National Ordinance 1903A3

[Grizzly95]

My buddy was just given a National Ordinance 03A3 or 1903A3. I have been trying to do some research on this thing and have only found a lot of negatives. Anyone have any info to share on these?

[Retired GI]

I have one,  shoots good.    It does have a cast receiver that many folks don't like but has given me no troubles what so ever

[Grizzly95]

Is yours sporterized? My buddy is thinking about sporterizing his, I told him that he will have as much into that as buying a good used rifle. His dad said it shot fine, he would just like to have something with a scope. I think the peep sight will be good in lower light coyote hunting though.

[FC]

I have one,  shoots good.    It does have a cast receiver that many folks don't like but has given me no troubles what so ever

From what I have read they are all rebuilds using cast receivers but many still shoot real well, they don't apparently have any real collectible value though.

[JackOfAllTrades]

The post war production of the cast recievers netted a very hard reciever that could be 'brittle'. Then surplus parts were mated to provide a functioning rifle. Some good... Some not so good. Probably no collector value. Check headspace with a go-no'go guage before firing. If it shoots well, is safe, then sporterizing one will still net a heavy rifle to pack around. Probably not worth putting any money into with a new barrel and such.

I have a war era Remington barreled (four groove), Springfield O3A3 with cut stock, timney trigger and B-Square scope mount, (Leupold vxII 3-9x40), that shoots MOA with hand loads. (which is exceptional for them). At one time or another, It has been a primary deer/bear/elk rifle for three generations of my family.

-Steve

[Grizzly95]

My 308 Norma is a sporterized Enfiel, I didn't do the work I bought it that way. I am thinking of changing the trigger though. His dad shot it for a number of years and said it shot fine. I realize it really only has sentimental value rather than collector value, and relayed that to him. What is the ON/OFF lever on the side for? I see the safety is on the bolt.

[FC]

For removing the bolt isn't it?

[Grizzly95]

Yeah it unlocks for bolt removal, just curious if it had any other purpose.

[FC]

Yeah it unlocks for bolt removal, just curious if it had any other purpose.

Does it also have a position for removing the magazine?

[Grizzly95]

No magazine, plated bottom that doesn't open.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Timney makes a very nice drop in trigger for that Enfield.

-Steve

[FC]

No magazine, plated bottom that doesn't open.

My bad, I was still thinking about the A3.

[Grizzly95]

Are the triggers easy to install and adjust?

[JackOfAllTrades]

The Timney?  Absolute drop in unit. Simple.  I didn't even adjust mine, (although they are adjustable).

-Steve

[Grizzly95]

Might have a side job coming up so I might be able to order one, I did notice that they ask for 5 or 6 round box. Not sure on mine since it is no longer a 30.06 it is a .308 Norma.

[BlackRidge]

Is yours sporterized? My buddy is thinking about sporterizing his, I told him that he will have as much into that as buying a good used rifle. His dad said it shot fine, he would just like to have something with a scope. I think the peep sight will be good in lower light coyote hunting though.

I have a sporterized version, looks the same as any other bolt action.

I love mine, has never given me any problems. Always shot tight groups, but your friend should definitely check the serial number on it and compare that to the list of models that had issues. Some never made it into the last part of the process for 2nd heat treating, and several of those had the receivers blown apart... but very few. It's a nasty thing thats stuck with the rifle (kind of like how a select few dumb hunters make the rest of us look bad)

There are a few companies out there that make aftermarket stocks for the 1903, parts are fairly common and you can never go wrong with a 30-06