Win. 1903 .22 auto
What do you guys think of this rifle? Does it look all original to you. Do you think it might be a decent item to have in the safe if it can be bought at a reasonable price? Lastly, what do you think it might be worth? Any answers appreciated.
Thanks,
Gene
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Hello Gene: This rifle is out of the range of collectible condition. Though it looks original save for what may be a sanded butt stock and a front sight that looks to be missing its bead, the cracks/splits in the wood and the lack of any original finish on the metal tells me that any money spent on this rifle would be much better put towards a better conditioned piece. Were it not for the obsolescence of the .22 Auto cartridge and its high cost when you can find the cartridge, I would label the rifle as a shooter.
As to value put the several hundred dollars the guy is probably asking for it (or should be asking for it) towards a much better conditioned 1903/03. Yes, then you will have to spend $600 or more but you will have a much better contribution to your gun safe.
Merrill0 -
Merrill is right on, that is not a collector grade rifle, and as a shooter ammo is too hard to find.
W.D.0 -
110 years ago they were the cutting edge, today not so much.
They will shoot regular 22's but not for long and not without blowing the cases wide open. Not recommended ask me how I know.
Roughly 50 cents each for newer sure fire ammo can be found via google.0 -
Thanks guys for the answers. I am sure glad that I found this website. I learn something new almost everday.
Gene0 -
I had one that would feed and shoot 22LR with a sleeve made from tubular brass headed rivets. I.D. was slightly undersize so the rivets were slit. They stayed in place and cycled.
This gun was 95% but I had a heck of a time getting $250 for it because
of the caliber.
I believe they can be easily converted once you bush the chamber.0 -
Just bought 2 boxes of NEW Winchester 1903 ammo. Close to $20 per box. Dealer had no .22 at all except the Winchester 22 automatic. 0 -
J&G Sales has newly produced Aguila .22 Win. Auto for sale for $14.95 a box. I recently ordered a brick to supplement my store of 650 rounds which should keep my 03 and me happy for quite some time. It's a 95% gun, made fairly late in production in 1926 and is equipped with a factory installed Lyman #45 receiver sight. The new Aguila ammo is proving to be reliable and extremely accurate. If you own an 03 this is your chance to stock up and have some fun; it's a tad expensive, but at least the ammo exists, unlike regular .22's in most places. -Asa 0 -
Why would you shoot it. If You have a few rounds, Them Keep them. 0 -
I would (and do) shoot it because it's a pleasure to shoot (as are all my pre-64 Win. .22's) and ammunition-as I said in my last post-is readily available. Since I have well over 1K rounds and can get much more, what's the point in "keeping them"? Everyone who has an 03 and believes that ammo is still virtually non-existent and prohibitively expensive needs to go to the J&G Sales website. If you own an 03 that is in good condition and want to shoot it, order up and fire away. -Asa 0
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