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Click on any of the images
below to see a larger version of the image.
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 Like
most shooters, I grew up shooting twenty-two (.22LR) rifles.
My first rifle was a Ruger 10/22.
Twenty-two rifles are fun, cheap, and a really great way to learn
how to handle firearms.
The same 10/22 that I learned how to shoot with is now scoped
with a bull barrel. I can knock out a hole, the size of a quarter
- all day long at 50 yards. It is ridiculously accurate and
has no noticeable recoil when shooting. I don't shoot it very much
because it supplies minimal challenge.
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 When
I was in the military they started us out on an M16 that was converted
to shoot the .22LR rimfire cartridge. This is a very common practice
in the military forces around the world. Soldiers are introduced
to the principles of handling military firearms without the cost
and recoil associated with shooting full powered military cartridges.
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I have been interested in getting a bolt action twenty-two
rifle and it seemed natural for me to look at some of the
military trainers available on the surplus market. I started doing
research on the internet for a potential subject and came upon an
ad on the Southern Ohio Gun International
(SOG) website for a Romanian .22 Trainer for only $59.
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The Romanian Model 1969
Trainer is a detachable magazine fed, bolt-action, military trainer.
My rifle was manufactured in 1976. Because of this fact the little
trainer is not eligible for Curio and Relic (C&R) status.
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Excerpt from C&R Regulations
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As set out in the regulations (27 CFR 178.11), curios
or relics include firearms which are of special interest to collectors
by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms
intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons.
To be recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within
one of the following categories:
1.) Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to
the current date, but not including replicas thereof;
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You could wait another 25+ years to get one or have one ordered
for you by a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. This will
add $20 to $40 to the cost of the rifle.
From what I have
read on the message
boards, the Romanian Trainer seems to have a dedicated following.
Besides the message boards there is not an abundance of information
on the rifle, either in print or on the internet.
The overall workmanship on the rifle is indicative of communist
bloc manufacturing style - a little rough around the edges, but
very functional.
At first, my rifle did not feed any .22 caliber ammo very well.
After tweaking the magazine a little and properly cleaning the bolt
and rifle, it worked just fine.
Note: The bolt on this rifle is not easy to
disassemble or
reassemble!
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The rifle's sights present a typical Mauser style sight picture
and the rear sights are easy enough to operate. |
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 Three
preset tangents can easily be flipped between 100, 50, and 25 meter
distances (as shown in figures 4, 5, and 6).
The blueing is military grade and the wood has a lacquer style
finish.
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I picked a nice sunny February day to go to the range.
The only good thing for a firearm collector in California is that,
pretty much year round, you get a lot more shooting days than snow
bound states.
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 With
a 22 1/4 inch barrel, I expected pretty good accuracy and was not
disappointed. There was no noticeable recoil and the trigger pull
was very military like, yet - not bad.
The length of the rear stock made it easy to handle
and shoot. I fired off two magazines at 50 yards and grouped fairly
well (as shown in figure 8).
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I am interested
in mounting a scope and giving it another go at the range. The Romanian
seems to have some sort of integral scope mount cut into the top
of the receiver. It appears to be too small. None of the scope rings
from any of my other twenty-two rifles would fit. I may just drill
and tap to mount a scope.
This would be a
great rifle for a youngster who is looking into getting into military
surplus rifles or maybe just has a desire to learn how to shoot.
Not a lot of money
for a plinker or rabbit gun.
jlm;)
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