Cooper Arms 1989-2009

[Bamaslammer]

Dan,

I would like to share a bittersweet story with you. Several years ago a local was downsizing his firearm collection preparing for retirement. He had many very nice rifles.
one was a Cooper varminter (22?) in 6.5-284. I was seriously considering buying it, but my buddy’s son looked like he fallen in love.
After mounting the scope and sightin it in, he went for group. At shot two, he said, ”oh my”! We asked what? He ignored us. Shot three, “oh my”. Again, what? Silence. Shot four, “oh my”. I believe my comment was what the hell is going on?!? “Either I’m missing the target, or they are going through the same hole”!
After the fifth shot we walked up to the target. It was hard to tell more than one bullet traveled through the original hole. The fifth shot had 1/4” of paper between it and the group!
This was with either a Sierra or Lapua bullet I had with Varget powder and a charge we decided on.
Needless to say we all said “oh my”!
This rifle didn’t live in the safe, it had a special place in his bedroom. Maybe under his pillow...
The sad part of the story is during a wind storm, they had an electrical fire. 1/2 hour from smoke to the house is gone. They lost everything. This was several years ago.
They are pretty much back to normal minus a very accurate Cooper rifle. I’m keeping a close watch on this forum waiting for the perfect rifle to pop up. This time, maybe a repeater, definitely a 6.5 cal. I’m pretty sure when he sees the right one, it will be his.

Thanks for making a great rifle!

Merry Christmas to all!

Terry

Thank you for sharing that story. We sure did our best every day.

 

[Bamaslammer]

It was fun reading all eight pages! I have had several Coopers in 21, 38 and 52 models. Everything shot better than I could. I visited the factory in 2005 when working in Missoula and having a day to kill. The factory tour was memorable (can't recall who showed me around), but I was amazed at the craftmanship and the people that who were working. I stopped and talked to the guy test firing in the "tunnel". He was loading ammo as he shot it. The gals in the small room that were engraving and putting inlays were incredible to watch!
Thanks for putting out an outstanding product for all of us that appreciate accuracy and beauty in the finished product. Cheers

Thank you for your kind comments. It sure was fun too.

 

[Ccrider]

Great thread. Thanks for sharing Dan. Made me decide to try a Cooper rifle out. Can you tell me anything about this gun. All I know is that it is a 223ai.

 

[Bamaslammer]

This is awesome.

Dan-
Did you receive requests for RBLP guns and were any built?

Yes we did and I believe we made 2 for a special dealer (probably The Outdoorsman) when we began to run the M21 in LH. These were more experimental than anything.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Great thread. Thanks for sharing Dan. Made me decide to try a Cooper rifle out. Can you tell me anything about this gun. All I know is that it is a 223ai. View attachment 1305477View attachment 1305478

This is a M21 Montana Varminter in 223 Ackley Improved. This is one of the first 50 Montana Varminters we made, the exact date I have not ascertained yet but it would have been in 1999.

 

[Ccrider]

This is a M21 Montana Varminter in 223 Ackley Improved. This is one of the first 50 Montana Varminters we made, the exact date I have not ascertained yet but it would have been in 1999.

Thanks. It is on the way to my ffl. Do you know the twist or what loads you all were using?

 

[BAM]

Dan i posted earlier but you must have missed my question...
Can you tell us about the range used, the yardage shot at and typical how you went about getting the rifles test cards completed from start to finish....

 

[sw282]

This is a M21 Montana Varminter in 223 Ackley Improved. This is one of the first 50 Montana Varminters we made, the exact date I have not ascertained yet but it would have been in 1999.

I have a MTV in 223Rem, low seven hundred ser#. l booked the rifle in to Jarrett Rifles nearby. Looking it over Jarrett commented he did not like the ejector pin because it was so big. l prefer a strong one for kicking
out those empties on a HOT prairie dog town. l can pick brass up later

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I know this thread is about the older models but have noticed a few negative comments about some of the newer ones. I was shooting my 2017 model 54 repeater yesterday and have to say the quality of build and accuracy is very outstanding on it. The magazine on it is really a masterpiece of a design, the top of the floor plate resembles a single shot follower as to where you can lay a round right on top of magazine and feed it in with the bolt effortlessly.

 

[old_heli_logger]

Yes we did and I believe we made 2 for a special dealer (probably The Outdoorsman) when we began to run the M21 in LH. These were more experimental than anything.

Cooper made some left-hand rifles? Oh no, the search begins...thanks Dan!!!

 

[Rimfire-CA]

Hi Dan, one of the highlights of my adventure with firearms was having dinner with you,Tom and Joann Thomas, Butch Weiland and my wife during one of the Harrisburg Outdoors shows. During dinner you sketched out the design of your yet to be built repeating rifle for Butch’s opinion on your napkin.Unknown to me my wife picked up that napkin on the way out of the restaurant. We had it framed and gave it to Tom and Joann. Stay well.
Terry

 

[Kittitas George]

Dan, A number of years ago when the Cooper factory was north of where it is now, in an old series of warehouse buildings I met you. Your office was at the front door, you introduced me to a nice man that gave me a tour. Very interesting and friendly. Your 'test shooters' work station was a closet, chair in the door way and closet shelves lined with bullets, powder and dies. I now have 2 Coopers, a 17HMR and .204 Ruger, both have the wood stock. I've been to the new factory a couple of times, very nice, you started a wonderful thing. The rifles make me into a "real marksman". I would love to meet you again, George.

 

[Kittitas George]

Dan, I should have started at the beginning. Interesting to hear your family was involved in the car industry back when. My father had a Stutz back in the day and a friend made 'street rods' out of 2 Grahams. The one he had in the late 1950s had a factory 'blower'. The last one he did was in the late 1980s. Buick engine, air conditioned, and electric windows, a beautiful car. It sounds like quality products are 'in your blood'. Your family, I'm sure, has an interesting history. Are you keeping it up to date?

 

[Bamaslammer]

Hi Dan, one of the highlights of my adventure with firearms was having dinner with you,Tom and Joann Thomas, Butch Weiland and my wife during one of the Harrisburg Outdoors shows. During dinner you sketched out the design of your yet to be built repeating rifle for Butch’s opinion on your napkin.Unknown to me my wife picked up that napkin on the way out of the restaurant. We had it framed and gave it to Tom and Joann. Stay well.
Terry

Oh wow that's been a while back! I'm glad to hear that you have that piece of history. Napkins were always my favorite business plan, stock concept, and action design before heading to the computer. Thanks for the memories! Great to hear from you...Coop

 

[Tommie]

Oh wow that's been a while back! I'm glad to hear that you have that piece of history. Napkins were always my favorite business plan, stock concept, and action design before heading to the computer. Thanks for the memories! Great to hear from you...Coop

Dan! Welcome back! Been missing your insights.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Dan, I should have started at the beginning. Interesting to hear your family was involved in the car industry back when. My father had a Stutz back in the day and a friend made 'street rods' out of 2 Grahams. The one he had in the late 1950s had a factory 'blower'. The last one he did was in the late 1980s. Buick engine, air conditioned, and electric windows, a beautiful car. It sounds like quality products are 'in your blood'. Your family, I'm sure, has an interesting history. Are you keeping it up to date?

Somewhat. Before my father passed his comment to me was "I have a son who is VP Bank of America Global, I have another son who is decorated by Reagan as Soldier of the Year, my daughter owns her own recycling business, and then there's you...first man to hike the continental divide from Mexico to Russia and starts his own firearms company...I have no idea where this came from" LOL I simply said "from you and Mom". Sadly most of my family that were leaders and adventurers in the auto industry have now passed. But you are so right, quality products made in America is definitely in our blood. Thanks for your story...a Stutz? That's too cool.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Dan, A number of years ago when the Cooper factory was north of where it is now, in an old series of warehouse buildings I met you. Your office was at the front door, you introduced me to a nice man that gave me a tour. Very interesting and friendly. Your 'test shooters' work station was a closet, chair in the door way and closet shelves lined with bullets, powder and dies. I now have 2 Coopers, a 17HMR and .204 Ruger, both have the wood stock. I've been to the new factory a couple of times, very nice, you started a wonderful thing. The rifles make me into a "real marksman". I would love to meet you again, George.

Thanks for your comments George. 17HMR and 204 Ruger are really cool rifles. The rifles don't make you a marksman...you make yourself a marksman. The rifle is just a good tool.

 

[Bamaslammer]

Not that it makes any difference, but I always wondered if the test targets were shot with a good light trigger and then the consumer safe trigger was installed before shipping.

No, the testing process was to check everything. The only other person to touch the rifle and check it out would have been either me or our shipping clerk who cleaned and prepped the rifle.

 

[Brians356]

Dan, you mentioned your grandparents once owned Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg. Are you a descendant of E. L. Cord?
-

 

[SF340Driver]

Hi Dan, great to see you here.

I just tracked down a model 38 MTV that I am going cut an additional barrel for. I want to match the finish to the receiver.

What was the finishing process for the rifles? Bluing or a coating? If a coating, what was used?

What is the proper barrel taper to order? We’re these a custom taper? Would Lilja know the dimensions?

Thanks!
Greg