NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
So, my kid watches a bunch of those "Celebrity Style on Zero Budget" videos (hey, she built her own AR9, so Im not too worried), well- this is my version of "Rifle Style on Almost Zero Budget!"
My buddies Joel and Dom at my favorite pawn shop hooked me up with this basket case, knowing that I enjoy a challenge (and all things old and .22). The Wards Western Field Model 491 is better known as a Mossberg Model 46B, tube-fed repeater.
I really need to start taking "before" pictures, but trust me, the condition description at the bottom was accurate.
This is how it looked after about four hours of sanding, buffing, bluing, more buffing, some wire brushing, and six coats of Danish Oil-
Fortunately, it was complete, with a good bore, so I knew it had potential. On the downside, the plastic trigger guard was cracked (very common on old Mossbergs- they shrink and warp as they age), and the rear sight windage screw had snapped off. The Mossberg 103 sight has a very tiny, almost useless v-notch anyway, so Ill eventually replace it with a peep, but in the meantime, a sliver of plastic jammed under the elevator will tension it adequately for testing. Once I get it dialed in, I can always just fix it in place with a dab of epoxy.
Theres nothing to be done for the guard, so I ordered a new reproduction on Fleabay for $20.
Ahhh, the best part, refinishing all the screws and hardware..........not!
Im not going to use the ejection port cover, so if anyone wants it, PM me and Ill drop it in the mail for ya.
Ok, here she is all screwed together-
My craptastic camera doesnt do it justice, but the wood turned out really nice-
This is a very early production gun, and the action is much better than my later 46M, with a shorter, more positive bolt throw and smoother trigger.
Now, Im just waiting on the new trigger guard to arrive, and Im ready to add another classic plinker to the stable. Not bad for a $30 rifle..........winning!
My buddies Joel and Dom at my favorite pawn shop hooked me up with this basket case, knowing that I enjoy a challenge (and all things old and .22). The Wards Western Field Model 491 is better known as a Mossberg Model 46B, tube-fed repeater.
I really need to start taking "before" pictures, but trust me, the condition description at the bottom was accurate.
This is how it looked after about four hours of sanding, buffing, bluing, more buffing, some wire brushing, and six coats of Danish Oil-
Fortunately, it was complete, with a good bore, so I knew it had potential. On the downside, the plastic trigger guard was cracked (very common on old Mossbergs- they shrink and warp as they age), and the rear sight windage screw had snapped off. The Mossberg 103 sight has a very tiny, almost useless v-notch anyway, so Ill eventually replace it with a peep, but in the meantime, a sliver of plastic jammed under the elevator will tension it adequately for testing. Once I get it dialed in, I can always just fix it in place with a dab of epoxy.
Theres nothing to be done for the guard, so I ordered a new reproduction on Fleabay for $20.
Ahhh, the best part, refinishing all the screws and hardware..........not!
Im not going to use the ejection port cover, so if anyone wants it, PM me and Ill drop it in the mail for ya.
Ok, here she is all screwed together-
My craptastic camera doesnt do it justice, but the wood turned out really nice-
This is a very early production gun, and the action is much better than my later 46M, with a shorter, more positive bolt throw and smoother trigger.
Now, Im just waiting on the new trigger guard to arrive, and Im ready to add another classic plinker to the stable. Not bad for a $30 rifle..........winning!
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