New member introductions thread ......

[RyMoeller]

Howdy,

I'm a new member who came across this forum while researching data on vintage military compasses. I haven't collected much to to this point as my interest is mostly piqued by field instruments such as compasses and watches (which do at times cross over with military artifacts). I will say I'm astounded by the knowledge of the forum members and have found myself deep into the threads the past week though. Who knows where this will lead!

[Richinsd]

Greetings;

From the flyover country where business can still be done on a handshake and we are not afraid to look at strangers in the face and say good morning.

I have spent most of my life shooting and carrying firearms as a hunter, competitor and 28 yrs. as a LEO. Most of those years were spent as a police firearms instructor as well. One of my long time interests has been shooting and collecting those old military war horses and putting them back in action once again with cast bullets. It is quite amazing how well some of them will shoot with cast lead. Often better than jacketed.

Most all of my time now is spent at the range at the bench wringing out one of these old surplus rifles. The current project is a Venezuelan 94-30 FN 7x57 short rifle.

And through the summer I am a regular shooter at the Cast Bullet Assoc. Military bench matches in the area.

Am looking forward to exploring this forum.

Rich

[Winbuster]

Just wanted to say hello to all forum users and introduce myself.

I live in the part of Kent that during WW2 was referred to as Hellfire Corner. These days there's not so much 'Hellfire' as there used to be but I'm within earshot of our local military range at Hythe and regularly hear gunfire on the wind.

I retired three years ago and decided to take up rifle shooting to get me outdoors at the weekend. It's great! I can get my fresh air (perfumed with a little powder reek) whilst lying down. I joined a local club and, after six months probation period and a year of full membership, I applied for and obtained my Firearms Certificate.

I shoot as often as I can but as there are no convenient public ranges I can only shoot at booked shoots on the military ranges. Usually twice a month. I have rifles in .308, .223, .38/.357, and .22 but I had a slot on my ticket for a .303 and spent some time making up my mind about which rifle to select. The obvious choice would have been a Lee-Enfield in one or other mark but I also wanted a rifle that would shoot very acccurately in Service Rifle comps. As a Brit I have great regard for L-Es, and may well obtain one further down the line, but I made the decision in favour of a P14. I may hear some objections from L-E shooters on the matter of accuracy but, knowing that P14s were selected for sniping in WW2, and that fewer of them were made, I bit the bullet.

I had the good fortune to see a late production (last 15,000) Winchester P14 advertised on one of our gun trading sites and, after hearing from the seller's gunsmith on the condition, I bought it. I think I got a bargain as included in the deal came a (modern) 44mm zoom scope and rail, a Parker TZ 3/53 sight, over 100 once-fired cases, and 250 FMJ bullets. The rifle itself is cosmetically an 8.5/10 and has its ladder sights and volley sights intact.

Although the barrel was far from shot out, I made the decision to re-barrel. Initially I made enquiries about a Criterion barrel but I managed to locate a gunsmith who had a new original barrel, still in its Cosmolene, which is currently being fitted.

I've bought Skennerton's and Stratton's books for reference but you can't beat a forum for the breadth and depth of practical knowledge - so here I am.

I'd be happy to hear anyone's thoughts and advice about any aspect of the P14 and the shooting of it. I intend using my own reloads based on the military specs but would be glad of the benefit of wiser and more experienced shooters' input.

Have a good summer.

Buster

[Kughel]

Hello
I found this forum searching hints about my (1st??) No.4 Mk.1 Long Branch I'm restor..... no no, just "cleaning" (far better this way) this days.
Just realized that trying to know something about the past of the lady is nearly impossible, but who cares: I'm really enjoying every very minute I'm spending in my "Bat Cavern" (this name is wife's copyright ^^) working on the project.
Being, since longtime, shameless I'll post some pics of the finished work in few days.
Have a nice life.
Regards
Alec

[ShkTech]

Hi there,

ShkTech from The Netherlands here.
I'm more of a reader then a poster, but here I am anyway

Best regards

[fitch10]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum. I recently purchased a Springfield 1903 and I'm here to learn and also try to find out if it's safe to shoot. It's a high s/n (10572xx - don't know if it's OK to post the full s/n).

So it seems the receiver is safe but it's the bolt I think may be too old since it has a single "S" on the bottom of the safety lug. I can't find any other markings on the bolt assembly.

Let me know if you would like pictures of the rifle and if so should I use this post or create a new one?

Thanks!

[SPRINT-GTO]

Hi Fellas,
Been lurking for a while but recently purchased a Lee Enfield No. 1 MK 3 rather cheaply. This was because the rifle had splits in the lower forend,
I am now searching for replacement wood but not having a great deal of luck.
Initially I believed someone here in OZ or in the UK was producing repro timber parts for the Lee Enfield but have had no success in this area. Anybody assist in this regard ??.
I am presently even looking at purchasing another cheap "smellie" as a parts rifle to remove the timber.
Would naturally prefer to just purchase the replacement timber part but it seems it may not be readily available.

Cheers

[Jonesy19]

Hey ya'll! FNG from La., I have loved military rifles for many years and regret ever selling one of them! Remember when 98k's were $90?! Ah the good old days. Anyway, great to be here!

[jwausa1]

Hello All: I joined this forum on July 4th.... New to Garand Ownership and looking for Tricks to Improve Rifle Performance and Accuracy.... Have reloading experience dating back 35 years and spent Ten Years Running a Successful Gun Retail Store through the eighties until late 1992.

I have built Ultra-Light AR-15 and AR-10 Rifles.... I buy certain Manufacturers Parts Direct as an OEM, however, I choose to build Select Rifle combinations in very low annual numbers.

5.56 and .308 have been my calibers of choice, but I am really into Bench Shooting and Reloading my M-1D Garand.... I have installed National Match Sights from all USGI parts...

John

[JenJo]

Hi, I'm a new member.
I came here specifically to see if anyone could help me out on some information on a scope I have. It's a weird one. I'm a pretty good researcher but I'm coming up with zip. Where would I post for this? Help a girl out, eh?
Thanks,
Jen