Resale value of a Miltech '03 refurb?

[Old Scratch]

I know they are only refinished parts guns, but I am curious if they have any potential resale value . I recently took a Miltech Springfield 03 Mark I in lieu of payment (the client was broke and had nothing else). I am wondering if I should treat this as anything more than a shooter with a pretty stock.

 

[Acera]

I am wondering if I should treat this as anything more than a shooter with a pretty stock.

If you do, let me know and I will give you a few hundred dollars for it.

Check out the prices for the Miltech stuff, obviously people are buying at those prices. If the gun is in the shape it was like it left their shop, I would think you could find a buyer for a few hundred less than they sell for. I've seen their work, and it's a pretty good restoration. They are a lot better shooters than most you will find on the surplus market, due to the brand new barrel. They have a specific market they go after, you should go after that one also if you intend to sell it.

It really is not as bad as you make it out to be.

 

[Old Scratch]

Please do not mistake my intent here, Acera. I have no opinion, having never even fired the thing. My only observation is that these are parts guns, which, as I understand it, are generally snubbed by collectors. Its a pretty rifle, to be sure.

Its comforting to know they were well reconditioned and are good shooters. For that reason alone I will give it an honest try with some good reloads. Thanks.

 

[Balrog]

I collect military rifles from WWII, including restorations.

I like to shoot and not just collect though, so I really like having restorations in addition to originals. I had an original O3A3 that I was firing a few months ago, and part of the forend of the stock cracked and is now ruined. I can find an original piece of wood if i scrounge for it, but I had been shooting a restoration with a new stock this would not have happened.

It just depends on what the collector wants. I would not sell this for much less than Miltech sells them for.

 

[Old Scratch]

Thanks, Balrog

Good advice here...I will hold out for a decent price. It really is a beautiful rifle...original or no.

 

[Chainsaw2]

Man alive are they proud of their wares! 1,650.00 seems to be fixed in their minds.

jim

 

[Balrog]

Quality restorations are not for folks with thin wallets.

 

[dougw47]

'03 refurb...

Sounds like you would have several potential buyers right here, if it were legal.

 

[desidog]

Sounds like you would have several potential buyers right here, if it were legal.

Um, why wouldn't it be legal? That comment makes no sense to me. Nor does that 1650 pricetag: AIM is selling the Gibbs refurbs for 5-700 depending on the stock type; and while i haven't handled either example, i find it hard to imagine that there's a 3x+ difference in product. Still, if others out there are willing shell out; why not sell it at Miltech prices, get a Gibbs refurb, and pocket 1000 bucks...course, i don't know what the guy owed in the first place!

 

[Acera]

Quality restorations are not for folks with thin wallets.

Balrog is correct. There are a lot of people who can't see the difference between a car bought from the pages of auto-trader and just washed and one bought from a Barrett-Jackson auction after a full frame off restoration either.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I recently sold a Remington 03A3 that was made with mostly new condition GI parts for $550. It was a beautiful rifle with a new cond GI barrel, and exc plus GI wood, the rest all GI, but not original build. I feel it was a fair, if not a great deal. I do not think that a Mitchell refurb could or would have been better, based on the condition of the rifle I sold. I do not know what they charge, but I offer mine as a comparison.

 

[nbkky71]

I bought a Miltech 1903A3 a couple years ago and paid $600 for it, including shipping + FFL fees. The seller was in some hard times, needed the money and that was the price he quoted me.

Pretty rifle, but I don't think it was worth what they were charging on their website. It didn't shoot any better than the Springfield 1903A1 I bought later.