I'm having BM-59 thoughts...

February 10, 2019, 03:44 PM

rat2306

Didn't make the local show this weekend as hoped for, but of late I'm been thinking of a good BM-59. Has anyone seen them recently, and recall a vendor? James River Armory produced some from kits on their receivers, but the website seems way out of date. Thanks!

February 10, 2019, 05:42 PM

Badhammer

Been thinking of one myself. I believe Classic Firearms is still the dealer for JRA.

February 10, 2019, 05:56 PM

rat2306

^^^ Could have sworn I checked the Classic Firearms site earlier, and they showed out of stock. But there they are, approx. $1300. Atlantic Firearms in MD had them also, but out of stock. Thanks for the tip!

February 10, 2019, 06:38 PM

Ironworker

I have a BM 62. I have had it quite awhile. It is a neat rifle and I like it a lot. You never go wrong with a .308/7.62 Nato battle rifle.

February 11, 2019, 06:46 AM

rat2306

I hope to see one soon, and look it over. There's a show later this month in Doswell I plan to go to. I love walnut and steel.

February 11, 2019, 09:16 AM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by rat2306:
Didn't make the local show this weekend as hoped for, but of late I'm been thinking of a good BM-59. Has anyone seen them recently, and recall a vendor? James River Armory produced some from kits on their receivers, but the website seems way out of date. Thanks!

I was at that show and bought one Sat from a guy walking around

JRA model, nice looking rifle

February 11, 2019, 10:01 AM

rat2306

^^^(snapping fingers!).

February 11, 2019, 12:10 PM

Ironworker

quote:
Originally posted by lyman:

I was at that show and bought one Sat from a guy walking around

JRA model, nice looking rifle

Lyman, I am curious about your new JRA BM 59. When you get a rifle like that at a gun show, do you test fire it or check the headspace or examine it in any way to see if it is safe or operates properly? I saw an article in Shotgun News a few years ago where JRA had sent them a BM59 for evaluation. If I remember correctly Shotgun News ended up with 2 BM59s. The first one did not work, so they returned it to JRA and were sent a second one. The second one had issues also. I remember the article because I am so happy with my Beretta made and assembled BM62 that I was thinking about buying a JRA BM59. But after reading the article, I decided not too. I remember thinking that the JRA BM 59 most really have issues if a gun magazine panned it.

February 11, 2019, 06:05 PM

Voshterkoff

Has anyone seen one built by Shuff's Parkerizing? I happened into a cheap M1 receiver a while back, and am tempted by the cheap Sarco kits.

February 12, 2019, 08:43 AM

phil in indy

I believe there is a thread over the CMP website concerning the JRA BM59s. I think they said Shuff quit taking the JRA's in because they were getting swamped with people wanting to get theirs fixed. Personally I don't know anything about JRA BM59's. But would love to get my hands on one a see how it shoots.

February 13, 2019, 12:14 PM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by Ironworker:
quote:
Originally posted by lyman:

I was at that show and bought one Sat from a guy walking around

JRA model, nice looking rifle

Lyman, I am curious about your new JRA BM 59. When you get a rifle like that at a gun show, do you test fire it or check the headspace or examine it in any way to see if it is safe or operates properly? I saw an article in Shotgun News a few years ago where JRA had sent them a BM59 for evaluation. If I remember correctly Shotgun News ended up with 2 BM59s. The first one did not work, so they returned it to JRA and were sent a second one. The second one had issues also. I remember the article because I am so happy with my Beretta made and assembled BM62 that I was thinking about buying a JRA BM59. But after reading the article, I decided not too. I remember thinking that the JRA BM 59 most really have issues if a gun magazine panned it.

the guy I bought it from was upfront and said it did not like commercial ammo (winchester etc) but ran very well, and with out issue on standard ball or any milsurp/surplus ammo he tried,

as far as test firing, unless I keep it for myself, I rarely shoot anything in inventory,

I or my brother will shoot and do a video of any MG we buy, cause A> it's fun, and B> it will sell better if you can prove it runs right,

full disclosure, I am a FFL\SOT, this BM59 is inventory,

so I'll run my gauges thru it, headspace, TE, etc, and flip it if all passes
(I have a mostly complete set of USGI gauges for the 1903/M1/M14/M16 to test firearms with)

February 13, 2019, 05:40 PM

zoom6zoom

quote:
Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
Has anyone seen one built by Shuff's Parkerizing? I happened into a cheap M1 receiver a while back, and am tempted by the cheap Sarco kits.

Tim Shufflin is generally regarded as "THE guy" for BM59 builds.

February 13, 2019, 07:37 PM

Voshterkoff

Now just to decide on an Italian or Argentine kit.

March 13, 2019, 09:38 AM

blfuller

Personally the only way I would get one if it were built on a USGI receiver. The JRA had too many issues with the barrel and their receivers. I acquired a USGI Springfield receiver and an Argentine kit. Sent the receiver and barrel off to Schuff's and I am happy with the results.

I dummied up a fake trip lever to fill the hole on the stock.

March 13, 2019, 11:18 AM

Ambush

Tim Shufflin does great work. Although I do not have the BM-59 variant, he did do two Mini-Gs for me. One of which is mag-fed and a full-sized 308 mag-fed as well. His attention to detail is outstanding. The rifles look like they are new and function as such.

I think blfuller is giving you good advice to stay away from JRA.