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WIN 1903 22 AUTO

COPPER TOP
I HAVE A SHOOTER GRADE OF THE ABOVE LISTED RIFLE WITH A BAD BORE I WOULD LIKE TO RELINE IT TO 22 LR WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS IF ANY WILL I HAVE WITH FEEDING/EXTRACTION ECT. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP.
ALL THE BEST
SAMMIE

WE WILL NOT TIRE
WE WILL NOT FALTER
AND WE WILL NOT FAIL
G.W.B. 9-20-01
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • rockford
    quote:Originally posted by COPPER TOP
    I HAVE A SHOOTER GRADE OF THE ABOVE LISTED RIFLE WITH A BAD BORE I WOULD LIKE TO RELINE IT TO 22 LR WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS IF ANY WILL I HAVE WITH FEEDING/EXTRACTION ECT. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP.
    ALL THE BEST
    SAMMIE

    WE WILL NOT TIRE
    WE WILL NOT FALTER
    AND WE WILL NOT FAIL
    G.W.B. 9-20-01


    You will have to change the shell cutoff in the magazine tube, as the auto shells are larger diameter.

    Fred
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Does that rifle look like a model 63?

    81st FA BN WWII...Thanks Dad
    U!S!A! ALL THE WAY!!
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  • oldgunner
    MT357, let me answer you since this is my favorite rifle in existance..It is the same, the difference being the caliber. I have a mod. 63 that is like new, made in 1941. The 1903 was prior to that.
    Copper,I can't answer your question, I wish I could. I just know you have a grand old rifle there.

    There are no bad guns, only bad people.
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  • Bert H.
    COPPER TOP...

    In order to make the switch to the 22 Long Rifle cartridge, you will need the guts out of a Model 63. The Model 1903 was redesigned and replaced by the Model 63 in 1932 so that it could shoot the more popular 22 LR. The following is a direct quote from one of my reference books...

    "Model 63 Rifle - This model was a revamping of the first Winchester self-loading rifle, the Model 1903, which was chambered for a rim fire caliber especially developed for it and known as the 22 Winchester Autimatic cartridge. Later due to the popularity of the 22 Long Rifle cartridge, there was a rather insistent customer demand that an additional chambering be furnished for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge.
    The Model 1903 was of a balanced simple blowback type action. So the 22 Long Rifle chambering could not be added except by making many important and expensive changes in the design of the rifle. No definite action was taken to furnish the 22 Long Rifle chambering until 1932, when Winchester decided to discontinue the manufacture of the Model 1903, make the necessary changes, and furnish the new rifle, chambered only for the 22 Long Rilfe cartridge, as the Winchester Model 63.
    The first announcement of the new model was in the Winchester March 1, 1933, price list. Factory records show the first delivery of the Model 63 rifles to warehouse stock was made in February 1933." end quote.

    In simple terms, there is a specially weighted block attached/contained within the action that is "blown" back when fired. The block is a different weight for a Model 63 than it is in the Model 1903. There is also the diameter difference in the two cartridges... I believe (not 100% sure of this) that the diameter of the 22 Win Auto is the same as the old 22 WRF cartridge (or the same as a modern 22 WMR). Overall case length was the same for the 22 Win Auto as the 22 LR.

    Frankly, you would be better off just finding a nice used Model 63 (Winchester made 174,692 of them before being discontinued in 1958), and buying it, than to spend the $$$ and time trying to convert an old Model 1903.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • COPPER TOP
    THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO TRY TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROJECT.
    ALL THE BEST
    SAMMIE

    WE WILL NOT TIRE
    WE WILL NOT FALTER
    AND WE WILL NOT FAIL
    G.W.B. 9-20-01
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    put the '03 up for sale here and buy a couple of 10/22's
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  • woodshermit
    Interesting topic and question. I have Winchesters in 22Auto, 22WRF and 22SLLR. Keep in mind that the 1903 was one of the first, if not the first, mass produced semi-auto rifle, with the 22Auto cartridge designed especially for it at a time when 22WRFs and 22SLLRs were popular. I find it odd that you can find a decent 1903 for $300 to $400 and a Model 63 in similar condition will be twice as much or more. I believe that the 1903 Winchester is undervalued in comparison to other Winchester 22s, but, finding ammo is a problem. It's your rifle, of course, and you can do whatever you want with it, but, the expense and complications involved in a conversion seem to outweigh the end result. Besides, if the bore is bad, chances are there is a lot of wear to everything else. Sometimes, the rifle approaching 100 yrs old is best hung on the wall.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by woodshermit
    I find it odd that you can find a decent 1903 for $300 to $400 and a Model 63 in similar condition will be twice as much or more. I believe that the 1903 Winchester is undervalued in comparison to other Winchester 22s, but, finding ammo is a problem.

    Hello woodshermit... you answered your own question (musing?) on why the Model 1903 is undervalued... No available ammo for it (at least any at a reasonable price). The Model 63 can shoot real cheap ammo[^]

    The Model 1903 was indeed the "First" American made 22 caliber semi-auto firearm[^]

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • wm69
    You can find ammo for your gun, but expect to pay out the wazoo for it. Better off selling it and buying a beater 63 (one in gunlist for $400) or keep it and get a ruger 10/22. I looked for ammo for my granddad's 03 for awhile before I gave up and hung it above the fireplace......
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