Longest lasting rifle?

[Hammerhead6814]

I've been mulling this over awhile and can't come to any conclusion what rifle would outlast any other.

The criteria is simple: Which rifle would remain in working condition the longest? Assuming proper care.

I can't think of a single rifle that would last 100 years and still be in working condition (assuming proper care, once again). Anyone here think of a design or one rifle in-particular (that was made in 1910) that still shoots today? Not a reproduction mind you, but an original.

 

[taliv]

seriously? aren't there a ton of 1903 springfields still around?


edit: also, saying that rifles made with 100 yr old tech won't last 100 yrs isn't the same as saying rifles made from quality steel 50 yrs ago won't last another 50 yrs, or that rifles made from quality parts today won't last for 100 yrs... however, i expect most of the rifles made today would hold up about as well as 1985 pontiac fieros look today i.e. they're not exactly made to be passed down from generation to generation

 

[saturno_v]

hmmm................Mosin-Nagant??!!

In my father collection in Italy we still have a Winchester Mod. 1895 in 32-40 (a pre-1900 specimen) still in perfect working conditions....same thing for a Marlin chambered in 44-40.

My 3 Mosins (built in the '30s) look like brand new and I'm sure they can go for another 100 years...

A couple of guys at the range where I go still fire original Trapdoors.


It is much more common than you think...I really do not understand your point.....century old rifles in perfect conditions are extremely common...

 

[Robert]

I know where there is a whole shop full of them. The guy that runs it, a friend of mine, has a very shoot able 1882 Martini Henry. There many, many 1903s, K98s, G98s, Trapdoor Springfields, and numerous antique firearms that are still safe to shoot.

 

[birdshot8's]

maybe a savage 1899, winchester 1894, springfield 1903, marlin 1897, mauser 1898, for starters.

 

[545days]

in the past two years I have personally fired a Mauser '96 and a S&W Lemon Squeezer (a revolver made in 1898.) Both are over 100 years old, and both are still as good as the day they were built.

Perhaps you meant to say you can't think of a single rifle design that would NOT last over 100 years if properly maintained?

 

[ArmedBear]

All rifle barrels get shot out if you put enough rounds through them.

.22 rimfires are some of the most resistant to that.

The Marlin 1892/1897/39 might be one of the longest-lasting production rifles. There are century-old examples that work great. There are some ancient Winchesters, too, shot with soft lead bullets like .38-40s.

 

[Float Pilot]

I can't think of a single rifle that would last 100 years and still be in working condition

What?

I suggest you look at the 1896 Swedish Mausers. One of mine was made in 1900, so it is 110 years old and still winning rifle shooting contests.

Many 1895 Mausers are still in super condition, although all the good ones were bought up years ago. A local guy shoots a 1895 Mauser in 7x57mm Mauser that was originally a Boar War rifle. He usually comes in right behind my Swede Mausers when we compete at match shooting.

Also look at the US or Swedish KRAG RIFLES. These were made in the 1890s and they still work just like the day they were made.

Most of the best 1903 Springfield's were made during or at the end of WWI. So if you had a nice Rock Island Arsenal made in 1919 (I do) it is only 91 years old. But it still works and shoots like the day it was made.

My 1892 Winchester was actually made in 1892 according to the serial number. So it is now 118 years old. It is starting to show some wear on the top of the hammer and the bore is getting rather worn. It will still give 3 inch groups at 100 yards.

My 1886 Winchester in 45-90 was actually made in 1891 so it is only 119 years old. I have harvested moose and bear with it...

There are also a BUNCH of British Enfield rifles out there that were made before 1910.

For other old timers that are solid shooter you may also wish to investigate the Rolling Block Remington rifles, most being 110 years old.
Also any of the Winchester 1885 High Wall rifles.
And of course the classic 1890 22 caliber Winchester pump action rifle.

 

[dusty14u]

I still shoot my dads deer rifle- 1917 British Enfield 303. It still has 7 yrs to go but at 93 years old I am pretty sure it will easily make it to 100yrs and still be good to go.

 

[Al LaVodka]

OMG!

I might have to think harder about what I own that ISN'T more than 100 years old and doesn't shoot. Some are 200 years old! And no, these aren't the reproductions -- they go back to the 13th C. (albeit not rifled per se). Heck, I'm STILL looking for some...

Al

 

[JWF III]

I'll add the Trapdoor to the list. Along with Colt 1873 SAA, Win Models 1873, 1892, 1894 ... (every other winchester model made), Luger, C96 Mauser... Plus many, many more

Now if you were talking modern firearms lasting till 2110, well that's yet to be seen. But I'd guess there'll be a few models that don't make it.

Wyman

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I had a Gew98 in 7.92x57 manufatured in 1899 that was still shooting under 2'' @ 100 yards. I had it rebarrelled in .257 Roberts last year. My brother has our dad's old single shot shotgun made around 1900 that still works great today. A hundred year old firearm is usually still very servicable if it has had reasonable care.

 

[paducahrider]

Hammerhead, You've been sniffin' way too much of your beloved Cosmoline.
Heck, the Model 1896 Swedish mauser was IN SERVICE with the Swedish army, CONTINUOUSLY, from 1898, to 1995. That's a hundred years and it's still going strong.
From 1941 until its final retirement, in '95, it was THE MAIN SNIPER RIFLE of the Swedish infantry, which gives you an Idea of how well it was holding up. When the Swedes started to phase it out, they dumped them on the open market by the tens of thousands, and they were and are still some of the best maintained military weapons ever to come down the pike.
I scored an all matching# (without a cleaning rod and with a different# handguard) Swede that still shoots better than just about anything else I own (shucks, with a scope, it will probably outshoot anything I've got).
The stock, action and bore look brand new, and function better than most brand new modern bolt actions.
I'm sure there will be 98s, Springfields, Enfields and a myriad of others that will outlast their present and some future owners, with reasonable care. They were built to last, and they are proving that they will.
100 years?? PAH!!
Thanks for your time.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Well, how about these?

Top '84 Trapdoor made in 1887, middle '73 Trapdoor made in 1877, bottom '73 Winchester made in 1881:



More Trapdoors from 1879 (top) to 1890 second from bottom (bottom one is same as above top):



A new rifle, 88 Commission made in 1890:



I could go on, but I'd run out of server memory.

 

[GD]

My Finnish capture M91 mosin nagant is dated 1895. It has obviously seen several wars and probably saw its greatest action in WW2 in defense of a small Finnish army facing a large Soviet army.
It still shoots very accurately and will do so for probably as long as I live.

 

[ArmedBear]

I've hunted with guys who had rifles from the 1870s. They worked as well as my replica did. However, I can't say that these rifles had seen 135 years of continuous use.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Any rifle thats made well should work fine after 100 years provided it wasn't abused to bad.


Heck I know a guy who still hunts with a flint lock that is over 200 years old. Very pretty rifle, its British but I forget the name.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Winchester Model 1873 Manufactured in 1884. Took it out to shoot last year, put 10 rounds through, not 1 problem. It's 126 years. Just takes a rightful owner and the right care

 

[Heavenlyfire]

Thanks "Old Time Hunter", now I need a towel. Very nice rifles!!!

 

[colonelhogan44]

I have a Winchester 1906 .22, made in 1919 that has been passed down through the generations. It has had 91 years of continuous use, spent the first 30-ish years of its life riding around in a steel pipe on a tractor to bring home some meat during some hard times.
It has had nowhere near proper maintenance, but still shoots and functions quite well. The barrel is very worn, and had a few inches cut off with a hacksaw by my grandfather in his teenage years, but still shoots fairly well--well enough to put rabbit on the menu occasionally.

With proper maintenance and care, it'd be in much better shape...but my great grandfather's family may have gone hungry during the depression.

 

[NWCP]

Half of my rifles were made before WWII and the majority of the others before 1950. Not 100 years old yet, but pushing it. I still use a 105 year old Colt pistol. I wouldn't short change the old weapons quite so soon.

 

[Heljac]

"I had a Gew98 in 7.92x57 manufatured in 1899 that was still shooting under 2'' @ 100 yards. I had it rebarrelled in .257 Roberts last year. My brother has our dad's old single shot shotgun made around 1900 that still works great today. A hundred year old firearm is usually still very servicable if it has had reasonable care."

Good job on ruining a very uncommon and valuable rifle! Especially with that date. You had a $8-900 rifle you went and ruined to make another "bubba" deer gun. Congratulations!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Heljac,good job on jumping to conclusions! Thank you also for envolking the term "Bubba". FYI. I traded for that rifle in 1980. It was already partially sporterized at that point. It had a home-made butter knife bolt handle silver soldered on(leaving the joint visible) It also was loosely fitted into a Reinhart-Fajen stock It had had the sights removed and had been D&T ed for a scope mount. Again congratulaions for giving your expert analysis of a situation you have no knowledge of. This is the response I get every time I mention my Mauser sporters and frankly I'm tired of it.

 

[GRIZ22]

I can't think of a single rifle that would last 100 years and still be in working condition (assuming proper care, once again).

There are many rifles that last over 100 years. The major thing you didn't take into account is how much it is shot. I have a Marlin 29 22 pump made between 1913-1916. the finish is gone and pitted but whoever owned it took care and the bore is bright and shiny. It still works fine.

If you have Great Grandpa's 92 Winchester that shot maybe 20 rds a year that rifle would be running fine probably on all original parts.

 

[brotus2]

I have a safe full of Winchester levers all over 100 years old and they shoot great. Last weekend I shot an 1892 in 32 WCF (32-20) made in 1895 from a 100 and 150, open sights. 3" group at a 100 and just over that from 150. I expect them to still be shooting for my great grandchildren and on down the line.