1903 C.S.A.A. Questions

[Neal Myers]

I do not mean to offend anyone, but....

I will not pronounce any gun "safe to shoot" unless I have held it in my hands & examined it. If I have not, I always say, "You should take it to a qualified gunsmith & have it inspected." There are just too many things that could be wrong.

For a low-numbered SA 1903, I will repeat the warning that CMP issued when selling them: Low numbered rifles should be considered unsafe to shoot.

Neal

[UNPROFOR1994]

@Neal Meyers: Neither would I, just slipped my mind this time. I already adviced 45aseep to have his rifle checked by a gunsmith before shooting in his kbk Wz. 98 post. That's why I didn't repeat it.

So, just to be sure ;-) @45aseep: Yes, but before you do, have a gunsmith check the weapon, just to be safe.

[45aseep]

The M1903/A3 is safe to shoot. According to the serial number it is made in Dec 1943 or Jan 1944. What's the date on the barrel? Is it original or has it been "sporterized"?
According to the serial number on the "sporterized" M1903 it was made in 1903, an early Rod Bayonet version.

The 1903-A3 I have is all original. It has on the barrel end - RA, and below that an unusual (to me) symbol and then below that 12-43. I take it that means December 1943. Yeah, bums me out about the M1903. I can't even turn it into an inclement weather hunting rifle. I hate ruining an original military gun, but I had hoped, since it had already been done, maybe I could work on it and give it a new lease on life. Not sure what to do with it now.

[UNPROFOR1994]

maybe I could work on it and give it a new lease on life

You still can give it a new life. If it was my fathers rifle I wouldn't sell or scrap it and shoot lower pressure ammo out of it with chamber adapters.
That way you can turn it in to a single shot bolt action rifle that shoots 32 Short Colt, 32 Long, 32 H&R, .32 acp, 7,62x25, .30 carbine M1 or maybe even 7,62x39 (depending on your barrel diameter just to be safe for the 7,62x39).

CHAMBER ADAPTERS

[browningautorifle]

shoot lower pressure ammo out of it with chamber adapters.

An excellent alternative.