1903 Springfield advice

[rampantandroid]

Hi All,

I'm looking to nab a 1903 Springfield, ideally from the 40s, but one that is in firing condition. Can I fire off the shelf ammo? Or should I stick to surplus greek ammo/ammo loaded for the M1 Garand as that is not higher pressure (realizing off the shelf ammo will affect my zero)?

Can anyone give some thoughts on these listings?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=290126452
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=290312166
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=289902698

Is the unfired 1903 worth that much? Is there any way to be sure it was never issued? Seems like an awful lot for a 1903.

I really appreciate any input - thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

Any high-number 1903, 03A1, or 03A3 Springfield should be safe with any modern 30-06 ammo.
They are as strong as they need to be, and then some.

I would advise you to do way more research on the many varients before paying anywhere near the prices on the three listings you posted.

Just for starters, read this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1903_Springfield#Variants

rc

 

[Orlando]

I would say the rifle was rebuilt (see the OG stamp on the stock) It may have been unissued AFTER the rebuild but not a unfired, unissued rifle
Way to much $$$$$$$for a rearsenaled 1903, JMO

 

[tahunua001]

there are no unfired 1903s. they have all seen service either as a reserve gun or as a front line battle rifle in both world wars. your modern 30-06 factory ammo is actually considered safer to fire due to better quality control and little chance of powder degradation.

your major guidelines for safe to fire 1903s is that any springfield made by springfield with a serial number after 800,000 and any made by rock island armory after 200,000 are considered safe to fire. any 1903 A1, A3 and A4s are all after the heat treatment system was changed and are all considered safe to fire as long as they aren't full of rust.

however I did not know these guidelines when I bought my springfield and ended up with a 1912 beauty with a serial in the 500,000 range and is therefore considered unsafe to fire but the barrel was replaced by springfield in 1919 and the bolt was replaced by remington in 1943-ish so it is fairly safe to assume that it saw a good amount of use out of both world wars, if the reciever was going to fail, I believe it would have failed a long time ago and as such I have fired mine a great deal with little worry of a major problem... many shooters call me irresponsible but that does little to sway my opinion of these "unsafe" springfields. in this day and age it is going to be almost impossible to find a 1903 that didn't see at least a little use and all of the unsafe to fire guns have either exploded or have been proven safe over the course of the last several decades.

 

[Clark]

I just inherited a 1931 Springfield 1903.
My father got a markmanship badge with one like it in WWII.
When WWII was over in 1946, he bought the one I have at Sears and Roebuck for $39.95
2012 - 1946 = 66 years
1.03 to the 66th power = 7
7 x $39.95 = $280

But there is something else going on here, collectibility.
10 years ago, I used to go around joking about 1903 Springfields, "If you put $500 payment to a gunsmith, he can turn that $600 1903 into a $150 sporter."

So probably today, a sporterized 1903 may be worth $280, but a 1903 in original condition is worth much more.

I am going to guess that they have little collector value outside the US.

 

[az_imuth]

however I did not know these guidelines when I bought my springfield and ended up with a 1912 beauty with a serial in the 500,000 range and is therefore considered unsafe to fire but the barrel was replaced by springfield in 1919 and the bolt was replaced by remington in 1943-ish so it is fairly safe to assume that it saw a good amount of use out of both world wars, if the reciever was going to fail, I believe it would have failed a long time ago and as such I have fired mine a great deal with little worry of a major problem... many shooters call me irresponsible but that does little to sway my opinion of these "unsafe" springfields. in this day and age it is going to be almost impossible to find a 1903 that didn't see at least a little use and all of the unsafe to fire guns have either exploded or have been proven safe over the course of the last several decades.

The way it was explained to me many years ago, was that the issue wasn't the strength of these receivers, but the brittleness. The concern was over the reaction of the receiver to an overcharged round, or one that had a case separation of some sort. A good receiver will likely handle the issue with some stretching and possible cracking of the receiver. A brittle receiver may shatter like glass with fragments going in all directions. With good ammo, these rifles could possibly last several more lifetimes. With one bad round, tragedy could strike the shooter or anyone else in the vicinity.

Like I said, just the way it was explained to me.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Can anyone give some thoughts on these listings?

All three are over priced and that first listing has a very creative story.:banghead:

You can find very nice all matching Smith-Corona's for under 1K. A very nice Remington 03A3 for under $800.

Do some reading at the CMP forum. CMP has a very active for sale section and you may find a better deal.

 

[dampoo]

There is an 03 listed now:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=289821446

The wife will not let me buy another.

 

[rampantandroid]

Can I get some feedback on these two postings?

This one...the stock seems to have no stampings, and the stock looks poorly fitted? (Look at the buttstock, and how poorly it seems fitted to the metal back piece?) I'm trying to find info on a C Stock, but not finding much - was it the type of stock issued during WWII? Looks like the B Stock is VERY rare.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=291052276

This one seems to be in good condition:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=291085935

Thanks all for the good advice, I really REALLY appreciate it.

As for the CMP - they list no 1903s?

 

[madcratebuilder]

If you want a C stock you are looking for a M1903A1.

Item=291085935 above shows a M1903A3 with a replacement Wart Hog stock, also called the Scant stock. It has a Augusta Armory stamp and appears to be a correct grade from a post war clean and repair. It has a Rem floor plate, can't tell about the other parts.

The current bid is below it's value.


Item=291052276 is a parts gun. Rem action, SC floor plate, C stock with out proof marking or any inspection marking (commercial) looks like a commercial re-park. Could be a great shooter but it was no history or soul.

My choice would be #291085935, it's been there and done that.

 

[GCBurner]

I got a Smith-Corona 1903A3 just like the second one in your listing that starts at $1,000. I got mine from the CMP back in March for $500. It shoots really well, too, I don't think it was shot much since the 1943 barrel was installed, the muzzle wear was graded as 0.5.

 

[Acera]

Or should I stick to surplus greek ammo/ammo loaded for the M1 Garand as that is not higher pressure (realizing off the shelf ammo will affect my zero)?

As many have stated modern ammo is safe.

FYI The Garand has a problem with the way the pressure wave hits the operating rod (pressure curve), nothing to do with the chamber pressures. Since your future rifle does not have an operating rod like the M1 Garand, it will be fine. Garands are easily adapted to fire regular 30-06 ammunition by swapping out the gas plug for an adjustable one that allows the system to be tailored for the specific round.

 

[Tim the student]

As for the CMP - they list no 1903s?

No, they ran out. But guys are probably selling them on the CMP forums.

Here is one.

 

[GCBurner]

No, they ran out. But guys are probably selling them on the CMP forums.

Here is one.

The CMP ran out of enough to list online or in the catalog, but they still show up in the North and South stores at Camp Perry, OH and Anniston, AL. They usually have a few Krags and 1917 Enfields, too, that have been turned in by Veterans' groups and ROTC units.

 

[Tim the student]

I've heard that, but I haven't been to the North Store recently. They didn't have any the last time I was there, IIRC.

I do recall them showing up in their auctions from time to time as well, but unfortunately, they are always out of my price range (as is the unissued M1 they currently have).

OP, if you want a 1903 that no one (ok, very few) else has, get a Mann Accuracy Device. Its really a barrel attached to a 1903 reciever, but it is cool. I want one, even though I have no idea what I would actually do with one.

 

[dprice3844444]

cmp forum,gunbroker.com etc

 

[Sapper771]

I got my '44 Remington 1903A3 for $600 earlier this year. It was missing three small parts, but they only cost me $30 shipped.

If you find one in good working condition and for a good price, snatch it up. I passed up several thinking I could find one for a better price. Now I regret it. I would love to find another one.