New Hunting Rifles Incoming!

Would you buy a rifle from George C.'s shop?

  • Yes, I would by the Krag

    Votes: 18 27.7%

  • Yes, I would buy the M1917

    Votes: 13 20.0%

  • No, I don't like them

    Votes: 19 29.2%

  • No, I like them but they are out of my budget at this time

    Votes: 15 23.1%
  • Total voters
    65
  • Poll closed .
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CmdrSlander

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Jun 28, 2011
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1,203
Location
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Highroaders,

As I have mentioned before on this forum, I am friends with Gunsmith/Entrepreneur who has been exploring a variety of ideas as far as introducing a new line of bolt action rifles, with my help on the business and web side (as he is older and that is not his thing) I am proud to announce he will soon launch his business. I cannot give out his full name per his request, but we will call him George C. Anyway, his new line of rifles will produced in small batches by a shop of 25 machinists, armorers, and gunsmiths. Instead of buying competitors' actions or designing and brand new action, he has opted to reintroduce "classic" actions from the last two centuries. The actions being used are newly produced, (highest quality) investment cast M1917 Enfield and Krag-Jorgenson actions. They will be used not for replicas of the original guns, but as the basis for modern style hunting rifles. He has asked me to test the waters, and ask what people think of what he will soon be producing. Below I will list the models that will be available from day one:

M1917 action:
Calibers: 30-06, .25-06, .308*
Barrels: Heavy (24", 20"), Sporter (20" 18" 16.5"), Fluted (24", 20", 18")
Finishes: Classic Blued, Full Stainless, Duotone (Stainless bolt and barrel, blued receiver)
Stocks: Choice of Laminate, Walnut, or Synthetic in European, American, or thumbhole styles.
Trigger: 3.5 pound match grade
Sights: Ghost ring rear with hooded post front, fiber optic.
Extras: Factory installed scout rail (+$75)

Price: $950-$1500

Krag-Jorgenson action:
Calibers: .308 Winchester
Barrels: Heavy (20"), Sporter (20" 18" 16.5"), Fluted (20", 18")
Finishes: Classic Blued, Full Stainless, Duotone (Stainless bolt and barrel, blued receiver)
Stocks: Choice of Laminate, Walnut, or Synthetic in American or thumbhole.
Trigger: 3.5 Match Grade
Sights: Ghost ring rear, hooded post front, fiber optic or tritium.
Extras: Factory installed Scout Rail (+$75)

Price $750-$1000

All rifles are fully inspected and test fired before leaving the shop, each one is approved by a fully trained gunsmith, all parts are de-burred by hand, each rifle comes with the following items in the box:

-Cleaning kit
-Complimentary 20 Rounds of match grade ammunition
-Sling
-Buttstock cartridge holder
-Test Target signed and dated by the employee who test fired your rifle (no rifle leaves without achieving, at minimum .5 MOA at 100 yards without optics)
-Certificate of approval signed by the overseeing gunsmith who approved your rifle.
-Shipped in a presentation grade, padded, lockable, walnut case with oil-rubbed bronze furniture

*Denotes resized action

This is not an advertisement, If it was I would be urging you to buy them, their is still time to change the lineup. If you want to see any different features or calibers post below. Overall thoughts also welcomed.
 
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Sounds interesting but too light of caliber for me. If I'm gonna have a custom 1917 built it is gonna have to be bigger than .30 cal.
 
I'd lay down the cash for a newly made 303 SMLE if he ever makes one. Classic British caliber in the classic British rifle.
 
With the plethora of origninals out there I'm happy with the few I already have. For me a new hunting rifle in one of these actions wouldn't make the spend list. There's usually a market even if it's not a mass market for these things but not positive the market will be keeping 25 employees busy year round. But being a gun guy I do wish you the best.
 
A few thoughts

Granted, I am not a gunsmith or entrepreneur by any means, but allow me to suggest an opinion.

These rifles, in my mind, fall into the same class of arms that many people have a deep seated love for, but often cannot get ahold of in one form or another. The example that comes to mind for me is indeed the Krag (in its long rifle form) and the 1903 Springfield.

Now, having said this, I think that you would definitely appeal to a wider range of people by also offering the original military versions of these classic guns. I would personally be all over both of them, but I had to answer to choice #4 because I am a broke college student. Again, I refer to the 1903 example. Navy Arms/Gibbs Rifle Co. is/did something similar to what your friend wants to do, except the reproduced the 1903 (using rehabilitated actions and nex cast parts/barrel) in both its standard infantry form and "Sniper" form. I can't quote sales figures, but I believe they caused quite the stir. I think your hunting rifle versions are excellent as well- and knowing that Krag actions are/were valued amongst shooters for their smooth cycling, you have an excellent concept here. But I would strongly suggest that your friend consider military style versions of his product as well- open up that avenue in the market. :)

Just my .02 cents worth,

-Chris
 
@theriflespeaks1863

We could build you an exact replica of an original M1917, Krag or 1903, but currently surplus versions of those rifles still go for less than we could build them for. By making modern rifles on those actions we are selling something that can't be had anywhere else. In a few years, when the last of the WWI era bolt guns go into private collections then we'll talk. However, you could always buy one of ours and install a stock set from an original rifle, and there you go, we use the original designs so it would fit fine.

edit: I will suggest that to him though.
 
@Art

The new action should be even slicker... hand fitted and a whole lot newer than anyone any of us have handled (unless you are 100+ years old :)). We have only tweaked the size of the action to run the .308, nothing else that would effect feel has been altered. The 16.5 inch version with a synth stock and scout rail is the version for me, that's a rifle for all challenges!
 
I did not vote.

I am not interested in 1917 or Krag actions. Both are second rate designs. I have owned rifles with both actions.

The 1917 is heavy, clumsy and does not have a good M70 type three position safety.

The Krag is awful. Not worth any other comment.
 
@allroundhunter

Same here. The 'smith is a 3rd generation texan, the grandson of a german immigrant who worked for Mauser, the family moved to texas from germany, in 1910 as I understand it, he learned the art of gunsmithing from his father as his father before him had, cool story actually.
 
Yes to the Krag, simply because I couldn't vote yes to both. (And I already have a 1917.) The Krag actions are a thing of beauty, but prices on originals (all orginal) are a bit steep in these parts.

And yes, the 1917 is being offered in too light of calibers. The originals are some of the strongest actions ever produced. Sporters have been made into some of the biggest belted mags out there. .30-06, .25-06, and .308 just don't do that action justice. .340 Weatherby? .375(8) Weatherby? .416 Remington? 8mm Remington? Misc. Lazzeroni cartridges?

And for the Krag... How about something like say... .30-40 Krag? Or maybe even .45-70?

Custom (or even semi-custom) rifles deserve a well rounded choice in cartridges chambered in them.

And maybe offer different choices in sights. Williams or Lyman peeps? Drilled and tapped? Just something more than ghost rings and scout mounts.

With that list of options, the target customers and those prices, they'll be competing against various Sav/Rem/Win that'll do the same thing for 1/2 or 1/3 the price. Yes they may come with a nice case, etc. But they'll have to offer something the others don't.

I hope it works out for your friend. I would be interested in the guns. But only when what I want is offered. And that's what makes the custom market so challenging, everybody want's something different.

Wyman
 
@jwf iii

All receivers are drilled and tapped, that's standard, also its a custom house that has a few production models ready (like, Nighthawk or Ed Brown is for '1911s) but we can build you anything.

Edit: Rechecked a spec sheet George sent me, he said he could easily do a .416 Ruger for the M1917 as well as the .375 H&H Mag.
 
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Would love a "modern" Krag -- without doubt the smoothest bolt-action rifle ever produced. And there's just a certain classic elegance to that side-mounted magazine box. :cool::cool::cool:
 
JWF III said:
And yes, the 1917 is being offered in too light of calibers. The originals are some of the strongest actions ever produced. Sporters have been made into some of the biggest belted mags out there. .30-06, .25-06, and .308 just don't do that action justice. .340 Weatherby? .375(8) Weatherby? .416 Remington? 8mm Remington? Misc. Lazzeroni cartridges?
Click to expand...

A-Square shoe horned the .577 T-Rex into the 1917. A P17 action would easily fit the .416 or .450 Rigby, .460 Weatherby, .495 A-Square, .500 Jeffery or .505 Gibbs. You can always download the big bores with Trail Boss/5744 and cast lead bullets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.577_Tyrannosaur
 
price point is too high for me.... but im cheap and a broke 21 year old. i like the idea and all in all for what you get it sounds like a pretty good deal. i cant imagine he will make alot of profit at that price point.

if i had the cash i would pick up either one. if you were to make an SMLE built one then i would buy that in a heart beat
 
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