direction of inquiry.

[exilednerd]

I have some questions about a pistol I own. but do not currently have with me. long story short my mother with her gun safe is holding onto it. BUT, does anyone know of a person or place I could go to ask some questions about it, and when I do take full ownership, show me how to carefully take it apart and clean it. plus make sure it is in good working order. The why is because its a FN Browning 1903, and it hasn't been fired since my father passed in 2002. Anything within half hour of the Norfolk/Virginia beach area would be great.
ALSO if anyone knows where I can get the ammo for it...im 99% sure is the 9mm browning long(9x20). I cant seem to find it.
Thanks in advance for your knowledge and help...and if this post is more appropriate in a different area feel free to let me know.

[BertMacklin]

Your probably right about the ammo, which is difficult to procure and has led most to make their own handloads or convert it to another round, if it is in good enough condition to fire. Something tells me you lack reloading equipment, of course I may be wrong, so you might want to try to find some one close who can make this for you, starting with a 38. super case and trimming it to size, or hook up with a gunsmith of sorts to procure a barrel for it. Norma was making ammo in the 80's for this so who knows you might get lucky and find some that was stashed away. First things first, get ahold of it you can figure out what it needs, and it condition. You can probably figure out disassembly with a little instruction without needing a professional once you do.

[exilednerd]

I do not have reloading equipment, but im close with someone who does. a .38 super cartridge would work trimmed down? that's the kind of thing I need to know, thank you.
As far as professional help...I specifically would like to more about its history, the story I was given was that
my grandfather appropriated this weapon from a german officer in WWII. There is German etching on the slide. I had written down the serial number but lord help me I lost it.
Thanks for the help on the ammo so far.

[MarcSpaz]

No one has manufactured it domestically that I know of since 1989. Prvi Partizan makes 9mm Browning Long... but I don't know if they export to the US. Back in 2005 I bought a case of 1,000 rounds for $100. Today, I can't find any.

38 Super is between 3/100ths and 5/100ths of an inch bigger in diameter at its key measure points. You would need to cut 112/1000ths off the case length to test fit without any lead in it. It will be tight, but you can try it.

[jdonovan]

38 Super is between 3/100ths and 5/100ths of an inch bigger in diameter at its key measure points. You would need to cut 112/1000ths off the case length to test fit without any lead in it. It will be tight, but you can try it.

Its not likely that 38 super will fit, without being sized in a 9mm browing die first.


or you could just buy factory ammo

http://www.samcoglobal.com/Ammo-9mm-browing.html

Its corosive, and berdan primed, so remember to clean well, and the brass ins't re-loadable (well it is, but enough of a PITA that most don't attempt it)

It is getting VERY hard to find this ammo. If you buy some, I'd recommend a 'lifetime buy'

[skeeterss0]

exile,

You are from Norfolk so Bob's gun shop on Granby Street would be a good place to go for information and help. They have a very knowledgable staff and excellent gunsmiths at the facility.

[exilednerd]

thanks for the link. I hadn't been able to find it. guess im going to have to figure out how to make it myself here pretty soon anyways lol.

You are from Norfolk so Bob's gun shop on Granby Street would be a good place to go for information and help. They have a very knowledgable staff and excellent gunsmiths at the facility.

I havent been to bobs yet. thanks. I was going to check out Oceana, their website says they have a gunsmith on hand. anyone have any good/bad impressions.

Thanks everyone.

[MarcSpaz]

JD... thanks for the link. I haven't found any for years.

[SigmaShooter]

X2 for Bob's Gun Shop on Norfolk; Their 2nd floor has just about any ammo/caliber you can think of. -Pallets of it!
-Good Luck!