Old Mossbergs...

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ratherbefishin

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I picked up a nice old Mossberg 151 M a this afternoon,it's been reblued(properly) looks pretty good,came with a 4x Bushnell Banner scope ,made in Japan.The hardwood stock shows honest wear but isn't bad, but I'll refinish it anyway and it should come up nicely.I haven't fired it yet but these old mossbergs generally shoot pretty good,and acquiring them is addictive.They are working guns ,not collectors and I have no qualms about refurbishing them and restoring them to their former glory and it's something I enjoy doing anyway.For the $199 I paid for a .22 the same age as I am(68) I think I got good value .....I'll pass it on to my granddaughter some day (ok,she's just 2 months old,but what better present could a grandpa get?)
 
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Sounds like a good deal, they are hitting $300 or more for the full-length Mannlicher stocked models. And quality of the old Mossy's is top notch. Next you'll want a find a nice bolt repeater like a 146B, or a 46M with full stock. The Mossberg 22's from the 40's and 50's are really picking up steam and becoming sought after. Cooey Model 60's took off a few years ago, and it seems the Mossy's are finally being recognized as great value too. I just picked up a 346BA model which is also in my age group (1960-68) to go with several other Mossbergs. Have fun with it take care of it, and it will be much cherished by your granddaughter I'm sure.
 
I've a half dozen of them,maybe more,don't know,mostly bolt actions,this as the second semi automatic, I got it because of the tube in the butt stock,the other ones have detachable box magazines.I have one full length stock,the others are regulars sporters.One has the rear peep sight,but the fact is,I have to use a scope now,my eyes don't work on irons.Triggers aren't bad, one target model has the adjustable trigger.

But they are all fine old guns,shoot well,mainly I use 'quiet' 22 shells, and while synthetic stocks might be more practical,there's something nice about a well oiled hand rubbed hardwood stock...it just feels 'right'Each to their own,but I'm just not into high capacity 'black rifles'but an old mossberg with catch my eye every time...

This one (151M a) has a sporter stock with a knob on the end of the forestock.I can't find out too much about it,but it appears to be only made for a couple of years,46 and 47,or 47 and 48
 
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ratherbefishin said:
I've a half dozen of them,maybe more,don't know,mostly bolt actions,this as the second semi automatic, I got it because of the tube in the butt stock,the other ones have detachable box magazines.I have one full length stock,the others are regulars sporters.One has the rear peep sight,but the fact is,I have to use a scope now,my eyes don't work on irons.Triggers aren't bad, one target model has the adjustable trigger.

But they are all fine old guns,shoot well,mainly I use 'quiet' 22 shells, and while synthetic stocks might be more practical,there's something nice about a well oiled hand rubbed hardwood stock...it just feels 'right'Each to their own,but I'm just not into high capacity 'black rifles'but an old mossberg with catch my eye every time...

This one (151M a) has a sporter stock with a knob on the end of the forestock.I can't find out too much about it,but it appears to be only made for a couple of years,46 and 47,or 47 and 48[/QUOTE]

Are you sure you don't have a 151K? They had the schnabel forend. All 151M series were full wood, the M standing for mannlicher. If your barrel says 151Ma, someone either modified the stock or put it into a 151K stock.
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You can't go wrong with the old mossberg 22 rifles. I was at the Shot show a few years ago, mossberg had a
display of some of their old 22 rifles. It was very interesting One of mine is in mint condition theirs was not.
They were surprised that an old target rifle was still in mint condition. I got it in North Vancouver many years ago
from a guy who always was going to shoot it and never did
 
can14 said:
You can't go wrong with the old mossberg 22 rifles. I was at the Shot show a few years ago, mossberg had a
display of some of their old 22 rifles. It was very interesting One of mine is in mint condition theirs was not.
They were surprised that an old target rifle was still in mint condition. I got it in North Vancouver many years ago
from a guy who always was going to shoot it and never did
Click to expand...

What model is it?
 
The rifle is definitely a 151M a( stamped on the barrel) but the stock is not full length( I have one ) nor has it been cut down( got one of those,too) because the 'knob' on the fore stock is quite appearent ,so it looks like the action may have been dropped into another stock...not sure,but which one? If it's mismatched,that doesn't bother me,I just like them as 'shooters' and bought this one because of the tube magazine in the butt stock configuration( similar to the Browning SA)
 
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I am wondering if my 151Ma was put in a 151K stock,either that or they did a good job of shortening and reconfiguring the mannlicher stock with a schnable end.Nice walnut stock though,I'm in the process of sanding it down and refinishing it.Generally semi's are not as accurate as bolt actions so I'll be interested to see how it shoots,as well as seeing if will cycle the lower velocity 'quiet' 22 shells.My Norinco JW20 Browning SA knockoff cycles them fine
 
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Wish I could,technically challanged,but when I get it refinished I'll see if one of the grandkids will help me.The walnut stocks on these old mossbergs come up nicely and somebody already reblued it.I do note the same schnable fore end on the mossberg page,although this one is definately an 'M ' model.Haven't shot it yet,I 'll be interested to see if it's as accurate as the bolt action models
 
I started a couple of years ago and just keep adding to my collection. I still buy rifles I don't plan on keeping that are missing parts and put them back to shooting condition so they stay in circulation. But most of what I buy to keep now are the more rare and harder to find models. There is a wealth of knowledge within the guys that float around here as well as on the Rimfire Central Mossberg section for those looking for information.
Scott...
 
I just noticed a small threaded hole about 2'' from the muzzle,which leads me to believe this was indeed intended for a manlicher stock which has either been replaced with this one,or if original,reconfigured with a scnable forend
 
It certainly appears so, but is there any way to tell if the stock is original and reconfigured,or another mossberg stock?all I know for sure is it has a tube in the butt stock
 
ratherbefishin said:
It certainly appears so, but is there any way to tell if the stock is original and reconfigured,or another mossberg stock?all I know for sure is it has a tube in the butt stock
Click to expand...

Would have to see a pic. The length of the stock might also help. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was put into a 151K stock. The 151K is basically the same rifle as far as the mechanics go but externally it didn't have a Mannlicher stock or a peep sight. The receiver was also grooved for a scope and it had different sights.
 
I'm leaning to concluding it was put into a 151 K stock,the barrel is definately stamped '151M a,and then the small tapped hole 2''from the end.Doesn't matter to me,the walnut stock is coming up beautifully and as long as it can shoot,I really don't care....my guns are shooters,not collectors
 
Refinished the stock,put it all back together and shot it.i was pleased at the accuracy it being a semi automatic,but it didn't cycle the 'quiet'22 shells well,no surprise,I didn't really expect it to although my Norinco JW20 will
 
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