Opinions on some .22s on the used rack

I'd pass on all of them. But that's just my opinion.

milemaker13 said:

I have a small mill at home, but youre right . How much would you expect to pay to drill & tap or mill the slots?

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Local GS around my parts charges $25 per hole to drill and tap a rifle receiver for a scope. Not really a bad deal at all but on a $100-150 gun only you can justify that cost.


I also vote 512 and if it doesn't have rails and you can find a Smith that's in line with the price I mentioned above I'd do that.

To shoot mini-skeet with. They were used with "rat shot" and small clay pidgeons that were hand thrown.

They had one and the thrower and clays at BSA Camp Walwood in North Florida in 1968.

I personally would go for the 512 just because it is such a classic. I would not worry about scoping it if it had no grooves or taps and just enjoy it for what it is. Maybe trade it at some point in the future, but enjoy it for now so I could write about it on some future gun board to the youthful whipper snappers that never had one!

-kBob

The Remington 512 and the Mossberg are the two I would go for. If the Remington is not drilled and taped, I would not spend the money to lower the value of the rifle.
If the Mossberg has the rear peep sight, the sight alone is worth $100.
I have all but two of the rifles listed,. I don’t have th3 Nobl because I haven’t ran across one yet. I don’t have a Marlin Mod. 60, but do have a Glenfield 75 carbine.

A 512 with a tube mag was my first rifle. I still own it and it has always been an accurate rifle. Mine was grooved on top for scope mounts when I got it in 68-69.

milemaker13 said:

Hard to believe you don't have at least two of everything gunny... your pics of mile long lines of guns amaze me.

We're going out bopping around today.. a couple stops should have some guns to peruse. I liked the 512. Price is tempting at $125. I can blow that alot quicker than buying a cheap plinker!

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When it comes to Surplus gun is where I have a lot of the same models , but they’re all a little different.
Now I do love my little 22s. Down here the Remington 512 in good shape sale closer to $200. They are great shooters. My son, Austin, uses my 512 to killthe squirrels in the yard.

Down here the Remington 512 in good shape sale closer to $200. They are great shooters.

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I have a 41, 341P, 510P, 511, 512, 514, 541T, 581 and there isn't a stinker in the bunch...

If the 512 isn't grooved and you really want to scope it you can glues a base on with Black Max. It holds and is removable without damaging the gun. Brownells has it. Do a search. Theres probably more info on Rimfire Central about it. I wiuldn't D&T it. Also do a search for Mo Skeet O and Targo. Both were games using mini clay pigeons and smooth bore .22s with shot cartridges. I have a Mossberg 42B SB for their brand Targo. Has a screw on choke and rifled tubes. Pretty neat.

milemaker13 said:

Not my first, just another toy to play with

What would you get instead?

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A used 10/22, a cz 455 or 452, any of the Savage 22 rifles, a Marlin 60. For a couple reasons: sounds like the op wants a scoped gun, I like uns that have parts and aftermarket support, and newer guns are just more accurate than older ones. Fit and finish is not as good as older stuff, but barrls are just better now.

JC Higgins but not for that price.

If an old gun is not grooved or drilled and tapped, it does not make economic sense to have it done. Shoot iron sights. The 512 might even be d&t for a peep.
CZ is the leading .22 sporter.

milemaker13 said:

The jc is like new in the stamped metal box and all that, hence the high price.

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For no valid reason, I would probably by it.

milemaker13 said:

What new bolt action might you suggest?

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Savage Mark II

If it were me, the 512. I had a bunch of old .22s and when it came down to buying replacement box mags, tube feeds on vintage guns are the better option, cause you only buy one at a time. I'm funny in that if I can't easily and affordably have 3 to 5 mags for a given weapon, I won't keep it.

I have a 512 that I rarely shoot because it a 99% gun, but when I do shoot it I get quarter sized groups at 50 yards. Great guns.

The 290 does have issues....light strikes being the most major one and it is not an easy fix....however I will say when it is working it is a nice little rifle. That was my son's first "real" rifle, and it did serve him well....but yea...get someone that KNOWS them to check it out....

On the JC it would be nice to know its vintage....I tend to be drawn to older things....that may not be the best thing however.

fpgt72 said:

The 290 does have issues....light strikes being the most major one and it is not an easy fix....however I will say when it is working it is a nice little rifle. That was my son's first "real" rifle, and it did serve him well....but yea...get someone that KNOWS them to check it out....

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I think your son got lucky. Mine was a jamamatic. When it was squeaky clean it would run fine for about 25 rounds and then start jamming. I never could get it to run right. I know other people that had issues with theirs and read too many stories about issues with the 190 and 290 to believe anything but that they are POS rifles.

I'm sticking with my recommendation for the 512 and like the suggestion to attach scope mounts with Black Max. It is an amazing adhesive when used properly. Make sure the scope mounts are a close fit to the receiver countour and thoroughly degrease both surfaces before using. Acetone is probably the best solvent for this task.

fpgt72 said:

On the JC it would be nice to know its vintage....I tend to be drawn to older things....that may not be the best thing however.

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The J.C. Higgins brand was used by Sears from 1908 until 1962 on sporting good items. It was replaced with the Ted Williams brand.

I had a Ted Williams 12 gauge pump supposedly made by High Standard. I must say Ted Williams doesn’t have quite the ring to it that JC Higgins has for a firearm name. I’ve heard Ted Williams was very good with a shotgun.