Recent content by Dread Pirate 257 Roberts

Webster's says "...broadly:[/I] a shoulder gun carried by infantry." That most general definition seems to be consistent with the use of the word throughout history. The term "rifle" by itself does not necessarily indicate a shoulder fired weapon, as I believe many artillery pieces have been...

Well, the "66" in "59/66" is the year the 59/66 began production. Mine seems to be a 1967 model.

And I'm told that not many years ago, you could pick up GI M1 carbines for $150. Now they seem to be $700-900. On the Yugos, I'd check that the gas cut-off switch works. It's a knurled button at the gas block which keeps the grenade sights from unfolding. You should be able to push it in...

Well, an xBox holds no appeal for me whatsoever, so I think the question is a no-brainer. The Handi-Rifles are well-built and excellent value. If you shoot right-handed, you may want to look into the new bolt-action Stevens 200 by Savage. They're getting rave reviews on SavageShooters...

Savage seems to be the go-to people for left-handed rifles. You can get a 24" bbl LH 300 Win Mag, but not in a heavy barrel. Perhaps your best bet is to start with a Blaser LRS-2. I thought it came in 300 Win Mag, but SIGArms has been saying that they're updating that web site for...

Savage 11F in 7mm-08 or .308.

Particularly note the discussion on the legalities. I like the info on this site. . It might make your head spin. In short, the Yugo version of the SKS with all of its evil features, would be illegal to import if the BATFETUVWXYZ hadn't deemed it a "curio and relic." Making any...

FWIW, my gunsmith, who I trust implicitly, has seen several problems with the .44 Henry, and a guy brought one in one day while I was there. Mr. Gunsmith suggested the owner contact the manufacturer. I forget the problem. He tells me he's seen no problems with the .22's, but the .44's seem...

Tackdriver? How about something chambered in .22-250? You have any other requirements? Are you looking for a certain price range? Need left-handed? Can't go wrong with a Savage 12 Varminter. Probably even regardless of price or handedness.

I picked up a Yugo gunked with Cosmoline a few weeks ago for all the reasons stated: cheap to buy, cheap to shoot and easy to shoot. That article on TAPCO seems outdated as it says that the only SKS with a bayonet on the BATFE's C&R list is the Russian, but the Russian i snow joined by the...

Nearly any gun dealer can order nearly any gun whether they're listed by the manufacturer as an official dealer or not, and small shop like the one I buy my guns from because I trust the owner and know he'll stand by the sale are often flexible enough to give you a deal. My small one-man...

I went through this last year before I bought my 44 lever action. I ask my experienced gunsmith his opinion on things, and he's never led me wrong. He said I could go Marlin or Winchester, as either one was fine. I polled some experienced gun owners I trust, and some leaned one way and some...

I didn't have the punches at home to knock out the firing pin retaining pin, so I took the bolt back to my gunsmith and dealer where I got the rifle (59/66). I asked him to knock out this pin right here, while pointing it out to him. He went to the back and there was a lot of noise. He worked...

I thought they actually used the 22 Short case.

Isn't that a Model 60 on the cover of the Williams catalog? They have both their 5D sight, (adjusted by loosening screws and sliding the sight, but cheaper) and their FP sight (click adjustable, but more expensive) for grooved receivers, in both a high, and low, model, depending on how high...