First 1903A3 w/pics

[Shrevy]

I just purchased my first 1903A3 today. It is also the first bolt action rifle I have owned. It needs a little work, but I wanted to show it off and get some advice. The stock has some shiny varnish finish to it that I would like to remove. I've read a about that in other threads and will give one of those techniques a try. However, there is some of the varnish on the metal too. I think it will come off easily, but please let me know if there are any pitfalls I should watch out for when removing it. I also am not fully familiar with all the 1903A3 intricacies. Is this a "pinned stock?" Would this be accurate given the 3.7 million (1942) serial number? There are no cartouches. If there were, they have been sanded down. Am I missing a front sight hood? Bore pics are hard to take, but this one is very shiny and looks good after I ran a bore snake through it. I don't have a muzzle gauge, but I took a pic of the bullet test. I'm pretty happy with it so far and now need to take it to the range. Any other info would be appreciated as well.

 

[wrench]

That is a pretty one, shrevy, you will love that thing.
I would also probably take the varnish off, any old paint remover from the hardware store will take care of that.
Give us some more pics when you get her done, and a range report!

 

[skidooman603]

Welcome to the 1903A3 world! Yep varnish has to go. BBL condition has more to do with accuracy than serial #. There are sight hoods available for little $

 

[skidooman603]

Tons of 1903A3 forums out there. Cruise some of these to pick up valuable info. I like PURE TUNG Oil finshes on my US MIL rifles after that shiny stuff comes off.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

as far as I know if it went threw a rebuild it could have either a pinned like the one you have or a crossbolt stock. just depends on when it may of gone threw a rearsenal if it has.
if it was a replacement stock it might of had only a box type of stamp on the left side of the stock. for example a o.g. for ogden in a square. or if a old springfield stock that was put on it was typical just to take out the old inspectors stamp under the s.a. and then add the new inspectors letter. but the latter does not sound like it or it would have move old stamps on it.

The bolt looks original as it does not look like a arsenal replacement as per the cuts on it.
Is it a two or four grove barrel? also if you get a sight hood remember get get one for a 03a3 as the more common one for a 1903 will not be high enough.

nice rifle and get out and get some of the cmp ammunition while it is still left. I would not wait long either.

nice rifle
jon

 

[Shrevy]

Thanks Jon. It is a 2 groove barrel. I'll check eBay for the sight hood. I have some of the CMP ammo for my Garand, but I'm planning on picking up more. What cuts are you referring to on the bolt?

 

[1KPerDay]

Looks like a good'n! Congrats!

 

[CTW]

I think you are gonna find that these are very accurate rifle's. They always win military rifle matches at my gun club. Nice gun!

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

in photo 3 looking down on the bolt from the top you see the lug on the bolt has a curved cut in it. a common remington replacement bolt will be square with out the curved cut. your bolt should have the R stamped on it on either one. the smith corona's will have a G on it. and some other parts unmarked on the smith corona.
the remingtons usually are marked in quite a few places.
nice rifle
jon

 

[lencac]

Nice job! 03's are great rifles and great Americans. I love mine. That is a pinned stock and the stock does appear to have been sanded a bit. Overall looks like a real nice rifle. Has good patina on the receiver and the rest looks like the bluing is near perfect.
If you don't mind me asking how much monies?

 

[Shrevy]

"If you don't mind me asking how much monies? "

I paid $450. I feel I got a reasonable deal. Most are priced more than that around here. I also see that the CMP had sold them for $500 earlier in the year. Their barrel descriptions were not that encouraging though. I can't image those barrels were as nice as this one. Either way, I still find it hard to believe that you can buy a functioning piece of history like this for less than $500...

 

[CZguy]

I paid $450. I feel I got a reasonable deal. Most are priced more than that around here. I also see that the CMP had sold them for $500 earlier in the year. Their barrel descriptions were not that encouraging though. I can't image those barrels were as nice as this one. Either way, I still find it hard to believe that you can buy a functioning piece of history like this for less than $500...

I think you did very well on the price. In the condition yours is in it would go for 550.00 to 600.00 around here.

Anyway you look at it..............the value will only go up.

I'd load on on CMP ammo while you can. (I know you said you had some, but still I'd get it while the gettins good.

 

[natlmatch]

Thats an ugly, ugly rifle. It puts a hurtin on my vision, you should give it to me and I'll see thats its disposed of properly.

Grats, looks like a nice one!

 

[dispatch55126]

Are there any issues with shooting modern .30-06 ammo out of a 1903 like there is with an M1?

 

[1KPerDay]

No.

 

[CZguy]

Are there any issues with shooting modern .30-06 ammo out of a 1903 like there is with an M1?

No, but the CMP ammo is still the cheapest.

 

[C-grunt]

Man that rifle is beautiful. The 1903 rifles are high on my want list. Im glad you posted this because for some reason I thought the 1903s were a lot more expensive.

 

[Oohrah]

You did very well on the price of your rifle. Couldn't see the markings on the barrel but RA would indicate it should have the two groove barrel. Even my 03A4 has the two groove. They are just as accurate as any of the other 03 barrels. Not positive, but think only SC had the multiple lands and groove barrels.

 

[Shrevy]

"Couldn't see the markings on the barrel but RA would indicate it should have the two groove barrel."

The barrel pics are poor. It is marked RA with the flaming bomb and dated 5-43. The barrel is definitely 2-groove. The guy I got it from said it was his most accurate rifle without a scope. I'm waiting to get to the range to verify that claim

We have a local private club (I don't belong) that has two "open" days a year. The next is Oct 4th. It is a 600 yard sight in day. They have qualified instructors that help you get on the paper. You start at 300 and finish at 600. I'm really looking forward to it. My only problem is whether I shoot the 1903A3 or the Garand. I'm thinking Garand as we will be doing 50+ rounds in a short time that has got me thinking about recoil. I'll make a decision after I get this one to the range though. Wish I could do both!

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

remingtons came with either a 2 or 4 grove. I have owned them a few hundred apart with both barrels. i have not seen all that many a4's but the ones I saw had a 2 grove but they may and june barrels.
the smith coronas came with either 4 or 6 grove.

 

[CZguy]

Here is a Remington 03A3 with a four grove barrel. Dated 1943 as I recall.

 

[lencac]

Remington barrels can be either 2 or 4 groove. I'm assembling one now that has a RA 43 barrel that is 4 groove. I don't believe SC ever made 2 groove barrels and I've only heard about SC 6 groove barrels. Never have seen one though.
Did you guys notice the way CZguy slips in a picture of his super sweet 1903A3 hoping nobody would notice. WELL CZguy THE JIG IS UP >>>>>> YOU HAVE JUST BEEN BUSTED REDHANDED SHOWING OFF >>>>> YOU BASTARD YOU

I'm not about to let you get away with this outrage sir

 

[CZguy]

Did you guys notice the way CZguy slips in a picture of his super sweet 1903A3 hoping nobody would notice. WELL CZguy THE JIG IS UP >>>>>> YOU HAVE JUST BEEN BUSTED REDHANDED SHOWING OFF >>>>> YOU BASTARD YOU

I'm not about to let you get away with this outrage sir

Well................as long as I'm already caught.

 

[lencac]

CZguy you are shameless but I like it. I've seen your M1 on other posts and must say it is the bomb. That stock is incredible.
Here's a couple of pics of mine in an attempt to garner some shameless attention.
Mine doesn't have the raw sex appeal that your does though. Mine is just your run of the mill Kreiger built national match Springfield M1 Garand

 

[CZguy]

Mine doesn't have the raw sex appeal that your does though. Mine is just your run of the mill Kreiger built national match Springfield M1 Garand

lencac,

That is a beautiful rifle. Does it shoot as good as it looks?