1903 Springfield

[pdh]

Hi fellas.
I purchased me a 1903 Springfield from the CMP a year ago last January.
When I recieved the rifle....it was not in great shape,to say the least.Barrel was in pretty bad shape....stock...well not good at all either.

So I decided to sent it off to Roland Beaver for a major face lift.
He is putting on new barrel....new stock set(C type)and a parkerizing job.He just called and said I should get the rifle no later than the end of this month.

Down side....probably have more money in the rifle than what it is worth....but should have a heck of a good shooting '03 and one that looks in new condition.

Hopefully....I can get a picture of it here and show you guys,when I get it.

Regards
Paul

 

[444]

Sounds good.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about the money. Many times I have spent more than something is worth, but in the end I had what I wanted and since I will never sell it, who cares ?
The way I look at these old rifles is that they aren't making them anymore. I would consider it silly to restore a Remington 700 to like new condition when I can go out and buy a new one, but you arn't going to go out and buy a new 03. So, there is no way to judge what a new 03 is worth. You now have a new 03 so just enjoy it.

All that being said:
I used to own two 03s about 15 years ago. Being young and stupid I sold them at some point. I have wanted one bad for about the last five years but never saw one that I thought was worth the asking price. About a month ago I walked into my local dealer and there in the rack was an 03A3. I asked to see it and it looked like new to me. There wasn't a mark on it. I asked the price. $400. I almost tore my pocket reaching for my wallet. After getting it home and really looking over it carefully, my first impression was not wrong. I can't find a blemish on it. And it shoots as good as it looks. I immediately ordered a new Tanner 1907 sling for it. It is now one of my faviorites.

 

[Al Thompson]

I agree with 444. IMHO, the 03A3 is simply the best of the bolt guns. If the N. 4 Lee Enfield was in .30-06, it would have the advantage.

I wouldn't worry about the money, ya got something really neat.

 

[444]

There is a saying I have read on these boards several times. Something to the effect: The Germans fielded a great hunting rifle, the Americans fielded a great target rifle, and the British fielded a great battle rifle.
I own Mausers, and I own Enfields. But I like the 03A3 a lot better than either. The Mauser is a fine rifle, but the ones I own and the ones I have handled personally havea couple problems IMO: they shoot way high at 100 yards, they have the rear sight way out on the barrel, and the stocks crack right behind the tang. The Enfield is a very nice rifle, but the chambers are huge: you can't get the bullet anywhere near the lands and brass life is short. Plus most of mine have bad bores so they don't shoot all that great.
Many people in these forums base their opinions of various rifles on how they perform in military combat. Using that as a basis, maybe the Enfields are the better rifles. I use a different criteria. I am more interested in how they perform for the uses I put them to in the year 2004 as an American civilian. I use my mil-surp rifles as target rifles. I shoot paper mostly but also regularly compete in a match where you shoot at steel out to 400 yards. I am never going to use one of these rifles in military combat. I am never going to use one of these rifles in a self defense role. So, I guess it only stands to reason that my faviorite is the one touted as being a target rifle.
Besides, I can't fault it as a battle rifle when we used extensively (not exclusively) to win two world wars.

 

[pdh]

Yes 444....you got a heck of a deal on that 03A3.I also have a decent 03A3 that shoots just great,that I bought back in the early 90's for $125.00. Good price was because I bought it off of a good friend.

Thanks guys for the replies.I gotta figure out how to post my '03 here for viewing and give you a range report. Can't wait.

Regards.

 

[mete]

What's an 03A3 ? Mine is just a 03 Mk1, it's much better since it has two ejection ports ! LOLLOL

 

[Khornet]

Mr. Beaver

currently has my beloved H&R M1 for accurizing. I expect great things.

 

[cracked butt]

I have way more money in my 03A3 than it will ever be worth, and it still needs a new stock. I don't feel bad, its an really good shooter.

 

[pdh]

Khornet........I can relate to Roland's work.He done one of my M1s. He done the "John Garand Special"Package on my M1....with new stock set and the douglas supreme barrel.
The M1 shoots well better than I ! You will not be sorry....dones outstanding work!

 

[ScottsGT]

I got a CMP 03A3 back in January. I was planning on a new C stock, repark, etc. But when I opened the box up and cleaned off all the cosmoline, I found a practically new rifle with all correct dated parts. I got a 1943 build, '43 stamped on the barrel, and the stock cartouches match the time era with the inspectors initals. The barrel is still shiney, 4 grove. Only problem is the front sight is too short. I've got to get a taller one. Another reason I think it might have been a drill rifle, out of sight, and the butt plate is scuffed up real good. But now I cannot bring myself to changing that stock.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I always laugh when I see that "best rifle" fielded thing... after all the '03 is a licensed Mauser clone with different wood and sights.

I have an O3A3 I picked from a guy with two stocks for 50 bucks.. have to say I've never really been impressed with it's accuracy (1942 or 43 barrel I think, but it has no rust and the parkerizing is in good shape.

We toyed with the idea of sporterizing it.. it came with a hand fitted half-stock... to have as a "camp rifle" in case anyone broke theirs... then everyone started bringing 2 rifles to camp anyway.

Glad we never "bubba-ized" it, that old rifle has a lot of character... its fun to shoot too, just wish I could make it shoot better.

 

[Cortland]

I picked up a CMP 1903 Springfield about a year ago. It was made in 1919; action looks very nice, bore is good, but the stock has seen better days. The handguard looks like someone went at it with a table saw. The one thing that keeps me from replacing the stock is Elmer Keith's inspector cartouche.

 

[Powderman]

I picked up an O3 Mk1 here in WA. The barrel has a date of 1918. The stock could use some refinishing, to be sure.

But, I took it to the range with loads consisting of 47.5 of IMR 4895, 147 gr. FMJBT, in LC match cases. Five rounds went into a 1 3/4 inch group at 200 yards--with iron sights!!

 

[Khornet]

Mine is

an 03A3 built in the fall of '43. It had already been clumsily bubba-ized when I got it, with a sporter stock poorly bedded, turned-down bolt for a scope, front sight removed. It was my first centerfire rifle. With nothing to lose, I glass bedded it, refinished the stock and learned to checker, put a Timney trigger in, and added a good 4X scope.

It has the wartime 2-groove barrel. With my handload of 4064 50 or 51 gr, a CCI large rifle primer, and a Hornady 150 gr spire point, it shoots 5 rds into 3/4" at 100 yd every time. I've never needed another hunting rifle.

 

[Hutch]

For all you guys w/ multiple stocks, I envy you. I have a decently accurate 03A3 that I thought I'd return to as near GI as I could. The stock is the hangup. They are scarce and EXPENSIVE. You can just about buy a "sporterized" (Bubbafied) 03A3 sporter for less than the cost of a good GI stock set.

 

[444]

Hutch, here is something you might want to consider. I know it isn't the real thing, but it is an option: http://www.boydboys.com/BrowseEbus/Militaryall.asp

I recently bought a stock from Boyd's for a Carbine I have coming. The carbine I bought has the original stock and as far as I know, there is nothing major wrong with it, but, I thought it would be nice to have a nice new stock on it. Instead of sanding down my original GI stock or otherwise ruining it, I will put this new stock on it: but have the option of returning it to original at any time.
I also have an M1 with a Boyds stock on it. It looks great. It probably looks like when the rifle was first issued.
You can get the stock completely finished, or you can get it unfinished where you have to do the final sanding and finish. Personally, I would go with the finished, although on my carbine stock I got unfinished because they didn't have any and wern't going to have any for about a month and I couldn't wait.

 

[Hutch]

Thanks for the tip, Triple-Joes. I'll look into it.

 

[Ed]

PDH,
I think I saw your 03 today. I took my M1A for Roland to check headspace on a new bolt and he showed me a 03 he had just finished redoing. It was SWEET! I am taking my 03a3 up there next week I think after seeing yours.

 

[pdh]

YAH-OOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the good news Ed !!

 

[444]

I bought another '03 today. It is a regular 03 (my other one is an 03A3). Some guy at our club bought several '03s, shot them all, picked out the one he liked and sold the rest. I bought the only one he had left so I guess I got the left overs. It looks OK to me. I was happy to get it since I was already thinking about ordering myself one from the CMP and this just saved me the paperwork and wait.
I am totally out of control. Two days ago, I drove over 300 miles round trip because I heard that a pawn shop in Tonopah Nevada had a pretty nice 1917 Eddystone for $200. Needless to day I came home with that.
So, in the last month I have purchased two 1903s, a 1917, and a carbine. All the while telling myself that every dime I make is going towards a new house and telling myself after each one that this one is it.

 

[pdh]

I have the same sickness....gunitis.

Unforutunatley...I have a good Dr..........Dr. Mrs pdh !!!!!!!!!!

 

[lbmii]

“the 03A3 is simply the best of the bolt guns. If the N. 4 Lee Enfield was in .30-06, it would have the advantage.â€

Basically the 30.06 M1917 rifle is an Enfield. The M1917 saw more battle use than the 1903 during WWI. The M1917 was also preferred over the 1903.

 

[444]

Preferred by whom ?

 

[lbmii]

Those in the trenches. The action was smoother and faster.

 

[Third_Rail]

You aren't kidding about the 1917, which IIRC is a P14 clone in 30-06.

I can fire 5 shots in 4 seconds, and though they aren't the most accurate, they all stay on paper at 50 and 100 yards.

I love my 1917.