Scope/no scope on a Remington 511?

[DRPoolio]

The 511 just passed down from my Dad has a (best I can tell) 1945 born on date. It was not drilled for scope mounts nor is it grooved like some of the later models.

So the question is....have it drilled? Leave it original? Would it be blasphemy to customize an original?

It shoots great, it's not a collector by any means so there is no concern about lost value. It's a family gun, that's worth much more than a couple bucks anyway.

I'm torn...Your thoughts?

[ch47gunner]

Keep it as is - pass it on to your kids.
Spend the drill & tap/scope/rings money on another .22 rifle.
Lots of inexpensive .22's out there.
Sentimental value - priceless.

[Izzy43]

Keep it as is - pass it on to your kids.
Spend the drill & tap/scope/rings money on another .22 rifle.
Lots of inexpensive .22's out there.
Sentimental value - priceless.

Agree. Also, for some reason, may gunsmiths will not drill and tap older rifles. Maybe due to thin metal or age of the metal. Not sure why but I have read many posts where others have had problems finding a gunsmith to do this.

[ironhorse1]

It's your call on scoping it or not.

I have a grooved model and replaced the sight with a Deerfield 4X that I had laying around.

It sure looks good to me. I need to get on the 100 yard line to find out how it groups.

The 511 is a nice bolt gun and a scope makes it even better.

irh

[mosinnagantm9130]

I'd leave it original, plenty of new .22s to scope if you wanted one.

The 5xx series rifles are fun with either irons or scoped, but personally I'd leave a non-D&T 5xx alone.

[TRAP55]

I'd leave it original, plenty of new .22s to scope if you wanted one.

The 5xx series rifles are fun with either irons or scoped, but personally I'd leave a non-D&T 5xx alone.

+1

[bigbossman]

I picked up a youth sized Remington 514 a long time ago for my daughter when she was llittle. I did a trigger job on it, and had a gunsmith drill and tap the receiver for a lyman peep sight and dovetail the front of the barrel for a Lyman globe.

She went Distinguighed Expert Light Rifle with that gun the day before her 10th birthday.

She's in her second year of college now, and I still have the rifle. I should sell it to another up-and-comer, but I can't bear to let it go just yet.

My advice? Do with it what you will to let you enjoy it to its fullest. They are nice little rifles, but not priceless collectables.

[TRAP55]

The 511 just passed down from my Dad

Not a priceless "collectable", but still priceless.

I should sell it to another up-and-comer, but I can't bear to let it go just yet.

Did you give up on having grandkids?

[TMB 1]

If it was mine I wouldn't scope it, but if my vision was so bad I needed a scope and had to. I would look for vintage scope and mounts to do it with.

[donw]

i have a model 510.

i had it drilled and tapped; it now has a Simmons 4x32, 22 mag, scope living on it.

it's NOT a 'tack driver'...but very near it.

from what I've read and seen, the 5xx series rifles are not 'collectible' but some do have great sentimental value to owners.

when i got the rifle it was in very bad condition and i had to do something to 'revive' it: shortened the barrel by 6" as it was badly worn at the muzzle from incorrect cleaning with a steel cleaning rod, re-crown, replace the missing bolt, and replaced the oil damaged stock that was simply falling apart.

in all, scoping a 511 is not a bad idea, IF you choose to do so. they're accurate, reliable and will probably outlast me.

my 510 was manufactured in 1939...they were discontinued in 1960-61.

[mosinnagantm9130]

from what I've read and seen, the 5xx series rifles are not 'collectible' but some do have great sentimental value to owners.

Depends on the model.

The 513 can get pricey, especially "upgraded" T versions, and stock S versions.

[bigbossman]

Depends on the model.

The 513 can get pricey, especially "upgraded" T versions, and stock S versions.

I have a 513T that I bought from the CMP for $100 way back when. A fabulous little gun, and an absolute tack-driver. That rifle took me all the way to Distinguished Expert in NRA 4 Position - using Remington Thunderbolt ammo.

I'll be one of the last guns I will ever sell...... if I ever sell.