03 Springfield

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skaggs gunsmithing can drill & tap it for you & they ain't scared of milsurps like a lot of other smiths.
as far as the scope goes without knowing if your rifle is still in military configuration or what style of sporter it is its hard to recomend what would look right on it.
 
If this is an unaltered 03A3, don't mess with it. As dogsoldier stated above, its worth $600-$800. If you really want a sporterized 03A3, there are plenty of already modified barreled receivers on the market. If that's what you have, then go for it.
 
To properly convert an M1903, you not only have to drill and tap the receiver, you must also alter the safety and bolt handle to clear the ocular end of the scope.

Essentially, you are taking an $800 rifle, and paying $300 to have it converted into a $300 rifle.

If you must have a sporter and can't afford one, sell your M1903 and buy a Savage with the money.
 
To properly convert an M1903, you not only have to drill and tap the receiver, you must also alter the safety and bolt handle to clear the ocular end of the scope.

Essentially, you are taking an $800 rifle, and paying $300 to have it converted into a $300 rifle.

If you must have a sporter and can't afford one, sell your M1903 and buy a Savage with the money.
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What he said!!!!
 
Please don't do it. If you need a 30-06 you can sell that gun and buy a Remington 700 already scoped (used) or a new Savage 110 or many other guns. Why ruin a classic, what purpose would it serve. It's not like you have no money and you have some old rifle that no one wants.
 
Or, get the B-Square mount that rides on the pivot pin for the magazine cutoff. That mount comes with rings, too (unlike many B-Square mounts).

The best scope would be an Unertl, with a steel-tube Weaver close behind.
 
If you must have a sporter and can't afford one, sell your M1903 and buy a Savage with the money.

You can find a used Savage for well under the price you'll pay to get the scope mounted. Plenty of Savages out there but no new 1903A3s.
 
You can find a used Savage for well under the price you'll pay to get the scope mounted
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wow, used savages are under $100 now?

most smiths will drill &tap the receiver for around $100 including shipping if you only send them the barreled action.

I T &D and skaggs gunsmithing does very good work for reasonable prices .
 
Assuming that the M1903 hasn't already been sporterized, please don't drill and tap it. If you need or want a sporter get Savage, Steven's, Marlin, etc. One of those will server your needs better without destroying a piece of history (in my opinion at least)
 
History issues aside, it's terrible economics. Read Vern's post again. :)

I'll trade Hank any one of several brand new rifles for that 03A3 in a heartbeat.

Conversely, after he bubba's his up, mine increases in value...
 
Altered military surplus rifles at gun shows are worth much less than originals.

The former owner of my Yugo Mauser took a deer at 200 yards with the Iron Sights.
Can't the same be done with an original Springfield?
 
Gang,

I bought an 03A3 that someone cut the stock down, but nothing else, at a pawn shop for $202, tax included.

Yes I intend on getting a military stock and fittings and turning this back into a REAL 03A3.

But that shows you what kind of value an altered military rifle brings. It realy hurts it and drilling holes in it will just turn it into a shooter with zero collector value.

Oh, and BTW, it's a Remington and the serial numbers put it in April, 1943 (and the 4 grove barrle also dates 1943, with the ordanance bomb burst also on the barrel.)

Deaf
 
Conversely, after he bubba's his up, mine increases in value...
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That's an interesting way to look at it.

I'm one of the rare few, who actually prefers iron sights.

1943 Remington 03A3 in excellent Arsenal refinished condition.



03A3II.jpg
 
wow, used savages are under $100 now?


I need to add some clarification to my statement. $100 for mounting the scope and over $100 hit you'll take selling the altered military rifle. Excellent used Savages are $200 each where I live.
 
Just to add to the chorus -- if it's an original 03 Springfield in military condition, don't mess with it. You can find sporterized Springfields (if that's what you really want) at a pretty cheap price, and you won't be messing up the value of your nice original Springfield along the way.
 
wow, used savages are under $100 now?


I need to add some clarification to my statement. $100 for mounting the scope and over $100 hit you'll take selling the altered military rifle. Excellent used Savages are $200
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i know used savages aren't $100, i was being a smart aleck. in my area used beat up trashed savages & remchesters bring $300+. its almost better to buy as new one than look for a used one.


properly done sporting rifles do hold their value as much and sometimes more than the same rifle in military configuration.
butcher jobs are a different story, i leave those for the wacko purists to try and restore.

most of the sporters i've built would bring much more than they would have in military configuration if i ever decided to sell them. to me militry rifles are boring, if you've seen one you've seen them all. sporting rifles on the otherhand are works of art that shoot
 
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