Lets See Some 1903 Springfields....

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

One rifle I have always wanted is a 1903 Springfield. Haven't got one yet, but I still have time.....I hope.

I'd like to see some pics and hear some stories from those of you that do have them.

I think I was hooked when I heard the story of the Old Guy that came to the Camp Perry competition without a rifle and they loaned him a Nat'l Match 03 and he put in one of the most incredible shooting demonstrations in history. I think the trophy is named after him. My memory escapes me at the moment of his name and full details. I'm sure someone will set the record straight for me.

Let's see 'em please. Don't forget the stories behind them, if they come with any.

Thanks

Nalajr

[jrs93accord]

'42 Remington M1903 and '43 Remington M1903A3 (original)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/DSC00760.jpg

[bac1023]

Very nice, James :cool:

[bpe5008]

I have one, My grandfather gave it to me and apparently he got it through a VFW thing way back. They had it hanging in their building for a long time and it was given to him during a remodel. Its all original and still shoots great, not able to get pics right now as I have it with my parents for safe keeping and they live about 3 hours away from me.

Really is a great gun though, deadly accurate and packs quite a wallop. My grandfather hunted with it for years.

[jrs93accord]

Very nice, James :cool:

Thanks Brian.

Would you believe that the M1903A3 can still produce a 1.5MOA 3-round group at 100 yds? This rifle is still deadly accurate.

[Captain Caveman]

I have two that were passed down from my Dad and Grandad. Both sporterized. I'll take some pics tonight.

[SigFTW]

'42 Remington M1903 and '43 Remington M1903A3 (original)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/DSC00760.jpg

Sweet looking M1903 :thumbsup:

[M2 Carbine]

Back when we citizens still had some control over the government, a NRA member could buy 1911 45 pistols ($17), M1 Garands, 03A3 and 03A4 rifles ($14.50) and M1 Carbines ($20) from the government. These guns were delivered to your door by the US Post Office. Most of these guns were brand new.

The "surplus" guns were so inexpensive and in such a large supply that most owners turned them into some kind of sport gun.

This is my 03A3.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/03A3ontable.jpg

And 03A4.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/03A4CMP.jpg


Even my $17 GI 1911A1 has seen some changes over the years.:)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x464/Bell-helicopter-407/1911A1Remington.jpg

[jrs93accord]

Sweet looking M1903 :thumbsup:

Thank you.

BTW, here is the rest of the picture.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/DSC00754.jpg

[Gary1911A1]

Thank you.

BTW, here is the rest of the picture.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/DSC00754.jpg

Very nice!

[Decguns]

In the middle of all those Winchester M1s, you'll find a Rock-Island M1903 and a Smith-Corona M1903A3.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n636/worland/100_0823.jpg

[faawrenchbndr]

Sept '42 Remington M1903A3,......all correct parts, except wood

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/faawrenchbndr/Remington1903A3pic1.jpg

[427]

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt354/MattP427/000_1927.jpg
1942 Remington M19O3A3

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt354/MattP427/000_1928.jpg
1942 Remington M19O3

[MajorD]

m2 carbine- the old dcm which was the program that released all sorts of small arms to civilians in the 1950's and 60's still exists today as the CMP. While they no longer have the authority to sell surplus handguns (that program was a casualty of the gun control act of 1968) they still sell rifles of all sorts. The supply of carbines and bolt actions has dried up, but they still sell tons of garands. every american gun owner needs to take advantage of this program!

[travis34769]

Man, I will have to get a picture of mine! Looking good fellas!

[hogship]

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/1425902/30712028.jpg

Remington 03a3 1943........is a good shooter!

ooc

Although this target was at 50 yards with original iron sights, it would have been a darn good showing at 100 yards, as well!
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/3935549/18887225.jpg

[Nalapombu]

ABSOLUTE GORGEOUS stuff guys.....Thanks for posting them. I'll be copying them to my hard drive for future reference.

I have wanted an 03 Springfield or a 17 Enfield for the longest time. I think it would be pure fun to get an 03 and a box of surplus .30-.06 ammo and spend a day at the range shooting from 100 to about 500 yards. I've never shot that far with any weapon and am determined to do it someday.

I also understand that there is a serial number range for the 03 receivers that if you intend on SHOOTING your 03 you should make sure that your receiver is ABOVE it. Problem is, I don't know the number or production dates for shooter 03's.

Anyone know more about the story of the old guy that went into Camp Perry and borrowed an 03 and done some incredible shooting? I think it was back in the 50's.

Thanks again all.

Nalajr

[faawrenchbndr]

The early receivers, 800k and below had quwstionable heat
treating. Sothese are the less desireable shooters.

[Nalapombu]

That only applies to the SPRINGFIELD 03's, correct? Would the other makers be good for shooters or not?

Thanks

Nalajr

[ithaca_deerslayer]

'42 Remington M1903 and '43 Remington M1903A3 (original)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m8/jamesrea_2006/jamesrea_08/jamesrea09/DSC00760.jpg

Uh oh, I think I want one.

Wife, are you reading this :rofl:

[tjpet]

That only applies to the SPRINGFIELD 03's, correct? Would the other makers be good for shooters or not?

Thanks

Nalajr


Springfield - Serial # 800,000

Rock Island - Serial # 285,000

Any '03 with a higher serial # is OK to shoot from a safety standpoint.

[faawrenchbndr]

Also,.......some have been shot a lot without issue.
My wife has her Grandfather's hunting rifle. It is a Springfield
with a 256k serial number. It was sporterized sometime in
the sixties. He used it in the NC hills for about 30 years.
Never any issues, it's only been shot once since he passed.

[Decguns]

Heat treating the early carbon steel receivers was more of an art form than a science. The technician essentially had to make a judgement call when the receiver was heated to the right hue of cherry red. In 1918, Springfield started double heat treating receivers some time before serial number 800,000 and Rock-Island followed suit at serial number 285,507. Around serial number 320,000, Rock-Island started using nickel steel in addition to carbon steel. Nickel Steel receivers will be marked NS.

Considering these single heat treated receivers have been fired thousands of times in the past 100 years, it's unlikely any of the ones remaining in circulation are going to fail. It was only a small number that failed in the first place, and these rifles often served right on through WWII. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

[Nalapombu]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just remember the 800,000 number. Anything above that is going to be good to go to the range in my book.

Here's another one for you all. The chances of finding an 03 on a DEAL is miniscule. They get snapped up pretty quick at the CMP.

What there is a better chance of is finding a gem in a SPORTERIZED version as so many of the bring-backs were redone to make deer rifles out of them.

Generally, how hard it is and how much money would it cost to take a "sporterized" 03 and put it back to original with one of the semi pistol grip stocks like on the A3 above that's on that crate that was posted by faa......? I know you really can't make a good guess without seeing it and knowing what all it needs, a general idea would be ok. I already know it would need a new stock. Would it be less expensive to go ahead and buy a shooter 03 or find a sporter and bring it back to A3 condition?

Thanks again for all the info and pics.

Nalajr

[427]

There's a store in ABQ that has at least 6 or 7 "as issued" O3s/O3A3s. I saw them last week. I also see them at the local gun shows, too. As issued ones are out there, you just have to be ready with cash in hand when the right deal pops up.

[acg8276]

I took my boy to a baloon shoot last Sunday. A club we've never been to. Of the dozen shooters a third had 1903's and all hit from 75 yd line off hand, no sling. Balloons had water in em and where a little smaller than a baseball.

[Tired Retired]

Word of caution while shopping for Springfields.... ALOT of rifles which had been previously welded and plugged as drill rifles have been "reactivated" and are starting to hit the market. While some people doing this work seem to know what they are doing and are bringing these old rifles back to firing condition, some others are not so knowledgable (or attentive) and may not be doing so good a job.

As a suggestion, if you are in the market for one of these old war horses, learn what to look for and what to look out for...

Just my two cents...