Springfield 1903 MKI - 1920

My grandpa recently passed this down to me, in hopes that I'd use it for deer hunting. After doing a little research I'm not sure I want to. It's so nice, and to scope it, I'd have to mess it up (in my mind) by removing the Lyman sight, drilling, tapping, grinding the bolt down, etc.

So I'm wondering what you guys think...should I leave it as-is? Or would it be worth scoping and mounting with?

Also, anything else you could tell me about the rifle would be great.

I know the receiver and barrel are matching, made in 1920. The think the bolt is Remington from WWII? Stock is a Bishop.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5ddb1d72-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...92688328-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c50fb288-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...99e2d854-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2ba77820-1.jpg


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I don't see it as messing it up. It's already fully sporterized, the original rear sight gone and drilled for receiver sight. The metal looks to have been highly polished, 240 grit at least and there's a full selection of parts missing from original. Drilling for a scope mount isn't much more. If it's done right it will shoot wonders. At least it will outshoot most men...

As it is already altered beyond returning to correct configuration, I don't think anything more will be lost by altering it further. It is a somewhat tasteful looking sporter as it is, however, and it might be worth consideration to trade it for a more common scoped hunting rifle.

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Originally Posted by martin08

As it is already altered beyond returning to correct configuration, I don't think anything more will be lost by altering it further. It is a somewhat tasteful looking sporter as it is, however, and it might be worth consideration to trade it for a more common scoped hunting rifle.

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I've considered that, but it's been in the family since the 1950's, so I'm not sure if wanna get rid of it.

So I've considered getting a modern rifle instead of the 1903, but my budget is small, $400-500, and not sure I can get a rifle that would even compare with the 1903. Any thoughts?


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Keep it and do what you have in mind. It's past collector value and it's yours.

As said, it's a nicely done sporterize, classic of the age. A lot of people are inheriting these from parents these days and most are still cherished by the family. I would keep it, put a modern scope on it and use it and pass it down. I have a Mark 1 just like it and corrected some things and gave it to my son. He loves it!

Kurt

I would love to have one just like it. I have one I picked up earlier this year and cloned (as best I could) an NRA sporter, which is close to what you have. It is one of my favorites. I hunt with 1903s and Mauser 98s and nothing else. Keep it and enjoy it. Scopes are nice, but I like the peep sights. In AL, very few places I hunt do you even need a scope. I posted picks of my similar rifle a few weeks ago. Check past posts and look for it if you wish. Good luck.
Jason

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Originally Posted by jmichaels32

I've considered that, but it's been in the family since the 1950's, so I'm not sure if wanna get rid of it.

So I've considered getting a modern rifle instead of the 1903, but my budget is small, $400-500, and not sure I can get a rifle that would even compare with the 1903. Any thoughts?

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For reasons of keeping it in the family, by all means have it professionally scoped. Your budget should allow for something fairly decent.

jmichaels32:

If you scope this rifle, the bolt will have to be altered to clear the scope. How are your eyes with the iron sights that are already there?

HTH

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Originally Posted by relics6165

jmichaels32:

If you scope this rifle, the bolt will have to be altered to clear the scope. How are your eyes with the iron sights that are already there?

HTH

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I know, which adds extra expense and modifications I'd rather not do to this gun. And I'd rather not hunt with iron sights...so I'm planning on keeping it as-is, shooting it for fun and nostalgia and buying a modern rifle for hunting. To me it's just like to nice to mess with. Pretty much a copy of the NRA Sporter.


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Just bought it's twin, except mine still has the issue rear sight.
Fajin stock, polished bolt, ebony tip, GI barrel with date/manufacturer polished/turned off.
Blueing is premium.
Are they Golden State items?
Have some old American Rifleman mags from the 50's and sixty's, will have to search to see from where they came from.
They are not a cheap/hack sporter.
But I still shed a tear for all those rifle's being slaughtered.
Ed

Here's my sons Mark 1 sporter.

[IMG][/IMG]

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Originally Posted by supercub

Here's my sons Mark 1 sporter.

http://<a href="http://s184.photobuc...pyh.jpg"/></a>

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So nice!! What scope mount does he have on it?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmichaels32

So nice!! What scope mount does he have on it?


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It had a set of individual mounts and I changed it to a Redfield Jr. The rings are later Redfield rings. I like that type of mount for taking the scope on and off. Fortunately the holes from the previous mounts lined right up.

Kurt

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Originally Posted by ed skeels

Just bought it's twin, except mine still has the issue rear sight.
Fajin stock, polished bolt, ebony tip, GI barrel with date/manufacturer polished/turned off.
Blueing is premium.
Are they Golden State items?
Have some old American Rifleman mags from the 50's and sixty's, will have to search to see from where they came from.
They are not a cheap/hack sporter.
But I still shed a tear for all those rifle's being slaughtered.
Ed

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Is your receiver a national ordinance?

It's a Remington manufactured 3/1943.
Everything remaining on it is R marked.
Have a NOS stock I'm putting into. Need to find all the metal and top wood for it.
A friend of mine was working in western NC, doing power line work. He had a rain day, went shopping (guy style) and spotted it in Sylva at the local gun shop. He has five already, and knew I was pretty much buying any (03's) I could and advised me of it.
Called up and got it for 400 taxes/shipping total.
Funny (kinda) part was the guy I talked to lost my CC info, but shipped it anyway. The owner called my FFL and wondered if I could call him! Yes, I did call, gave him the cc info. But I did ask if he (seller) would get employee of the month, which was met with an
hell no.
Back to the rifle, the stock does not have a comb, the butt pad is a solid ***in, no marking's on the stock as to manufacture, and if you really look at he end of the barrel, you can (or imagine to) see where the middle of the fire bomb "mark' was.
Their was so many shop's sporterizing them it's hard to figure exactly where it came from.
I don't know yet how much I'll get into making it correct, as to me, it still will be a phony.
I shoot them, enjoy them, and appreciate what they represent.
Ed

For $500 you can buy a savage or ruger American with a scope that will shoot just fine for deer hunting. Keep the old gun WITH the receiver sight on and shoot it. You will be surprised at how accurate they are. I have a few that I shoot out to 300m plus at Sac Valley Range and they are every bit as capable as my scoped hunting rifles. Keep what was passed down as is and buy a modern rifle for the scope option. Anybody can shoot a scoped rifle, but it is a skilled marksman who can shoot open sights - Be that skilled marksman!

---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 AM ----------

Also your modern rifle will be pillar bedded with a synthetic stock, and have a brand NEW barrel. That 1903 may need to be properly bedded so the stock wont crack. How's the barrel and crown. After all the expense of the scope mod and bedding, the barrel might not be up to your accuracy expectations. Remember it is not a target rifle, maybe 2moa with factory loads.

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Originally Posted by rugersworld

For $500 you can buy a savage or ruger American with a scope that will shoot just fine for deer hunting. Keep the old gun WITH the receiver sight on and shoot it. You will be surprised at how accurate they are. I have a few that I shoot out to 300m plus at Sac Valley Range and they are every bit as capable as my scoped hunting rifles. Keep what was passed down as is and buy a modern rifle for the scope option. Anybody can shoot a scoped rifle, but it is a skilled marksman who can shoot open sights - Be that skilled marksman!

---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 AM ----------

Also your modern rifle will be pillar bedded with a synthetic stock, and have a brand NEW barrel. That 1903 may need to be properly bedded so the stock wont crack. How's the barrel and crown. After all the expense of the scope mod and bedding, the barrel might not be up to your accuracy expectations. Remember it is not a target rifle, maybe 2moa with factory loads.

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That's what I've decided to do. It too nice a rifle, with family history and I want to retain that. I won't be able to shoot it though until February, as I'm going to be traveling, but I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do. Thanks for sharing!


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Good choice and have fun with it. Often times, your eyesight will have a lot to do with your decision. If you can shoot peeps, stick with them, as Ruger says, you can do very, very well with them and it's quite satisfying to do it.

Kurt