1903A3 Questions

[Duelist]

A local 'smith/FFL by me has 3 M1903A3s for sale. There are 2 Remingtons and a Smith-Corona. 1 Remington has a 6 groove barrel, the Smith-Corona and the other Remington have 4 groove barrels. None of them have been sporterized, and they were manufactured between 43 and 44. The prices range between $678 and $725.

Of these three rifles, which is most desirable/collectable? Is there a difference between 4 and 6 groove barrel accuracy?

 

[RCArms.com]

Smith Corona's tend to be more valuable and are known for accurate barrels, but the valuation would depend on overall condition and originality. Many 03-A3's were rebuild post-war and send overseas as Foreign Military Assistance program items.

Don

 

[USSR]

1 Remington has a 6 groove barrel...

Remington never made a 6 groove barrel for the 03-A3, only 2 groove and 4 groove. Smith-Corona did make a 6 groove barrel. Somethings wrong here.

Don

 

[Duelist]

my mistake. 1 Smith-Corona and 1 Remington have 2-groove barrels, 1 Remington has a 4 groove barrel

 

[USSR]

Duelist,

Check that Smith-Corona barrel again; they did not make a 2 groove barrel.

Don

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Most 03A3s have been arsenal rebuilt. Consequently, it is not uncommon to find, for example, a Remington bolt, Smith-Corona receiver, and either a Remington, or High Standard barrel on the same rifle (High Standard made the barrels for Smith-Corona.)

 

[higene]

03A3 - Rifle Magazine

Venturino did a really good article on 03A3s in the November 2009 issue of Rifle magazine. All of these questions are addressed. Best $6 you can spend if you are considering an 03A3.

Higene

 

[kragluver]

Those are fair prices for an 03A3. A lot of those rifles have like-new barrels and are VERY accurate. I really like mine - it rivals the Krag for most accurate MILSURP in the gun safe.

 

[rcmodel]

Smith-Corona had no barrel making capability.

High-Standard made all the barrels for them.
Early ones were 6-groove, later changed to 4-groove.

rc