No_0ne

Laminated stocks were used mostly as postwar replacements, they could be made from wood that was unsuitable for making solid stocks, will hold up better in harsh conditions and are generally less likely to crack.  Some laminates were used during the war, but it's fairly rare to find one of those today, especially if you are looking for a stock that is still mated to its original action.   The main difference in the $99 guns and the $139 guns is that they do not issue refunds or replacements for condition issues, you "take your chances" on these.  Some of them have scratches in the wood or bluing issues (thus "Grade B"), mechanically they are in no better or worse condition than the higher priced rifles.  All are postwar refurbs, there won't be much, if any difference in future value between either grade.

When was the last time you ate at a Burger Chef or a Big Boy restaurant?  Shopped at Woolsworths or a Merry-Go-Round store?  Flew on Eastern, Pan-Am or TWA?  Where are the products from Sony Betamax, Compaq and MCI Worldcom?  Saw a new Studebaker, Pontiac or Packard for sale?  Where is Enron, E.F. Hutton, and General Foods now?  All these companies were at one time highly profitable, many were among the leaders in sales and viability in their respective fields.  All are gone, some by merger and acquisition, some by bankruptcy, others due to fraud and mismanagement.  This is capitalism at work; when a company can no longer provide goods and services at a price that the market will bear, those companies go out of business.  While economic downturns may exacerbate and hasten the process, good companies survive the bad times and are often stronger than before, those who cannot adapt and change to meet shifting conditions go under.  It's the nature of the beast.

For some strange reason, I never seem to have this problem...

I don't know anything about Florida sheriffs, but here in Tennessee, being elected to county sheriff has often been a prelude to felony convictions and long prison terms...

At 100 grand a pop, I'd be using both hands to paint and crank them out as fast as possible...

Kind of like the guy who's looking to sell his classic Duesenberg, so he decides to take it to a pawn shop in Vegas?

Before you subject yourself to a case of mosinitis, let me suggest a couple of sites to you: http://www.mosinnagant.net/ http://7.62x54r.net http://russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?3-The-Collector-s-Forum-Mosin-Nagant-HQ The information at these sites ranks among the best available on the net, and there are many advanced (and not so advanced) collectors there who are more than willing to answer any of your questions. Normally, a judicious use of the search function will get most people more info than they ever wanted. As for the questions you posted in the thread, here's some brief info: Hex vs. round receivers - the original M91 and other models all used the so-called "hex" receiver, named because of the slab sided machining done to the forward portion of the receiver. Approximately 1935-36, the Soviet factories switched to a round receiver variant. There is no difference in strength or function, the change made machining quicker and easier as the Soviets were gearing up for potential wartime production. There were several other modifications made at the same time, all in the interest of cutting time and machining cost. Some collectors prefer the hex receiver rifles, primarily because they are older, and often seen as "prettier" guns. Russian vs. Chinese - I'm assuming you are referring to Mosins, the early Chinese T53"s were copies of the older Russian M44's with very little difference. As Chinese production continued long after the Soviets stopped producing Mosins, there are some very minor differences between the later variants. The T53's being sold today are sometimes in pretty rough shape, but there are exceptions. The M44's marketed through Classic Firearms and other vendors are very often in nice condition, but they are all postwar refurbished rifles (this is not a bad thing, it's just the way the Soviets handled and stored their older, obsolete weapons). In terms of Mosins, there were no German guns, although there is a receiver marking that some people have inferred to mean that these rifles spent some time in service in East Germany, but like most "facts" in the Mosin world, this is debatable. If your interest lies in SKS's, there are similar sites on the net, but I'll let others more knowledgeable than myself chime in on those. Welcome to the addiction!

Every time I see a reference to Henry II in some text or movie, I immediately picture  Peter O'Toole in my mind.  One of the great actors of all time.

I think this kid was in one of my classes...

Most folks have a hard time finding anything wrong with the PSA blems.

... or any Liberty Bowl I ever attended, it seemed more like an arctic expedition than a football game at most of them.

True.  There were also no popular presidential elections, electors were chosen by the state houses.  US senators were not elected directly, but appointed by their respective state governments.  I'm told this was to insure that the states retained some modicum of control over who represented their interests at the federal level, and restrained the influence of the "unwashed masses" over national politics.  It seems our founding fathers were far more suspicious of democratic processes than we today, perhaps we should consider whether the changes we have made since that time have really been for the better...

^This.  You cannot make a tailgater back off, in any safe or legal manner.  Speeding up only means that he will be tailgating you at higher speeds, and possibly closer as your response encourages his ignorant actions.  Pulling alongside the other driver only served to potentially escalate the situation, and leaves you open to criticism as being a second "jerk" on the road that day.  Signals, head shakes, hand gestures and arguing with bad drivers over their irresponsible behavior on the highway will never be an effective way of dealing with these types of situations.  "Don't argue with morons, as they will only drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience".

Where's my 22 cal deer rifle?  Need to get the entire family group though,  bet they don't yield much after field dressing...

Site description reports stock scratching from loosely packed bayonets.  Not an uncommon thing with the boxed Molot imports.  Good deal on refurbed 91/30's, not likely to be seen any cheaper in the future, as fewer shipments of these are arriving each year, and demand has increased steadily over the last 4 or 5 years.

Short answer for me is no, I haven't.  But I would guess that all lube would need to be removed prior to powdercoating, as "cleanliness is next to godliness" when coating most anything.

Swiss surplus GP11 ammo has by far the best reputation of surplus available.  Basically match grade from surplus.  Of course it's not as widely available and more pricey than other surplus calibers, but it is known as really good ammo.  It is Berdan primed, so if you want to save brass for reloading, commercial variants would be the way to go.

Don't most of the bullet manufacturers have suggestions online about load data?  If not specific loads, then suggestions on load data from similar bullets to use.

" when our team saved the life and possibly the virginity of the Mayor’s nephew, there was a special relaxation of the rules made for us"   ... this is where I lost it for the first time.  If good satire is an art form, this guy was a Michelangelo...

Playing the exchange game is a really neat way to bank a cool million...           ... that is,  providing you start out playing with 2 million.

... ^ this!

... fixed it for you.

... I think this horse must be part cat, it seems to have multiple lives...

,,, we don't need no stinkin' foreign dollars...

... probably not a wise investment strategy, hope this guy isn't close to retirement age...