Stock Options for 1903 Springfield

[308reloader]

I apologize if this subject has already been visited but in the meantime, please bear with me.
I just acquired a 1903 Springfield for a whopping $150 (I think mainly because the guy who had it didn't really know what he had) and now I'm looking for something in the way of a bench-rest stock for it. I already have a new barrel in the works for it and will be looking to accessorize it more, but for now I'd like to focus on the stock options. If anyone knows of anything that might be of interest, please let me know! I'm open to options!!
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[tark]

Are you restoring an original, unaltered military rifle? If the gun is original, just about everybody on this forum, including myself, will tell you not to touch it. No matter what condition it is in, it is a priceless historical artifact.

If it has already been altered, go for it.....with one warning. Is it a low numbered gun? R.I.A. guns below 286,000 and S.A. guns below 800,000 are considered low numbered and unsafe to fire. This may have been the reason you got it so cheap!

Whether or not they really ARE unsafe to fire is a touchy question. How can you look at a rifle that has shot out a barrel and say it is unsafe to fire? All of those low numbered guns had to pass proof at 70,000 PSI, and very very few failed. The whole subject is covered in the classic book; Hatcher's Notebook, by Julian Hatcher.

Do you intend to build a Benchrest gun. If so, there are far better choices than a 1903 Springfield.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I agree. If this rifle is in original condition, leave it alone!

While a "sporterized" Springfield makes a great hunting rifle, it would be a flop as a bench rest rifle -- they just aren't capable of bench rest accuracy, no matter what you do to them.

 

[wojownik]

308 - please post pics of the rifle if you can, or at least a good description of the condition, s/n range, any alterations/bubbafications ...

You have a number of options here, IMHO, depending on condition:

• enjoy the rifle, as is.
• sell the 1903, and using the likely very significant profits to fund a rifle better suited to what you want to do
• restore your 1903 it to its original config, assuming it is not already, or has not been bubbified beyond repair
• drop the barreled action - without any other alternation - into something like a Richards Micro Stock, and preserve the existing stock and metal carefully. If you absolutely must mess with a scope mount, consider something that will not make a permanent change, such as an S&K Insta-mount.

I'm not a fan of the fourth suggestion, being strongly in the "do no harm" camp. Please, please, please do not do anything further to the stock, barrel or receiver (again, not knowing what the condition of the rifle you have is, but assuming it might possibly be in somewhat correct condition).

It's your rifle, of course, and these are just my opinions, but you may have come into possession of a rifle that could be worth far more with some proper care, and could be worth even less if "bad" things are done to it.

 

[308reloader]

It's certainly not in it's original condition. I've already taken the liberty of removing the scope and rings that were originally gracing the top of the action, due to the ungodly ring-choice someone made.
The stock is certainly not original and has some hand-done checkering and other 'improvements' to it. It was graced with a Redfield Widefield 4x scope that, in and of itself isn't bad, but not what I'd prefer for something like this.

 

[TIMC]

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

They usually have some nice replacement stocks here. If you want a sporter style stock them PM me I have a couple gathering dust.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It's certainly not in it's original condition. I've already taken the liberty of removing the scope and rings that were originally gracing the top of the action, due to the ungodly ring-choice someone made.

There's a reason for those ungodly rings. I can't tell if the bolt handle has been altered, but the safety has not. The rings were high so the bolt handle and safety would clear the ocular bell of the scope. That also explains the high cheek piece -- it's there to put the eye on the same level as the scope.

The stock is certainly not original and has some hand-done checkering and other 'improvements' to it. It was graced with a Redfield Widefield 4x scope that, in and of itself isn't bad, but not what I'd prefer for something like this.

For a hunting rifle, that 4X scope is close to ideal -- rugged, uncomplicated and plenty of magnification for use afield.

 

[308reloader]

I won't argue with you about the ideal nature of the 4x scope. It's near perfect for medium-range shooting. As for the scope rings, they were a bit overkill. They were six-hole, tactical style low rings. Nothing that was too awful high to clear the scope. Matter of fact, with the crappy job someone did putting 2-piece Weaver bases and these tactical rings on, it set the scope way too high, unless a person put an additional cheek-rest on it!

 

[tark]

Well, it most certainly isn't original...and I would want a new stock too. What,s the serial number? Or, if you would rather not reveal that, is it low or high numbered?

There were three basic types of 1903 receivers; single heat treated, double heat treated and later, nickel steel. The double heat treated receivers were the most sought after for conversions. They were slick and smooth in operation and the double heat treatment completely solved the fracturing and cracking issues. The later nickel steel receivers, which included all of the post 1920s models, were not as smooth. They were enormously strong but often felt sticky when manipulated.

If you have a low number gun I wouldn't be too worried about shooting it. Your gun has obviously had a lot of rounds put through it, perhaps thousands. How could anyone say it is unsafe to shoot? Remember the 1903 built its reputation, and we went through WW1, with low numbered 03s.

If it bothered you, you could always cut loads by 10 or 15%.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Matter of fact, with the crappy job someone did putting 2-piece Weaver bases and these tactical rings on, it set the scope way too high, unless a person put an additional cheek-rest on it!

As I said, I think that was done to allow the bolt and safety to clear the ocular bell.

 

[rogerjames]

Sorry to go a little off topic, but does anyone sell original Milsurp 1903s? They aren't available from the CMP, AIM frequently has them but they're all re barreled and new stocks with maybe the receiver and/or bolt as the only original parts.

I'd love to have an original Milsurp but they're obviously much more scarce than an M1.

 

[TIMC]

With the right bolt angle and scope there is no need for high rings. This is a sporter I bought, put back in an original style stock and topped it with a Weaver K-3.

 

[308reloader]

Tark, the SN is: 1318760. Can you tell me anything about it based on the Serial Number? Bear with me please guys, this is the first '03 I've ever owned and the first I've ever considered shooting as well. I've always preferred more modern military small-arms.
I love Sniper Rifles and that style of tactical rifles and that has always been my focus, up until now I guess.

 

[highpower]

That is a high number action made from nickel steel. You will have no problems shooting modern ammo through it. It looks to me as though the bolt handle has been bent to clear a scope, so a set of low rings will most probably work. Also the hole in the side of the receiver tell me that there was a Lyman or Redfield peep sight on it at one time.

If all you want to do is shoot it off a bench, then I would suggest a heavy stock with a flat forend to increase stability on your sandbags.

 

[308reloader]

highpower, where would I find a stock of that sort?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

With the right bolt angle and scope there is no need for high rings. This is a sporter I bought, put back in an original style stock and topped it with a Weaver K-3.

With a properly bent, forged or welded bolt handle and a Maynard Buehler style safety, you could mount that scope a good inch lower. Put a couple of trapshooter comb pads on and you could actually get a good spot weld when shooting it.

 

[mtlucas0311]

The CMP sells new reproduction "C" stock sets for about $200. An Italian company (Minelli?) also sells them through Brownells for a similar price. I've heard more positive feedback about the Italian repro's.

If you look at the muzzle of your new rifle, is there an asterisk looking mark at 6 o'clock? I see it's been drilled for a Lyman sight, and I think it's in the right range to maybe have a star gauge barrell.

 

[Mike C2]

Boyd's sells several varieties of Springfield stocks. And Sarco has both GI scant stocks, C stocks, and finger groove stocks if you like the GI flavor. I have several 03-A3 in different stock configuration. Gun on the left is in a Boyd's stock and has a vintage Herter's brake on it. Gun on right a sporter stock shaped and finished by my dad in the 60's.

 

[308reloader]

Mike C2, I like the looks of the two outside rifles in your picture! That's somewhat of the look that I'm wanting to accomplish with mine. I love how this rifle feels and am really looking forward to shooting it. When I originally picked it up, it was all gummed up with dirt and what appeared to be cosmoline and so forth. I've since cleaned the hell out of it and have an excellent rifle that functions flawlessly and is as smooth as glass!
As soon as I send the money out, I'll have a couple stocks to choose from to put on my rifle. I'll be sure to post some pictures and get some opinions with each one. Y'all might help make up my mind a little better too as to which way to go!
Thanks a bunch!

 

[Zeke/PA]

There was a point in time when Springfields were a literal dime a dozen.
Sadly, Nutcases, myself included, went for the action to build custom rifles when actually the Mauser actions of the same period, for whatever reason, melted into a pleasing looking custom rifle.
IMHO, the "custom rifle" craze is down the tube and I personally would like to see the Springfield legend preserved.