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Got to shoot a 1903 today...

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griff383

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So I was at the range today and a gentleman came over to look at what I was shooting. We talked a few minutes then he said come take a look at this, it was a brand new (new parts) Springfield 1903 A3 that he built. He told me about how he got the parts and a little history on the rifle. Then he said go ahead and put a few through it, so I did. I instantly loved it. Lately I have been thinking that having an old service rifle or target rifle with iron sights would improve my marksmanship skills and also be fun. I did a little research on it and not sure where to start but I would love to have one of these. I reload for 308 so I already have the bullets and powders. Is there a place to get one of these rifles in good condition? I dont care about original parts as I will shoot it frequently but I do care about the condition in that it would be nice to have it be like new. Also I was warned that if I was interested in one I should be weary of any modifications to the action such as drilled for scopes, is there anything else to watch for?
 
Watch to make sure that it is not a drill rifle. Check the barrel and make sure it is not welded to the receiver. Also, check the muzzle and throat erosion and make sure the rifle doesn't have a shot out pipe.

I love my 1903 but not as much as I love my Garand. Both are great rifles and LOTS of fun to shoot. The 1903's run from about $700+, while the Garands are $595. Once you get a 1903, make sure you get some 06' from the CMP. Since you reload (as do I), you will appreciate the brass. The HXP Greek is great stuff.
 
I absolutely LOVE '03A3s. They are a dream to shoot. I think those excellent aperture sights are what really does the trick, but it doesn't hurt that they are highly accurate.

After falling in love with those rifles after an experience similar to yours in which somebody let me shoot a Smith-Corona out to 800 yards, I started looking for something similar, and found an old M1917 with a sporterized stock (but not drilled and with the iron sights intact) for $110 at a gun show. It has a very shot-out barrel, though. I am going to re-barrel it and get a GI stock for it.

I love my M1 and my M1A as well, but there is just something that feels so right about one of those old bolt guns with peep sights.
 
I picked up a sporterized 1903 for about 250 some six months ago. I had it drilled and taped for scope mounts, and installed a new 2 grove barrel. Now its the most consistantly accurate rifle i own. With the old gravel road barrel it and williams front and rear sight it would still keep all 5 rounds inside a 2" circle at 50yds, which is as far as i can comfortably shoot open sights.
 
Most people prefer the peep sight on the 03A3 to the long eye relief sight of the original M1903. At my age, I don't necessarily agree. For me it depends on the lighting. Fortunately I have 1 of each. But the Garand sights are my favorite. That front sight makes good shooting real easy.
 
Same for me prefering the older style Buffington style sight. They do have a very fine peep hole in them vs the huge tunnels of the A3s and do shoot well. The A1 NM I have tends to make my M-1 look like a poor shooter indeed.
 
Yeah I saw that, not sure if I should get the poly stock one. I have a feeling I would want to change the stock to "C" style wood if it didnt come that way.
 
Not to knock the 1903, but don't forget that most of the WWI Doughboys were actually issued M1917 Enfields. I have one myself and it's a beautiful rifle, great sights a real keeper. There are lots of M1917 threads on THR, here's one of them. Cheers, Matthew
 
I sat get the Poly one. That's a great price. You can then keep an eye out for a wooden stock and still have a usable gun for hunting or playing while you wait.
 
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