Author Topic: Martini in .22 Mag  (Read 643 times)

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Offline Slash5

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Martini in .22 Mag
« on: November 26, 2003, 02:58:09 PM »
I've got an opportunity to buy a BSA Martini that has been rechambered for .22 Mag. I have heard that .22 Mag and .22 long rifle have different bore sizes. Is this worth following up on? It's a very good price.

Offline Buford

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Martini
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2003, 04:09:22 PM »
Buy any Martini you can find at a "very good price" - they are getting hard to find.  Have a competent gunsmith check it over and, if necessary, have it bored and a sleave put in it.

Offline Lefty Behind

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Martini 22 Mag.
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2003, 02:34:56 AM »
If it really is a reasonable price, buy it.
I had a martini 22lr that I sent to a gunsmith (who shall remain nameless) for a re-chamber to 22mag.  Should have been a fairly simple operation and it is perfectly safe.  He was way late on the job and then told me that when he was working on the crown the liner came loose.  I did't know the gun had a liner but took his word for it.  MANY more dollars later I had my gun returned to me with a Shilen barrel chambered in 22mag.  A scope base hole was stripped and the forearm hole was mislocated, but that gun shoots!
I have too much money in mine, and it's buggered, but if you can get one reasonable I'd say you'd have a keeper (assuming that the bore is good).
                                       Lefty
BTW, If you find a good Martini 'smith, let me know.  I sent a full size martini to another gunsmith along with a new replacement barrel and payment in full over a year ago and though he sent my gun back to me (he didn't do any work on it, he fell ill), I'm still waiting on my refund and barrel to come back.

Offline Slash5

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Martini in .22 Mag
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2003, 03:41:42 PM »
Was set to go see the gun when I got a call from the owner. He was cleaning the gun and noticed that the cleaning patch felt a bit loose at one spot in the barrel. He came to the conclusion that there was a bulge in the barrel. He told me that it doesn't show on the outside but it can be felt when cleaning.
Went to see it anyways. It was in pretty good shape. Faded bluing, one small spot of surface rust. About what I expected of a 70 odd year old gun. Correct Parker Hale sights with adjustable aperture disk. Had Canadian Military markings.
The owner told me that if I still wanted it, I could have it for $50. Thats about $38 US. Told him that was a bit ridiculous so gave him $75. About $58 US.
Just dropped it off today at a gunsmith to have a .17 barrel liner installed and chambered for .17HMR. Been dying to try a .17, now I've got an excuse.

Offline Lefty Behind

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WOW
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2003, 03:47:14 PM »
Wow!   Sounds like you got the deal of the year on that one!
Be sure to post how it shoots when you get it back.  
                        TDLefty