New custom barrel on a milsurp

[yorgi]

A friend from Germany has a rough M1903 MS with a shot-out barrel, mis-matched numbers and consequently no collector value. He would like to rebarrel the action with a modern custom barrel (in the original 6.5X54MS calibre) and use the rifle for range shooting.

Is there a gunsmith in Canada that can produce a barrel like this and what would the approximate price be? Thanks in advance.

 

[buffdog]

A friend from Germany has a rough M1903 MS with a shot-out barrel, mis-matched numbers and consequently no collector value. He would like to rebarrel the action with a modern custom barrel (in the original 6.5X54MS calibre) and use the rifle for range shooting.

Is there a gunsmith in Canada that can produce a barrel like this and what would the approximate price be? Thanks in advance.

The cost of rebarreling for a project like this is probably going to be in the $400-$500 range by the time it is finished. Most of the 1903 MS rifles and carbines imported into Canada were during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and almost every one sold then had a bore like a gopher hole.

In the end, you are going to end up with a Gunsmithing job that will cost 4 to 5 times what the rifle is worth, have a rifle that is difficult to find ammunition for, and will never be able to recoup that money if the rifle is sold.

You will also have a rifle that is very difficult to scope, and while the MS action is quite slick to operate, the position of the bolt handle is not the best for fast repeat shots. Also, if a part breaks, they are quite difficult to find.

It would be much better to check out the TRADE-EX website, (Gunnutz sponsor-link above T.E.C. Trade-ex Canada) and look in their sporting section at some of their Husqvarna Factory made sporting rifles. For about $250, if you choose wisely, you can find good 6.5x55 or 8x57 rifles, and a lot of them are already drilled and tapped for a scope and maybe bases on them. Also, many have bolt handles already bent, and even aftermarket side safties. Ammunition for either calibre is fairly easy to purchase as both are more popular calibres.
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[yorgi]

The cost of rebarreling for a project like this is probably going to be in the $400-$500 range by the time it is finished. Most of the 1903 MS rifles and carbines imported into Canada were during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and almost every one sold then had a bore like a gopher hole.

In the end, you are going to end up with a Gunsmithing job that will cost 4 to 5 times what the rifle is worth, have a rifle that is difficult to find ammunition for, and will never be able to recoup that money if the rifle is sold.

You will also have a rifle that is very difficult to scope, and while the MS action is quite slick to operate, the position of the bolt handle is not the best for fast repeat shots. Also, if a part breaks, they are quite difficult to find.

It would be much better to check out the TRADE-EX website, (Gunnutz sponsor-link above T.E.C. Trade-ex Canada) and look in their sporting section at some of their Husqvarna Factory made sporting rifles. For about $250, if you choose wisely, you can find good 6.5x55 or 8x57 rifles, and a lot of them are already drilled and tapped for a scope and maybe bases on them. Also, many have bolt handles already bent, and even aftermarket side safties. Ammunition for either calibre is fairly easy to purchase as both are more popular calibres.
.

Thanks for the quick reply buffdog, what you say makes absolute sense. I'll pass off your info to him pronto.

 

[tiriaq]

I have rebarrelled 3 M-S 6.5s.
Do-able, but a pain in the butt.

 

[yorgi]

I have rebarrelled 3 M-S 6.5s.
Do-able, but a pain in the butt.

Thanks tiriaq. My friend tells me that he already has a local (to him) German gunsmith lined-up for the project but he's having a hard time finding a suitable barrel.

 

[smellie]

Trade-Ex has a bucketful of brand-new, in-the-white 6.5x55 barrels, 23 inches, at C$100 a pop. Threaded for a small-ring Mauser.

It may be possible to rework one of these to the 6.5x54 by removing about 1-1/2 inches at the back and rechambering. Threads I do NOT know about.

Just a possibility, although faint.

There might also be a possibility of using one of the above Mauser barrels with a chamber sleeve such as was used on the Swiss Schmitt-Rubin 1889 conversions to .30-30 which were sold here in the early '60s.

I have an original Greek barrel, but no self-respecting gopher would live in it. It has a hole through the middle, but that's about all you can say about it, apart from mentioning the MONUMENTAL pitting.

Sorry I can't help.
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[mbogo3]

Either Kreiger or Lliga makes a drop in 1903 MS barrel already contoured.Check their web sites.