Remington 511A value?

[Spartan2112]

I found one today - asking price was $140.

I have read nothing but good things about the 5-teen series. It looks like the perfect small game gun and training rifle.

Action is smooth, trigger crisp, bore is clean.

Stock finish shiny, wood has the usual nicks one would expect to find on a rifle of this vintage, buttplate is likely original and has a chunk missing on the upper end.

Bluing is worn to a brown patina on the barrel in places - I would say maybe a 60/40 ratio of blue to brown - not sure how this factors into the Blue Book PPG system as I don't have a copy handy right now - I am guessing somewhere around 70-80% overall.

It comes with one factory magazine that sits flush with the stock - so I'm guessing it is a 5 or 6 round mag. The rear sight is missing the adjustment ramp.

I am not sure as to date of manufacture as I forgot to write down the 3-digit code.

So - should I race back there ASAP cash in hand or try to knock down the price a bit? I have not yet found a price for the adustment ramp.

Thanks!

 

[tjrahl]

I wouldnt go over $80 on it if i was interested, book value for it in good condition is $112, and that one is not in good condition. it was made 1939-1962

 

[Runningman]

Not saying someone won't pay $140 for it but. From your description I would not get to excited about it. Broken and missing parts will really subtract from its value. Sounds like it also has a lot of wear. I would say $75 - $100 would be a better price.

 

[Spartan2112]

Thanks for the feedback - and more me thinking out loud

I was wondering as I saw a couple on Gunbroker going for higher prices, and some older discussion posts here and other forums - but in much better shape. Yes, some fool might pay $140 for it - so that is why this fool walked away.

One is on GB now advertised as 98% with the bidding at $150, reserve not met. Another in decent shape with _no bids_ is starting at $249.

I figured it was probably worth no more than $75-100 in current conditon - and that maybe $150-175 in 98-100% condition. However, resale value is not the point. The point is to have a nice simple - but classically styled - rabbit and squirrel gun.

(SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC) They just don't build rifles like this anymore. Sure I could pick up a current manufacture plastic stocked Marlin or Savage for not much more $$ - but that is not what I want. Besides, they just don't feel right to me - and it is not just the stock. I just don't like how the bolt feels - I guess they just need breaking in. Dropping even more $$ on our hobby I could get a tuned CZ . . . but no. As for those accu-trigger things - cool - but the point here is _simple_ with as few moving parts as possible.

tjrahl : the book that had it at $112 for good condition, did it have a price for very good - assuming I do a cosmetic restore and of course fix the rear sight?

Still have found no prices on the sight adjustment ramp alone, but as that is just a notched piece of steel, one can be fabricated - but I am not a machinist. A complete set of iron sights is on GB for $30 - probably taken off for a scope project.

I'd eventually want to refinish the stock (it is shiny, but looks "varnishy" ) and replace the buttplate - with factory NOS if possible - and of course a complete rebluing would be needed. The stock has some real pretty wood, the kind they used to use on everyday rifles in the 40's and 50's. The "How to do the World's best oil finish" post over on THR gunsmithing forum got me interested.

This is a potential "first timer" project gun. $140 seemed rather high for a such a purpose.

In any case, it was nice to find an old classic .22 that had not been "violated" by being drilled and tapped for a scope - nor has the stock suffered the indignity of being drilled for sling mounts.

For a second look I'm going to ask the shop to run a patch or two down the barrel - it's been sitting for awhile so I'd like to see just how much lead comes out of those grooves, even though the barrel and action were clean when I looked at it. The bolt and magazine catch functioned smoothly - definitely broken in and not the tight feel of a new gun - but not loosely worn. Extractors looked good. The trigger was crisp. From an almost bad experience with a Marlin 81 of similar vintage, the sear was in good shape as the bolt did not fire when closing.

Minus the repair or replacement of the rear sight, it looks like a well used but mechanically sound rifle in need of some TLC. Maybe not a "diamond" in the rough, but a precious gem to be sure as they have tack-driver reputations.

Assuming I take the plunge - I'll let y'all know how much this fool drops on it and send before and after pics when I get around to reworking it . . . something to do between working and hunting this season. Hmm - hunting - yeah - I just might not refinish it so I won't mind dropping it in the field.

 

[engravertom]

I'm kind of looking for the same thing you are. I have a bid on aWinchester 67 right now. I'm strictly into the single shot with the manual cock function.

Typically, resotred value, IF done "correctly", will not be the same as book value. In rifles in this price range, the true cost of labor won't normally be recouped. However, it can be very satisfying for you to accomplish this. BTW, a hacksaw and a file will probably enable you to fabricate most rear sight elevators out there.

I have "overpaid" for rifles I have wanted. You have the advantage of looing this one over. It also is there. If you are only seeing higher dollar versions on gunbroker, and don't see them often locally, it may be worth it to you to overpay. If you buy, you risk seeing another one way cheaper soon. If you don't buy, you risk never seeing another! depends on how Murphy usually treats you!

As you have suggested from your comments, you could not buy a new rifle with the qaulities you want for $140. So in that sense, the price may be right for you.

Take care,

Tom

 

[JWF III]

I love my Rem 511. It was my first rifle, and only outranked by my Stevens 311 as being my first gun. We got the 511 for $99 with no "yellow sheet". But it would grade out in the high 90% range, and this was 23 years ago.

The sight ramp shouldn't make or break you on owning this particular rifle. Numrich Gun Parts has the part for $2.40 (+ S&H I'm sure).

From your description of the rifle, if you could get it for <$100 it may be a good buy, simply because they're not making anymore. You may even be willing to go as high as $100. That's just your call.

These rifles continue to slowly increase in value. Simply because no current company can compete in the quality of the rifle, and no current rifle has the features available in the older rifles. Once people buy these rifles, they'll likely be holding on to it. Even in this poor economy, selling the gun to a dealer for $50 isn't going to pay many bills. People are more apt to sell a higher value gun, even though they're taking a bigger hit on it. So there's less on the market.

This might be a bit of a thread drift, but I have a question that I'd love an answer to (specifically from a manufacturer). I have several old .22s, from both Winchester and Remington, they are in both single shot and magazine feed form. All but one have the original iron sights, the other is a 52b that wears a Tasco 3x-9x scope. Here's the question...

Each of these guns will shoot groups limited stictly by the shooter's eyesight, one ragged hole at 25 yards. The groups from the 52b can be covered by the rim of a .22lr case. Why can't current companies (like Marlin, Savage, etc.) produce a gun that shoots tighter than dime size groups at the same range? The knowledge was there years ago, but not there now. The old rifles are proof that it can be done for a reasonable price. But it seems like the current manufacturers don't give a d@#N about reaching that level of quality. All they care about is reaching the level in terms of profit margin.:banghead::banghead:

OK, sorry about the drift. Rant over. Continue...

Wyman

PS- But it still sticks in my craw...

 

[Spartan2112]

To JWF III:

Your rant is one of the reasons why I have developed an interest in collecting older rifles, specifically bolt-action rimfires. That and for a beginning collector, they are an affordable niche. Interesting you mention a Stevens 311 as I'm looking for one of those as well.

Rant on.

Back in the 70's I learned how to shoot on my dad's pre-WW2 Marlin 81, In youth competitions I did very well with it against kids who showed up with daddy's competition Anschutz and razzed me for using an old squirrel rifle.

Later I enjoyed taking it to the range and shooting everyone else's targets - one shot - one can dancing, and then picking one can to keep dancing until I ran out of ammo - whilst they played gunsmith instead of shooter on their tricked out SKS or the like.

Although these .22 rifles were in most cases turned out by the hundreds of thousands, they were build by artisans who took pride in their industrial craft - and were backed by the front office.

This is not to say that there are not such artisans are at work today, but like our domestic auto industry, the firearms industry front office has been infected by the bean counters - and the lawyers. There is something to be said for smooth blued barrels WITHOUT the "warning read the manual" boilerplate.

Rant off.

I appreciate everyone's comments and info thus far. It is starting to look like this post is evolving into a "why I like classic rimfires" thread.

 

[engravertom]

Well, I like classic rimfires too.

I have a Ranger Model 35, that was restored by my co workers. I also have an Oregon Arms Chipmunk made around 1990. All steel and walnut. A very nice little rifle. I consider it a part of that older, classic genre.

Today, I did end up winning that Model 67 on gunbroken, ( as we call it at work!). It will end up costing me $135 including shipping. We will see how it looks in a week or so.

I had the Ranger at the range last week, and the Chipmunk today. very pleasant shooting. It is very relaxing to load one, close the bolt, and cock it, then fire.

Rinse and repeat.

It's funny, but in centerfire, I prefer falling blocks, while in rimfire, for some reason I prefer the bolt action single shot. I did not shoot growing up, so nostalgia is not directly involved in that sense. I just like them! also, it is a good beginning collector niche, to my mind also.

Hope you end up with that 511!

I'll probably try to get a 41 and a 33 in the Remington line sometime. It looks like the 510 cocks when the bolt is operated, and I think I prefer the manual cock style. NO reason, i just do.

if nothing else, you started a cool thread!

take care,

Tom

 

[sgtbear]

Last week a Rem 511-P with the target peep sights and the 5-6 round mag followed me home for $100. Stock is exc and responded to Scotts Furn Wax. The case colors are still on the bolt. Overall guess 85 percent. It sure groups well, ragged holes with PMC subsopnic HP. Not drilled for scope and going to leave it that way.The peep sights saved me from having to put glass on it.

 

[Spartan2112]

It's mine now

I went back to look at it again and was kind of surprised - it was in better shape than I had thought - that's what happens when posting late at night and trying to remember details that one did not write down on initial observation. Perhaps I was a little more critical of this gun as I had recently made the mistake of "falling in lust" with a previous purchase or two.

The stock finish is not "varnishy" - in fact it looks original. I did notice a hairline crack in the forestock near the barrel that looks like it was repaired. The wear on the bluing is not as bad as I thought, and yes - case colors are still very much evident on the bolt and trigger. Despite the missing chunk of the buttplate and sight elevator, I would grade this gun in the 80% range. With replacement of the missing/broken parts, I think 85% is not unreasonable.

Manufacture date was May of 1945 - yes - it's a "VE month" gun and I bought it today of all days. The shop had obtained it from an estate sale from whom they believe was the original owner.

The deal was sweetened with two extra factory six-round magazines.

Numrich Gun Parts has the buttplate and rear sight elevator, so this project is good to go. I'm not going to mess with the stock finish or bother to reblue it at this point.

OK, the price? $125 and I don't think that is so bad considering the extra magazines that were not part of the original deal - and it really does not need refinishing. The parts from Numrich will run around $25 shipped.

Look out all ya little nut biters and carrot crunchers . . .

 

[wbill]

How did you do with the replacement buttplate? I have been staring at mine that I got from Numich, but it is going to take some playing with to make it fit. What so you use to grind it down and polish the edges?