare I bought in SC gun shop in mid 70's and the adapter for shorts that all 142's came with.

__________________
Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

Wow, some really neat guns have come out of the woodwork. Get your old .22’s out and rediscover the fun they can be. I have owned a few of the guns viewed and more memories came back. Every Tuesday morning I take a different gun to the club to shoot. Limited to 50 ft but that’s OK. Good group of people that come. Wouldn’t believe the neat old guns that show up.

Andyd, plan a trip to Westlake the first weekend in May and join us at the NE Ohio Bunch on Saturday. If interested, PM me for details. Would be great to meet you. Tell your son also. It’s all about S&W’s though, unfortunately not classic.22 rifles. Larry

Mossberg 640K in 22 mag!. Biggest game was a coyote or two.

Love seeing the vintage 22s in this thread! Keep them coming

__________________
Some Might Say.

Larry,

incidentally I am planning to go to Westlake in May but the exact time depends on my son's work schedule. I have a few S&W revolvers, too, so that is no problem at all. My son is coming to Texas in two weeks to pick up the "family .22" that him and his brother tortured with over 110,000 rounds when they were growing up. He will teach a fellow doctor who loves airguns shooting with it.

It isn't a classic rimfire really but for my sons it is THE rimfire pistol with the most memories.