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November 7, 2015
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Stopped by my favorite orphanage on the way home tonight, found one I couldn’t put down. It was a very nice 69A, about 90%. Then an 03, but it may have had mechanical issues. Then another 90%+ 69A, and this one appears to be a Target Rifle. Priced under $300. Yes, I negotiated a $15 discount and yes, the alarms sounded when I left with the rifle. I smiled and kept walking.
Will post pics of this one and my M12 Black Diamond Trap when conditions improve.
November 7, 2015
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Not really nice enough weather for pics but here goes:
Very interesting. Under $300? I have a beautiful M03 # 8493, and it is early enough to letter. It is PR’d at 1-05-1904. I searched for many years to find a nice one that had no problems and was not $2500. All the cheap ones have cracked stocks and no finish and also bad bores. This one is a good 90%+. I just bought a 95%+ M69-A for $188 shipped, but it had a ringed bore. Didn’t seem to make much difference in accuracy as it shoots as well as my other M69-A’s. If you got a M69-A Match Rifle for under $300, you had better hide it before the Gun Police come to get you. Lets here more about your purchases. BTW, that is not a true target M69-A. Just a standard issue M69-A with the 80A rear sight and ramp front. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Not a target rifle? Wasn’t positive but other than the stock can’t see the difference between this one and the pics in the Red Book.
The 03 was in very good condition externally but seemed to have mechanical issues; bolt seems to be stuck about .3″ out of battery. Price was about $600 IIRC. I’m a bit hesitant to buy a rifle I probably won’t be able to shoot. Should I go back for it?
TXGunNut said
Not a target rifle? Wasn’t positive but other than the stock can’t see the difference between this one and the pics in the Red Book.
The picture in the Red Book is of a pre-war G6901R and not the G6940R Target (which was supplied with sling swivels and sling). Unfortunately the Red Book has some other errors in the Model 69 section (and some other rim fire models). I have been making notes in my copy so hopefully Bert can update the info for the next edition of the Red Book.
Big Larry is correct, your beautiful 69A is catalog number G6901R and is a standard sporting rifle with peep sight. Here are the visible differences:
– Your rifle is chambered in .22 S, L and LR and the post-war G6940R “Target” is chambered in .22 LR only (and is marked as such on the barrel).
– The G6901R has a 97B or 101B ramp front sight (like yours) and the G6940R “Target” has the 93B “shark fin” front sight.
– The G6901R has the 80A rear sight with a .080″ aperture and the G6940R “Target” has an 80B rear sight with a .040″ aperture.
– The G6901R does not have sling swivels and the G6940R “Target” came equipped with front and rear swivels and a leather sling.
Other than that they look similar…….
You got a good deal on a very nice example – congrats!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Jeff,
You are hired (as a consultant on the Red Book staff), but keep in mind that the pay is rather bleak. The rim fire models (except the Model 1885) were for the most part Larry’s work., as I am not nearly as fluent on them as he is. Your expertise will be greatly appreciated!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Jeff,You are hired (as a consultant on the Red Book staff), but keep in mind that the pay is rather bleak. The rim fire models (except the Model 1885) were for the most part Larry’s work., as I am not nearly as fluent on them as he is. Your expertise will be greatly appreciated!
Bert
I would be honored to help and I am used to working for “bleak”.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Bert, JWA is a personal friend of mine and I am sure you could not find a better man to help you. He has helped me immensely. Big Larry, President of the JWA fan club.
TXGunNut said
Not a target rifle? Wasn’t positive but other than the stock can’t see the difference between this one and the pics in the Red Book.The 03 was in very good condition externally but seemed to have mechanical issues; bolt seems to be stuck about .3″ out of battery. Price was about $600 IIRC. I’m a bit hesitant to buy a rifle I probably won’t be able to shoot. Should I go back for it?
I would advise against that. Never buy a rifle you have to make excuses for. Price is right, BUT, it does have a problem and I doubt any gunsmiths today know how to fix a M1903 Winchester, well not many anyway. You did well on the M69-A. A little harder to find than the standard sighted M69-A, but not rare and most certainly not a target rifle. Those same sights are also found on the M72-A and the M47. A little harder to find on those models in my experience. Enjoy your new treasure. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Larry. I lost interest in the 03 when I saw the 69A. May take another look to see if it looks like a simple fix. I still don’t think I want a rifle I won’t be able to shoot. I know many collectors buy guns they’ll never shoot but so far every gun in my little collection is shootable and I’ve fired almost all of them.
Looking forward to shooting my latest 69A, peep sights are almost a requirement for me on a rifle like this one. Unlike my other 69A this one has an excellent trigger. Should be fun!
TXGunNut said
Thanks, Larry. I lost interest in the 03 when I saw the 69A. May take another look to see if it looks like a simple fix. I still don’t think I want a rifle I won’t be able to shoot. I know many collectors buy guns they’ll never shoot but so far every gun in my little collection is shootable and I’ve fired almost all of them.Looking forward to shooting my latest 69A, peep sights are almost a requirement for me on a rifle like this one. Unlike my other 69A this one has an excellent trigger. Should be fun!
TX, Winchester 22 Auto is available. Not cheap, but there is plenty of it on the Internet. I did buy one box of original 1915 vintage Winchester 22 Auto for $150, but I also collect period ammo for all my guns. I also bought a bunch of the new stuff, but was advised by JWA not to shoot it in a low numbered rifle as they have bronze firing pins. have the gun Police showed up yet for stealing that M69-A? Wow, what a deal. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Good to know, Larry. Seem to recall reading that someone did a run of the Winchester Auto ammo recently but had no details. Suspect it was CCI.
No gun police have showed up yet, maybe they’re off until after the holidays. 😉 I’ll be glad when Jeff gets his book finished, I clearly need a good reference book on the Model 69. Sign me up for the JWA fan club, Big Larry! 🙂
Mike,
The run of 22 Win Auto ammo was from Aguila (Mexico).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Bert. Will pass that on. An old friend of mine who works at the store latched onto it just before I walked in. Just as well, gun has been refinished. While I was there an early low wall .22 caught my eye but it had issues. Wood was oil-soaked and the barrel had been relined and re-chambered to 22LR. 🙁
TXGunNut said
Thanks, Bert. Will pass that on. An old friend of mine who works at the store latched onto it just before I walked in. Just as well, gun has been refinished. While I was there an early low wall .22 caught my eye but it had issues. Wood was oil-soaked and the barrel had been relined and re-chambered to 22LR. 🙁
I would have run from both those rifles. Yes, I rechecked my ammo, and it is Aguila. Lots of it around when you finally get a nice M1903 22 Auto. Heed the warning about the low numbers. The bronze firing pins will break and where would you find another. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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Thanks for the warning on the firing pins, I made a cheat sheet about those serial number ranges and a few other features when I went for a second look. I seldom see an 1885 in my travels so I always take a closer look. Buyers at this store don’t know much about them so I may have an opportunity for a good buy some day but will have to do my homework.
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