Mossberg RM-7: A flashback from the 1980s

Mossberg is well-known for the long series of shotguns and rimfire rifles produced by the company since before the turn of the century; their center-fire rifles are less well-known outside the United States. The Mossberg RM-7 was their center-fire model from the 1980s and one which repays study.

Design

The appearance is conventional, with a conservatively styled walnut stock having a graceful pistol grip and good crisp checkering. Two heavy steel cross pins go through the stock behind the recoil shoulder and magazine to reinforce it.

The bolt is of Mossberg’s own design using four front lugs for very positive locking and with the body fluted, with polished bearing surfaces, to ensure smooth action. The bolt knob is checkered for a firm grip, and there is a prominent safety catch on the bolt sleeve where it can be easily operated by the right thumb.

Magazine

The magazine is unusual in being a rotary type, though not totally mechanical as, say, the Mannlicher-Schoenauer. The magazine has a curved inner wall against which the cartridges ride, propelled by a sprung follower arm that tracks them around their curved pat to deliver them to the feed way.

There is a magazine release lever that permits the contents to be emptied without having to work the bolt; the bolt is opened and lever pressed, withdrawing the stop arm and allowing the follower to push the cartridges out and into the feed way where they can be removed.

Accuracy

The foresight is a gold bead on a ramp; the rear sight an open folding leaf in the mid-position, capable of adjustment for elevation and windage. The receiver is factory drilled and tapped for telescope mounts.

Mossberg RM-7 accuracy is good, averaging two-inch groups when rest-fired at 100 yards, and the rifle is well-balanced and handy in practical use.

Technical specifications