Should I rescue a Bubba'd 1903A3???

[normrp]

I just found this forum, Wow...pretty cool. I have a question I hope I can get some help with.

I already have a Remington 1903A3 and a Springfield Garand that are real nice.

But I ran across a Remington 10903A3 today at a local gunshop. It seems to be all original metal. The s/n is 4,068,xxx and has a barrel date of 6 43 (if I remember correctly) and the flaming bomb. The green parkerizing is in good shape, the cutoff is dark (like on my 03A3) the bolt is dark, and the rear sight is dark (not parked like my rear sight). The bore is shiny and the rifling looks ok. About the only test I can do is the bullet test on the muzzle if/when I go back to look at it again.



The only drawback is that the handguard and stock metal is gone, the stock was cutoff at sporter stock length, and the floorplate is milled. I had no way of getting any pictures to show you.

I have a 03A3 floorplate and stock metal. I would just need to buy a stock and handguard.

The asking price is $350. So what would you guys do?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Norm

[DRB]

Fair deal, the milled guard is worth a lot more then stamped guard. A decent stock will set you back at least a $100 and the bands may cost as much as $50 if you insist on blued parts. You would probably have under $500 in the restoration which is not a bad price but once in a while you can find a decent 03A3 for less then $500.

[chuckindenver]

agree,
if it i saw it, it would already be in my safe.
Chuck

[normrp]

DRB and chuckindenver, thanks for your help. I will let you know what happens and if i get it I will post pictures.

Thanks,

Norm

[JGaynor]

agree,
if it i saw it, it would already be in my safe.
Chuck

I'm with Chuck = buy it! from your description it sounds like the action has never been thru a rebuild/refinish. You may have to look a bit but you should be able to loacte an original stock.

Regards,

Jim

[normrp]

JGaynor,

Thanks for for your input.

so, it looks like you guys are going to make me spend some money...

Norm

[Major Tom]

That's what we're here for. :-)

[Kirk]

The CMP has newly made repalcement stocks + origianl handguards for about $165. The stock is the C stock - pistol grip. These are great stocks. I beleive there is a fellow on ebay selling original, NOS scant stocks (semi pistol grip) & handguards for $195, also a great deal.

[gunluvver]

I picked up a Smith Corona A3 at a yard sale a few years back with Lyman sights installed on it. The stock was cut, but the sights were worth the $150 purchase price. I put it in a Fat C stock and brought it back to a fine shooter. Here it is pictured with my Springfield 03, also in a C stock.

[normrp]

OK...OK...

I went back yesterday and bought it. I got it for $335 OTD. I was wrong on the barrel date it is 9 43 and if I am correct the serial number puts it in Nov 1943 for a build date. So that should make it all legit.

I will get pictures up in the next day or so.

Nice looking rifle gunluvver.
Thanks for the info Kirk.
Thanks for the encouragement Major Tom...as if I really need any...

Thanks again.