My Second post, first here; Looking for an M 19O3 Springfield

[A3 Pseudo Scout]

I made in introductory post in the appropriate part of the forum.
This is my first post here:
I am studying the M1903 Springfield and its variants. I am doing so in preparation of an acquisition of a Springfield; most likely an A3. It is best to be prepared.
In preparation, I have organized my sources into five groups and will address them as such: Mentors, Literature, Internet, Gunshows, and Local Gun Clubs.

1. Mentors.
I have a contacted an 03 owner via the internet; he has three Springfields and has offered to show me how the piece works using my newly acquired 30-06 dummy rounds that I purchased from http://www.dummybullets.com. These dummy rounds look well put together and I think they will be very useful, although they do not have the crimped sides (for tactal identification) as do the US military dummy rounds.
He will show me the breakdown and cleaning of the bolt group, but he said that he will not be showing me how to breakdown the trigger and sear because he does not wish to un-bed any of his three Springfields; I understand. He has offered to let me shot an A3, but he will not be back from his hunting trip until Dec 3. So, I wait!

What I would like is to find a DIY gunsmith. A hobbyists, with basement or garage shop who loves showing a new guy the ropes. One with a lathe and milling machine (I do dream) with head-spacing gauges and appropriate equiptment to recondition an 03 receiver and its parts. Someone who will invite me to watch as he works! “Dave, this is the technique use to … I don’t do A because of B, here … Do not let anyone …”
You get the idea.

2. Literature.
I have the following, unless notated. Some are specific to the M1903 Springfield but all have information relating to bolt action rifles that I have found useful.

BOOKS;
Brophy, The Springfield 1903 Rifles
Campbell, The ’03 Springfield Rifles Era (In the mail from Amazon)
Crossman, Edward, C., The book of the Springfield
I do not have this and it is not in any library near me. This must be out of print. If anyone knows a source, please inform!
Cooper, Jeff, The Art of the Rifle: Special Color Edition
Cooper, Jeff, To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth
The title is misleading. The book is a collection of essays; some on riflery.
De Hass, Bolt Action Rifles 3rd Edition
A gunsmiths comments, having worked on over 100 models of bolt guns.
Hatcher, Julian S., Hatcher’s Notebook
Olson, Ludwig, Mauser Bolt Rifles 3rd Edition
Poyer, Joe, The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle… My bookseller mistakenly sent me the 2nd edition not the 3rd. We are attending to this.

Pamphlets:
CMP: Competition Rules; 16th Edition 2012
(Part 6.3.3 is specific to the M1903 Springfield when used in CMP competition. I might use an 03 to qualify for a CMP Garand)
US War Department TM 9-1270 US Rifles, Cal. .30 M1903, M1903A1, M1903A3 and M1903A4; 20 January 1944
US Printing Office Description and Rules for the Management of the United States Rifle Caliber .30, Model of 1903, Revised October 17, 1911
Skinnerton and Riling, .30 Model 1903 Springfield Handbook


3. Internet Links
Shooting:
NRA, CMP
Sources of parts, etc.
Brownells, Midway, Numrich, Sarco, Fulton Armory, and James River Armory. If I have missed any, please let me know!
Internet Forums. I belong to ScoutRifle.org - The Scout Rifle Community - Index, The M1911 Pistols Organization, Surplusrifle Forum Index page, and Military Surplus Collectors Forums.

4. Gun Shows
I know of two within my area, Montgomery County, MD.
The Nation's Gun Show
The Nation's Gun Show > Home

About 8 times a year at the Dulles Expo near Dulles Airport.

The Mid Atlantic Arms Collectors Gun and Knife Show Harrisburg PA

Harrisburg Gun Knife Show | 2011 Harrisburg PA Mid Atlantic Arms Collectors
PA Mid Atlantic Arms Collectors Once a year. I could make the drive over there and spend the evening in a motel for a two day look-see.
I was told that at this show I am apt to find more O3 guns as well as parts, literature and met 03 aficionados there then at the Capital Gun Show.

5. Local Gun Clubs and shooting ranges. There are several Isaac Walton League clubs, one of which is the host of my local mentor. I might have to go to Fort Meade or Quantico and check out the sources there.


Should I have missed a source, please post or send me a Private Message.
My best regards,
Dave

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

I'm not sure why you would want a basement gunsmith working on your rifle, much less why you would need the lathe and mill with an operational rifle. If you were going to get things done, you would want a well qualified man (or woman) to do the work. Most won't let you watch, I know for a fact that if anything is to go wrong, this would be the time. It shouldn't be too hard to find an individual in your area that's well versed in the rifle and will show you stripping assembling and servicing, right down to the last pin and screw. Your books mentioned, Brophy wrote the one that's commonly accepted and it's widely used. More info IS better though. The problem with too many books is they will contradict each other to some extent. Not too worry. There's a number here that will set things straight.

Once you have the rifle, post some pics and we'll get at it...

[Chuckindenver]

i am not that gunsmith

[Rick the Librarian]

I think you have done a good job of laying the groundwork, but agree with Browning about a gunsmith. The books are good, but Poyer's book has numerous errors. You might acquire Bruce Canfield's 2004 book on the M1903, as well as Brophy.


Be careful mwith James River and Sarco - they are "famous" for reproduction parts.

[Dad]

For parts here are some good sites:

Springfield Sporters
Springfield Sporters, Inc.

Bill Ricca
Bill Ricca's 03/03A3 Parts and Accessories

Standard Parts LLC
https://www.standardpartsllc.com/pro...?idCategory=18

Amherts-Depot
03A3 US Rifle Parts and Accessories

D.

[A3 Pseudo Scout]

Regarding the lathe, and other machinery.
I like to see capable people use machinery. I was thinking along these lines.
"Dave, I don't have this part to my 03, but let me show you how I can make it up. It will not be authentic, but I can shoot my piece until I get the part. And with this steel, it will be stronger then than any original."
Something along that line.
And "professional" is not a synonym for competence. It indicates being paid.
I know many hobbyists, DIYers, who are very capable in a variety of tasks, but they do not necessarily get paid.
And we all know of too many people who get paid for their incompetence.
Dave

[Chuckindenver]

Gunsmith School - Lakewood - Colorado School of Trades

[rugersworld]

Have you yet to venture out and actually handle and examine A3s for sale in your area? That should be your next step.

[A3 Pseudo Scout]

Have you yet to venture out and actually handle and examine A3s for sale in your area? That should be your next step.

I absolutely agree!
I have found a guy with three A3s who has volunteered to talk and walk me through the drill; function, loading, unloading, etc in which my dummy rounds will be used. He will get some free rounds for letting me fire his piece! Whoopie, ding!
Dave

[Aragorn243]

The Harrisburg Gun Show is this coming weekend the 8th and 9th if I am not mistaken, check their website to verify before making the trip. No need to spend the night, just get there very early Saturday morning. It is the largest show in the area that I am aware of and there are plenty of parts dealers on hand. Two ways to find a rifle, check the tables, and watch for guys carrying them around for sale. Second is your best bet to get a good deal. You may not even have to go into the show. There are usually quite a few 03's on hand but that obviously varies from show to show.

Sunday is a waste of time, the good stuff is sold and long gone. What's left is the expensive stuff few can afford and leftovers not too many want. That's my experience anyway. I was always going on Sunday due to deer season on Saturday and never finding anything. Started going on Saturdays and started coming home with stuff.

I don't think I'll be going this year due to a severe shortage of funds. If I do, it will be Sunday and my hope will be for a Carcano that no one wanted. I can probably afford one of those.