USMA-82
NES Member
Last weekend I stopped by Renaissance Firearms in Gonic, NH (just south of Rochester off Route 125). I had never been in before, but heard good things from others.
Wouldn't you know it - the owner, Ernie, just got in a bunch of milsurp rifles. When I was there, there was an FAL, several SKS's, several Enfileds, and a Mosin or two. But there was also this:
Unfortunately, not all matching, and the muzzle brake is a repro, not an original. But, it has at least 95% (+) bluing, a really nice stock, and decent barrel. I just about crapped my pants when I saw it marked at only $365.00.
I asked Ernie about it - and he told me several people had looked at it, but didn't know much about them. Also, for some reason, the bolt carrier would not lock back. Well, when I told Ernie I knew a little about the rifles, he pulled out a gun vise, his bore light, and any tools I needed. I discovered the firing pin had broken off and was wedged at the back of the receiver. Two seconds later, it was out of there, and the carrier locked back just fine!
After I put the rifle back together, I asked Ernie for his best price. He said, $275.... I said "SOLD!" So, for $295 (had to buy the replacement firing pin), I now have the rifle you see above.
Oh, one other goodie.... Ernie said the owner brought the gun in with a .50 ammo box of ammo, so he threw that in as well! Inside were approx. 200 rounds of 7mm Mauser surplus (FN 70), a handful of .30 carbine rounds, some .308 and some .223 rounds! And two Garand clips! Holy crap!
I brought the rifle to the range yesterday after installing the firing pin (2-piece), and found it shot very well with the surplus - even better than with commercial ammo. I'll have to work up a few loads to see what she'll do.
In summary - if you're ever in the Rochester, NH area, be sure to stop in to see Ernie. Nice guy, nice deals.
Wouldn't you know it - the owner, Ernie, just got in a bunch of milsurp rifles. When I was there, there was an FAL, several SKS's, several Enfileds, and a Mosin or two. But there was also this:
Unfortunately, not all matching, and the muzzle brake is a repro, not an original. But, it has at least 95% (+) bluing, a really nice stock, and decent barrel. I just about crapped my pants when I saw it marked at only $365.00.
I asked Ernie about it - and he told me several people had looked at it, but didn't know much about them. Also, for some reason, the bolt carrier would not lock back. Well, when I told Ernie I knew a little about the rifles, he pulled out a gun vise, his bore light, and any tools I needed. I discovered the firing pin had broken off and was wedged at the back of the receiver. Two seconds later, it was out of there, and the carrier locked back just fine!
After I put the rifle back together, I asked Ernie for his best price. He said, $275.... I said "SOLD!" So, for $295 (had to buy the replacement firing pin), I now have the rifle you see above.
Oh, one other goodie.... Ernie said the owner brought the gun in with a .50 ammo box of ammo, so he threw that in as well! Inside were approx. 200 rounds of 7mm Mauser surplus (FN 70), a handful of .30 carbine rounds, some .308 and some .223 rounds! And two Garand clips! Holy crap!
I brought the rifle to the range yesterday after installing the firing pin (2-piece), and found it shot very well with the surplus - even better than with commercial ammo. I'll have to work up a few loads to see what she'll do.
In summary - if you're ever in the Rochester, NH area, be sure to stop in to see Ernie. Nice guy, nice deals.
![[wink]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/002.gif "Wink [wink]")
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
) 
uts on thief mask and runs away into the night::: ![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
