Post by: ZEN on February 09, 2015, 11:33:25 AM
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
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 09, 2015, 11:39:54 AM
Post by: jay.sharkbait on February 09, 2015, 11:49:54 AM
I would look into putting it back to original configuration if possible.
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on February 09, 2015, 12:03:30 PM
Here's some info/links from the CMP website.
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/ (http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/)
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1903-m1903a3/ (http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1903-m1903a3/)
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/services-for-the-1903a3/ (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 (http://estore.thecmp.org/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=773&item=&sfv=&cat=BKS)
Post by: Bwana Bob on February 09, 2015, 12:09:21 PM
Post by: ZEN on February 09, 2015, 12:16:43 PM
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?
Post by: CP on February 09, 2015, 12:25:10 PM
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.
Post by: CP on February 09, 2015, 12:28:41 PM
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 (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)
Post by: jay.sharkbait on February 09, 2015, 02:41:26 PM
You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 09, 2015, 03:35:45 PM
This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.Damn nice rifle :tup:
You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.
Post by: jay.sharkbait on February 09, 2015, 07:51:28 PM
This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.Damn nice rifle :tup:
You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.
Thanks!
That's a 35 Whelen my father built.
I love old sporter's :)
Post by: wadu1 on February 09, 2015, 08:00:48 PM
I love the wood and in a .35 Whelen to boot cant get much better. :)This rifle has a Leupold mount. It requires drilling and tapping the rec'r.Damn nice rifle :tup:
You will also need to change the safety and bend or replace the bolt handle.
Post by: ZEN on February 09, 2015, 08:49:35 PM
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.
Post by: Biggerhammer on February 09, 2015, 08:54:42 PM
That 03 is a class act all the way! :tup:
Post by: jay.sharkbait on February 09, 2015, 09:12:19 PM
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! :tup:
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".
Post by: Bill W on February 09, 2015, 09:32:54 PM
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.
Post by: GoldenOscar on February 09, 2015, 10:23:04 PM
Shot my first buck with a 03-A3 military peep sights.......very accurate...great meat and potatoes gun
Post by: Hornseeker on February 10, 2015, 08:51:07 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 10, 2015, 08:59:45 AM
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? :dunno: :chuckle: