anyone have or shot a Johnson Rifle?

[TrafficMan]

just curious?

(insert all ears smiley here)

 

[lawson]

my uncle out in Idaho has an M1941. fun gun to shoot. alot heavier than the garand, but seemed a bit more accurate.

 

[Dienekes]

Shot one many years ago (well, around 1963 or so) that belonged to a gun accumulator in our area. He was a genuine nice guy who believed in sharing what he had. As a kid of around 19 or so I would always come home with a "loaner" gun to play with for a few days--sort of like a lending library of guns. My mother would ask me where I got the latest toy, and I would explain, "Lyle insisted that I take it home and try it for a while".

I liked the rifle in most ways but the Garand was a better general issue rifle. When I went to college I found a very interesting article from a 1940 or so Life magazine comparing the Johnson with the Garand. I made sure that my friend got a copy.

At the time Johnsons in full military configuration sold for about $125, which was not particularly cheap.

 

[drsteve]

Last summer, a friend of mine introduced me to a gentleman that has one of the most impressive comprehensive military gun collections I have ever seen outside of a museum. The majority of the weapons were from WWI and II. He let us take his Johnson rifle to the range that day. He explained that the rifle had not been fired since it had come back from his gunsmith. The rifle was in such prestine condition that it looked to me like it had never been fired. Anyway, it functioned flawlessly and was a kick to shoot. Most of my experience with military rifles has been with the M1 so the rifle did feel strange in comparison. I felt it was not as balanced or comfortable to shoulder as my M1. Also, the action made a mechanical sound that made you feel like something was loose as it cycled, however the rotary magazine was fun to load. It made me think about my Ruger .22. I really can't comment on the accuracy, because I never really got comfortable with it. My friend shot the Johnson much better than I. Overall, it was a lot of fun and I am grateful I had a chance to shoot one.