Did I pass on a good deal?

I don't know much about 1903's but I'd like to have one as a shooter. I was at the Market Hall gun show today and looked at a 1903 serial #1,38x,xxx. 1943 dated Remington barrel, milled trigger guard. The front sight was loose, the front barrel band screw was to long, not correct. The back barrel band screw slot was mangled. The top handguard wood did not match the bottom, it was longer than the bottom. It did not have the pistol grip stock. The reciever and barrel looked good though. He wanted $500. Was it worth it?

Hard to say, really. But, from what you describe, somebody's had their hands on it that shouldn't have. Wrong parts, wrong tools, looks like a mutt. I think it's safe to say you made a wise decision. Could be something else wrong that you can't just see, if you know what I mean. For $500 bucks, you can get a pretty decent shooter. A mixmaster, yeah, but one that looks and shoots good.

At $400.00 MAYBE. A mutt, yes. The correct barrel will be tough to find and spendy. The RA barrel is a 2 groove or 4 groove? Is it a true '03 barrel or a converted 03-A3? To many questions. Pass on it.

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Originally Posted by pawpaw40

I don't know much about 1903's but I'd like to have one as a shooter. I was at the Market Hall gun show today and looked at a 1903 serial #1,38x,xxx. 1943 dated Remington barrel, milled trigger guard. The front sight was loose, the front barrel band screw was to long, not correct. The back barrel band screw slot was mangled. The top handguard wood did not match the bottom, it was longer than the bottom. It did not have the pistol grip stock. The reciever and barrel looked good though. He wanted $500. Was it worth it?

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You were wise to pass that one up. The rifle was not worth $500. The barrel is an abominated '03-A3 barrel.

J.B.

I just picked up a 1903A3 for $600 at a gunshow here in MO. I plan on posting a thread asking "How Did I Do?" to see what others think after they see the photos. At the same show there were others that were up to $1200 and I could not see that much of an improvement in their condition. That's why I want to get some input on this rifle, I bought it as a shooter, not a collector. But I hope that it was not too bad a deal.

A "shooter" M1903A3 in decent condition with a good bore is a decent deal at $600. Obviously, details would reveal how "decent" a deal! :D

pawpaw,

I saw that rifle(?) also. The kinda stocky guy from Belton, TX was walking with it. Someone (maybe you) looked at it for a long time just out in front of & to the side of my table (S-16 looking at the "SOUTH" wall). He always makes a stop at my table & usually has something to peddle. This time he was pushing that one as a "Post War Remington Rebuild" ~~~ Ha > Ha. All of his stufff has a story. Once in a while he has something interesting. I have bought from him & he has likewise made purchases from me.

I agree with all here that it was not worth $500. DW

Yeah, that was me. I would have bought it @ $400. I wasn't real comfortable with $450, but I might have gone that high. I've been looking for a good shooter for awhile, not much of a selection around where I live.