Advice on Vintage .22 Target Rifles / Military Trainers

[Jaguar457]

New rimfire enthusiast here. I’m interested in finding a vintage pre or post WW2 .22 target rifle or military trainer with rear peep or aperture and front silhouette or globe sights. Primarily for old school smallbore marksmanship training so looking for a shooter grade rifle around $500 or less. From what I’ve read, interesting options include Savage 19 / 33 “NRA match” rifles, MAS 45, H&R Reising 65, Remington 513T targetmaster, or Mossberg 44/144 target rifles. I’m not as familiar with Mauser DSM 34 variants which all seem more expensive. Would appreciate anyone’s advice on the subject or other models to consider. Most appreciated!

 

[NCFubar]

I have a Mossberg 44US-D that is more accurate than my old eyes even with its aperture iron sights. They use to be seen for $250 or less … pre-COVID … and if the barrel was is good condition about the best fun for the buck. The only things I can knock it for are the magazine availability & price … $35 plus if you can find one. Then mine is a pure ammo snob … standard velocity ammo only is a must and no copper plated stuff. Give it SK Standard Plus (CCI Green or a couple others … even CCI Standard) it’s happy and it will out shoot me … but try to run higher velocity (even Mini-Mags), copper stuff or such and it looks like a shotgun.

 

[JohnFreeman]

Don't overlook a Winchester Model 75 in your searches or even a nice Model 69. Both of these (as well as all in your list) can outshoot my eye quality and shooting capability.

You might consider whether you would like one already grooved for rings or not.

I know where 3 Mossberg 144 LSB's are for sale at the present time (PM me if interested...I have no connection to them other than knowing who has them for sale)

 

[fowlhntr]

I have a DSM 34. Haven’t shot it much. My eyes aren’t up to the task without a scope these days. Like mentioned above don’t discount a Winchester 75 target. They are a lot of rifle for the money and are relatively easy to find

 

[Jaguar457]

Awesome gentlemen- exactly the type of advice I was looking for. Will add the Win 75 to my list.

Does anyone have any recommendations about the type of rear peep/aperture and front globe/silhouette sight(s) I should be looking for? Seems like something with interchangeable inserts for globe would be advantageous but I’ve never used that setup. Also wondering if different systems are “better” than others. Lots of variations to sight even within some rifle families (like the Mossberg series). Also seems like sights can be hard to find if they are not included with the rifle. Thanks again!

 

[Amps 13]

@MacEntyre might have some thoughts on this. He has a stable of older .22’s that are fine shooters and believe one has peep sights.

 

[MacEntyre]

@MacEntyre might have some thoughts on this. He has a stable of older .22’s that are fine shooters and believe one has peep sights.

More than one has factory peep sights... if you want a vintage 22 target/trainer rifle, you won't be shopping for peep sights. You will find a vintage rifle with factory sights. Some will only accept the originals.

They really made some nice rifles back in the old days. I might find time to pull 'em out and line 'em up for a photo.

 

[rufrdr]

The MAS 45 is an adult size .22 with adjustable peep sight, essentially a copy of the Mauser KKW. Very high quality.

 

[MacEntyre]

 

[MacEntyre]

 

[MacEntyre]

This one is special... not what you are after, but it is vintage with factory peep.

 

[MacEntyre]

More to come, from a different, undisclosed location.

 

[Amanda4461]

I would try the CMP. They often have Mossberg, Remington and Winchester bolt guns complete with target peep sights, hand stops and slings for very reasonable prices. The rifles have been used, but are typically well-preserved and have many decades of life. Some of the Redfield Olympic sights and bases are unobtainable elsewhere, unless money is no object.

 

[MacEntyre]

Another special one...

 

[MacEntyre]

Finally, a real military trainer...

 

[MacEntyre]

 

[MacEntyre]

 

[Red Marley]

Thanks for taking the trouble to post those pics Mac

 

[MacEntyre]

 

[MacEntyre]

If you can find this one with factory peep, buy it! Meanwhile, mine likes the Weaver K10.

 

[MacEntyre]

Any vintage Remington with a T suffix has a fantastic trigger.

Ok, I am done here.

 

[MacEntyre]

Thanks for taking the trouble to post those pics Mac

You are Entyrely welcome!

 

[Dan0311]

I thought about collecting the trainers, but never really got past a Stevens 416. Great rifle.

(internet image)

 

[Rolesvillerocker]

Any vintage Remington with a T suffix has a fantastic trigger.

Ok, I am done here.

Thanks for sharing the pics. These are really cool. I have the old eyes problem myself. Great post and responses.

 

[Jaguar457]

@MacEntyre - Wow! Outstanding collection. Thanks so much for posting those photos! That Mossberg 46 is a real looker. Had not heard of the Remington 24 and 241 series, will keep those on my radar.

@Amanda4461 - Thanks for tip on CMP. Have been checking their site periodically for past 6 months or so but .22 options seem slim or astronomical at auction! Will keep my eyes out.

@Dan0311 - Beautiful Stevens model. I’m always a fan of the underdog and like what Stevens/Savage offered during that period. Will add that one to my list.

Very much appreciate wisdom from the crowd here; Now i have some research to do!

 

[beamernc]

The CMP sold out of surplus .22 rifles years ago. They used to sell the Mossberg M44's for $75 and rusty ones for $65. Someone had one here on the forum awhile back for $700. Glad I got mine from the CMP.

CMP also had the Kimber 82 for $600.

 

[BASIL]

All five are Enfield 22lr trainers. But I don't think you will find one in the $500. range. They are great shooters.

 

[BASIL]

There are some repeater mags out there, but the last one I saw sold for about $1,800 for just the magazine.
All mine are single shots.

 

[Red Marley]

There are some repeater mags out there, but the last one I saw sold for about $1,800 for just the magazine.
All mine are single shots.

Do your spent brass drop into the “magazine”? I have one of these too, a BSA; it catches the brass.

 

[BASIL]

Do your spent brass drop into the “magazine”? I have one of these too, a BSA; it catches the brass.

👍 yep.

 

[merrill77]

The MAS 45 is an adult size .22 with adjustable peep sight, essentially a copy of the Mauser KKW. Very high quality.

I'm no expert - this is just to add some color to this recommendation. Our local scout camp has a set of MAS 45s, that get used almost every weekend, year-round, and all week for 6 weeks of Summer Camp. They shoot pretty well...though the range is only 50ft. I heard that they've been in use at that camp for >40 yrs.

 

[MacEntyre]

@MacEntyre - Wow! Outstanding collection. Thanks so much for posting those photos!

You are Entyrely welcome!

That Mossberg 46 is a real looker.

I only found it recently. I thought I was done purchasing vintage 22 rifles... oh, well!

Had not heard of the Remington 24 and 241 series, will keep those on my radar.

It's the Browning design that was patented in 1913, the world's first semi-auto 22 rifle. Remington had the US license to make it. They sold the Model 24 from 1922 to 1935, then the Model 241 from 1935 to 1951. After that FN became the only producer of that design, which we know as the Browning SA-22.