American Krag-Jorgensen, CMP Springfield M1892-99 First Look and Range Test!

[@j.s.wagner2582]

I own a M1898, after first handling a Krag 30-years before. I said then that this is a rifleman’s dream, and nothing has changed. No other rifle shoulders this well, and the action is like glass! Mine was made in 1902, and is a tack driver. Bet my life on a Krag? Damn right I will! 🇺🇸

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Nice! Yea they are so smooth 😎

[@louwig9462]

I have my Grandfather's 1894 KJ...I'm 70...he bought from the Army for a dollar after WW1...he was in Artillery...

[@The_Casual_Collector]

I have a 1903A3, a model 1917, and 3 M1 Garands from the CMP...all of which were cheaper than those Krags. They are nice, but $1300 for them is a hard pill to swallow. What were the grades and prices they had?

[@virantiguamike]

kzbin.infoF3WszmtJtWQ?si=EaeN2bHzUEJjUcog Here’s a YT short with the description of the guns and the prices. In short, very overpriced

[@The_Casual_Collector]

@virantiguamike wow...yeah, I agree overpriced...which is odd, because their grands have been very competitive with gunbroker. Thanks for sharing the info!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Thanks for information on that short. We were actually impressed with the inventory they had and the one Grant got in the video was “RKRAGX” marked with a muzzle reading of 1

[@10actual]

When I was lots younger I had a sporterized carbine. Great deer rifle. I now have an original Krag Carbine. I believe it was the last carbine designed specifically for horse cavalry. It was also used during the Boxer War by Marines. Super slick action and the slower bullets have a tremendous knock down. Cabela's had it for lots less than CMP.

[@map3384]

I have a 1898 US Krag in excellent condition. Full military condition. The dark American walnut stock is beautiful. Had the rifle had dual locking lugs the 30-40 round could have lasted a little longer. The cartridge could take more powder. Easy round to reload. Fun as heck to shoot.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

I think it could have but there were many factors as to why it got replaced pretty quickly

[@brysoncaskey8383]

Excellent video! Super cool to see your rifles and the CMP facilities. Thanks for the great content!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Thanks! 😁🍻

[@jakobroynon-fisher9535]

Hey Battlefield Curator, it was cool seeing you and Grant there. The M1903 I got when I was there is fitting in wonderfully in my collection.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Good to hear! 😎

[@jakobroynon-fisher9535]

@@BattlefieldCurator Also found a Universal M1/M2 Carbine (it's a mish-mash of USGI parts with the skeletonized Universal operating slide and receiver) from about mid-1964 at a different shop that I bought.

[@josephterry2099]

I got a 1898 krag past down from my grandfather I love it little hard to find 30 40 ammo and it's expensive when you do find it but still a very nice addition to my collection with some family history to boot

[@redbarronreviews2429]

Great video! Everyone should go to the Talladega store at least once!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

It’s an amazing experience!

[@ESPLTD322]

I live and grew up 20 mins from here. You’re in the exact same table I’m always in when I go with my AR 10 lmao it’s the best table for some reason.

[@wobbleduck]

Growing up I shot the Appleseed course twice. The second time I took it I scored higher than my dad, and we had a deal that let me shoot the old family Krag for the first time. Its an 1894 model thats had the barrel and stock cut back, with a different front sight. I have no clue how long it's been in the family, but it's at least 2 generations. Two weeks after the course I stretched it's legs out to 740 yards on a 20"x14" piece of i-beam using all the things I learned from the course.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Wow that’s incredible! I might have to try my Krag out to further distances

[@scottbowen4997]

That 1902 sight may not be the most desirable from a historical perspective - but it sure is pretty. Impressive machining.

[@grantcahill8331]

Great selection - well worth a visit!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Definitely a good selection imo

[@Roostertail76]

I have a sporterized Krag and it’s a ton of fun to shoot . Unfortunately as you said ammo isnt plentiful and when found is expensive however great video and i enjoyed watching your long range shooting with it . What a cool range that is ! Stay safe and keep shooting !

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Thanks! It’s an amazing place to go check out

[@darrellstephen3085]

The big complaint of 30 40 was jamming. Rimmed cartridges must be placed in so they stack. 6.5 Swedish no rim just dump them in. No jamming.

[@StumpkillerCP]

I have a Model 1898 that (I assume) my Grandpa picked up from the DCM (precursor to the CMP) for $3.00 before WWII. Original sling, even. Prior "family history" was that it was his rifle in WWI . . . but you know how family history goes. Beautiful condition and I used to shoot it. Haven't in 40 years. Smooth action and useful cartridge.

[@ericwoy4132]

I have a Krag cavalry model. Shoots well.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Awesome 😎

[@AndrewBowles-p5r]

The 1901 buffington sight is what mine has on it. The lever on the front allows you to swivel the sight left to right. I never knew why but I read it was to lead airplanes. It’s sporterized, nothing special but any info on the sight appreciated . 30 bucks private sale

[@jimrestaino7763]

That is the rifle Sgt Shultz dragged around on Hogans Hero’s 😊

[@gregb6469]

When the Germans conquered Norway they 'requisitioned" all the Krags (the Norwegian army's standard battle rifle) they could find and sent them back to Germany to be used by reserve units, camp guards, etc. For at least that detail the producers of Hogan's Heroes got it historically right.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Interesting

[@scottbowen4997]

@@gregb6469 Thanks for this. I had previously assumed that was a glaring mistake - but that makes sense.

[@AJCzarkowski]

I also remember seeing Sgt Shultz with the Krag rifle. I thought it was supposed to be a prop to take the place of a Mauser Kar98k, but I guess it makes sense a POW camp guard may have been issued a captured or non standard weapon (logistical issues wouldn’t be that big of a deal).

[@brianknight3750]

Looks great but 1300$ plus all the cmp complexity I will pass. Great rifles my friend had one for hunting in my teens. Loved how it loaded. It was really cool to just toss some ammo in and shut the box.

[@JimLander]

It is a great rifle!

[@matthewjames4334]

Came across 2 very nice borderline pristine condition 1898 krags in a gun shop in San Antonio…. For around 1200-$1500 or so …… I did not have the money for them at the time but it was nice to get to handle one in original configuration…… Since the only times I’d even been in a the same room as a krag was the sporterized one my grandpa had…. And the 1896 krag that is in the natural history museum in Corpus

[@robertwilliams2623]

I got one in 87 when my dad died and still have it . I reload for my

[@loganheaton9213]

1350 is criminal. I got my 1898 recently from a gun store that's not really known for its good deals and they constantly check the internet to update their prices. It was in mint condition wood and finish and was a couple hundred less than that.

[@virantiguamike]

@@loganheaton9213 the cutdown ones they want $1200 for 🫠💀

[@gregb6469]

if they don't find buyers at the $1350 price, they will lower it until they find what guys are willing to spend. It would have to come down to around $350 to fit my budget!

[@loganheaton9213]

@gregb6469 well they'll never be that low ever again in general, but you can still find them in at least shooter-really nice condition for like 850-1100

[@virantiguamike]

@@loganheaton9213 nah you can find really nice 98 Krags for $700-$900. Just bought a 1902 krag with bayonet for $900 at a local gun store

[@nathanreed-li5gh]

i bought one for $550 last week

[@behindenemylines3361]

I have “sporterized” Kraig and love it. However I would love to get one of those.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

I was very impressed with the range results we were getting with these!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Or at least with the one Grant got

[@gregb6469]

Yes, the Mauser could be loaded faster (if you had a clip ready to go) than the Krag, but the Krag had the advantage of being easier to load if doing so by single round (no having to force the round down against the mag spring pressure), and it could also by loaded/topped off with a round in the chamber and the rifle in battery, which can not be done with a Mauser.

[@larserikertzgaardringen7426]

Could you load a Mauser this fast? 😏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3SXkJpsg5iUgqMsi=r4lHym-WOsLCVoE3

[@SuperMarshall2009]

That looks like the Talledega pro shop store - suprised to see Krags there. I hope the South Store has some.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

So from what I’ve read on the CMP forums, it seems as if they are pushing more inventory to the TMP store because the South Store is closed on Saturdays now.

[@sharps6]

Picked up a beautiful Krag 2 years ago from an old timer at my local gun show in NH for $600. cash. He said so long old girl and gave it a farewell kiss. I told him I’d take good care of it and of course, it’s a tack driver. Shame on CMP for the outrageous prices.

[@markwilliford5319]

I have a very detailed Historical Photograhph of my Grand Father in 1918 at Form Sam Houston Training with a Krag!

[@BattlefieldCurator]

That is very cool, feel free to share it with us on Instagram or Facebook

[@stevenjones1171]

I have a 1898 SN 413036, I also have reloading Equipment for it because I know Ammo is hard to find at times . Bought it for $60.00 with a box of 20 rounds.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Yea the ammo is definitely hard to find.

[@Retarmyaviator]

Shows will offer you a much better choice of condition than CMP.

[@NorthwoodsShooter]

The price that the CMP is asking for, for these is WAY inflated. No way these should be commanding this price.

[@VCBird6]

Glad I got one a few years back since it now seems even the CMP has entered "I know what I got, sonny" territory 😂

[@NorthwoodsShooter]

The CMP sure has, just like the 45 ACP ammo they have in their E-Store, they’ve went the way of overpriced goods now. It’s a shame.

[@zerstorer335]

Here, it's probably a combination of "I know what I got", "you know you can get it, here", and "the price is fixed". For all the talk about "just to go places like gunbroker", a lot of those rifles are going for more and bidding can take it higher. Maybe they jumped up because they saw what CMP was selling them for, but they've got starting bids around $1450. There looks to only be one functional, non-sporterized Krag for under $1100. So, CMP may also be taking the angle of "pay more for more convenience".

[@stephenbenedict5247]

My grandfather bought his for 9$,it came in the mail

[@larserikertzgaardringen7426]

As a Norwegian theese rifles was a part of my upbringing. I learned to shoot with krag jørgensen rifles converted to 22lr indoors in the winter. The rifle was so heavy for little me, that we had to put a log under the stock. My grandfather had one that he used for moose hunting. It was used in Narvik during the Norwegian campaign in 1940. Here's a video that shows how quickly a well-trained Norwegian shooter can shoot and load a Krag with speadloaders.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3SXkJpsg5iUgqMsi=r4lHym-WOsLCVoE3

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@glengrandstaff9695]

That 1893 Spanish Mauser is a fine looking rifle. Was that purchased at the CMP or did you bring it along with you ?

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Brought it with me

[@bad74maverick1]

For starters, they didn't make a model 1899 rifle. Carbines were marked model of 1899. That was to distinguish them between rifles. Rifles were model 1892's with the year of manufacture on their receivers until 1896, then they became the model 1896. Then simplified, so the new model was the Model 1898 rifle which was produced until 1902. In addition to the Spanish American war and Philippine Insurrection, they were used in the Boxer rebellion. And where are those rifles? Everyone of gunboards has visited all the stores and every single one is a rifle with the forend cut down and the bores gauging 3+ for 1,350.00. They are also described as "Rifles may have pitting uneven finish often with little or no original finish remaining. Stocks may exhibit cracks, dents and gouges. The rifles may have dark and pitted bores." They must have trotted out the best for the video because that's not what we've seen in the stores. And 1,350 for a Krag rifle is still too high even if it wasn't a restoration.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Thanks for the additional information, I remember reading somewhere that there were some carbines or cut down rifles at the CMP. Constabulary carbines maybe? I didn’t see any of those there and we didn’t check out the South Store. As mentioned, all I saw were Model 1896 and 1898 rifles. I should have clarified more on all of the models in general.

[@bad74maverick1]

@@BattlefieldCurator No you did a great job. My complaint is everyone who has visited the stores has seen nothing but rifles that were cut down to the middle barrel band like sporters. the rifles you showed were the best we've seen, nothing like whats actually in the stores when we are there. As for Constabulary carbines, there needs to be a clarification. Most philippine constabulary carbines are NOT philippine constabulary carbines. In 1905, model 1899 carbines were converted to the model 1905 school gun, restocked with a short rifle stock and muzzle turned down for the model 1905 bayonet. when the philippine's were granted weapons it was decided that they would get the same model, the 1905 school gun. only a couple thousand were sent and there are only 4 in the US. There are 4 known Philippine constabulary guns documented in the US and they are in fair to poor condition because of use. A marine guerrilla carried one in the philippine's and brought it home. It's in poor condition but is genuine. people confuse the model 1905 school guns for the philippine constabulary guns, of which are not on the market and all are in private collections.

[@l4c390]

I'm just somewhat curious as to where these rifles came from? Did the Army just forget about them for a century? Also, you left off the Boxer Rebellion as one of the conflicts.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

They wouldn’t disclose where they get them from but I would assume they are form veterans organizations like the VFW and American Legion

[@doranmaxwell1755]

I am a longtime handloader and also someone who loves historical firearms... mostly handguns but a few rifles. The caliber availability of ammo rarely is a deterrent to me. Seems everything has a 'parent' case or is a parent case.. .300 savage is 2-4 bucks a round but is a parent to the .308 so I just make mine out of old military .308 brass.

[@coreydarr8464]

How about the Boxer rebellion?

[@BattlefieldCurator]

True

[@TheWalterKurtz]

Oh the distain in his voice when he kept bringing up that most Krags had been sporterized.

[@doraran2138]

That same distain one hears from art community when they want to paint tattoos and put piercings on the Mona Lisa, to try to attract a more youthful audience. (Only a true firearms enthusiast will understand this comment, it's likely unexplainable to most Fudds.)

[@George-tz1cv]

You’re kinda late to the party on this as they’ve been at South and TMP for some time now. If you dug a bit, I imagine you can find a decent one. Personally, I can’t justify the price as my collector interest just isn’t there. 30-40 cartridge is very similar to the 303 British.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

After they made the announcement, we didn’t have time available to go over there. Yea I knew they’d been there in the stores for about a month already, but still wanted to show them in a video for everyone to see.

[@bb5242]

Where the heck were those krags hanging out all this time?

[@nlb2000]

Bought a sporterized krag a few years ago for $300………I think that’s good enough for me don’t feel like spending 1300 😅

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Lol yea a sporterized one was on my watchlist for a while until I found a Model 1892 in pretty good condition that I couldn’t pass up

[@georgebenta3435]

More Americans died in the Philippine-American War compared to the Spanish-American war. It's a much longer war too, not just an "insurrection".

[@justinriley8651]

every rifle in there should be 200$ or less ! limit how many somebody can buy maybe 2 that way everybody can get one. 1300$ is a cruel joke! 😂

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

"Krag 'em and bag ' em" ~ US soldier saying during the Philippine-American War, 1899-1902.

[@BattlefieldCurator]

Yes 😎

[@Terran994]

Which ammo brand/load is that?

[@BattlefieldCurator]

I was using PCI ammo and old Winchester ammo

[@BattlefieldCurator]

The CMP had a small amount of Hornady but I’m sure it’s gone by now

[@AchilleBelanger]

Thuddy- Fuddy - Gubment

[@cbroz7492]

..sounds like the M14 development...

[@Joe-Reese]

Did they make you take your hat off😂

[@EmmanuelHernandez-ok1ev]

1350 too expensive

[@hahaha-hc7sc]

First

[@BattlefieldCurator]

💯 😎

[@hahaha-hc7sc]

Recieved the email notice from the CMP at around 5 pm on Friday. Filled out the order form and mailed it out that night. Will be arriving first thing Monday morning. Hoping to get a good Krag!

[@RR-zq3mk]

Cmp is a joke. Have to jump through so many hoops just to buy ammo and the ammo isn’t that significantly different in price one can buy anywhere else. Cmp is also just a middle guy where losers buy their ammo and guns and resell them on gunbroker or bass pro

[@platypus1287]

Overpriced sewer rods

[@virantiguamike]

Giving RTI a run for their money

[@BattlefieldCurator]

I wouldn’t say they are “sewer rods”… we were accurately hitting the 200 yard steel target.

[@seanmatthews2082]

I have a Blake that was in trials with the Krag, and even though it’s cool as shit to shoot, I think the Krag was a little more user friendly.