Hi there, I'm new pal holder and yet to be first time gun owner. I'm interested in a Cooey .22 both for the made in Canada cool factor and the low cost compared to something newer. Beyond the usual things, (overall condition, bore, tight stock, etc.) are there any quirks about Cooey's that I should know when looking for one? Any and all help or advice is appreciated. Thanks
What should I know about Cooey?
- Thread starter CalgaryCanuck
- Start date
Cooey are all the things you mentioned, but a modern firearm they are not. For some that's amazing, for some-not so much. Like someone once said to me; a canoe and a motorboat will both get you across the lake, depends what you want out of the experience. Personally, for the .22s..the only one I ever had that I regret letting go was an old Cooey 39 in amazing condition. Simple, light, physically small pretty in my opinion. The Cooey 60 (repeater) is to me, a very interesting and reliable gun but not a pleasurable gun to shoot. (for me) Cycling the bolt moves the whole mag tube back/forward. If you'd only shot new bolt actions and picked one of them up, you might think there was something not right with it. They do work, and they are easy TO work on as a new gun owner.
I would say that if you're even a little nervous setting out to buy your first firearm and/or don't have anyone to show you the ropes, a Cooey 39 might be a very good option.
Volume of shooting plays into it too, if you plan on putting 200-300 rounds through per session...a single-shot like a 39 may get tiring to use. Something like an older Savage/Marlin with a box magazine might suit you better, and allow for easy mounting of a scope. I never suggest semis as a first rifle, but that's also an option.
I would say that if you're even a little nervous setting out to buy your first firearm and/or don't have anyone to show you the ropes, a Cooey 39 might be a very good option.
Volume of shooting plays into it too, if you plan on putting 200-300 rounds through per session...a single-shot like a 39 may get tiring to use. Something like an older Savage/Marlin with a box magazine might suit you better, and allow for easy mounting of a scope. I never suggest semis as a first rifle, but that's also an option.
I agree with the above response, they are simple rifles and they work well especially if you have sharp eyes for the sights. I would not pay too much for one though because you will not get your money back when/if you resell it. With that I wish I had never have sold my Cooey Winchester 600 it was a tack driver and a tube mag is so much faster to reload.
After 20 years of shooting rimfire this is what I own now:
Marlin 39m, CZ452 highly modded, two 10/22’s more or less stock, and a Remington 572 Fieldmaster. I bought everything used so all were a deal.
Have fun!
After 20 years of shooting rimfire this is what I own now:
Marlin 39m, CZ452 highly modded, two 10/22’s more or less stock, and a Remington 572 Fieldmaster. I bought everything used so all were a deal.
Have fun!
I'm a new PAL holder as well - I got into shooting by using one of my friend's dad's Cooey .22LR model 60. From what I've gathered, they're easy to come by, cheap, and very easy to use. After I got my PAL, he gave me that very gun! The bolt action ones are great to get you started with the muscle memory that bigger calibre rifles require. I'd highly recommend getting one as your first gun because its a hell of a lot of fun and doesn't break the bank.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
The one thing I dislike about Cooey 75/39 action. If you got one with a scope mount, you'll skin your thumb on the extractor trying to load it.
Is that so? I'll have to look into that. It was one reason I never really felt the love for cooeys. Plus I always found their reputation as being "cheap" somewhat misleading unless you want a real rough one. That said I do own one and it WAS cheap, but its UGLY (stock has been painted and its not in good shape, metal finish is poor, and its missing the extractor and rear sight elevator) and needs money put into it to even make it complete. Still shoots though, and it just feels right knowing theres a cooey in the collection as a Canadian gun owner.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
My Dad's Cooey 60 is what I learned to shoot with - like 6 decades ago or so. When Winchester bought out Cooey, they started to produce the Cooey 600 - usually they are drilled and tapped for a four hole side mount and or have a dovetail machined on top of the receiver - if you insist on having a scope on your .22, and it MUST be a Cooey, then you might want to look for that. There is no doubt in my mind that there were people that did those mods to mount a scope to the Model 60, but I did not know anyone who did so.
As I recall in rural Saskatchewan prairie farms among relatives - often seen hanging on a nail by the trigger guard in the barn - were not "treasures" or "special" - sort of like an axe or a shovel or a sledge hammer - did not get used even every week, spent months sitting doing nothing except get rusty, but expected to work when needed, and then promptly forgot about.
So, if you find one in nice condition - bore not rusted, action still working well, most guys my age would consider that a treasure. I have a 39, a 60 and a 600 in the cabinet now - one has the elderly Weaver 3/4" tube scope with the "tiny" eye box and about nothing for eye relief that was so sought after in those days. More recently I have started in on some BRNO rifles - I had a made-in-1955 No. 1 and now have a made-in-1972 No.2 - if you can sort out the European dovetail width thing, they are really handy - but not the "same" as North American made guns. If you insist on "modern made", I think the various CZ rimfires are direct descendants of the BRNO guns.
As I recall in rural Saskatchewan prairie farms among relatives - often seen hanging on a nail by the trigger guard in the barn - were not "treasures" or "special" - sort of like an axe or a shovel or a sledge hammer - did not get used even every week, spent months sitting doing nothing except get rusty, but expected to work when needed, and then promptly forgot about.
So, if you find one in nice condition - bore not rusted, action still working well, most guys my age would consider that a treasure. I have a 39, a 60 and a 600 in the cabinet now - one has the elderly Weaver 3/4" tube scope with the "tiny" eye box and about nothing for eye relief that was so sought after in those days. More recently I have started in on some BRNO rifles - I had a made-in-1955 No. 1 and now have a made-in-1972 No.2 - if you can sort out the European dovetail width thing, they are really handy - but not the "same" as North American made guns. If you insist on "modern made", I think the various CZ rimfires are direct descendants of the BRNO guns.
Cooeys were great rifles at the time. But today they seem to command a premium price at gun shows from what I’ve seen, not really worth it. Honestly, unless you just want one for nostalgic reasons, I would buy something more modern. When I was a kid, my first .22 was a Cooey model 39, still have it. Then I bought a BRNO 452 and didn’t look back. Yeah the Cooey was ok but the BRNO was a tack driver, still have that one too.
I think a Cooey would be an excellent starter rifle. Plenty accurate for hunting and plinking purposes, easy to use and care for - parts are easy to find. And, because of the low price, when you're done with it you won't mind passing it on to a friend or youngster that's just starting out. Have fun and be safe.
I had a Cooey 39 that was sold as a Sears Sureshot single shot. I shot it a lot at my grandparents' cottage back in late 60's and many years later gave it to a co-worker for his young son.
Isn't this the truth. Rifle training in cadets, shooting cans with grandpa and the cousins, rabbits in the woods around the yard ... hell there were even ranges in the basements of high schools in my town. We used Cooeys for all of this stuff. I've tried to make sure that my kids have the same experiences and memories.
