I inherited a 1903-A3

[ZEN]

Just inherited a 30-06 1903-A3 rifle from my wife's grandfather.  It came to me in pretty good condition except the stock is cracked pretty badly in the grip from a travel accident I heard. 

1. I was hoping someone knows of a good resource for getting a new stock.  This rifle has a one piece stock which was modified with a monte carlo kind of riser.  This is near where the crack begins so I think grandpa may have created a weak spot in the old stock.   

2. It also has a side mounted Lyman aperture sight that is damaged.  I'll probably buy a new rear sight but I really would like to mount a scope.  The rear sight can be removed easily with a quick release button and there's a dovetail under it.  I found some 1903-A3 pictures with top mounted scopes and I wondered if there was a forward attachment point drilled into the receiver?  This receiver is not tapped in any way right now.  Do I need to find old hardware or can I tap for picatinny bases??  What is involved?

thnx

[pianoman9701]

Take it to a collector before replacing the stock unless you want it only for hunting. It may be worth more with the broken stock than with a replacement.

[jay.sharkbait]

Can you post some pictures?

I would look into putting it back to original configuration if possible.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Here's some info/links from the CMP website.

http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1903-m1903a3/
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/services-for-the-1903a3/
http://estore.thecmp.org/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=773&item=&sfv=&cat=BKS

[Bwana Bob]

I have a Lyman 57 SME all steel receiver sight that will fit your rifle. Will sell it for $40

[ZEN]

Sorry, Pictures aren;t an option until later. 

Grandpa messed with the stock a lot and it's likely that the accident that broke the stock bent the rear sight.  The stock isn't original in any way at this point.  He cut parts away and  did some bedding.  It was probably a good shooter until it was damaged.  (This rifle's been in the family a long time and it was a gift so I'm gonna keep it not sell it btw.)  I would consider it a hunting rifle if I can find a trustworthy retailer of the original stocks... and then replace the rear sight too. 

1. what's a good source for an original/surplus stock?

2.  what's involved in putting a scope on a 1903-A3?

[CP]

If the stock has been altered it is likely the rifle has been “sporterized” in other ways.  That makes it a $200 rifle depending on condition so I wouldn’t worry about restoring it.  Back in the 1960s - 1970s these were bought by the ton by companies that turned them into hunting rifles and sold them for less than $25 each.

Parts are easy to find.  Try Ebay or anyplace that deals in gun parts.  You can probably pick up a synthetic stock pretty cheap.

It needs to be drilled and tapped for a scope; any good gun smith can do it.

[CP]

Here's one, current bid is $11.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Springfield-1903-03-Rifle-Stock-Walnut-Military-Sporterized/391043022166?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28791%26meid%3D08e2180e01214ad9a34e2f3c08e8f661%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D151575968883&rt=nc

[jay.sharkbait]

This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.

You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.

[BOWHUNTER45]

This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.

You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.

Damn nice rifle 

[jay.sharkbait]

This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.

You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.

Damn nice rifle 

Thanks!

That's a 35 Whelen my father built.

I love old sporter's

[wadu1]

This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.

You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.

Damn nice rifle 

I love the wood and in a .35 Whelen to boot cant get much better. 

[ZEN]

Jay, that rifle is sweet.  I'll research that scope mount some.  I take it the bolt and safety interfere with the scope?  ..and are your rings 1"?  I found a couple sites that sell stocks, even Boyds sells stocks for this rifle.  I'll start with that and get a rear sight. 

Can someone please recommend a smith that could tap this rifle.  I went to DJ's the last time I needed it done but some choices would be nice.

thnx everyone.

[Biggerhammer]

Jay,

That 03 is a class act all the way!

[jay.sharkbait]

Jay, that rifle is sweet.  I'll research that scope mount some.  I take it the bolt and safety interfere with the scope?  ..and are your rings 1"?  I found a couple sites that sell stocks, even Boyds sells stocks for this rifle.  I'll start with that and get a rear sight. 

Can someone please recommend a smith that could tap this rifle.  I went to DJ's the last time I needed it done but some choices would be nice.

thnx everyone.

The rings are 1" but that mount will take 1" and 30mm . the bolt handle and safety need to be modified/changed to clear the optic. That said you can go to a Timney trigger that has a safety thus making the original redundant.

Jay,

That 03 is a class act all the way!

It's fun, It hasn't been fired since my Dad died, but I will go Elk hunting with it soon. I have to say that optics have come a long way. That A6 is ahem "classic".

[Bill W]

If I wanted to put a scope on an 03-A3 and I had one that didn't have scope I'd go buy one that already had a scope (and beat the owner down on price).  I think it would cost more to convert the top to take scope mounts.

I have a 1903-A1, a 1903-A3 and a 1903-A4 with scopes.  I also have a 1903-A1 and a 1903-A3 that weren't sporterized.

Before you put too much money into your rifle check it out and ascertain if it's a 2 or 4 groove barrel and the shape of the throat.   If it's a 2 groove, run a borescope in it to check the quality of the rifling.  Those barrels were rifled in about 2 minutes per barrel so it's easy to have chip damage.   That doesn't mean the rifle won't shoot but it could affect accuracy.  4 groove barrels were made way slower to ensure quality.  Check those for pitting as mercuric primers were shot in those.

It will surprise you how accurate the 1903 series are.

[GoldenOscar]

Shot my first buck with a 03-A3 military peep sights.......very accurate...great meat and potatoes gun

[Hornseeker]

I need to get a pic of my dads... he had it custom built back in the late 60s and it is a sweet sweet machine... love that gun... grew up coveting that thing!! I'll try and get him to take a pic and send me...

[pianoman9701]

Shot my first buck with a 03-A3 military peep sights.......very accurate...great meat and potatoes gun

Is meat & potatoes an OTC tag or a draw?