CMP 1903/1903a3 and Garand

[MilsurpShooter]

I'm just about finished with the requirements to order through them. I've had a fondness for WWII bolt actions and was surprised when I saw the 1903's on there. They say the stocks and wood is in good shape even though they're mix masters, but on the page they say they've "fired thousands of blank rounds. Bores will be dark with little or no rifling" While I'm all for having a semi-period correct battle rifle, I still want a decent shooter. If anyone has received one how bad has the rifling been?

As for the Garands... Well I'm still debating. Like I said, I want a decent shooter... As it looks now I'm in a toss up between the two... I know most here say go for the Garand but from a financial standpoint, which of the two would probably be easier and cheaper to get to decent accuracy if I was to get the absolute worse of the picks?

 

[cracked butt]

Get an 03A3 if available. if it doesn't shoot because of a worn out barrel, new surplus 03a3 barrels are readily available for around $100- you can get a few extra tweaks done at the same time like lapping the bolt lugs and squaring up the bolt face. The replacement barrels will almost always be 2-groove barrels that often look rough with tool marks on the inside, but they will shoot very good. Replacing a 1903 barrel with one near the year range and with little wear is not so easy or cheap to do.

 

[trbon8r]

For five hundred bucks I would pass on the CMP 03s and 03A3s. Take a look at the local gun shows, and you are bound to find a nice 03A3 in VG+ to excellent condition for no more than a couple hundred bucks more than CMP is asking for one of their busted up mixmasters.

Even on Gunbroker where the prices often tend to be a little higher you can find an 03A3 in great shape for only a little more than the wish and a prayer rifle you will get from CMP. Sorry, but the CMP pricing on their 03s and 03A3s borders on ridiculous when you can buy elsewhere and be assured of getting a nice rifle for a little more money instead of hoping for one.

 

[gm]

Id skip on the o3 for that price.For that price,your paying for basically a parts kit with a bad barrel.200 bucks is all Id give for one in that condition for the money Id have to invest in it to get it to shoot decent again.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Yeah, looks like I'll be going with a Garand... I know the muzzle wear can be fixed with a rebarrel, doubt you can counterbore these like you would with a Mosin, but what about the throat wear? Little hazy on that, new barrel cover that as well or would that be a reciever issue?

 

[SomeKid]

I have one of the CMP 1903a3s. The barrel has rifling, and shoots just fine. They always advertise the worst in stock so nobody gets surprised. My only regret is that I am not rich enough to have bought multiple 03a3s from the CMP.