Found a 30-40 Krag at a pawn shop, help me?

[cruddymutt]

Stopped by one of the few pawn shops that sell guns. Found a 30-40 Krag. It looked to be in awesome shape. Bore was shiney and I saw rifling but it looked worn. How define was the rifling in these?
It said Model 1898 (I think) on the side and Springfirld Armory. I looked up stocks and I believe this one to be sportered at the fore-end. Metal looked really good and action was pretty smooth.
They wanted $450. I know next to nothing of these rifles. I shot one once and it was fun. What do I need to look for? Is the price good?
I dont reload (yet) and I assume ammo in next to impossible to find. I do know a guy who sells his own handloads locally and he has 30-40 (lead no jacket) ammo.
They also had a beautiful M1 Underwood for $800 and a Swiss sawback bayo in excellent shape for $200. Also some Enfields but again I am clueless on them as well and they arent on my radar just yet.

[Palimino Stripe]

If it's ONLY the wood that's been cut- that's a ok price. Hardly a good deal. But not too bad. That being said- you can find them cheaper in the same condition if you keep your eyes peeled long enough... If it has been sporterized in other ways (i.e. cut metal, scoped or D&T'ed, pistol grip added to the stock, etc...) then it's way overpriced.

Krags are a PRIME example of why everyone shouldn't go around sporterizing the cr@p out of "cheap" milsurps; it devalues them considerably.

-Palimino

P.s. If you do seriously consider buying it- do some independet research. Look around the "internets."

[smle-man]

Not an attractive price for a sporterized Krag. These arms were sporterized in the 20s when the DCM was practically giving them away to NRA members. There was little interest in collecting firearms then - they were for using and not accumilating.

[cruddymutt]

Thanks everyone. I knew when I saw it I needed to do more research. I just dont know enough about them and havent really looked into one. Im more of a Mosin and Mauser guy and thats what I stopped in there to look for.
I need to do more research on US arms in general. Kinda dont have a clue when it comes to any of them.

[incredablehefey]

i have one for sale that has been sporterized, check it out for a price reference, no one seems to interested in it for $400

[Milsurp Collector]

It said Model 1898 (I think) on the side and Springfirld Armory. I looked up stocks and I believe this one to be sportered at the fore-end.

Are you sure it isn't a carbine? They look like a sporterized rifle.

I need to do more research on US arms in general. Kinda dont have a clue when it comes to any of them.

Let me recommend two books. Yes, books. The Internet is great and all but it doesn't replace a good gun book library.

First is Bolt Action Military Rifles of the World http://www.amazon.com/Military-Full-...5832135&sr=1-1



This is a great general guide to, as the title states, bolt action military rifles of the world. It is arranged by country so you can learn all about Serbian\Yugoslavian rifles, or Italian rifles, or Swiss rifles, or US rifles, etc. It is beautifully illustrated with color photos, that's why it costs a little more, but it is great for learning the basics about rifles you are not familiar with. For example, click on the link to see one page from the section on Krags http://i52.tinypic.com/qq3jix.jpg

A good general book for learning about US arms is US Infantry Weapons of World War II http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Infantry-W...5834612&sr=1-1



It covers not only US World War II rifles, but also edged weapons, handguns, shotguns, machine guns, flame throwers, etc. Since many of the weapons used in World War I were also used in World War II (the M1911, M1903, M1917, BAR, etc.) it covers pretty much everything used by the US in the first half of the 20th century.

[weekend_plinker]

My brother owns one , I found a shop in the Santa Barbara area who makes new ammo for the Krag.I do not remember his price but his shop name is http://www.customcartridge.com/ hope this helps if you need ammo

[incredablehefey]

i have always been told that this front sight was the common replacement when the government sporterized the guns. I could defiantly be wrong considering the age of the gun and the age of me!

[PEZHEAD265]

Check out the Underwood if it has the early features such as a flip up sight,no bayo lug,push button safety and a high wood stock it is a steal at 800.

[jamesob]

there are some krags that people think are sporterized, but they are not.

[cruddymutt]

I should have taken a picture of it. The forend looked nothing like any of the military config. ones I have seen. It did not look like a carbine either. Ill head back down there in a couple days and try to snap a few pictures if they will let me.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

there are some krags that people think are sporterized, but they are not.

The opposite is also true...

I can't tell you how many times I've been offered a "Phillipine Constabulry Rifle".

Depending on what kind of mood I'm in, I've been known to reply to that with: "Where were you scuba diving when you found it?"