30 40 Krags

[Norton]

I thought I would throw these pics out there, If you guy have any Krags sporters or not post them. One is a stock 1989 Krag the other is my dad and my first deer rifle. It is a 1984 dated Krag, Ithink the barrel was cut down in the 1920s. My dad took the but plate off and instaled the Red head back in the Mid 1950s. He payed $30 for it then.. I love Krags they are built like a Swiss watch, you cannot describe the slickness of the bolts. But alas they are not as rugged as our beloved 1903s. These rifles can develop cracks in the recievers. So be carefull what type of rounds you shoot. But they shoot light handloaded cast lead bullets with ease. It is like taking an old workhorse for a slow walk in the country.

[wonderwolf]

I've thought about getting one..I see them sporterized around here in the $300-400 range. Guy had a all military one for sale 2 months ago at the local show for $500....I needed to change my pants after I saw how nice the barrel was.

[drine]

A friend of mine at work bought two guns from retiring supervisor. Health troubles and a lack of time caused him to sell a 1917 and a 30/40 Krag. The 1917 was OK heavily modified, but the Krag was in a wooden box and had one of the first scopes by Weaver on it. A little point reticle. Bore was good. Hang on to your panties boys. $200 for all!!!

[Seattlefungus]

You know the Marines used those in the Spanish American War and the Boxer rebellion in China? Hard hitting rifle! I was told the side mag design was so it could be loaded wearing mittens in the snow...

[drine]

A guy in my unit in Germany was from Minnesota. He said his dad had a 30-40 Krag in Vietnam using it as a sniper rifle. NO, I'm not making it up. Reckon it was GI BS101 or possible?

[drhall762]

I believe it. The Norwegians used three models for sniper rifles, the 1923, 1925 and 1930. All were 6.5mm but there is no reason one couldnot be pressed into service.

Dave :sniper:

[Jacobite]

I would love to have a 30-40 Krag but man they come dear.

[Seattlefungus]

I have a book written by one of the guys in the first sniper units in Vietnam. He said that when they were formed up. The organizers brought out all manner of rifles from WW1 on. The he tried the 1903A4, the M1C, the M14 with a scope, but fell in love with the Pre64 Winchester in 30.06. He stated there were all types of rifles and he only tried a few. So I really wouldn't surprized, except all of the rifles tested at that time were 30.06 except the M14.... Then in 1968 they changed to the Remington 700 (M-40) in 7.62, just so they could keep the supply people happy about not having to many differnt types of calibers in the inventory. (Which makes no sense as they used match ammo and the M1919 30 cal was still in much use in 30.06).

[Norton]

He said his dad had a 30-40 Krag in Vietnam using it as a sniper rifle. . Reckon it was GI BS101 or possible?

GI BS 101.. No question.

several thing spring to mind. We droped the 30 Cal Army(30/40) for the 30 06 becuase the Krag round did not shoot flat like the 7x57 we were up against in Cuba. The 30 06 shot much flater.
Second mounting scope on a Krag is difficult even for a seasoned gunsmith.

But most important.
What possible reason would the Army have to take a 1890s vintage Spanish American war rifle into a 1960s war? You could just have went to the Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Wards in 1965 and got a better sniper rifle for Vietnam use than a scoped Krag.
But on a simular note I have heard the myth of the WW 1 Winchester M 94 30 30 sent to Doughboys in France all my life. They did not send them to France for combat. The Army did buy and mark 'US Prop' M 94s for use by engineer troops cutting timber for new stateside Army camps.
There is some evidence that some were sent to troops building the Al-Can high way in 1942 as a forage rifle(hunting rifle)
I did see a grainy photo of US troops disembarking from a troop ship dated 1917.. There were what appeared to be Krags at Stack Arms on the dock.
I assume they traded these in for M 1917s latter.

[XO3319]

I remember passing some by at a 1992 gun show for about 300 apiece but bought a Garand for 250 instead

Wish I had picked at least one of them up