03s bum me out.

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

collateral

Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Messages
419
Location
michigan
I went to chicago today, and on the way home I stopped at the new Cabelas in Indiana. They had a Springfield 03 there for only 600. The outside of it looked fine, and it had most of the finish, but the bolt felt REALLY loose upon opening it, and the bore was REALLY bad, the worst Ive seen on a milsurp....or any other rifle.

I thought about buying it anyways, as a display piece. Even if I never fired it, it would still be awesome to own a piece of history.

All of the 1903s I find are so expensive, and when I found this one I was hoping for a deal, but with that barrel it wasnt even worth getting.
 
The sad fact of the matter is that all 03s are old now,and lots of old things are worn out.Barrels,however,are relatively easy and affordable to replace with USGI or commercial ones.And bolts are dirt cheap and available (1903A3 bolts also fit 1903s).I have an 03A3 that I bought for $400.00 with a rusty bore.Got a New in Wrap USGI barrel and now she shines.See if you can knock the price down based on the barrel condition.Might be a diamond in the rough.
 
yea go for it.

My 03A3 Smith Corona is in great shape, and I picked it up about 10 years ago for $250.

Shoots great. I don't really want to shoot it to much, though. I tend to shoot the 1917 enfield a lot more, of the two. And of my M1 Garand and M1 carbine, I shoot the M1A/M14 the most of all of them.

Like wayne said, get it, and fix it up. There can be no better tribute or hobby than to get one of these old war horses back in fighting trim.

PS Get the bayonet too. My 16" bayonet fits on my M1 Garand too.

Good Luck

Fred
 
Heh, you ought to see how 1917 Enfields are going now! I saw a Remington that the seller insisted on getting $550 for - and it was a chopped sporter!

Ash
 
A3 barrels are still affordable. Try to find an affordable 03 barrel. I figure they start at $200.00.
 
Heh, you ought to see how 1917 Enfields are going now! I saw a Remington that the seller insisted on getting $550 for - and it was a chopped sporter!

Ash
Click to expand...

Wow. I think I gave 300 or so for the Enfield about.......6 years ago.

Yea, buy it.

Fred
 
I know its unchristian, bit I HATE YOU!
Click to expand...

Yea, I know. That is appropriate hate too!

Wait, let me build the fire.

My M1 Carbine, Postal Meter, with the paratrooper folding stock (not original) I got for $50 bucks, although I had to invest in it to get it working, $20 bucks for an extractor and the gunsmith to put it in. That was about 8 years ago.

Side match, The carbine, garand, and 03 were all made in 1943. OORAH!

How is that for twisting your tail. [Places both thumbs in both ears and wiggles fingers at the ole' Grizz!]

HO HO HO!

Merry Christmas to all.

Fred
 
I am glad I got a 1903A3 with a good barrel from the CMP a few years back before they ran out. It shoots great. I might try to pick up a bolt and barrel for future use though.

I got a 1917 also, but it was a parade rifle so the bore is corroded a bit. It still does ~8 to 10" groups, but not really any better than that. CMP was selling barrels for them, but I don't know if they will reorder some or not.

I know my Dad picked up a 1903A3 for about $350 in the mid-90's. It was a little gun show in Brenham, TX.
 
I just got one with a horrible barrel and it has cleaned out pretty well. It seems to shoot fine. I'd haggle the price (or just keep looking). Try and get it priced with rebarrelling in mind and then hope that it isn't needed.
 
I got an 03A3 with a chipped front sight blade for $400 in October, and a minty M1903 at an estate auction last year for $455. They're out there, you just have to look. And look in places that don't charge retail.
 
$600 for a worn out 03 is about 4 times too much. And if the bolt is that loose it might very well be the receiver that is worn excessively also. My .02 is ignorethat rifle .... for $600 you can do a lot better out there. These pics are of an 03A3 I bought for $125 as a junker. Only the bolt assembly and receiver were worth keeping. I got a new wide body C-type stock and handguard from Numrich the correct dated brand new 2 groove Remington barrel for $80 and all new mil-surplus hardware. Had refinished. Only the receiver, barrel and front sight sleeve should parkerized the rest should be blued. In 1943 that how remington did it NEW not rebuild. I completely bedded it and put a timney comp trigger in it. It is capable of 1 MOA with good handloads. Point is I got a absolutely brand new 1903A3 for under $700 and the pleasure and pride of building it.
img2889bu3.jpg

img2888ms2.jpg

03barrel2cq1.jpg

03barrel1yq1.jpg
 
lencac- I have read your other 03 posts, real nice. Where did you find the barrel for $60? Just curious. My barrel is a little rusty but good enough, for $60 though I'd buy one. Maybe have it installed down the road.
 
Bofe954 it was $80 but if memory serves me correctly I got through an ad in the Shotgun News a couple of years ago. In hind sight I should have bought the entire batch. I can't remember the outlet now but it doesn't matter cause that source was exhausted about a week after the ad was posted.
 
Been shooting my Rem03A3 (inherited) with a Williams peep sight from the 60's, common mod at that time. very good gun as I shoot my reloads at a 15inch steel plate 200 and 300 yards. Been working with a Model of 1917 ( Winchester), arsenal rebuilt after WW1. An older man owned it for around 60 years and still had storage grease in it, consignment sale at the local shop and I worked a trade with the shop owner. My reloads tend to lock up tighter in this gun even though I seat the bullet under OAL. What is current value on the market even though its not for sale?
 
I'd like to see some pics please :) The round locking-up is not due to the OAL, it's cause the chamber dimensions are tighter on the 1917, not uncommon. The brass you shoot from each you should keep separate and after they are fire-formed to each particular rifle just neck size them when reloading. It will extend the life of the brass and produce better accuracy.
 
New barrels A3, two groove, still in the wrap run between $100 and
$150. I could kick myself for not buying a buch more in the early
80s from DCM. They sold for 95 cents each new. I got two left
waiting to find an action to do a rebuild. Would you believe the
NRA sold them for $14.50? Xmas bah humbug! Can't believe my
luck when they had a special opening for A4s. I drew a never fired
one for the same $14.50. Oohrah!:D
 
Quote:
My 03A3 Smith Corona is in great shape, and I picked it up about 10 years ago for $250.
I know its unchristian, bit I HATE YOU!
Click to expand...

May I top you and say, I got mine for free. It was my wife's grandfather's. :)
 
To lencac who responded to my post about my Mod1917, thanks for the insight on the tolerances. I'll have to post some pics along the way, get my kids to show me how and put it under a new thread on P17's. Any input as to value for such a gun?, all I'm going to do is rub in some linseed oil to keep the wood fresh. Picked up on milsurps after deployment to Iraq in 03-04, loads of british stuff in that country from the older days and we cant get our hands on them--darn!
 
My 1903 was picked up at Rock Island for $39, unfortunately my grandfather, cut the other one down for a sporter. At least I got one of them
 
No prob shuvelrider. If it is in very good to excellent condition it may be worth upwards of $500. Although these have come in under the radar, so to speak, I believe that as good 03's become harder to find the M1917 will become more sought-after and hence push the prices up. It was not all that long ago, perhaps only a few years that I was seeing these things in excellent condition going in the $350 range.
Also if you are interested I have a couple of excellent receipts for ammo that should prove to be very accurate for the 17s. And if you like I have a couple of tips on checking and improving the bedding between barreled action and stock that requires very little in the way of tools and materials without glass or epoxy bedding. Just requires your dilgent time more than anything.
Here's a pic of one I just recently aquired. Only $50 changed hands the rest was in trade.
img3032nw2.jpg

img3031ef0.jpg

To post an image.
http://imageshack.us/
sign-up, select My Images
upload image and resize if neccessary
click the image thumbnail to select.
click image details icon right side of thumbnail
copy the direct link minus the http://
In your post on THR click the insert image icon
paste the link, make sure the link is on a line of its own
submit :) easy
 
I got my 03a3 for $125.00 off a good friend about 15 years ago or so...

03a3.gif

03a3closeup.gif
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Uncle Nubbs
  • Locked
Greek M1 Garand followed me home
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
Uncle Nubbs
Uncle Nubbs
T
  • Locked
fun caliber and gun model to add to the collection
Replies
22
Views
724
SpeedAKL
S
S
  • Locked
Leupold VX-III great price + what was I waiting for?
Replies
0
Views
466
slabuda
S
C
  • Locked
RANGE REPORT: Savage Mako .22LR (You can polish a turd but....)
Replies
2
Views
6K
redranger1
R
M
  • Locked
Springfield M1A National Match Bedding Issues
Replies
4
Views
1K
nicholst55
N
Back
Top