I've got this idea that I want to buy a Mossberg 44US to shoot in my local vintage rifle match (until my tendonitis goes away, at least). I'm leaning toward the Mossberg for the same reason the government did: I can't afford a Springfield
Trying to educate myself by searching online has brought up more questions than answers, based on examples I've seen:
1) Some say 24" barrel, some 26" Are they both legit, or could the 24" have been cut down?
2) Are they "supposed" to be parkerized? (i.e. did Uncle Sam ever park them, or is it aftermarket?)
3) Sometimes the magazine has a round knob of some sort on the bottom. Sometimes it doesn't
4) Front sights: The basic dovetail certainly looks GI, but what about the hooded ones, or the interchangeable inserts?
5) Trigger guards...I understand they sometimes shrink (which Mawkie was able to fix; I saw his thread ) or break. Aftermarket replacements are available, and I think I can tell the difference between them and originals (not as shiny, casting marks). I've noticed that sometimes the trigger guard ends before the pistol grip (and is nicely inlayed), but sometimes it goes to the end of the pistol grip and is cut off flush (which doesn't look as nice). Is one more correct than the other? Is this a variation between the 44US, a, b, etc?
6) Phillip's head screws. I'm not used to seeing them on milsurps, but every single pic I've seen of 44US's have them...so I guess that's correct
Obviously I'm looking for a shooter, but it does have to be pretty darn "correct" to shoot in the match.
Thoughts/guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Trying to educate myself by searching online has brought up more questions than answers, based on examples I've seen:
1) Some say 24" barrel, some 26" Are they both legit, or could the 24" have been cut down?
2) Are they "supposed" to be parkerized? (i.e. did Uncle Sam ever park them, or is it aftermarket?)
3) Sometimes the magazine has a round knob of some sort on the bottom. Sometimes it doesn't
4) Front sights: The basic dovetail certainly looks GI, but what about the hooded ones, or the interchangeable inserts?
5) Trigger guards...I understand they sometimes shrink (which Mawkie was able to fix; I saw his thread ) or break. Aftermarket replacements are available, and I think I can tell the difference between them and originals (not as shiny, casting marks). I've noticed that sometimes the trigger guard ends before the pistol grip (and is nicely inlayed), but sometimes it goes to the end of the pistol grip and is cut off flush (which doesn't look as nice). Is one more correct than the other? Is this a variation between the 44US, a, b, etc?
6) Phillip's head screws. I'm not used to seeing them on milsurps, but every single pic I've seen of 44US's have them...so I guess that's correct
Obviously I'm looking for a shooter, but it does have to be pretty darn "correct" to shoot in the match.
Thoughts/guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks.