AboutCharles Gage Expertise I can answer questions dealing with firearms and their development due to western expansion. I can answer most questions about any firearms of the world manufactured after the Civil War(1868 - present. I can offer safety warnings about these. I can offer opinions and the reasons behind these.
Experience I have been at the study of firearms and their use since my first issue of Field and Stream in 1962.At that time I was completely devoted to rifles, but over the years I have experienced the thrill of the hunt with handguns, shotguns and of course rifles. I moved from Oklahoma to New Mexico in 1972 and since I have taken numerous game and non-game animals with all firearms (cannons excluded)including blackpowder muzzleloading rifles,shotguns and handguns. My favorite handgun for large non-game animals, such as feral hogs, is my Uberti replica of a 1847 Colt Walker. Very heavy, but accurate.
Education/Credentials I am a 1973 high school graduate. Junior and senior year I developed a class on Wildlife Depredation and Conservation of our Rocky Mountain states. My specialty was the brown bear.
Awards and Honors New Mexico Hunter Safety Program Instructor 5 year award.
My Dad just recently passed and I was given his guns. One of his guns was this Western Field M850A 22SHV-L-LR(don't know what that means either). My question is was this ever used as a military issue because my father kept it in pristine condition but it is in his army rifle bag? The other question is what is the difference if any between a slide action and bolt action? Forgive my ignorance but me being a girl, I don't know much about big guns except that my Dad kept them in beautiful condition and they are pretty!!!!
Answer Hello Cristin. First, the 22SHV-L-LR stands for the length of the bullet case. .22SHV being a Short-High-Velocity, Next in length is the .22 Long(it is also a high velocity) and the .22 Long Rifle(it is the longest of these also being a high velocity). Your Western Field is a cheaper version of the Mossberg 350K. Generally, the military used the more expensive Mossberg Brand on many Navy ships. This rifle was only made from 1958 through 1960. Even in pristine condition, there is no high collectors value. It is worth more for hunting small game or plinking. Now, I recommend U-Tube for the difference between pump-action and bolt-action. I suggest you ask for any pump-action 22 caliber and after watching the films ask for a bolt-action and watch that film. I hope these answers help and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage
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