Should I rescue a Bubba'd 1903A3? PICS

[normrp]

Here are the pics of my $335 (including NICS check) 1903A3.

I think I did pretty good with my buy. It will be nice to see it back to normal though!

Thanks to you all who answered and provided advise and help. I'll post pictures as I progress.

Thanks, Norm.

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Lucky you! I would have grabbed that for the 335 in euros. In dollars, it looks lika a bargain. It will be well worth fitting a replacement stock. And while you are waiting for the parts, you can start getting in some practice and making a first approximation to a good load!

Patrick

[normrp]

Thanks Patrick.

I have some surplus M2 ball (some Greek and some Lake City).
Also, in the August 2008 issue of Handloader magazine there is an article on recreating vintage WWII loads. There were a number different calibers that had loads listed. So at least I have some load data to work up to.

Norm

[604flyer]

Good to see somebody rescue that one, it's a nice looking rifle. Too bad it wasn't rescued from Bubba before he sawed off that C stock.

[normrp]

604flyer,

yea it is a shame about the C stock. it is actually a pretty nice piece of wood! it was sanded so much there are no stamps left anywhere.

It will look better when it gets a GI stock back on it.

I did the bullet test on the muzzle and it seems to be in good shape. also the muzzle is nice and round, not a bit of oval at all.

Norm

[Wyo96]

Nice job. That was a no-brainer! After you buy the extra parts you need you'll still have bought it below market value.

[normrp]

Thanks Wyo96,
I was a little hesitant because I have not bought a fixer before and am not an expert but i went home and compared it to my 03A3 to get an idea of its completeness and condition.
Now I have to decide on stock style and whether to go with a new c stock or an original straight or scant style.

Norm

[CapnJohn]

I purchase a stock from Sarco, along with a handguard, and one from Northridge. The Sarco was excellent but apparently from Italy, just perfect. The North ridge was apparently a WW2 product. Sarco had all the necessary hardware.
I'd go with a c or straight stock, the one from Sarco was a C.

[Arisaka99]

Collector's Source has some nice GI replacement stocks. I would sell the sporter stock on a trader somewhere, as well as the milled trigger guard and floorplate and use those $$ to pretty much buy the missing stamped stock hardware. Get blued stuff if you can. There are a couple of great sellers here on the boards.

[normrp]

CapnJohn and Arisaka99 - thank you for the help. that is some good info.

Norm

Does anybody have an idea of what the stock and the milled trigger guard/floorplate would sell for?


Thanks