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TXGunNut said I like my little bolt guns!
My feelings too, though not “boys’ rifle” little; got several of those, but just too awkward to handle for more than a few shots. Have had several slide action .22s, so not unfamiliar with them, but never found exactly the right thing to DO with them; only my beat up Rem 12 remains.
Jeremy P said
I grabbed them just now, they knocked another $25 off. Thanks for searching them out Ben!
No problem… you could double your money pretty easily. If you come to the Colorado show in Greeley, buy me a cup of coffee & a donut. 🙂
I started out collecting Winchester lever rifles and then the 22 series. I still have some of the lever rifles and carbines. Ran out of room in my safe, so I started a Smith and Wesson collection. Where will it end? I am up to my armpits in guns. At 81 years, I have been giving a lot of them away to friends and relatives. I have lately been eyeing US Military 22’s. I have been there and done that, but I am getting a renewed interest, but there are no nice ones to be had. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
Online
clarence said
TXGunNut said I like my little bolt guns!
My feelings too, though not “boys’ rifle” little; got several of those, but just too awkward to handle for more than a few shots. Have had several slide action .22s, so not unfamiliar with them, but never found exactly the right thing to DO with them; only my beat up Rem 12 remains.
Only “boy’s rifle” in my collection is a 67A and it’s currently on standby at my brother’s place in case his grandkids take an interest in shooting. The full-size 67A hangs out here. I admire the slide action rifles and have owned several. Have had a few 61’s follow me home that were too nice to shoot, latest is nice enough but also not too nice for a range trip…if I could just remember to bring her along! For some reason I just enjoy shooting my bolt guns better than the slide actions. Perhaps if I was minding my own business near a creek bank and was threatened by some tin cans or marauding rocks I’d see the value of a good slide action .22.
Mike
Big Larry said I have lately been eyeing US Military 22’s. I have been there and done that, but I am getting a renewed interest, but there are no nice ones to be had. Big Larry
Larry, what about this one? How much nicer could it be? Did you buy it?
TXGunNut said
clarence said
TXGunNut said I like my little bolt guns!
My feelings too, though not “boys’ rifle” little; got several of those, but just too awkward to handle for more than a few shots. Have had several slide action .22s, so not unfamiliar with them, but never found exactly the right thing to DO with them; only my beat up Rem 12 remains.
Only “boy’s rifle” in my collection is a 67A and it’s currently on standby at my brother’s place in case his grandkids take an interest in shooting. The full-size 67A hangs out here. I admire the slide action rifles and have owned several. Have had a few 61’s follow me home that were too nice to shoot, latest is nice enough but also not too nice for a range trip…if I could just remember to bring her along! For some reason I just enjoy shooting my bolt guns better than the slide actions. Perhaps if I was minding my own business near a creek bank and was threatened by some tin cans or marauding rocks I’d see the value of a good slide action .22.
Mike
Me too Mike. The only slides I have shot recently are a couple M1906’s. A little short for my long arms, but fun to shoot. One of my favorite shooters is my old M69-A. I bought that rifle back in the 80’s for $50. Sold it to my Sister and got it back a few years later. It now hangs on the wall with 7 other M69’s and M69-A’s. Other great shooters are a M47 and a M56. Some others too. I have too many. BTW, I no longer shoot animals. Just cans and rocks with an occasional paper target. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
Online
Big Larry-
I enjoy shooting my 69A mainly because it has a nice receiver sight, as does my 57. The 67A suffers from the same deficiency as all my slide action guns; no peep sight. They’re all fun to look at, I’d never tire of looking at your exceptional .22 display. I only have one 22 currently on display, it’s the 1903 featured in my article in the Winter 2024 Collector. I honestly don’t know what drew me to this old relic but it’s a special gun even though I’ll probably never shoot it.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I enjoy shooting my 69A mainly because it has a nice receiver sight, as does my 57. The 67A suffers from the same deficiency as all my slide action guns; no peep sight.
A grave deficiency. But of course Lyman made peeps for all of them, & the one on my old Rem 12 is the main reason I bought it; I now see them priced on ebay for as much as the rifle is worth!
clarence said
Big Larry said I have lately been eyeing US Military 22’s. I have been there and done that, but I am getting a renewed interest, but there are no nice ones to be had. Big Larry
Larry, what about this one? How much nicer could it be? Did you buy it?
I did buy this rifle. Paid too much for it, but what is too much for a real nice, unconverted, M1 NRA 22 from 1929. Springfield Research has no docs on this one. I was going to change out the front sight, but it is a rare #17 Special, that books for $150. Also, I had to get two correct scope bases from Steve Earle. The scope is a 1935 vintage Lyman Targetspot that is in real nice shape. I’ll take it to the range when it warms up. Maybe in July. Someone in the auction kept bidding me up, so I figure there is still a following for these. Big Larry
TXGunNut said
Big Larry-I enjoy shooting my 69A mainly because it has a nice receiver sight, as does my 57. The 67A suffers from the same deficiency as all my slide action guns; no peep sight. They’re all fun to look at, I’d never tire of looking at your exceptional .22 display. I only have one 22 currently on display, it’s the 1903 featured in my article in the Winter 2024 Collector. I honestly don’t know what drew me to this old relic but it’s a special gun even though I’ll probably never shoot it.
Mike
Mike, I too have a real nice M1903. It’s a low number 1904 vintage and I was advised by JWA not to shoot it as it has a bronze firing pin and could break. A new one would be extremely hard to find. I bought a bunch of ammo for it in anticipation of shooting it, but I doubt I will. Back a few years I had a US marked M1903. Wish I would have kept that one. Big Larry
Big Larry saidI did buy this rifle. Paid too much for it, but what is too much for a real nice, unconverted, M1 NRA 22 from 1929. Springfield Research has no docs on this one. I was going to change out the front sight, but it is a rare #17 Special, that books for $150. Also, I had to get two correct scope bases from Steve Earle. The scope is a 1935 vintage Lyman Targetspot that is in real nice shape. I’ll take it to the range when it warms up. Maybe in July. Someone in the auction kept bidding me up, so I figure there is still a following for these. Big Larry
Promise you it wasn’t me bidding you up! “Real nice” is an understatement; don’t know how it could be better! Now if you’ll install one of Bill Benz’ #10 front blades, you can make it USMC issue.
clarence said
Big Larry saidI did buy this rifle. Paid too much for it, but what is too much for a real nice, unconverted, M1 NRA 22 from 1929. Springfield Research has no docs on this one. I was going to change out the front sight, but it is a rare #17 Special, that books for $150. Also, I had to get two correct scope bases from Steve Earle. The scope is a 1935 vintage Lyman Targetspot that is in real nice shape. I’ll take it to the range when it warms up. Maybe in July. Someone in the auction kept bidding me up, so I figure there is still a following for these. Big Larry
Promise you it wasn’t me bidding you up! “Real nice” is an understatement; don’t know how it could be better! Now if you’ll install one of Bill Benz’ #10 front blades, you can make it USMC issue.
No. These were primarily made for civilians. I have had several M1903 rifles with USMC sights. The #17 Special is a rare sight, and it looks good on my M1 22. The tiny attachment screw is minty and will stay that way. BTW, the Lyman 48-C has 100% matching numbers too. That in itself is amazing. Oh, and the one I had in my former US Martial Arms collection, made this one look sick. Keep an eye open for me for a nice M2. Thanks my friend. Big Larry
TXGunNut said
Big Larry-I enjoy shooting my 69A mainly because it has a nice receiver sight, as does my 57. The 67A suffers from the same deficiency as all my slide action guns; no peep sight. They’re all fun to look at, I’d never tire of looking at your exceptional .22 display. I only have one 22 currently on display, it’s the 1903 featured in my article in the Winter 2024 Collector. I honestly don’t know what drew me to this old relic but it’s a special gun even though I’ll probably never shoot it.
Mike
Mike, do yourself a favor and get a nice M56. They rate highly with JWA. I have a 22 short and 22 LR. I would not trade that M56 short for a handful of M69’s. Very scarce rifle. Got it at a Cabelas online. Big Larry
Big Larry said Mike, do yourself a favor and get a nice M56. They rate highly with JWA. I have a 22 short and 22 LR. I would not trade that M56 short for a handful of M69’s. Very scarce rifle. Got it at a Cabelas online. Big Larry
Before Mike acquires a 56, he should know that they (like the original 69 & Slow-lock 52) cock on closing the bolt, which is an action I’ve never been able to reconcile myself to, despite a lot of practice with the Slow-lock you sold me. It’s not only un-natural but un-American! When the 69 A was introduced, one of the first promotional ads made much of it operating like a “military rifle,” meaning US service rifles like the Krag & ’03. (Excepting the M1917, a foreign-designed mutant.)
They aren’t target rifles, just a well built plinker. As such, I do find them to be very accurate. Light and fast handling. Not many to go around for collectors. I lucked into mine. When I called Cabelas about the rifle, they still had it in hand as another caller had just asked and not committed to it. After I got all the particulars on the rifle, I bought it. Serial # 1903. About $1,000 with tax and shipping. It may well be my favorite 22. Even more so than my 22 short M1906 which I prize dearly. Big Larry
clarence said
Before Mike acquires a 56, he should know that they (like the original 69 & Slow-lock 52) cock on closing the bolt, which is an action I’ve never been able to reconcile myself to, despite a lot of practice with the Slow-lock you sold me. It’s not only un-natural but un-American! When the 69 A was introduced, one of the first promotional ads made much of it operating like a “military rifle,” meaning US service rifles like the Krag & ’03. (Excepting the M1917, a foreign-designed mutant.)
Clarence, you and I must be from the same Mother. While I love the 56 for it’s Schnabel forend and light, handy weight and quick pointing there is certainly room for improvement. A number of years ago I took a scruffy Model 69A (which cocks on opening), shortened the barrel to the 56 length, reshaped the stock to mimic the 56 forend and created a “569a”. It is by far the most handy bolt action rifle I own and the barrel shortening did not affect “field accuracy” whatsoever, it is a rabbit getter! It has all of the good attributes of the 56 and the engineering upgrades from the 69A such as faster lock time, adjustable trigger (somewhat) and the more desirable cock on opening. And, yes I added Winchester sling swivels as no field rifle should be without them. Next time I have it out of the safe I will post pictures.
No “collectable” rifles were harmed during this conversion. 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
Online
Big Larry said
TXGunNut said
Big Larry-
I enjoy shooting my 69A mainly because it has a nice receiver sight, as does my 57. The 67A suffers from the same deficiency as all my slide action guns; no peep sight. They’re all fun to look at, I’d never tire of looking at your exceptional .22 display. I only have one 22 currently on display, it’s the 1903 featured in my article in the Winter 2024 Collector. I honestly don’t know what drew me to this old relic but it’s a special gun even though I’ll probably never shoot it.
Mike
Mike, do yourself a favor and get a nice M56. They rate highly with JWA. I have a 22 short and 22 LR. I would not trade that M56 short for a handful of M69’s. Very scarce rifle. Got it at a Cabelas online. Big Larry
You’ve been reading my mail, Big Larry. I’ve toyed with getting a 56 to go with the nice 57 that hangs out here. Speaking of nice rifles, your 1903 is much nicer than my old relic. I bought it from a Cajun friend and fellow TGCA member who died suddenly a few months after I bought it from him. I’ll remember James every time I look at it.
Mike
JWA said
clarence said
Before Mike acquires a 56, he should know that they (like the original 69 & Slow-lock 52) cock on closing the bolt, which is an action I’ve never been able to reconcile myself to, despite a lot of practice with the Slow-lock you sold me. It’s not only un-natural but un-American! When the 69 A was introduced, one of the first promotional ads made much of it operating like a “military rifle,” meaning US service rifles like the Krag & ’03. (Excepting the M1917, a foreign-designed mutant.)
Clarence, you and I must be from the same Mother. While I love the 56 for it’s Schnabel forend and light, handy weight and quick pointing there is certainly room for improvement. A number of years ago I took a scruffy Model 69A (which cocks on opening), shortened the barrel to the 56 length, reshaped the stock to mimic the 56 forend and created a “569a”. It is by far the most handy rifle I own and the barrel shortening did not affect “field accuracy” whatsoever, it is a rabbit getter! It has all of the good attributes of the 56 and the engineering upgrades from the 69A such as faster lock time, adjustable trigger (somewhat) and the more desirable cock on opening. And, yes I added Winchester sling swivels as no field rifle should be without them. Next time I have it out of the safe I will post pictures.
No “collectable” rifles were harmed during this conversion. 😉
Best Regards,
That would be a sacrilege and we all know you are incapable of that. In my former life, I shot many squirrels and rabbits with my trusty M69-A that I bought back in the 80’s for $50. I don’t get to shoot very often and then I need to shoot off a bench. You are aware of my problems. Last time out, I shot my 1/2 nickel M1906. Even hard for me to hold one of those up. Sat on the tailgate of my Chebby and shot bottles at the dump. Did well too.
You have seen my M56 22 short. Not much to improve on this near 100 year old rifle. Big Larry
Big Larry said
You have seen my M56 22 short. Not much to improve on this near 100 year old rifle. Big Larry
Yep, you got a good one! Not many 56’s made in .22 Short, half of those have been lost to time and half of the remaining have had the chamber reamed to .22 LR (which probably killed the accuracy the .22 LR) but “twist-rate” is a big word for Bubba.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
Clarence, you and I must be from the same Mother. While I love the 56 for it’s Schnabel forend and light, handy weight and quick pointing there is certainly room for improvement. A number of years ago I took a scruffy Model 69A (which cocks on opening), shortened the barrel to the 56 length, reshaped the stock to mimic the 56 forend and created a “569a”. It is by far the most handy bolt action rifle I own and the barrel shortening did not affect “field accuracy” whatsoever, it is a rabbit getter! It has all of the good attributes of the 56 and the engineering upgrades from the 69A such as faster lock time, adjustable trigger (somewhat) and the more desirable cock on opening. And, yes I added Winchester sling swivels as no field rifle should be without them. Next time I have it out of the safe I will post pictures.
No “collectable” rifles were harmed during this conversion. 😉
The Schnabel forearms on most antique single-shots (often carved in buffalo-horn on the higher grades) was one of the features that drew me to them from an early age. Never had one of the early, German-designed, ’03 sporters that also featured them, but admire them immensely. Unfortunately, very few single-shots were equipped with swivels from the factory (though they could have been ordered), but every gun I formerly hunted with (before like Larry I joined the no-kill club) acquired a pair of the fishhook style, collectible status be damned. Front eye studs I attached by drilling into the brl (3 wt, usually) as was commonly done at that time, then soldering them in place.
Most modern repros that attempt to recreate the classic Schnable fail miserably, making it much too bulky & clumsy looking.
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