[Annie Oakley]

Can anyone tell me about these? I just picked one up in a pawnshop yesterday with a Weaver scope on it. It has the original sights (strange array of front sights). It's a little loose in the stock, but that's easy enough to fix. There's no serial number on it. Any guesses as to age? I'm also curious about what the (a) means after the model and how it differs from other 46B rifles.

Thanks,
Annie

 

[rosscoe]

i have several of these rifles but am not an expert yet ,unless i look them up in certain books.go to havlin sales & services web site,you will be pleased.also there is a site which shows pictures and info on all these old rifles.i just can't remember it right now. maybe some one else will jump in and help us out.these are wonderful old guns and shoot very good.ross

 

[Solddaboat]

It's all a matter of different sights..

46B(a) was produced in 1946 and 1947

It differs from the original 46B that was produced from 1938 to 1946 with the S-104 rear peep, only in that they changed to the S-100 rear peep sight.

The 46B(b) was produced from 1947 to 1949 it differs only because the rear sight was once again changed to the S-130

Mossberg did not put serial numbers on their rifles until after the "Gun Control Act" of 1968... so no manufacturer numbers on anything made before 1968.

Front sight S-101 should have hood...

Here are a couple of websites with a wealth of Mossie info...

http://home.epix.net/~damguy/

http://www.geocities.com/sloopitol2/1Openingpage.html

 

[rosscoe]

i was hoping soldaboat would reply and he did.i think he is the guru on this stuff.ross

 

[Solddaboat]

No guru... Just have a few books....

 

[rosscoe]

damguy was the site i was trying to remember,thanks soldaboat.ross

 

[rosscoe]

i have some books also,but don't type very good.ross

 

[rosscoe]

Sorry I didn't put two d's in solddaboat. ross

 

[Solddaboat]

There is a difference in selling "a" boat and "da" boat....

Just a hole in the water to pour money into...

Now I spend it all on Mossberg's.....lol

 

[rosscoe]

i seem to be spending it all on old mossbergs now, instead of something with an engine attached.ross

 

[Peter in CA]

Annie, et all,
I also have just now purchased a Mossberg 46B(a). It appeared to be in pretty nice condition with the S-100 rear sight. The front sight has the fold down posts, etc, but no sight hood. Does anyone know where I might purchase a front sight hood?

Peter in CA

 

[rosscoe]

i bought a universal sight hood from numrich several years ago,it's ok but of course not original.you would have to search it out on their website.if you happen to have one of their catalogs they are in the sights section near the back of the catalog.ross

 

[Solddaboat]

Try them 1st prices and shipping usually they have the best deal..

Check with Havlin Sales http://www.havlinsales.com/ they are the 1st line for parts and information on parts in the Mossberg 22 world.

 

[Peter in CA]

rosscoe, Solddaboat,
Thank you for your replies. I will check out the rifle thoroughly when I get it home and go parts shopping at the places that you have identified.

Peter in CA

 

[rosscoe]

solddaboat is very correct about havlins,i order from them quite often.i mentioned numrich only if you couldn't do any better.jack first in the dakotas is another option along with many others.ross

 

[fire for effect]

you can find them on Ebay as well.

FWIW, I find the Mossberg model 46B's the sexiest of all the Mossberg Rifles. Sleek and sexy. I have a Model 46B, Model 46B(a), Model 46B(b), as well as a Wards Westernfield variant, and a Moder 46M. I have many other Mossbergs, but these are my favorites.

 

[Peter in CA]

All,
We took my 'new' 46B(a) to the range a week or so back and my oldest daughter grabed it and kept it for the day. She enjoyed shooting it until the bolt got hard to lift after firing. She did pretty well with it too. I believe the bolt just needed some lubricant on the flat firing pin. It seemed kind of dry in there, but works fine now.

I have to tell you, it was a joy to see my two daughters firing away. My oldest with the Mossberg and my youngest with a Martini (full size Military carbine converted to .22LR). I was shooting a Winchester 52. What a fun day.

Peter in CA

 

[rosscoe]

what you are doing at the range with your children,is what all of us should strive for,keep up the good work.ross from nor-cal

 

[Peter in CA]

rosscoe,
Thank you. I want to be part of my daughters lives. Sometimes hard to do with teenagers. My youngest is now hard to keep from the range (we go to the Santa Clara County range in south San Jose). She LOVES to shoot and wants to go every weekend. We go as often as possible. I hope it lasts.

Peter in CA

 

[mossbergman]

Peter in Ca, when you ck with havlin sales ,if what you want is not onthe web site call them.there are just too many part to all be listed. he has parts coming and going daily.--JMJ--