1903A3 help

kg4kpg

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Any 1903 experts on the board? I was out in Texas for the week for a funeral and my brother gave me the 1903 you see below. No stock, no trigger group, just as pictured. Can anyone give me a good source for the parts I need? Also, I did some research and determined it is a post-war receiver with a Springfield Armory barrel, can anyone enlighten me on this rifle by chance? The pics below show all of the markings on the receiver and barrel. Also, it is stamped 30-06, can it shoot .308 as well?

Thanks,

Chris

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First off...I don't know much...but, do not try to shoot .308's in that gun. It is a 30.06...just like the Garand. Needs 150 grain or less ammo...

I might know a place to get you some parts. I will check and get back to you...

Nice gun...

Steve
 
.308 is definitely a No Go on that rifle! There should be places for getting a trigger assembly and stock for it somewhere. Hopefully you can retore that epic rifle and use it as you wish to! :geek:
 
there was an insert made that took it from 30-06 to 308 but its either one cal or the other. id see if 30-06 fits then thats all it shoots
 
I wasn't sure but thought I would ask. I thought they were similar like .223 and 5.56 are, just not the same. It is stamped 30-06 so that was what I planned to get when it's ready to shoot. You now it seems like I remember seeing a composite stock at ATP for a 1903, may have o check it out.

I'll check all he suggested site and appreciate the info. Maybe next week, just got home from a 7 day driving round trip to Dallas, I'm beat!
 
Well, now I'm at a stalemate. I've found a lot of posts on various rifle, shooting, and surplus forums that give pro's and con's on this rifle. Some say it's a good sporter with no collector value and some say it is a dangerous cast copy of the Remington and Springfield receivers with good surplus parts. Some say the bolt doesn't fit tight enough, can't accept the charger clips to load ammo. I can't say on loading since the lower parts are missing. I can say the bolt sits snug and slides smoothly when operated and doesn't have any play when locked in place. I guess I'll have to fork up some cash to have an amorer inspect it first before I dump any other money into it. :(
 
There were problems with the earlier World war I model 1903's. The factory workers decided that they could tell by sight when the metal was hot enough for tempering, it usually wasn't, and resulting in bad metal tempering and receivers that can burst when fired. It wasn't caught at first but the carbon can be burnt from the steel from firing over time. It all depends on the serial number. The "official" or "accepted" cutoff numbers for Low Numbered Springfield's are S/N 800,000, and S/N 286,506 for Rock Island. Anything lower than this and it is likely considered NOT SAFE.

I don't believe Remington made any in World War I, but they did in WWII using old Rock Island machinery. The metal problems were discovered by this time and none should have the brittle problem like the earlier models. Make sure the rifle was not demilled for use as a drill rifle. The balance of the 1903 was great for drill teams to use and many were converted for this purpose. As a former NJROTC Drill team member, I have thrown, spun , and dropped a number of them. A drill rifle may be OK for parts but do not use the barrel, bolt, magazine cutoff, or receiver as these are usually cut, drilled, or welded to make them inoperable. Drill rifles can be had for a low price.

As regards value? I've never seen what I'd call a shootable "Cheap" 1903. Even rifles with replacement stocks were going for around $699 from importers like AIM Surplus or J&G. New barrels are still available and the 30-06 cartridge is very popular today. I cannot view your image here at work ;) but it could be a great project to get yours back into shooting condition. A gunsmith can tell you if the head space is OK or not OK. Its always good to have it checked although its typically not as bad with bolt action rifles as they head space on the cartridge rim, but better safe than sorry.

If you don't want to do it, list a selling price for what you have and I'm sure someone will make an offer for the parts alone.
 
Well hell. I have too much going on and the VA screwed up my GI Bill benefits so I'm coning out of pocket for school right now, my motorcycle needs repairs, I have to drive to Missouri for a military school in a couple weeks, so money is more inportant than toys so I think I will just try to sell it. If anyone is interested in it for the Barrel and receiver parts just shoot me a note. Maybe someday I'll have a long-range shooter.

Chris
 
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