AIM Surplus is doing a M1903A3 Special!

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CmdrSlander

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Not an advertisement... just a heads up.

If any of you want an 03A3 Aim Surplus has complete 03A3s from Smith Corona and Remington. IIRC these rifles are built on stripped receivers with new stocks barrels etc. They are also selling the stripped receivers separately. I love the M1903 but have never been able to get one, and my gun budget is tapped out for now so enjoy one for me :)

Complete rifle:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F3S1903A3SS

Stripped Receiver:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F11903RSC
 
The price is $795. One can get many second-hand sporting rifles in excellent condition for substantially less. For example Remington 700 in good caliber in excellent condition can often be found for $425+/-25.
 
Also, I believe that these are Gibbs Rifle Co M1903s, since they are the only company doing refurbs right now. If so, then bear in mind that they are built up on training/drill rifle actions that were originally rendered inoperable. Gibbs lucked into a ton of these apparently a few years ago and worked out a process for returning them to working condition. Some claim that the requisite metalworking weakens the actions but Gibbs claims that they are not weakened and I have never seen a report of a Gibbs rifle exploding.
 
They may not be original 03 rifles but I hear good reviews about them. They shoot well. I saw one at a local gun show and it looked brand new. I would probably hold out and spend the coin on something original.
 
CmdrSlander said:
He did...

Its not a sporting rifle, this late in the game its a infrequent shooter/collector's piece.
Click to expand...


It's a parts rifle, not collectable in my book by any means. Great for a shooter grade, new stock, barrel and bolt. For the money you can get the real deal in '03 or '03A3 if you want a collector mil-surp.

I've been eye balling the A4 Gibbs offers. I can't build a clone for there price.
 
Alas, the death of the fairly priced 1903 rifles...

Like MadCrate, I wanted to own a 1903A4 for vintage sniper matches and found a Gibbs to be the cheapest way to get in the game so I bought one about 2 years ago. I've shot it now in 4 matches plus some bench work for load development. I'm getting ready for this years matches as several local clubs are picking up the game. For us older guys who like highpower compitition but our across the course "game" is going by the wayside this is a fun way to remain somewhat competitive by just laying on our bellies and squeezing them off.

Anyway, here is my impression of the Gibbs gun I got. A buddy of mine also bought one and would pretty much confirm what I'm saying here. It looks great!!! The trigger was awful for what is sold as a sniper rifle, maybe 6 lbs. and creepy. Working the bolt was stiff, probably because the bolt and receiver were not originally matched. The Malcom repro scope is clear and was perfectly mounted on my rifle and is definately functionable, but I found it not to track very reliabily. Thats a problem when you have to change zeros between 300 and 600 yards. Finally, IMO the oil finish was little more than a lick and a promise, maybe one coat of linseed oil.

So I honed the striker a little bit and replaced the sear with a nice light spare that I had, and I now have a crisp 3# trigger. As for the scope, my Gibbs was delegated as my teams 300 yd. gun and we shot some decent scores at Perry last summer. I bought a Weaver K2.5 and some Leupold super low rings which is now mounted on the rifle in hopes of better luck. Looking forward to a trip to the range soon if the weather ever breaks here. I put an additional 4 coats of raw linseed oil on the stock and it now looks even better. As for the sticky bolt, it seems to have loosened up a little with use. Oh yeah, the spring must be broken on the bolt release lever and it kind of flops around so you have to be careful or you'll pull the bolt out of the action.

All in all, alot of work for a $1000 gun! But it does shoot pretty well and we get better with it every match.

Another comment/question that I have is what constitutes a "drill rifle". I did buy a nice Springfield 1903 from the CMP a couple of years ago when they still had them, and was told to me that most 1903 and A3 rifles they were selling at that time were returned drill rifles. Didn't they shoot blanks from them at ceremonies? If so, then they were operable. Any insight as to this issue?? Thanks.

Laphroaig
 
For what it's worth I bought one if their rebuilt Garands a few years back and it looked factory new. Mine was rebuilt by James River Armory. New criterion barrel, everything reparked, and new CMP wood. I believe JRA is doing the 1903A3's that AIM Is selling as well.
 
I have an old Remington that was originally a DCM rifle. It is actually correct. I paid $350 for it about 20 years ago and have the original DCM papers on it. It started out as a $25 rifle if I recall correctly.

As to $800? I saw a minty one at a show a few weeks back, all correct Smith Corona with an $800 tag on it. I also agree with madcratebuilder in that the rifles being offered despite the advertising of:

Springfield 1903 A3 30.06 caliber bolt actions Rifles. Each has been professionally refurbished utilizing brand new modern US production 4-groove barrels, Original U. S. Smith Corona or Remington Receivers and fitted with walnut stocks. Collectors, here is your chance to own a beautiful and important piece of American Military History. These are not the low serial number rifles. While supplies last.
Click to expand...

Is a little misleading as to the rifle being a true collectable rifle.

However, I guess if people want to plop down $800 for one of them it's their bucks.

Ron
 
PabloJ said:
The price is $795. One can get many second-hand sporting rifles in excellent condition for substantially less. For example Remington 700 in good caliber in excellent condition can often be found for $425+/-25.
Click to expand...
Yeah but it`s not a 1903A3.................
 
Reloadron said:
I have an old Remington that was originally a DCM rifle. It is actually correct. I paid $350 for it about 20 years ago and have the original DCM papers on it. It started out as a $25 rifle if I recall correctly.

As to $800? I saw a minty one at a show a few weeks back, all correct Smith Corona with an $800 tag on it. I also agree with madcratebuilder in that the rifles being offered despite the advertising of:



Is a little misleading as to the rifle being a true collectable rifle.

However, I guess if people want to plop down $800 for one of them it's their bucks.

Ron
Click to expand...
Meh, the receivers are original, that's the heart and soul of the gun in my opinion.
 
+1 CmdrSlander; I think some of you guys are being kind of hard on them,
a Rem 1903 (Smith Carona) is nothing like a 700(or any other mass produced sporter), an 03 is not a sporting rifle (but it can be), it's what our boys took into battle, to protect our freedom, liberty and our way of life. these may not be original battle worn rifles, but are re-furbed receivers with a new barrel and furniture. probably as close to a new 1903 as you will ever see! A reasonable price for what it is, IMO.
An M1 carbine or M1 Garand is a lot more than that right now. If I had the change I would chunk it down for one of those 03's !!
 
Laphroaig said:
Alas, the death of the fairly priced 1903 rifles...

Like MadCrate, I wanted to own a 1903A4 for vintage sniper matches and found a Gibbs to be the cheapest way to get in the game so I bought one about 2 years ago. I've shot it now in 4 matches plus some bench work for load development. I'm getting ready for this years matches as several local clubs are picking up the game. For us older guys who like highpower compitition but our across the course "game" is going by the wayside this is a fun way to remain somewhat competitive by just laying on our bellies and squeezing them off.

Anyway, here is my impression of the Gibbs gun I got. A buddy of mine also bought one and would pretty much confirm what I'm saying here. It looks great!!! The trigger was awful for what is sold as a sniper rifle, maybe 6 lbs. and creepy. Working the bolt was stiff, probably because the bolt and receiver were not originally matched. The Malcom repro scope is clear and was perfectly mounted on my rifle and is definately functionable, but I found it not to track very reliabily. Thats a problem when you have to change zeros between 300 and 600 yards. Finally, IMO the oil finish was little more than a lick and a promise, maybe one coat of linseed oil.

So I honed the striker a little bit and replaced the sear with a nice light spare that I had, and I now have a crisp 3# trigger. As for the scope, my Gibbs was delegated as my teams 300 yd. gun and we shot some decent scores at Perry last summer. I bought a Weaver K2.5 and some Leupold super low rings which is now mounted on the rifle in hopes of better luck. Looking forward to a trip to the range soon if the weather ever breaks here. I put an additional 4 coats of raw linseed oil on the stock and it now looks even better. As for the sticky bolt, it seems to have loosened up a little with use. Oh yeah, the spring must be broken on the bolt release lever and it kind of flops around so you have to be careful or you'll pull the bolt out of the action.

All in all, alot of work for a $1000 gun! But it does shoot pretty well and we get better with it every match.

Another comment/question that I have is what constitutes a "drill rifle". I did buy a nice Springfield 1903 from the CMP a couple of years ago when they still had them, and was told to me that most 1903 and A3 rifles they were selling at that time were returned drill rifles. Didn't they shoot blanks from them at ceremonies? If so, then they were operable. Any insight as to this issue?? Thanks.

Laphroaig
Click to expand...

According to Gibbs via Military Arms Channel on youtube these rifles were for ROTC, drill teams, and other activities in settings (such as schools) where live weapons were considered too much of a risk. They were rendered inoperable with a weld on the magazine cutoff and a weld in the barrel/action that prevented chambering a round. Gibbs, of course, figured out how to reverse this process and does so in a way that has little to no effect on the hardness of the action, with the actions scoring well within the tolerances laid out by the military when they were made in the 1940's.
 
I have owned 2 and they are ok as long as you know going in that its a reactivated drill rifle. You should buy it as a shooter.
 
CmdrSlander said:
Meh, the receivers are original, that's the heart and soul of the gun in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I agree to a point, especially in the case of a rifle that is designated to be a shooter. It really depends on what someone wants to call a collector grade rifle or collectable. I shoot mine, not much but it gets shot. The barrels on these rifles are not US GI and the same is true of the lumber. The barrels will not have the US Ordnance markings and the stocks will lack the cartouche. While this in no way effects the form or function of the rifle it can have a very big impact on a serious collector. They also are very up front in making that clear.

Thus I closed my post to the effect of if someone feels it's worth the price then go for it.

Ron
 
There is really nothing wrong with these receivers if they weren't cracked from being dropped/slammed on the ground during drill practice. While I have seen many that were cracked, I have also seen as many that were in decent shape. On some of them the welding was no more that a brief touch with the welding rod and mostly into the cut off rather than the receiver.

I restored one myself a few months ago after acquiring a receiver. It took a couple of months to locate the correct Smith-Corona bits and pieces, but it shoots as good as any '03-A3 I have ever owned.

What I started with:
IMG_1550-XL.jpg

Your tax dollars at work:
IMG_1559-XL.jpg
IMG_1558-XL.jpg

Finished rifle:
IMG_1758-XL.jpg
IMG_1602-XL.jpg
IMG_1608-XL.jpg

IMG_1599-XL.jpg
 
I can assure you, they are restored by a very highly regarded shop that does very high quality restorations. $795 is a steal for the quality of work.

The JRA Garands are nice but these are not from JRA.
 
Speedo66 said:
Telling people they're collectables just turns me off.

You wonder what else they're lying about. :uhoh:
Click to expand...
It is misrepresentation to a certain degree, but to be fair the receivers are not being made any more by anyone, so there is a inherent limit to the number of these rifles that will ever exist, regardless of condition/refurbished vs original. This then makes them collectible.
 
I bought one of these a good while back from them. Smith Corana receiver with a 2 groove 1943 barrel and some mix bag parts otherwise. The finish and quality is great and it is a fun shooter. If you have the money and it's your thing then go for it. It works for me. I like to shoot the guns I own and leave the collector stuff to the people willing to pay for them.
 
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