Johnson M1941

Reasonable Rascal · #1 July 30th, 2010, 10:18 PM

http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl20-e.htm

I stopped by a new local shop this afternoon, and lo and behold but what did they have on the rack but a Johnson Rifle. Very nicely preserved, but well out of my price range needless to say. My wife was with me and quick to say I could spend the $10K but there'd be a divorce following. <sigh>

I don't recall ever seeing a Johnson before save in pictures. Rare birds indeed.

RR

CAMPYBOB · #2 July 31st, 2010, 06:34 AM

A friend owns a Johnson Automatics LMG.

The first time we shot it, it ran away...twice. Try keeping THAT under control!

Prior to his purchase, it was owned by a fireman from a nearby city and he had his name and address engraved (nicely, if that is ever possible) into the receiver.

The Johnsons are very scarce in my area. The rifles seem to start at $7,500 for good condition examples and $4k or so for sporterized models. I wish I had bought a couple of those and a few G & K43's back when they were cheap.

Hindsight. It'll make you cry!

LEE7.62 · #3 July 31st, 2010, 01:34 PM

as none of my rifles in the "US military longarms of the 20th Century" collection rifles are protected safequeens I test fired my Johnson and sighted it in. As accurate as a garand and didn't have the same recoil feel. Not bad just different. I cleaned it and put it back in the safe. It's due for it's once a year firing- probably at the next Louisiana Tigers eat and shoot gathering. Nice rifle. Bayonet is unobtainable right now. If you have one you have a nice investment and savings account if needed.

ISC · #4 July 31st, 2010, 01:54 PM

I think th Johnson is a neat idea, and they are sexy rifles. I'd love to be able to shoot one someday.

Reasonable Rascal · #5 July 31st, 2010, 08:12 PM

They did have a Garand sitting on the same rack but after fondling the Johnson it just seemed so....common. Not that I'd turn up my nose at having one in my own collection, it just wasn't the day to appreciate it.

RR

sonrider657 · #6 August 2nd, 2010, 09:12 PM

That is one truly cool rifle!

CAMPYBOB · #7 August 4th, 2010, 08:46 PM

A guy on Arfcom just posted pics of the JA rifle he picked up for around $4200.

He got the rifle and the rare bayonet and even more rare bayonet sheath/scabbard for that money.

Four years ago, before the economy went in the crapper, I watched a sporterized JA...we're talking white line spacers, recoil pad,grip cap, drilled & tapped...bring more than that at a local firearm auction house. The stock was fubar and it was missing a few metal bits.

OldFalGuy · #8 August 6th, 2010, 10:31 PM

Didn't the Soviets produce a rifle that "looked" a bit like the JA either at the tail end of WWII or 1947 or so- think it used a magazine but the forward portion had the holes in the fore stock area.
Yep JA's, they are nice and high now-
I am not up for owning one as I would be scared of breaking a part on it.

Mark

jefferson101 · #9 August 11th, 2010, 06:05 PM

If I had Bill Gates' money, Chapter DCXXIII.

I'd have two or three of them in the rack at my Range. And a couple of more pristine ones on display in the exhibit hall, right next to the Reising Guns.

Actually, Lee 7.62 nailed it. If I can't (or will not) shoot it, I won't own it. (That excepts a couple of my restoration projects that have yet to get to the point of being ready to shoot, but it's coming.)

Were I really wealthy, they would get fired about once before they went into the display case, but if I own it, I will shoot it. That's what they are for. If it can't be fired, it's not a real firearm.