Paid A Visit To Volko Supply, My Local FFL, On Thursday...

...and picked up my new rifle. New to me that is, as it is a used Mossberg Model 44 U.S.(a). A bit to my dismay, I did not look over the rifle very well while at Volko Supply Co. Inc., otherwise I would have noticed that "(a)" letter designator. What can I say, I had other things on my mind at the time and was in a hurry because I would return to the same area to visit my vet, to have one of our dogs put down, shortly after my rush visit to the FFL. As a side note, the folks at Volko were pleasant and efficient once again; Victor handled the transfer for me. his is a great place if you need to do an FFL transfer for a long gun.

So, the rifle is somewhat of a slight disappointment since it has a letter designation as part of the model number. I got this rifle by way of telephone bidding in an auction. That the rifle apparently was misrepresented as the auction catalog is evidenced by the fact it listed was a model 44 U.S. and not as a 44 U.S.(a). They also had a 44 U.S.(b) up for bids and clearly listed the (b) designator I that rifle's description. So, the one I got with the (a) in the model number is a bit of a downer because it is less valuable than the one on which I thought I was bidding without a letter designator (as per The Blue Book of Gun Values).

Click it to big it.

I got it at a decent price though and am not that all that concerned. I figure it must have been an honest mistake by the auction house as I know them to be reputable. The thing is, I passed up bidding on another Mossberg 44 U.S. in the same auction because it had a letter designator, tat was the 44 U.S. (b). I had wanted the earlier version without the letter designation. Oh well, while I could raise a big stink and demand my money be returned to me and return the rifle to them, I will settle for this one this time.

It seemingly is in good condition, looking at its outsides, and has few if any problems that I can see. There is one thing that is sure to devalue it, someone evidently tried to, or actually did, drill and tap it for a scope mount, then later filled in the four holes with some sort of compound. Looks almost like plastic filler to me. I don't know if it was done right or was a botch job and then filled in but that will need some investigating on my part. The holes should not interfere with the rifle's functionality but may devalue it more than the letter designation. Otherwise it appears to be in at least Fine to Excellent condition based on NRA standards.

I will be taking it down as best I can for a good cleaning and lube, then will take it to the range to see how it shoots. If it matches the other Mossberg 44 U.S. that I have already, I will be quite the happy shootist. If it does not match he other, at least I have a spare parts gun. More about this rifle in a future post.

All the best,
Glenn B

Mossberg M-44 U.S. - Why Did These Have To Go On Sale Now?

That is as in now when I have just put together the cash to buy a Glock 26 direct from Glock? The temptation is almost overwhelming to buy two of the Mossbergs instead of the Glock 26, and about the only factor that keeps me from doing so is the fact that when I retire next year (and it looks like the end of next year, or the first 2 days of January 2010, for sure) I will probably have a hard time again ever purchasing a pistol being that I live in the godforsaken, and Schumerite -Clintonite plagued state of NY. Yes the idea of buying two of these is still quite tempting even though, or maybe because, I already own one of them. The Mossberg M-44 U.S. is just one heck of a nice rifle. Gosh-darn the CMP's lousy timing on this one, and for getting me all worked up like this! (By the way if you just clicked on the CMP link, and have been to the CMP before, you will notice the new look of their website. Bookmark it, it is also a new web address.)







The M-44 I bought from the CMP (pictured) was my first purchase from them. Heck I think it may have been my only purchase from them so far. It was well worth whatever I paid for it, and I am pretty sure it was under the current selling price they have now of $175 plus shipping of $22.95. If you want one of these, and I highly recommend them, you need to follow the CMP rules for a purchase, and that means among other things that you must be a member of a CMP affiliated club (as in an affiliated rifle or pistol club). You also have to prove you are 18 or older, and that you are a United States Citizen (imagine that you actually need to be a citizen - I like it). You also need to prove that you have had marksmanship or other firearms experience.

The Mossberg M-44 U.S. is a bolt action rifle chambered for the .22 round. It will, if I remember right, accept .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle rounds. It is a hefty .22 rifle coming in at just over 8 pounds, and having a length of about 43 inches. They load from a 7 round box magazine; however, the magazines do not come with the rifle - though they are available for separate purchase. As with mine, the ones they now have for sale are pretty old. I think they were manufactured in the 1940s. They used a plastic trigger guard, and many of those have shrunken and cracked with age (replacements are available commercially). Otherwise they are supposed to be in pretty good shape. If mine, the one I bought a few years ago, is any indication, then I have to say the CMP assigned grade of NRA Very Good is an understatement. Mine was in Fine to Excellent condition with Parkerized finish on the metal and an oil stain on the wood. The rear sight currently coming with them is a Mossberg peep sight, and the front sight appears to be a post variety (as is on mine).

I have seen these same rifles sell at well over $400 apiece. Hmm, did I say I was considering buying 2 of them (darn that thing with the Glock 26, gosh darn the CMP's timing on this). I have to imagine that these will sell out with a few months at most, they are in limited supply. Oh well, now you know about them, and maybe you will be able to do something nice for yourself and pick one of these up. If you are willing to take a tip from a guy called Ballseye, then go ahead splurge on yourself, because in my estimation they are well worth every penny.

All the best,
Glenn B

Rifle Poll

I have been hemming and hawing about buying a new gun for several months now, and as usual I am the great procrastinator; and besides that I have not had the cash. I still do not have the cash, but we paid off our credit card bills in full last month, so maybe she who must be adored will let me put a rifle on plastic. Dick's Sporting goods has a sale on Savage 111 rifle combos, the rifle with a scope for about $320; and Walmart has a sale on Mossberg 100 ATRs with a scope for about $315. I am thinking of really trying to get one of these before the end of the week. I have heard good and bad about both, mostly good about both. What I am asking my readers is to help me out and take my poll over on the right sidebar, at the top. Of course if you want leave your reasoning for your choice here too. Please do this if you know anything plus or minus about either of these rifles. I am hopeful that some of my readers who are dyed in the wool shootists will help out on this one.

By the way, I am kind of leaning toward the Savage in 30/06 right now.

Thanks.
All the best,
Glenn B