The greatest .22 that ever was

mikeystew said:
Nice, I'd like to get one of those as well one day. I'm just a huge fan of the old mossberg rifles. The quality is outstanding and as gunslinger pointed out people are literally giving them away. HUGE bang for your buck.
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I can't see the LH side of your stock, but mine is a Monte Carlo, I'm not sure if they all came like that or if I just got lucky.
 
Nice old rifle and awesome work on the trigger guard. Yes some amazing quality in some of the old girls. I recently acquired an older 1975 built Annie match 64 and am amazed at the quality, trigger, stock. Only plastic is the adjustable butt.
 
Now I remember the thread you did on this gal ............waaaaaaaaaaaay back when.
Great to see her again.

I've always been tempted to get into one of these things.

Thanks for the great thread MikeyS
 
Cheers lukie. I suggest it if you can find one, you won't be disappointed. The 144 is real nice too, it's box mag fed and designed more for target shooting off the bench where the 146 is the sporter made for carrying in the field. Both equally accurate and very well built.
 
I'm into this Mossy thing with a 46M(b), full length stock tube mag.
This is a very inspiring thread and I'm going to have to pull it out and give it some love.
 
Paatz said:
I'm into this Mossy thing with a 46M(b), full length stock tube mag.
This is a very inspiring thread and I'm going to have to pull it out and give it some love.
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It deserves it!
Something else I just remembered is these older mossbergs also have hand lead lapped bores. Try and find any modern rimfire rifle with features like that for less than a couple grand... Tight lead lapped bore, hardened steel wear parts, immaculate inletting. Can't say enough about them.

It baffles me how mossberg went from this quality craftsmanship, to the cheap tacticrap they make today...
 
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Yep, they are great rifles. But going by a couple that were for sale recently on the EE, and at fair prices, apparently the younger crowd doesn't think so.
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I'm a "younger crowd" I guess, at 28... I absolutely LOVE the older Mossbergs
I picked up a 151M(B) a while back and have since then, no other new .22 has even interested me (Although I had to own a Cooey for Canadian reasons). Since snagging it I have likely put 3000 rounds down the tube, the only ammo it doesn't like are the crappy Winchester bulk packs in 555 or 333. Every other brand cycles beautifully and can knock a wing off a fly.
I am a big fan of tube mags, and the rear feeding tubes on the 151 and 51 are super quick and easy to load.

Recently snagged (at a stupidly cheap price) a 51M flat back parts gun from EE that I am going to start restoring. All it really needs is a trigger spring and some sights.
Next on my moss collection will definitely be a t-bolt, only reason I haven't gotten one yet is that I shoot left handed and righty bolts are sort of annoying.

PS- OP that trigger guard is amazing, you've inspired me to likely do the same with mine (once weather breaks a bit as no heat in the shop)

Anywho, pictures!

151M(B)
n2zyap.jpg


51M
2mhh5rb.jpg
 
TimKruitbosch said:
I'm a "younger crowd" I guess, at 28... I absolutely LOVE the older Mossbergs.

Recently snagged (at a stupidly cheap price) a 51M flat back parts gun from EE that I am going to start restoring. All it really needs is a trigger spring and some sights.
Next on my moss collection will definitely be a t-bolt, only reason I haven't gotten one yet is that I shoot left handed and righty bolts are sort of annoying.

PS- OP that trigger guard is amazing, you've inspired me to likely do the same with mine (once weather breaks a bit as no heat in the shop)



51M
2mhh5rb.jpg
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28--you're getting up there!
So you are the one who snagged the 51 flat back. I have brought a couple of those back to life.
 
Great work on the trigger guard! I bought my dad one of these last fall, cant remember the model # right now but it a beauty too. I like how the stock is built to fit a man and not a youth.
 
Yes, that is what is nice about the old Mossbergs, particularly models like the 42, 44, 46, 144 and 151 series. They are full size adult rifles. And unless there is an issue, most are very accurate.
Forgot to say Mike, very gorgeous rifle! Great job on the trigger guard.
 
mikeystew said:
It deserves it!
Something else I just remembered is these older mossbergs also have hand lead lapped bores. Try and find any modern rimfire rifle with features like that for less than a couple grand... Tight lead lapped bore, hardened steel wear parts, immaculate inletting. Can't say enough about them.

It baffles me how mossberg went from this quality craftsmanship, to the cheap tacticrap they make today...
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It's the same old story for most companys they go public the bean counters take control over the engineers and profits become the driver.
 
A warning to anyone reading...Mossbergitis, Marlinpluck, and Savage-Springfield-stevensicitis are legit medical concerns. There are no groups to join to get you through it. Unknown if recent cooeyfever is an individual strain, or an variation of the above. Highly contagious through threads like these!
 
Guilty as charged.... old mossbergs ARE addictive.I have tried( admittedly not with much success) to live with the addiction by not buying anything younger than I am..( 68)
And because they're not 'collectors' I have no qualms about refinishing and restoring them to their former glory...these were 'working guns' not show pieces and meant to be carried and shot
 
ratherbefishin said:
Guilty as charged.... old mossbergs ARE addictive.I have tried( admittedly not with much success) to live with the addiction by not buying anything younger than I am..( 68)
And because they're not 'collectors' I have no qualms about refinishing and restoring them to their former glory...these were 'working guns' not show pieces and meant to be carried and shot
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This exactly. These are working guns, and they do that very well. Theyre not collectable antiques showpieces. Although I do like that mine's original, I'd have no problem buying one and refinishing it if it needed it, there's no loss in investment. Next I'd love to find a 144, but they seem to be scarce, and when I do see them they're the one model that is priced accordingly. All these others can be had for a song.
 
I'm surprised Archer Sam hasn't popped his head in this thread yet. He was who I happened to purchase my 151M(B) from, he is the true definition of a Mossberg-nut when it comes to .22s.
 
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