eb in oregon

Today I got to shoot for several hours with five friends. The tools available were impressive. With some others I'd brought my 5.7 Johnson Carbine. I shot 20 rounds of the 40 grain Hornet semi-spitzer loaded with 12 grains of H110 power and had no malfunctions which was reloaded ammunition that I had purchased this last year or so. The load I was told was supposed to be this, and pulling a cartridge demonstrated it was a 40 grain bullet and a 12 grain charge of what appeared to be H110. I have a large jug of it and it looks the same with a glass. While I had no malfunctions two others experienced failures to eject and one failure to feed. I'm thinking that 12 grains of H110 isn't enough. There is the issue of "dirty," but failures to extract after only 20 rounds seems weird for a battle rifle. The chronographed velocities had a standard deviation of about 758 fps with an average of 2400 or so. That's not good. I've had issues in the past loading a cartridge at low levels, and a smokey case pretty much states it was at a lower pressure than desirable and velocities were inconsistent. Just something to consider if reloading this cartridge. The best part was when those guys who shot it said "Man, this is a smoking gun, why haven't I heard of it and where can I get one." A chuckle and a sardonic smirk was the best I could manage. After a speech of who designed it, what is was capable of in a jungle environment (especially if select fire capable), and why it crashed because the caliber of ammunition was not supported by any ammunition manufacturer of worth. I had a great day as brunch and a beer followed.

This is opinion only. Cartridges with split necks are not collectable, and depending on the crack may not be shootable. Small cracks not advanced further than the neck my be shot one time and one time only. That's a decision the shooter will have to make based on their own experience. Dies are worth no more than what they are selling for new. 5.7MMJ may not be common, but new dies are available from several manufacturers. I once had two sets of dies and like an idiot I sold one set. Should have kept the set. 5.7MMJ is available from custom ammunition manufacturers, it sells for about a buck a round, so you should be able to sell it for that price if not a bit less. The carbines will sell for common prices in my estimation, I can't see anyone paying a premium for who once owned them. Good luck with your mission.

I'd leave it alone unless you simply have to "restore" it. However it will never be original regardless the funds you spend on it and I'm betting you'll never recoup the expense if you decide to sell it.

I would avoid the carbine, Universals carbines have a deserved poor reputation.

I just finished ordering my copy. Now to get it autographed by one of the most knowledgable firearms authors and researchers on the planet. "I wish that I had some 'spare cash' and I would order 1000 copies and put in an 'online shop' for future purchasers." 50 grand is some serious "spare cash."

Excellent, enjoy your Spitfire. Bummer about the other barrel though.

User carelessness is not an indicator of originality or restoration in my opinion.

Sorry ArtR, but it will take more to convince me than that. In my experience no 82 year old rifle has such a nice finish unless it was kept in a closet most the time. And the bolt appears to have parkerized. I've been told by you and others that's a sure sign of refinishing. And too the screw heads all appear to be perfect. That's also odd on a 82 year old rifle that supposed to be original.

However I'm thinking it is a Miltech restoration. The overall finish is far to good to be original. So what? It's still a great piece.

Very nice.

Somebody is better "fixed" than I. Nice BBBQ. The dot appears to be a musket mini-ball, the case has me stumped. I'm sure I've seen something similar in the past, but can't remember where.

Seems reasonable for 50 new head stamped cases, but I'd not go much higher unless desperate. A buck a case is pretty high if it gets there.

About 10:18 of this video there is a quick shot of a guy hosing down a house with a JLMG.

...it's weapon with a long history. I've wanted one of these since I was a teenager. Now that I'm to old to really use one (that can do battle) and I finally got one. I've been stoning the blade (it was sharp, but not sharp enough) and fondling it. It makes me happy. The etching was important to me. The crest is the 82nd Cavalry whom I served with for about ten years, and part of a quote by Robert Heinlein. One of my favorite quotes.

Boy howdy.

All tools have a use. Some tools designed for defense or assault are old and simple. I like the Johnson rifle a bunch, but I have a preference for simple as it is more personal.

I stoned the blade with an India stone to get the small nicks and burrs, then an Arkansas stone, and then a very fine stone. It's sharp. Now I'm waiting for the baldric to show up.

Actually I did. But being left handed I thought nothing of it.

Your fingernails needed trimming? Or the brake thingie? Other than that I've got nothing.

What's not to like about an accurized M14 with the selector switch? I'm just surprised you got to have one in your possession.

Thank you, I like it too. It's a Cold Steel blade purchased through a vendor. It took a bit of looking to find a gladius not a wall hanger. I've no use for decoration but have an affinity for things that do the job they were designed for. https://www.swordsdirect.com/roman-army-swords.html

I reload one specific wildcat, the 5.7MMJ. I see no reason to play with wildcats that serve no purpose other than just because. I find that 5.56/.223, 6.5 Arisaka, 7.62/.308, 30-06, and 8x57 Mauser suite all other purposes for me. And I've been reloading since 1975 and currently load for 24 calibers. I just recently installed a Dillon Square Deal for .45ACP about where that calculator is on the bench.

That is merely more evidence that people are getting more stupid and not more smart. Really, a guy has to be pretty dense to install the rear sight on backwards. It does appear to have been done quite some time ago and not cleaned since.

I think A9831 is a Miltech restoration. The 4113 bolt does have a font change, the four is a smaller font, however it is a hand stamped part and punches only last so long.

Say, isn't there a forum here for the Dardick with the tag line "Not strictly a Johnson Product but one with strong MMJ design influences?"