Resurrection: Restoring an 03-A3 Drill Rifle to a Shooter
Disclaimer:
This rifle was bought and restored to shooting configuration because it was a non-typical Drill Rifle. The magazine cut off was not welded, and the barrel/receiver weld was very small. The existing parkerizing exhibited no discoloration. After being reparkerized, the receiver was uniform in color as shown in the pics. Because of this it was reasoned that no significant changes in the receivers heat treatment had occurred. Regardless, the headspace will be monitored over the next several hundred rounds fired to allay all fears.
Picked up a 03-A3 Smith-Corona Drill Rifle at a gunshow a few weeks back. This one was not welded on the magazine cut off and this was why I bought it. Unusually, the receiver/barrel weld was on top, but was very small. Little more than a tack weld.
A quick examination revealed what other parts were needed, and they were picked up at the same show.
I called my smith a few days later about restoring it to shooting condition, and he mentioned that he had a brand new Smith-Corona barrel. :)
The barreled action was taken over and the old barrel removed. The barrel weld was very small and mostly on the barrel. No discoloration from the welding was evident on the receiver.
That Saturday, I re-parkerized the receiver and other small parts that were to be re-used. Saturday afternoon, we were back at the smith's for new barrel installation.
Ordered a new stock from CMP. After a week and a half, it arrived. Got it fitted and finished with linseed oil.
Took it to the range Sunday. Like a dummy, I forgot to bring a small screwdriver to center up the rear sight base. Consequently, I only shot 20 rounds to see how it grouped until I can center up the sight base. This project progressed rather rapidly compared to other gun projects that usually take months. This one was 3 weeks from gunshow purchase to finished.
Here's a few pics of the project.
Before:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10100682-1.jpg
After removing old barrel. New barrel pictured. Note area of weld on receiver is not discolored.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010080-1.jpg
Re-parked and ready to go back together.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10100821-1.jpg
Further evidence of no temper change. New parkerizing is uniform in color.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010112-1.jpg
When assembled, grinder damage is not evident.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010113-1.jpg
New stock as received form CMP. Stained, but not finished with linseed oil.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10101101-1.jpg
First coat of linseed oil. Lay it on heavy. Stock will soak it up like a sponge.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010114-1.jpg
24 hours later, the oil is absorbed. Apply second coat of oil lighter than first. You want to feed the stock all it will take, but no more. Third coat apply thinly with your finger. Fourth coat if you really want to be sure no more will soak in. Fifth coat if you're anal.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10101151-1.jpg
Finished stock.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010121-1.jpg
Finished rifle.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010124-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1010126-1.jpg
How it shoots. 100yds. Not too bad for 50+ year old peepers.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10101291-1.jpg
