I had a buddy bring me a rifle yesterday. He is 20 and been trying to buy a rifle for a few years now. College dude paying it all by his self living on his own so he is broke. City boy, never owned a rifle, or been around guns except with me. I thought he learned a little bit from me but i guess not. Any how the rifle he brought me his uncle gave him. Who also has never been hunting knows nothing about this rifle and has never fired it. It was given to him by a relative who inherited and they also never hunted but the uncle at one point wanted to try out hunting but never did. So my buddy brings the rifle to me with his head held low and a little ashamed. Asked me to take a look at it cause him and his other buddy could not figure out what caliber it was and uncle had no clue either. Well they figured hey we will stick bullets in it and see which one fits. So they got a 243 bullet dropped it in the rifle and tried to close the bolt. The bullet got stuck in the chamber. Why god only know they wanted to see if this other bullet would fit in the magazine atleast. So he put in a 30-06 and the mag accepted it. But the 243 is still stuck in the chamber so he cant really do anything now. I think god made that bullet get stuck. If he happen to of found one that fit but was not the correct caliber I think it would of been ugly. So he finally ask me. I told him do not stick any more ammo in the gun, bring it over and dont try to close the bolt again. I put a 22 cal rod down and got the 243 out, popped right out with light tap. Then tried to push the " 30-06" up just enough with the bolt to get it to ride out of the mag enough so I could pop it out before it goes in the chamber. Worked like a charm. Looked at the back and it was a 270 cartridge. I told him if he ever did that again I would shoot him my self. Started cleaning the rust, and dust and and residue off and found a few markings. On the barrel it is stamped 257 and that is it. On the reciever it says model c 1909. Really hard to see pitted a bit from rust. So googled it and from what I find it is a mauser argentine model c1909. Other pictures the barrel was stamped with the 257 but was followed by roberts that I found online. But really could not find too much info and dont know anything about it. The youtube videos were all in spanish. I think it was only two of them. So with what I have told yall, what do you think. What can you tell me about the model, and or the mauser action? He does not have the money to take it to a gun smith which is what I told him to do in the first place but figured with the large brain on here someone knows a bit about it. Is it a good rifle? I have heard nothing but good things about mauser actions. Being robust and often customized. What about the caliber? Is it 257 roberts, or is there many other 257? I think weatherby I remember. Or is it the same thing. Anyhow sorry long story just wanted to give as much info as possiable. The bolt is smooth, and the trigger is just as good on it as my browning x bolt. Seems like a solid rifle. Just needs a GOOD cleaning, and know what type of ammo. I told him the first shot should be fired with the gun mounted in the lead sled with a string tied to it and hiding well behind a solid structure if he did not want to take it to a gunsmith. But I have a feeling he was given a pretty decent rifle. Atleast till school is done, and he can afford a better one.
Ps, I also told him i did not trust him with it and he would not be leaving with it. I am keeping it in my safe till I find out what it is, and if it is safe. I dont think he will mess with it anymore but he has friends. And no safe. He said he may just keep it here till he has a safe or done with school. Living in an apt with a bunch of other dudes where beer pong, and flip cup are king. He understand now just how bad it could of been. I pulled my 308 out and showed him the casing on the 243 is the same and the 243 will fit in the 308 with no problem. He got lucky. He was a little scared when leaving.
Ps, I also told him i did not trust him with it and he would not be leaving with it. I am keeping it in my safe till I find out what it is, and if it is safe. I dont think he will mess with it anymore but he has friends. And no safe. He said he may just keep it here till he has a safe or done with school. Living in an apt with a bunch of other dudes where beer pong, and flip cup are king. He understand now just how bad it could of been. I pulled my 308 out and showed him the casing on the 243 is the same and the 243 will fit in the 308 with no problem. He got lucky. He was a little scared when leaving.
Just kidding.
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