1903A3 or M1 Garand

[PSU_G34]

I am thinking of getting a rifle through CMP. I really like the 1903, but the Garand is only $100 more.

Any opinions on which one will be more collectable?

Are there any issues with either rifle?

Thanks,

[epsylum]

I would get the 03 first becaue I heard thier supply is drying up (finally after 100 years).

Then get a Garand.

[Rick O'Shay]

It's a crap shoot. I have bought two 1903s, a 1903A3, and my annual limit of Garands.

The 1903A3 had no finish on it at all, and was fairly well shot out. One of the 1903s was a Greek import, with number electro-pencilled on the bolt, and embedded in the stock (Greek import is less valuable than strictly USGI).

Of the Garands, I have three I really like, two so-so, and three that I would have rather avoided.

I don't mean to seem cynical here. No bellyaching intended. I am just trying to give you a realistic view of what to expect. It might be that CMP shuffled off some of their less-valuable rifles to me, since I was buying so many. But it just might be that each of these was next-in-line. Who knows?

I am not seeing very positive comments from CMP purchasers when it comes to the 1903s and 1903A3s. More people seem to be leaning toward the Garands, and there seems to be more happy comments from them. BTW, the prices have been raised twice this year. My gut tells me that if I were in your shoes, I'd go for a USGI Field Grade Springfield.

[Steve in PA]

If your not hearing positive things about the '03 & '03A3's your hanging out in the wrong places.

I bought a '03A3 last year, and while it was a Greek (etched bolt) the rifle was immaculate. I mean perfect and it shoots just as good if not better than any rifle today.

Two years ago I got a M1 Garand, which I equally love. Shoots great, no complaints on either one.

The problem with the CMP, is not the CMP, its the people who buy from them expecting to get some wonderful rifle. You may get lucky and get one that is in good to great shape. But you need to remember that these are 50-60 year old rifles. Your buying a great rifle and a piece of history. Want a super rifle, then go buy a Remington or Winchester.

You can drive up to Camp Perry and pick out your own rifle if you wish.

I'd buy from them again. Actually come next year I am debating on whether I should get another M1, or go for the '03.

[LTR]

The 1903a3 Greek looks as tho it has never been shot. All "R" marked.

Greek H&R has about 70% finish. Stock is un cartouched walnut. H&R bolt, oprod, barrel and trigger group. Barrel was a three.

I would do it again except I spend my CMP money for more ammo for the above. :)

LTR

I do know it is luck of the draw tho.

[kf4zra]

they are both fun to shoot, but they are different in their own ways.

i like my 03 cause its so much older, 1920's. but my M1D is prolly the most accurate gun i own. (at least thats sighted in anyways)

[thisaway]

I have bought three or four M1s from the CMP this year, and one P17 and one M1903. The P17 and '03 were both excellent. I am very glad I decided to buy them. I do not hesitate to say that if you want a reasonably-priced M1 or M1903 or M1903A3, the CMP is the place to go!


As for PSU_G34's question, ny answer is:

BOTH! ;f

But if you can't get both right now, get the M1, then the M1903A3 later, as the A3s seem to be selling more slowly than the M1s.

[p01ic3m4n]

i got my remington 03A3 in last week and my garand should be here this coming week (i special ordered a WWII serial number).

it was like finding a diamond. after getting all the crud caked cosmo off, it turned out to be a jewel. it's a '42 receiver with a '43 barrel. the rifling is excellent all the way out to the muzzle. everything is remington marked. the finish looks really good. the only place it's really worn is right around the tip of the muzzle.

i'm very happy with my 03A3. the head guy at CMP on their board said they have 12 months or less supply of them.

[Bushbacker]

Originally posted by p01ic3m4n

i'm very happy with my 03A3. the head guy at CMP on their board said they have 12 months or less supply of them.

They must have taken a new inventory of 03A3s recently. Latest estimate from them as of last week is 6 months. Less than 1,000 remain.

[Libertas]

Those of you with CMP 03A3s, do you have 2-groove or 4-groove barrels?

Regards

[M1Garand]

+ M1 Garand. 1903 is nice, but M1 Garand is the first semi-automatic rifle ever become a general issue for an army, and it is FUN FUN FUN to shoot.

With its clip mechanism, it is unique, and it goes "Ping" on the last round. It is fun to watch that clip flies through the air.

Garand is a solid piece of metal and full of woods. It is fun to handle M1 Garand. With its "thumb biting" action, it is a truly a magnificent machinery waiting for you to tame. It is solid, heavy, and dangerous, definitely not for the "weak hearted."

Did I also say it is FUN to shoot M1 Garand....?

[OcabJ]

You need to get both. But you were to pick one at this very moment, get the 03A3 because the CMP inventory is near depletion. That's the only reason I hand picked one out at the CMP Western Games last Sunday. I should have tagged two 03A3s, but I guess I'll just play lottery and mail order for one since pretty much all the rifles I saw were in good condition.

[Glolt20-91]

I bought a 1942 Remingtion '03 in the 60s and still have it, traded off a Santa Fe A3 with two groove barrel some years ago. I don't know how to explain it, but this '03 is dialed in with military ammo at 550 yards with the windage moved just a tad to the left. I've won a few bets with some of my scoped friends over the years. :) Maybe it's time to break down and get a Garand.

Adios,
Bob

[Sapperstang]

Can somebody explain what CMP is?

[thisaway]

Originally posted by Sapperstang
Can somebody explain what CMP is?

Check out their website, as they can tell you more than can we:

www.odcmp.com/

[seanmcp]

When buying a garand, what grade should be chosen if you want a shooter, but not a super showpiece? Safety first, effectiveness next, then looks :)

And really, do I want an 03 or an 03a3, and if an 02, which ofthe 3 categories should I get?

Yup. I'm so blowing my budget... I need help from experienced CMP buyers. I've put it off and put it off and, well, you know. I don't want to not get my beloved M1 before I can't.

[Bushbacker]

For the M1, I'd get a field or service grade. The difference is in the throat erosion not the overall condition of the stock or other parts so it's possible to get a field grade that might seem to be in otherwise better condition than service grade. If you plan on shooting quite a bit, get a service grade. If you are an occasional shooter, the field grade should be fine.

From the reports I've seen, the 03A3s are generally in better condition since they are newer. I got one just last month and it is in very good condition. That's not to say there are not some good 03s though. It is the luck of the draw in any case.

The Mk.I Springfields are the same as the high numbered Springfields except that they have a cut-out for the Pederson device which is neither good nor bad from what I understand, it's just there. I don't know anything about the Remington 03s.

All of the remaining 03s and o3A3s were loaned to the Greeks and later returned.

Some seem to think that the few remaining 03A3s (less than 500 last report) are the bottom of the barrel but as the CMP operating officer explains, they pull them out of the crates as orders come in and there's no telling what the next crate may hold. The last crate may contain the very best ones. If you want an 03A3, order soon!

[thisaway]

Well, I decided after reading this thread that I'd better go ahead and jump on the bandwagon...I sent in my order for a M1903A3 last week. I hope I get a good one.

[Bushbacker]

Originally posted by thisaway
Well, I decided after reading this thread that I'd better go ahead and jump on the bandwagon...I sent in my order for a M1903A3 last week. I hope I get a good one.

I hope you get a 1903A3. There's a good chance you might not. The CMP announced 11/30 that there were less than 100 remaining and orders in hand might fill all of them.

http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12476

Look over the regular 1903s and see if you want one of them if you don't make it. If not, check out the M1s. Good luck!

[Bushbacker]

Some more might still turn up though:

http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12662

[Rick O'Shay]

I jumped in line in mid-November, and received my 1903A3 Remington on December 2nd. Other than the Greek disfigurements, it's a beauty. The Greeks electropencilled a 4-digit number on the bolt handle, and rough-sanded an area on the right buttstock and stamped a number there, too.

Otherwise, The wood is gorgeous, the carthouches are plentiful and very visible, the metal is very good to excellent, and beautiful bore. Best $400 I've spent in a long time, and the timing was none too soon.

Hope yours got under the wire.

[Bushbacker]

Originally posted by thisaway
Well, I decided after reading this thread that I'd better go ahead and jump on the bandwagon...I sent in my order for a M1903A3 last week. I hope I get a good one.

Wonder if he got one? Saw on the CMP forum that someone ordered one on 11/30 and got one so thisaway probably did too.

[thisaway]

Originally posted by Bushbacker
Wonder if he got one? Saw on the CMP forum that someone ordered one on 11/30 and got one so thisaway probably did too.

According to the CMP website, my order is "processing". I hope I get it before Christmas. ;)

[Bushbacker]

Good luck! Keep us posted. I sure like mine. It cleaned up nicely.

[TarzanFainberg]

My friend's trip to Camp Perry. (http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/surplusrifle/vpost?id=763772)

[thisaway]

Got my (Remington) A3! The wood on it is average, but the metal all looks good. The muzzle gauges .301 on my gauge, so it should be an excellent shooter. I will post a shooting report after I get to the range this weekend.

[Bushbacker]

Good for you. You got one of the very last. The wood on mine is beat up a bit but the barrel and receiver are excellent. I spent a long time cleaning up the stock and finished it with Behr's Tung Oil finish. Completely disassembled it to the last part and cleaned it thoroughly. It looks fantastic. Now to find time to shoot it.

[thisaway]

Originally posted by Bushbacker
You got one of the very last.

You aren't kidding! I just checked the CMP website, and the A3s are sold out! I got mine last Friday, so it must have been one of the absolute last!

[Bushbacker]

Yeah, I've been following the CMP forum lately. Last report of someone receiving a 1903A3 was late last week. They're not truly all gone. They will have a few turn up unexpectedly here & there but for all practical purposes they are.

Next to run out will be the regular 1903s, probably within next year, then the service grade M1 Garands, field grade M1s and then the rack grades.