03A3 Build

[aof1]

I haven't been able to find a decent 03A3. I don't know much about them except I want one. I'm not interested in a collectors grade or correct, just a good looking good shooting rifle. Would one of the Smith Corona or Remington receivers (with bolt) from AIM and a parts kit from E-Sarcoinc be a place to start? I would use a Criterion barrel and would need a stock also. Last but not least someone to repark and put it together. Suggestions please!

Information

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[lee_enfield223]

well I have two James River rebuilds one is a 03a4 sniper copy and the other is a 03A3 smith and corona, the 03a3 shoots quite well with it's criterion barrel but it came with a straight S type stock, so I had a new Boyds C type in the cupboard that I fitted up and the rifle really shoots !!!!!!!! I use 53grs of AR2209 or H4350 behind a lake city case and a 168gr nosler custom match projectile, this rifle will group into 4 inchs at 300m when I use my bench rest tripod and rear sand bag,,,,,, BUT the 03A4 I bought was not worth a pinch of you know what!!!! the metal work was nicely finished and the headspace was tight but the stock bedding setup was poorly executed with the barrel pushing on the side of the timber stock, and yet my mate has on the same as mine and it's a real tack driver so the quality can vary, this is just in case you are thinking of buying a rebuild which would be cheaper

[M94/14]

If you are located in the U.S., I saw three 03A3's for sale on the used racks at the Post Falls Id. Cabellas. All were in full Military pattern. This was in October, I don't know if any remain, but it's a start.

[Rick the Librarian]

Shooter-grade M1903A3s can be located in the $600-700 range. James River and Miltech will charge you about double that price for "pretty" rifles. Take time to learn about what makes a good M1903A3 and start looking online - Gunbroker, etc. If there are any local gunshows, start attending, but DON'T buy until you educate yourself what to look for. "Lurking" and asking questions on forums such as these is a good idea, as well.

I would not recommend either the receivers from AIM or the Sarco parts kits. The AIM receivers are from reclaimed drill rifles and the Sarco kits usually contain many cheap, foreign-made parts. By the time you piece together a parts kit, (especially if you have to pay to have it done and refinished) you will probably pay considerably more than if you just bought the whole rifle.

[aof1]

Thanks for the info. Florida has lousy gun shows with little in the way of older rifles and pistols/revolvers. I'll have to keep searching on line and learning what I am looking at when I find one.

[mtoms]

I'm almost through with a build of a shooter 1903a3 as well. I'll post more details when I get her complete and see how she shoots.

The route I took was to purchase a national ordinance rifle in good condition on gunbroker for $300. Correspondence with the seller before I bid revealed it had a very nice Remington 5/44 barrel, a like new scant stock, and Remington bolt, and bands. After realizing I was successful buying the N.O., I then bid and bought a Gibbs refurbished Remington 03a3 receiver - $125. Swapped out the parts last weekend. Had a gunsmith friend help me with the receiver swap and head spacing - $60. Waiting on an unissued walnut hand guard and tall front sight from Numrich. The N.O. Had a plastic handguard? When all said and done - including shipping- I'll have $550 in it. Not a huge savings - but it was fun and educational - just hope it shoots as good as it looks. The only surprise - besides the plastic handguard - was that the N.O. Receiver used a non usgi sear pin without a head- had to scrounge on of those.

[mtoms]

Promised photos. Got it put together tonite. Can't wait to see if it will shoot.

Attachment 48999Attachment 49000Attachment 49001Attachment 49002Attachment 49003

[jburg318]

Came out pretty nicely!

Jon

[mtoms]

I guess it 's gonna shoot pretty good. 100 yd 5 shot group this afternoon with hxp m2 ball
Attachment 49178

[aof1]

Well I took the plunge. Lets see what I won!
Smith Corona 1903A3 03A3 Springfield : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com