Posted on 01/11/2011 1:29:46 PM PST by TexasBarak
Big Five has these on sale for $79.95 (the one I looked at today was a carbine). I'm looking for an inexpensive knockabout rifle to keep in the truck (but still capable of taking out a wild pig), and this looks like it will fit the bill. Do any of you have one of these, or have experience with it? Does anyone know of a reasonable source of ammo?
Here's the wikipedia link concerning these rifles-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steyr-Mannlicher_M1895
I'm pretty good offhand with my Mosin at 200, and it's the carbine (M38). Not only is it a good shooter, but the entertainment value for the shockwave and fireball are up there, too.
Too funny. We posted practically the same response at about the same time!
For a good cheap gun I recommend the SKS. I think they are still cheap. I havn’t looked at prices for a few years.
The same thing applies to the Mannlicher-Carcano M91 rifle from Italy in 6.5x52. Fresh ammo is about, but the Mannlicher clips in either brass or steel can be hard to find. In both cases, users of the M95 or M91 considered the enbloc clips to be expendable. The clip falls out of the rifle when the last round is fired.
The M91 Mosin-Nagant uses a 5-shot stripper clip that is used to reload the rifle and discarded. Caliber 7.62x54R is a very commonly available caliber; much moreso than 8x56R Steyr or 6.5x52 Carcano.
That's actually what I went there looking for- they ran out at Christmas, told me they should have more in around mid-January.
Hah! Exactly what I said when I picked it up and they told me the size of the cartridge! And the carbine version I looked at is a fairly light weapon. Definitely made to be used by people wearing several layers of heavy wool clothing!
Very good information! I was wondering if dies would be available. I’m not reloading yet, but I intend to start, and this looks like a fun rifle if I can make affordable ammo. Plus the ability to load it a little lighter and not get my shoulder dislocated...
How do you like that straight pull bolt action?
Okay, that explains why I could see daylight when looking down into the magazine well. I thought that was kinda sloppy, especially for an Austrian made gun, but now I understand.
WHAT?!
Enfields aint ugly? If you say so.
“wonder why this one costs so much?”
Looks like one that was not re-chambered to 8x56r, still in the original 8x50 caliber. Thus, rarer. Probably still overpriced, since it is “Gunsmoker” auctions. haha.
Not to threadjack, but I'd like to talk to you about that. I've taken a lot of the creep out of my M91/30's trigger, and I floated the barrel. I'm not getting much better than 2 MOA at 100yds with S&B or Prvi Partisan. What are you getting, and what have you done to yours? I am geared up to reload 7.62x54R, but have only replaced bullets so far.
An SKS or Russian Mosin Nagant would be a better choice for a low cost gun.
Mosins are about $80 if you look around. Best value in a long time.
No, the "S" on the breech means it was rechambered. That gun was clearly rearsenaled.
Whoops. looked too quick and missed the “S”. you are correct.
Exactly right — think M1 Garand, a rifle ejects the clip and brass out the top — the M95 ejects the last round out the top and clip out the bottom. And, just like the M1, without a clip to hold the ammo the M95 Steyr can only function as a single-shot rifle.
I would not recommend pistol round firing carbines to take pigs.
[wonder why this one costs so much?]
Either the seller does not want to sell it, or more likely, the seller does not understand how something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, no more, no less.
I have seen air rifles take wild hogs. so if you place a round right you can take one. The size of that air rifle was .25. But you can use a larger one if you want.
You’re absolutely right on all points.
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