I'm trying to decide whether to buy a Cooper rimfire or centerfire. I have several of both in other brands and have been curious about Coopers. My question for you out there who own both, do you like one over the other? if so, why? I'm particularly interested in .223 and .17 HMR, especially the Model 21 or 57. I think those are the ones with the broad forearm with holes in it. Let me know what you think, please.
Cooper rifles, center fire or rimfire??
- Thread starter Sniper66
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ironworkerwill
Member
I've always wanted a Cooper. Get both! Realistically I'd opt for the .223 since I have enough supplies to load and shoot as much as I'd like to.
dubbleA
Member
I have several Cooper rifles. I believe the model you are referring to is the "Montana Varminter". It has the wide forend and can be had with ventilation slots in it.
Cant say that I prefer a RF over the CF as the all are fine rifles and shooters. You wont be disappointed with a Cooper.
Cant say that I prefer a RF over the CF as the all are fine rifles and shooters. You wont be disappointed with a Cooper.
Cooper Rifles are gorgeous!
However: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6152085
You decide where you want your money to go.
However: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6152085
You decide where you want your money to go.
Waldog said:
First of all, Dan Cooper, the person - not the company - contributed money to the Obama campaign. And that was in 2008. And he left the company shortly after. The company had nothing to do with it.
It doesn't make sense to me to penalize them, the company, and hurt a perfectly good American maker of excellent rifles.
As far as their rifles, I don't on one, but I lust for Jackson Squirrel Rifle myself.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Either would be fantastic but I'd probably lean towards doing a .22LR first. Because if I spend a lot of time with my rimfires and what better way to do it than with a Cooper!
witchhunter
Member
Nothing against the 17 HMR, it appears to be a very effective round. However, you can reload 17 Fireball ammo for about the same money and the Fireball will give you way better ballistics. Just my opinion.....
JohnBT
Member
I voted .22 LR years ago when Dan owned the company, but it's a Custom Classic with AA+ wood, not a Varminter.
DM~
Member
Isn't he still on the board, still part of the decision making??
Personally, I think Coopers are over priced, their wood quality has gone waaaay down for what they charge!
There are other brands that are just as or more accurate, with metal work just as good or better, so all that leaves is the wood quality and that just is no longer there...
After looking at all the higher quality rifles, including Cooper, I bought a NULA...
DM
). Google comes up blank.According to The Truth About Guns, http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...ican-made-rifles-cooper-firearms-montana-inc/, Dan Cooper is no longer associated with the company.
Unforgiving bunch.
Unforgiving bunch.
It was Dan's company from the beginning. There was a huge backlash against his political decision and he stepped down as CEO to save the company. I applaud him for actions in saving his employees jobs. The company "reorganized" and he stepped out of the picture sometime in 2009. I can't imagine that he willfully rode off in the sunset. I am assuming he remains as a "Silent Partner" and is still calling the shots. But, I can certainly be wrong.
Cooper Arms suffered the same consequences that Smith & Wesson did when they agreed to one of Bill Clinton's gun control scheme's. The outrage was so bad that the owners of S&W, non-American but the way, had to sell or liquidate. They found an American buyer and sold the company at a huge loss. The new owners told Clinton to get stuffed, reorganized the company and saved S&W.
It would seem the political actions of CEO's has direct influence of the financial health of companies. And, they should take that into consideration before acting. I know that's not fair but, it's sure the way things are.
JohnBT
Member
"I am assuming he remains "
Why do you assume that?
www.wilsonarms.com/index.htm
Wilson Arms Co./aka Wilson Barrels bought Cooper years ago. They even have the same president.
"January 1, 2014
I am pleased to announce the promotion of Steven Pawl to President of The Wilson Arms Company and Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc."
Why do you assume that?
www.wilsonarms.com/index.htm
Wilson Arms Co./aka Wilson Barrels bought Cooper years ago. They even have the same president.
"January 1, 2014
I am pleased to announce the promotion of Steven Pawl to President of The Wilson Arms Company and Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc."
JohnBT
Member
"what the trigger pull weight is"
Iirc they came with triggers set at 2.5#, but were adjustable from around 2# to 4#. Some would go lower - 1.5# .
This 2014 review lists a pull weight of 2.5 pounds.
www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2014/03/rifle-test-cooper-m51-223
Iirc they came with triggers set at 2.5#, but were adjustable from around 2# to 4#. Some would go lower - 1.5# .
This 2014 review lists a pull weight of 2.5 pounds.
www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2014/03/rifle-test-cooper-m51-223
I haven't fired a Cooper rimfire but have one in 300 Win Mag and 223. Great shooting rifles. To me, when you pick up a Cooper, the weight and balance--it just feels how a rifle should be. Bet you couldn't go wrong either route. I just don't shoot enough rimfire to get one...
Mark
Mark
Olympus
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I've looked at Cooper rifles over the years and just could never make myself fork over the money. I wanted to, just couldn't make the commitment. If I were buying my first Cooper rifle, I would certainly make it a 22LR. That way I could shoot the living snot out of that gun for relatively little money in ammo. If I was going to drop that kind of money on a rifle, I wanted to make dang sure it would something that I could afford to go out and shoot several hundred rounds of ammo any time I dang well pleased.
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