Krag-Jorgensen?

[EMNofSeattle]

I was browsing firearms for awhile today, and found a Krag Jorgensen rifle for 400 bucks, seemingly in good shape. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Krags? My biggest concern is I don't know of anywhere that retails the ammo for that rifle, but I might be willing to learn how to handload if it's a quality enough piece. They were short-lived as far as being a military service rifle, but I was wondering if anyone has owned or fired one?

 

[DurangoKid]

You had better look that Krag over very close. There is something wrong with it for sure. Even the most stupid gun salesman knows a good Krag goes for $1,000 bucks and up. You should be able to find 30-40 Krag ammo at one of the big sporting goods out lets. Check out the bore very close and the complicated magazine.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

Well now that I've looked this up, it's a sporterized carbine, not a stock unaltered Spanish-Am war vintage piece, does this change anything?

 

[ewlyon]

Always a good idea to look it over well, but ive seen a krag for 250 that had been sporterized but the only big thing wrong was a broken rear sight. Even that had been dovetailed so it would have been an easy fix.
In regards to ammo it can still be found online adn you might be able to find some at the gun shows. Here is a link to some ammo, although you might be able to shop around and get a better price
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php/cName/rifle-ammo-3040-krag

 

[DurangoKid]

Sporterized means some one has reduced the value of a firearm. It is most likely not a carbine. It should have a saddle ring bar or holes in the left side of the stock. It is probably an infantry rifle cut down. These rifles cut up with parts missing an worn bores can be bought cheap for making lamps.

 

[RPRNY]

Beware the neigh sayers. I have two Mauser sporters (6.5x55 and 8x57) that were well done (albeit no barrel Chop) and both were purchase sub $350. The Swede is extremely accurate with a gorgeous trigger but is not the most beautiful rifle. The Persian was very well done with an amazing trigger, low safety and very nice stutzen full stock. It is not yet quite as accurate as the Swede but I'm still experimenting with loads.

So, your Krag is not a duffer for sure. It could be. But just because it's been sporterized doesn't mean it is. Tough to buy sight unseen but $400 for a good sporter well done seems about right - Krag sporters should bear a premium for their relative scarcity. Very smooth actions. Not hugely strong. More oomph than a 30-30, not as much as a 30-06. It's a nice deer round.

It would be best if you could see and handle it. Check for clean bore, complete fully functional magazine and feed, stock cracks, especially around the wrist, and have a good long hard look at the crown if it's been cut down (that would be my biggest worry) .

 

[madcratebuilder]

What model of Krag? US Krags went to the civilian market in the 1920's, many have been sportered and many have been rebuild to original. It's the unmolested Krags in excellent condition that are 1K plus, a original in average condition is much less, 6-800 bucks if you take your time and look around.

A sportered Krag shouldn't run over $300-350.

 

[DurangoKid]

I would like some nice average $600 dollar Krags. I do gun shows in the NW and look for them. Please post some where that you are finding these $600 dollar complete Krags. I need 10 if I can find them. Let me know. Thx

 

[gpb]

Watch for a cracked bolt lug on Krags.

 

[DurangoKid]

You are right on that one. It is like the bargain P-17 Enfields with cracked reciever rings. IMO paying $400 to $500 for cut up 80 and 100 year old army rifles is not a bargin in most cases. That is my choice, you may choose other wise.

 

[wrench]

I love my Krags
Around here, nice condition shooter Krags that have not been sporterized start at about $700, on up to a grand or so. Over that, they are either overpriced, or they are collector grade rifles.
Sporterized rifles $200-$400.
Ammo really is a handloading proposition, factory ammo is expensive, and not always available.
They are graceful, accurate shooters, with a tremendously smooth bolt.

 

[cluttonfred]

I would not be afraid of a nicely sporterized Krag. I shot one when I was a kid--an original carbine. It's a sweet cartridge and a lovely action, just make sure to have it checked out by a pro.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I would like some nice average $600 dollar Krags. I do gun shows in the NW and look for them. Please post some where that you are finding these $600 dollar complete Krags. I need 10 if I can find them. Let me know. Thx

There are a lot of sellers that think their Krag is worth a lot, that doesn't mean you need to pay the asking price.

They were very cheap at one time.


I just picked up this sub $600 1898 rifle. Most the finish is worn off the metal, wood is good and it's unmessed with. I don't understand guys paying big bucks for parts rifles or rebuilds.




The finish on the carbine is very nice and pushed the price to near 1K.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Time for a "sporterized" Krag picture

I know the history on this one back to a point. The first 40 some years of it being in existence I know nothing about. It was sporterized initially during the WWII era.

I added the recoil pad as the butt plate had turned to yuck. It had a vintage Redfield receiver sight which I still have. I added the no drill scope mount and scope.

 

[sasakwa]

30 40 Krag Sporter

I recently purchased a 30 40 sporter that was sporterized by Griffin and Howe in the 20s or 30s. Just because it isn't bone stock does not mean it is garbage. When I was stationed in Alaska I enjoyed watching the "experts" with their 300 win mags and $2500 scopes not able to hit the gong at 500m. My buddies and I would be tagging it offhand with our old surplus rifles. Point is that for anyone to look down on someones gun because it isn't all matching numbers and otherwise perfect is silly and generally a sign of an analy retentive snob. Snobbery is that which destroys our sport from within. If you like your rifle and can put lead on target then who cares if it is original or has matching numbers. Matter of fact there are a lot of matching number broomhandles out there that are fakes, better to have non-matching enjoyable guns than perfect hangar queens.

 

[Trent]

Well now that I've looked this up, it's a sporterized carbine, not a stock unaltered Spanish-Am war vintage piece, does this change anything?

I bought a sporterized Krag last month, done nice and clean, for $600.

If it isn't badly hacked, I'd say run with it.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a Model 1896 Krag Jorgensen that I restored from a parade/drill rifle that had been chrome plated and had a heavily varnished stock. I would never consider sporterizing it but I wouldn't mind picking one up someday.

 

[Trent]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=688928&highlight=krag

Here's the thread on mine. I thought I'd found a good deal on a carbine. Turns out I found an average deal on a sporterized look alike. It was the spur of a moment purchase, which happens when I walk in to a shop with cash in my pocket, which is why I normally don't carry any cash.... too impulsive.

Had I done my homework before hand, I would have offered him 400, and probably met at 500.

But I'll take the loss of a c-bill for the education I received. Don't I wish that ALL of life's lessons came so cheaply!

I still love looking at it, even knowing it's not the ultra-rare piece I was searching for, it looks great, and once the weather warms up and I can get to work on my display wall, will have a place of honor with the other old bolt actions I've accumulated.

 

[RPRNY]

Under $300. It's a full on sporter but done well. Mag cutoff lever removed but shaft filled, scope safety installed, bright shiny aftermarket barrel that slugs a true .308, Fajen stock, and some work done on the trigger. I assume it was also reblued at the time of its sporterization.

Totally unoriginal but smooth as butter and since I am not an acolyte of velocity, I am a fan of the 30-40 cartridge. Working up a load for the Lyman 311284 210 gr cast bullet.

 

[cal30_sniper]

Under $300. It's a full on sporter but done well. Mag cutoff lever removed but shaft filled, scope safety installed, bright shiny aftermarket barrel that slugs a true .308, Fajen stock, and some work done on the trigger. I assume it was also reblued at the time of its sporterization.

Totally unoriginal but smooth as butter and since I am not an acolyte of velocity, I am a fan of the 30-40 cartridge. Working up a load for the Lyman 311284 210 gr cast bullet.

And a Weaver V9. That's some extra class alone.

Very nice rifle. If I ran across one like that, even for more than you paid, it would probably be going home with me.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Just put Bubba's scoped Krag on lay-away for $250.00. Pistol grip is grafted on to the cut-down rifle stock. Stock also has a slightly oversized butt pad and an oddly suggestive schnabel tip. Finish is about half gone and the cut barrel sports a mauser front sight and no rear.
Bubba probably committed this crime around 1960,
Bore looks adequate, the orphaned-brand 3x side-mounted scope looks OK, and the bolt lugs aren't cracked. I think I'll like it, after a bit of TLC.

 

[gpb]

Congratulations on the Krag.

It sounds like with some elbow grease it'll make a nice shooter.

 

[David4516]

I picked this one up for about $300, it was drilled and tapped but didn't have the scope mount. I bought that separately, and the scope too (just a basic Bushnell Banner)

I have only had it out to the range once, and had some issues. Not sure if the problem is with my reloads, or the headspace on the rifle.

I am a fan of the .30-40 cartridge and wish it were more popular/common. Would be cool to see it offered in new rifles. Heck even an NEF "handi rifle" in .30-40 could be cool.

A friend of mine purchased a Krag that had an after-market barrel and stock in the early 2000's for about $350. He later ended up selling that rifle to my dad, and dad still has it. It is probably the most accurate rifle I've ever had the privilege to shoot, and that was what inspired me to buy a Krag of my own.

 

[RPRNY]

David4516

The only thing standing between you and a 30-40 Handing rifle is buying a 30-30 and spending some time with a chamber dreamer. And you can run your loads at factory .308 levels! Just don't mix them up....

What are you Krag issues? Since the 30-40 headspaces on the rim what is driving your headspace concern?

 

[MattShlock]

Lovely guns. .30-40 is still available at stores I go to.