I went into the local sporting goods store to buy some fishing line and walked out with a numbers matching 1909 that is clean, at least above the wood line. $350 seemed a little high but visions of a clean action and an open sighted rifle project in future had me reaching for my wallet. If I paid too much it doesn't bother me but having little interest in complete military arms I also don't know the going rate. I usually just buy actions.

I would have bought it too, no question about it, even if I had to use a credit card. Seems like $500-ish is the norm. Nice to have the bolt and receiver match.

Here's an action at Champlin's that is similar and costs quite a bit more than you paid for the whole rig:

http://www.champlinarms.com/De...StyleID=2&GunID=1564

Think you got a good deal. And if needed I'll refund your money for you.

I pulled it from the wood when I got home from work and was pleased. A very fine line of minor pitting at the wood line but it should clean up fine without affecting the lettering. I don't know if most people like the bolt release as is but I'm glad to have one that hasn't had the lever altered. I'm thinking a 10.75x68 but need to see what is available for brass.

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Here's an action at Champlin's that is similar and costs quite a bit more than you paid for the whole rig:

http://www.champlinarms.com/De...StyleID=2&GunID=1564

That's just a little over priced don't you think?! The action might be nice, but that milsurp triggerguard is worth about $20. I think Dempsey got a far better deal especially when you consider that the Argie triggerguards push $150 by themselves.

I think having an original Argentine 1909 Mauser in good shootable condition would be great fun. The 7.65x53 cartridge is a good cartridge, and reasonably available.

If it is in good workable condition, with no set-back of the bolt lugs, I would shoot it, and enjoy it, especially if it shows some wear and use, since that's a pretty good clue that it will be ok to shoot as much as you want with reasonable loads.

Back when I was fresh out of college, and didn't know much, I remember being shown two 1909s with consecutive serial numbers, and both rifles were like new, unissued, all matching numbers on each rifle. I didn't appreciate what I was seeing at the time. Of all the places, this was in Pinehurst GA, at a little gunshop which I can't remember the name of now.

I'll bet most of us can think of deals we wish we had taken, but that one really stands out in my memory, thinking of the 1909.

KB

You got a great deal there. I am looking for just such an action to build my dream 404 Jeffery.

quote:

Originally posted by dempsey:
I went into the local sporting goods store to buy some fishing line and walked out with a numbers matching 1909 that is clean, at least above the wood line. $350 seemed a little high but visions of a clean action and an open sighted rifle project in future had me reaching for my wallet. If I paid too much it doesn't bother me but having little interest in complete military arms I also don't know the going rate. I usually just buy actions.

You made a terrible buy, in fact so bad that in order to make you feel better I'll take it off your hands , so it no longer reminds you of you error.

Kabluewy I gave it some thought as keeping it as is and if I had a drawer full of donor actions I probably would. It is a fine rifle in it's current state. I gonna get the barrel pulled tomorrow and set it aside for a future project.

If anybody has any use for the rest of it let me know. I'm not real sure if there is any demand for the other parts. If there is I'm open to suggestions as to where I can find those folks. Not looking to make a load of money, just finding someone who may need it at current value or a bit cheaper just to move it.

Well, at least with the barrel out of the way, it will be easier to check and see if there is any evidence of setback.

Presumably, you plan on having it heat treated anyhow, but if I had it, I would be curious of its current condition. The last one I had looked good as usual, and I kept it in reserve status for a few years. When I sent it off to have a barrel installed, (9.3x57) the gunsmith got back with me and said he wouldn't barrel that action since it had set back already with the original barrel and presumably with military use. I didn't want to mess with it, so I sold it disclosing its condition. I used a FN commercial action instead.

KB

Many agree that these, in terms of fit and finish, are at least close to the best of the Mauser products.

My understanding is that Interarms imported some thousands of unfired 1909s.

I know that the two consecutive serial numbered rifles I had were pristine. With the exception of stock blems that probably occured in shipping.

The one I still have has been equipped with a Lyman 57 rear aperture by a previous owner, and a Lyman 17 front aperture sight.

This beautiful 100 year old rifle still shoots very, very well.

So much that I've considered shooting in our club's 600 yard prone iron sight matches.

What a great sight radius!

I have one 1909 action left, drilled and tapped, trued, lugs lapped and heat treated, that I expect I'll have to sell to support my 600 yard benchrest habit.

I just love these 1909s.

And yes, it's a pretty great chambering.

flaco

For fit, finish and function, I actually think more highly of the three good military '98 actions I have left, than the 1909s I've had. The big difference is that I don't plan on re-heat treating any of the three. One of them is stamped S/42 1937 on the front ring. It's really clean with no rust or pitting. I've been thinking for several years now about what to make with it. I have a clean military bolt that fits it, but I also have a FN commercial bolt that fits it too.

Actually I assembled all three actions completely from parts, but the parts were selected for best fit. I have two 1909 bottom metal units, blackburn triggers, three-position safeties.

I have seriously considered having a barrel made in 7.65x53 for the S/42 action (.311), just because I think I would like the cartridge. Of course a rifle like this is no collector item, and probably not a show piece. I think it will make a great shooter, and of course it will be special to me.

KB

A nice 1909 receive sold in the classifieds for $350 in 8 minutes. I've tried to buy several similar actions in the past months for similar prices and they have all gone very quickly. Given that, I'd say you got a good deal.

In the end though, as long as you are happy with it and are comfortable with the money you spent, then it was a good buy. Who cares what anyone else thinks, they didn't earn your money.

I have built and continue to build on 1909's(probably 15 or so).

The amount of finish work to make a good std.( .473 base ) rifle is minimal.

The bottom metal makes life easier for unloading, etc.

The amount of time/ money to build/buy other bottom metal makes the 09 a time/ work saver.

Not to mention the overall smoothness of almost all the DWM 1909's.

When you get ready to go to work on it, pull the barrel and the stock set and run them on gunbroker. You'll be right where you should be if not better on your action.

My last 1909 DWM became a neat 9.3X62.

Terry

Your 9.3 is a real gem. I took it in to pull the barrel today. He was busy but tried to do it while I waited. He told me to come back Monday after playing with it for a few minutes. The action screws were tight as hell too. I had to use an easy out. I'm still leaning towards a 10.75x68 but if I have the urge to spend some cash I'd really like a 404J. I still have two 7x57 projects on my plate so I have a couple of years to think about it.

I've always wanted a 10.75x68. Sounds like you have plenty of time to think about it.

That one Kevin has pictured looks like a nice piece. If I had any urge to start a new project that would be very tempting.

Terry

22wrf, that should have moved a long tome ago. The one I bought not having any work done was a bonus wanting a open sighted gun. Also my ffl won't accept from a non ffl shipper. Yes I know the laws but I can't blame them either.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
I don't know. I have one here that has had a lot of smith work done to it (drilled and tapped, rear sear worked, new bolt handle) and a new 7 x 57 barrel that I can't get rid of for $300 (it doesn't have bottom metal though). I do have the firing pin, but it needs a new safety.



so, I think you might have paid just a bit too much.

You have a PM