Unit 16: Pistols and Rifles

Lesson 57: Crossman Model 130/1300 Pistol

Although this is about BB/Pellet rifles, it is important to know and understand the workings of these pistols and rifles. For example, I was not aware that the M140/1400 rifle was near capable of firing a the same velocity as a .22 rimfire short. That is something I think a lot of people do not know. 

The disassembly and reassembly seem fairly easy and simple, though not always necessary for the M130/1300. I had an M130 (pre1970 built) when I was a kid, these are very accurate and powerful for a BB pistol. One thing most people do not realize is that these are not throw away toys. These have been used for small game hunting where a conventional firearm is not the best choice. 

Lesson 58: Remington Pocket Pistol Model 51 

This is a pretty interesting piece. The 3-safety mechanism seems a bit overkill but also works out nicely for it. A fairly easy firearm to use, disassemble and reassemble, was a great value for its time and a reliable firearm. 

This lesson is completely about the Colt .45 M1911A1. They were the choice of the U.S. military for over 60 years. They are eligible but do have their issues. Diagnosing these issues can prove troublesome and should be handled by a more experienced gunsmith as most times this will be a lengthy job and should never be rushed. Another shorter lesson but the information and instructions contained in it is huge. 

Browning Model 1922 pistol 

Browning is, was and will always be one of the best-known manufacturers and designers of firearms. There are so many designs that other manufacturers use to this day that Browning came up with. The Browning pistols, .22, .380, .25 and 9 MM are all built on a very similar platform with few and minor differences other than the caliber.  

Reliability and durability are key as was how quickly the 1922 can be stripped down and reassembled. 

Lesson 59: Savage Model 110/110c Rifle (CF) 

This lesson is a little larger than the previous few. Covering the Savage seems to be a task as there are several variations to this rifle. The differences are actually very significant compared to other rifles with different variations. I like that all of these variants were gone over in some aspect. Learning the letter designations and what they mean or the upgrade they represent was pretty neat. The interchangeability between models (in the later years) are still not completely interchangeable. 

What I thought was cool and informative was the evolution of the cartridge. This alone is a valuable piece. Knowing how they came about, what they look like and what they are used for from the .22 long rifle, to the .223, 30-30 45 magnums. They all have their own special purpose and paired with the ballistics, this is a great deal of knowledge to have.  

Lesson 60: Remington Model 11/48, Sportsman 48 Semi-Auto Shotgun 

A very short lesson but covers all the different aspects and changes made over time. As time progressed so did the mechanisms, this is in turn leads to a few more steps in the disassembly and reassembly and in the diagnoses of any issues.  

I will say, the expanded diagrams in this lesson are very clear and detailed compared to a few throughout this course. 

Lesson 61: Browning .22 LR Semi-Automatic Rifle (RF) 

Sometimes short lessons have a lot of information and we just don’t see it. However, in this lesson it is obvious. From how the ammunition is held in the tube and the capacity it has depending on the cartridge( 11 long, 16 short) to how mounting a scope can hinder the disassembly of the firearm. The best part was the rear sight setting for distance; this is valuable.  

Written by J. Jacobs, The MGS Experience Student