From the Vault: Mossberg Model 151M(b) 

I received my 151M-B under the Christmas tree in 1951from Mom and Dad... I had picked it out at a local hardware store.. Other than my Red Ryder, the Mossberg was the only gun I have ever received as a Christmas gift. My Red Ryder was a Christmas present from my uncle in 1948. The Christmas Story movie in so many ways fits my childhood memories.. In the late 40's and early 50's I was lucky enough to be a member of a local NRA sanctioned marksmanship club where we used a like new Stevens Favorite with a peep sight.. Those days all the boys wanted a semi auto and I loved the extended forearm stock, so the 151 was my choice. As my only rifle, I was never without it slung over my shoulder... I lived in a small NE Ohio town of approx 300 and two streets back from the main drag, old route 30, the Lincoln highway, was the woods, a creek and an abandoned strip mine. All places where boys could be boys and I was certainly that, always with my trusty 151. And of course when squirrel season came in it accompanied me to the woods those early brisk mornings. It never let me down, never remember any jams, just a great dependable friend.. After I got my drivers license and began to find area gun shops I began to find other 22's I could not resist so my old 151 sort of got retired. At 84, it and its wonderful memories still occupies a spot in my gun cabinet, my first and my last 22..

I have one in my collection that my uncle found in an attic. The home owner didn't want it so he gave it to my uncle to gift it to me. It's in great shape with factory peep and open sights.

I inherited my fathers 151mb a few years back. It was the firsf rifle I was allowed to take into the field. What remember the most about this rifle was the extreme accuracy. Even as a kid with the iron sights it had I could shoot a golf ball at 50 yards off a fence post.

My father won his Mossberg 151m-b target with fold away peep site, in a raffle drawing in the late 40s. I still have it and its in great shape.

Thanks Caleb for Sharing your story. I'm glad to hear you've rescued and restored such a great treasure... ... I've an O.F. Mossberg & Sons 151 M-B that was purchased By my Grand Pa for my Dad for his 13th Birthday. It was purchased at the Military warehouse/Commisary at Fort Lawton, in Seattle, Wa in 1949. This is an incredibly accurate and fun Gun to shoot. I've shot hundrerds of rounds of .22 LR through this gun, which is what this gun is chambered for, and from what I can find, it's a relatively rare and hard to find gun, if one is wanting to purchase. On a whim, I decided to see if anybody had posted any video's on on RU-vid & found yours. Don't know how much Grand Pa paid for the gun, but I still have the original user manual & parts sheet that came with it. My Dad rarely shot this gun, and it's still in near mint condition, even with all the years of my usage. Maybe I'll do a video & Show it off. Thanks !

I have a 1936 Sears and Roebuck copy of a marlin model 44 that I found all rusted up in an estate auction house. She’s been all fixed up and is a true nail driver 😁

I inherited a 151M and did a hand rubbed refinish. Left a lot of the blemishes in the wood for authenticity. Like you said about yours, shoots great.

My dad gave me his 151Mb. It also has the old Weaver scope. It was in rough condition when I was a boy (50 years ago) and even rougher now. Surface rust, cracked stock, spent cases not ejecting properly… A lot of work ahead but that’s okay. It was my dad’s gun. He tough me to hunt squirrels with this gun. It will be a fun project.

I have a 151m-a that was handed down from my grandfather, to my father, now to me.

And, I thought I was the only one restoring the old Mossberg .22s. Seems like we have a lot in common bringing these gems back. I have a number of them - all with the same semi-automatic action and they all shoot extremely well with Lapua Center X ammo.

Great work! Love seeing old tired weapons being restored to previous glory!

My uncle just have me all of his guns and this same gun was among them. This was his gun while growing up. The others were my great grandmother's winchester model 50 20 gauge shotgun and my grandpa's colt 1911 service pistol he had in WWII. Going to go shoot two of them tomorrow.

Lovely rifle, congrats on the adquisition and great work. Keep it up, thank you and Brownells.

Yes, I have one my dad left me in good condition it’s 51m B. Has the multi select sights. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you really enjoy seeing unique firearms great looking rifle

I inherited one of these from my grandfather last year. Took it shooting for the first time this past weekend. This is a spectacular rifle. Accurate as can be. Nice action, smooth firing rifle. It has a scope, that looks fairly original, even stamped mossberg on the scope. Great rifle to own

Many years ago, my mom and I split the cost of a .22 for my stepdad as a Christmas gift, so I headed off to the gun show and found a very nice Mossberg Model 46M bolt action. Beautiful rifle. I thought his was so nice, I'd like to get one myself someday. Some years later, the opportunity arose, and I picked up a nice, very similar Mossberg Model 51M semi-auto. Impressive sight setup. I'd almost shudder to think of how much it would cost to produce these rifles today.

I’ve got a mossberg Model 152, action, safety and rear of the barrel are identical to this model. It also has a flip down front handguard that gives it that tommy gun feel when flipped down

Hey there. I just acquired one of these from my aunt’s house before she went into assisted living. The gun immediately stood out to me as it’s in gorgeous shape! Excited to find out more about this unique piece!

I have the same gun and it is original with the target sights... Love this gun... Inherited it from my father... I am the same way with old .22 rifles... History in metal & wood that needs to be used and cherished... Thank you for all the wonderful videos... Take care...

Enjoyed your video! When my dad passed in 2015 (WWII vet) I brought home his 151M-B identical to the one you show only with the rear flip sight. Even the leather strap is in great condition! What I remember most about it was that, as a boy, when we went in the backwoods of our farm in East Texas, Dad would have the Mossberg over his shoulder and I had my Winchester bolt-action .22 draped over mine! There was a wild boar that roamed there and we were ready…but it never crossed our path! Great memories!

Thanks for the video! I inherited a 151 ( a) from my father.22LR only. These are classics! Glad to see there are more of these out there.

recently got my grandfathers. its in rough shape has been sitting in a felt lined safe for almost 20 years at my uncles house before he past

Thank you for rescuing those old 22s.

Man I love the old mossbergs. I have two bolt action .22's. One is a bull barrel that shoots amazingly accurare. It's missing so many magazine parts that I need to just make a single feed ramp for it. The other is special.. Tube fed regular barrel that belonged to my grandmother. It stayed by her door to help tend her garden. It is almost as accurate- even with the skinny barrel, tube feed, and barrel band. Only change I want to make to it is remove the scope and find one of the good rear mounted aperture sights and the target front. Third is a flea-market odd ball. Bolt action .410 with the screw on choke. It doesn't do anything special but it sure is fun to shoot!! Thanks Caleb for mentioning the old Mossy's. If one can find one in good shape (or at least not missing any parts) they are usually just a little TLC away from being real shooters. I'll never forget my first quarter inch group (at 50yd) in the bull barrel as a teenager or watching my grandma drop a rabbit with iron sights at about 75 yards for stealing her veggies :-D

I have the same Mossberg 151, without the tubular magazine, and with a clip. It has a 4x weaver scope and has always shot well. My father had the same game in the 50s and 60s and I found one just like it at a show years ago. A memorable gun for me

I have one, 1947-1948 model, very great condition.

have a 151m-b i was given in 1957-shoots fantastic .won numerous target rifle competition with this gun !! It fires full automatic if not kept perfectly clean!!!-best 22 i have ever shot (shoots better than my browning )

I've got a Mossberg 151M-B. It's never been restored and it's in emaculate shape! Shoots great with the old scope that came on it. Love these guns

I do have one. It was my fathers, bought in 1949. I cleaned it all up and put a TASCO 4 X 15 scope on it. I have not shoot it in over 27 years.Maybe this year. I'm 75 now.

I just like how it loads from the stock. I saw a clip of that and had to find out what the hell this thing was. Very cool.

My grand father gave me this exact same gun. He bought it at a local hardware store when he was only 14 years old in 1954 He gave it to me when I was the same age. These .22’s are the most accurate of the time in my opinion. It’s a great gun!

ive got this exact gun. mint condition dark walnut stock, no aperature or front sight hood. just an old revalation scope. been in the family forever

My father in law left me his 151m when he passed. It's a pretty cool rifle and shoots perfectly. It also had the same exact scope mounted on it and it's missing the iron sights. I removed the scope because it was so cloudy you couldn't see anything and my wife really wanted to shoot this rifle seeing as it was the 1st gun she ever shot as a kid with here dad. He always kept it in a gun cabinet where it lived most of its life, so when I received it after his passing, I completely tore it down and cleaned it (don't think he cleaned it once) and oiled it and now it looks amazing and shoots very nicely.

We’ve actually got this exact gun on my grandfathers cabinet in similar condition. My grandpa bought it for my father and uncle and I will occasionally take it out to plink. The tube magazine was replaced last year with an aftermarket one that has been giving me some feeding issues but overall a very cool gun!

I recently got a Model 152k from the my uncle’s wife. He had it for more than 50 years. It’s post 54 because it has the plastic handguard. Great little gun.

Have a 42 M. Love it. Tack driver. Got it when I was 8.

I recently picked up a model 151K from a pawn shop that was in need of restoration. It is an excellent shooter now with a smooth action and great trigger feel.

Kaleb, I have to check the model #, but i'm pretty sure my dad just brought one of these from his childhood back from the mid-west earlier this month. I can't wait to shoot it . very nice rifle! Thank you !

I have a 151M-B and Model 142-A that was my 1st gun both have Weaver B4 scopes on them they've been in my family for about 65 years

I have the same rifle. I believe my dad bought it new when I was very young. I was born in 1948. We did target practice with it when I was growing up and maybe hunted rabats. It is in excelent condition and shoots very well.

I have one of those rifles.Given to me from my dad who got it from his older brother. He said they shot many squirrels with this when they were young.Its not in great shape but for its age its not too bad.Its a 151M(a).

Love it... I have done the same to my grandfathers old Winchester model 69....

I have a 151k, its my favorite gun. Its accurate, and smooth shooting. What a great rifle.

Love the old Mossys! I have a 151M-B, rear stock has been cracked at the wrist and repaired with brass pins; also instead of trying to find the rear sling swivel they removed the Mossberg plate and forced a Uncle Mike's stud in one of the much smaller holes from the plate. She still has the original sights front and rear and shoots phenomenally well. I keep looking for the rear stock, but every one I find has been repaired in the wrist.....oh well the search continues. Glad to know I'm not the only 22 adopter out there.

Just pick one up today ! Looking forward to see how it shoots!

Got a 151m from my uncle. Shot it a lots as a kid 30-35 years ago.

I have a Mossberg 151K. I picked it up under the premise it was broken and would not fire. Well it was not broken and it would fire, just not reliably. Turns out it was just extremely dirty, like never been cleaned before dirty. I cleaned it up real nice and replaced a couple parts and wow she shoots very nice and accurate. I left the beat up wood stock worn and beat up looking just for character and I couldn't be happier with the end result.

I have a 151M(b) that's in pretty good condition. It has the original peep sight and the target front sight. I don't think that it ever had a scope mounted. Mine shoots very well, better than my old eyes for sure. All my old Mossey's shoot very well, as good or better than a lot of new 22's. The tube feed in the butt always gets lots of comments at the range. The only problem with these vintage Mossbergs is that they are like potato chips, you can't have just one. 😀. Nice to see that yours has found a good home and is being well taken care of. Thanks for posting.

I also have a Mossberg 151b it also needs to be cleaned up a bit it's in good shape. It is the first time that my son used a firearm. He really enjoyed shooting it and it's nice that it's heavy like that because it gives him a sensation of a bigger firearm

I have a 151 M-B , that my grandfather bought for me when I was born, in 1952. It has been in my possession since 1970. When I was in Vietnam he kept it safe and sound until I returned. I’m 68 and it will go to my grandson some day. The gun still fires with no problems.

I have my great grandfather's, it's even has the weaver scope and the original peep sight. It's very accurate.

I have a Model 151Mb. It was my Grandfather's, then my Mom's and she gave it to me recently. It's been in a closet pretty much it's whole life and is in excellent condition. It has the scope as well, but the scope is also hard to see through like yours.

The 151M-B in my cabinet was the first gun me and my 5 brothers and 3 sisters were allowed to shoot growing up. The family rule was when we turned 6 years old and showed enough responsibility we were then allowed to shoot this and the 22 pistol until we were old enough to graduate to the deer rifles and shotguns. Although my Mossberg has seen thousands of rounds through it in 60-70 years, it is in great shape. The rifling in the barrel looks clean, the firing mechanism works great. When we split the guns up after my dad passed I got to keep this and the Remington 1100. Unfortunately the shotgun was stolen but I have lovingly disassembled this 22 and cleaned it like it had never been cleaned and I keep it oiled and clean. Before doing that it would jam up in the cold, and in less than two magazines in the warm weather. Since cleaning and oiling it is very rare that it jams, is good for a 2 1/2" spread at 150 yards, and is as fast chambering and firing a full magazine (14 rounds) as my AM 15 blackout Love this gun!!

I just purchased a one of these, kind of like you I have a soft spot for old 22s. I own over 50 of them. Mine does not have the forward forearm like the one I see here. I will share more after I get onto restoring it.

Shoots like a dream.

I have the Mossberg 151-MB that was my grandfathers. I inherited it from my father when he passed away. Its a really cool looking rifle. I remember it well from my childhood. I wish I could add a photo of it for you to view

I have a hand-me-down 151m that my uncle bought new in the 1940's The sights were all removed and a scope was installed. In fact, we used to refer to it as "the 22 with the scope." It's still in great condition and shoots very well.

I just had my hands on the exact rifle that is in 98% condition and is all original. I mean in great shape. A friend of mine received it as a gift from a family member who received it from their father. Never restored that I can tell.

I have to applaud you for your attraction to old .22's they can be the hardest guns to restore sometimes, most of them are wore smooth out and have been neglected and abused the most.

My grandfather had one way back after ww2. My dad said it was in really bad shape he remembered. So my Grandpa brought it back to life. That was the 22lr I shot as a youngster. Im 54. It was heavy for a 10 yr old. But my dad would have me do exercises with it over my head like you were doing pull-ups. Helped make my arms stronger and I could hold it better. You put the shells in the butt of the stock. So cool then of the push stick( i don.t know the proper name). But it looks like a bullet from a 22lr. I have handed this rifle down to my nephew. He is learning with it also and yes doing the exercises. Sadly he lives in another state so I only get to shoot it a few times a year now. But if you see one buy it. These were designed to look like the rifles that the soldiers. My two grandpa's and uncles carried in ww2. Have a great day. Thanks for the video. Please do another one and show everyone how cool it is how you load one.

Went to a firearms and Militaria Show here in Canada, and saw one of these for sale. No scope but it was in mint shape, with an excellent bore and the full front/rear diopter. Mine has a single set trigger - not sure if they came like that. Very cool and super accurate for a semi! $300 CAD so $250 American. Happy with my purchase

I havr that exact gun with that same scope. Been sitting in a box for decades and in great condition. About to disassemble to clean off what I think was gun oil at one time but is now grease or cosmoline.

I have a flawless mossberg with the original scope. Its bolt action with the folding forward grip. Its 70-80 years old.

I just inherited a 151m-b with the flip rear sight and am looking into getting it cleaned and inspected. It was my grandfathers training rifle that he took home and is completely stock and all in great condition just has a little grim in the nooks and crannies

I have an affinity for old Mossberg .22s. I grew up shooting my dad's 42M(b). I bought a 46M(c) while stationed in San Diego. I also have a 42M(b) not my dad's, 151K, a 51M and I just bought a 402A Palomino. A friend of mine has a 151M that I have been trying to buy for almost 10 years. Mossberg's motto used to be "More gun for the money" and that certainly used to be true. My 42M has a Mossberg number 6 scope mount that holds an old Weaver 4x scope. All of them are sub MOA at 100 yds. Well, I really don't know about the Palomino as I haven't shot it yet.

i got this same gun got from my dad and it is in great shape

I just refinished one just like it, bought it in a local pawn shop about 20 years ago, had no idea what it was until I looked it up right before I decided I was going to refinish. I put a Daisy BB rifle scope on it, and I can hit the end of a 2×4 @100 yards repeatedly. Thanks

I’ve got a 151 m(b) that was my great grandpas. He took the second piece of the stock off and rounded the from of the fore end, took the trigger guard off, and carved his handprint into the grip of the stock. I’m cleaning it right now to hopefully shoot it.

I have one that's in incredible condition. my aunt gave it to be after my uncle 0assed. it's absolutely deadly accurate.

Well shit. Thank you grandpa. I recently was reminded I had inherited a .22 from my grandfather when he passed some years ago. I assumed it was this old bolt action I've fired a few times. No extractor, just need a sturdy pinkie nail. Anyway I was too young to have it at the time, so it went to my uncle's gun safe with a few other guns I hadn't really seen. Here I am today, pleasantly surprised to find this waiting for me. As far as I'm concerned this is the beat gift I've ever gotten. Because I love firearms. But money is tight. I'm told this rifle needed some work done to get it working, and I'm not surprised. At some point the rifle had been dropped, the stock had broken with the grain directly across where your hand rests. I have no idea what that did to the magazine tube, but it put the 8 rounds loaded in there down range without a single malfunction.

Hi there, I have the exact model with the same scope. I had to change out the scope due to the reticle dropping out. I agree with you that it's accurate and fun shooter. With the newer scope I group pretty impressive group at 100 yards. Presently I am looking for front and rear sling rings and rear sling ring stock housing. I too love old. 22's. I also have Ithaca M49, 1970 Ruger 10/22LR, Mossberg 46b,and original Ruger 10/22 magnum. Thank you for sharing your story.

Nice job sir.

I bought one of those at a garage sale for $30. It was covered in rust and grime, but the bore looks pristine. I just gave it the oil and steel wool treatment and that’s probably as far as I’m going with it. I’ll shoot it some day when .22 ammo drops below $4 a round

I found one of these, a very similar rifle to it, sitting in an antique gun store. Liked the tube feeding system on it cause fiddling with ruger 10/22 magazines all day is a pain on the thumbs, and the fact that I have to reach my hand out near the muzzle on a marlin model 60 and maneuvering it to reload always makes me nervous when I'm at the range, so a rear fed tube made a lot of sense, and the rifle just had the endearing classic look with its old sheet metal scope, so I picked it up for around 250, not knowing at all what it was. It's marked as Wards04m, the old scope is incredibly crap, but the build is just sweet, love at first sight basically, and yeah, I don't have the heart to change out the scope either, I'll happily live with incredibly dark glass if it means this little thing stays pretty.

I have a Mossberg model 151k my grandpa gave me when I turned 13 and I'm 49 now..the rifle shoot awsome and accurately until the firing pin broke a week ago..I was able to find a complete bolt assembly at Old Firearms of Idaho..I got it replaced hut haven't tried to fire the rifle yet to see if it works

I just traded a single shot 357 rifle for one of these 22 rifles and I love it. Very accurate little rifle

I just recently acquired a Mossberg 151 M-B. It's in some rough shape. Hopefully going to get her running smoothly

I just picked one of these up today, very cool gun! I am just missing the sling swivel studs, and obviously a sling. I can’t wait to shoot it.

I just inherited one of these rifles from my grandfather. I haven't shot it yet, but I plan to. It seems to be in good condition.

I got one with a funky trigger, part of the assembly is rubbing on the inside of the wood stock. Making it very mushy or some times in operable

I found one of these rifles. I wish I knew more about it before I try to take it out and shoot.

I have the 151m-B and the 51m great rifles

I have this model handed down from my uncle with scope and we hunted squirrels every time we had the chance..!!

I have one that used to be my grandfathers. I don't know the model of it. I have the very same scope also on my old 22. Not been used in many years. Spends it's days on a gun rack hanging on the wall enjoying retirement for now.

I inherited my grandpas 151mb. My most prized possession. Mine has the iron sights instead of the scope tho

I actually just discovered this gun in my grandmother's closet. Going to clean it up and see how it runs at the range

I have a barreled receiver that was given to me by a friend. He saw someone using it to hold open a screen door.

That's a nice rifle... some old man gave his to my brother-in-law and not that long ago, my brother-in-law gave it to me. It's not in great shape (appearance) but it's not that terrible either. I haven't tried to shoot it though. The difference is, the one I have do not have the scope like yours but have that read and front sights.

I’m considering pawning mine.

I have a Mossberg 151M that is in really really good shape

I have a 151m (a) inherited from my father-in-law. I have never shot it but it seems to be in working order.

VERY nice.

Looks neat

I had one just like that when I was a kid

I have a Mossberg model 144 supper target with the side scope mount and front and rear peep sights , I haven't been able to find out when it was made exactly , It's a real tac driver .

I have a 151m (a) i found in a basement. Shoots great yet. Old 1960s weaver on it yet too lol

Yes I have one in pretty good shape . Along with Winchester 74

Just purchased the Mossberg 151M (a) haven't received it yet but for $330 after taxes shipping fees and transfer I think I got a good deal they seem beautiful and unique i can't wait to disassemble clean and lube her up for fire

I have one just like it. I put a modern red dot sight on it. Its a blast to plink with