Montgomery Wards 30/30

[alfsauve]

Got to the range with the beater 30/30.   It's a Mongomery Wards M728 made by Marlin.  Seen many better days.

So I just stood like a man on my two hind legs and fired away.   

First it didn't kick as hard as I remember shooting one 30 years ago.   And second it (and I) were evidently in a groove.   Now this is an indoor range, and since I didn't know where the sights were lined up, I shot at 15 yds.



Pictures when I get the chance.   Put 100 rounds through my AR 15 varmint to, just to exercise it.  Nothing spectacular.

Time permitting from work, I'll pick up my FN FNAR tomorrow.   

[Hazcat]

Nothing is more reliable that a decent 30/30.  They 'been there and done that' for a LOOOOOOOOOONG time now.


BTW 'decent' is a 6 inch pattern at 100 yards in my book.  Yer gonna kill anything ya hit.

[rojawe]

Many many old 30-30s still out there and shooting goooooood

[alfsauve]

So here's the rest of the story.    Yep, traded my Taraus TCP back in and used the credit to buy the cheapest 30/30 they had.

An old Mongomery Wards.   Has a safety on the left side.   The trigger assembly is built into the lever.  No lever safety like I noticed all the new ones have.

And as I posted above, shots pretty darn good.

[tombogan03884]

Looks like you got  deal.
Older gun may have or gain some collector value, outside looks beat so you don't have to worry about scratching the finish, but it seems to shoot good.

[Sponsor]

[ellis4538]

Beauty is as beauty does!  Shoots pretty good for a 30-30 not knowing where at first.

Richard

[Pathfinder]

Looks like you got  deal.
Older gun may have or gain some collector value, outside looks beat so you don't have to worry about scratching the finish, but it seems to shoot good.

Nice "Marlin", Alf. Any idea what model Marlin the MW version is taken from? Numrich and gun-data come up empty on a Wards  or Westernfield M728.

I have a first model year Marlin 336RC, made 1948. There is very limited "value" for these, Tom, even one with history like mine. Marlin no longer blues lever guns older than mid-50's IIRC. A local gunsmith suggested cold blue - my 336 is not quite as rough as Alf's - to cover the pitting and the numbers scratched in the left side of my receiver.

$150 seems to be the going rate for old Marlin .30-30's - that's what I spent on mine too at a pawn shop. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't just go ahead and have a local guy or Alhman's reblue it. Trouble is, the cost of cleaning, sand-blasting and hot bluing is almost double what I paid for the rifle.

[CJS3]

For a field gun, I've found steel wool and engine block paint cover up a lot of years.

[alfsauve]

I know almost nothing about Marlin's models, so I can't place it.   I found the safety sort of odd.  It's just a hammer block, not really a safety.   The hammer still falls if you pull the trigger.   Just can't reach the firing pin.

I don't intend to do anything with it.  Not research it's history, re-blue it, put on a scope, na-da.   It goes in the back of the safe with a couple hundred rounds of ammo and can snuggle up to the Mosin for company.   It'll come out probably either at the EOTWAWKI or after my funeral when the kids are trying to find out where all their inheritance went.

[twyacht]

Outside of my Grandfather's "Wards Western Field" Bolt Action .410,with threaded Mossberg barrel choke, that is the only other "Wards" one I have seen.

Wards used Mossberg for many a firearm back in the day.

It may actually be a Mossberg Model 472. Also known as a brush gun. If you need parts, here's a link:

http://www.havlinsales.com/

Good shooter, Alf, keep oiled, damn the look purdy part, and it will last a long long time.