New to these rifles. Could someone indentify what I have?

[Orava]

Hi,

I just bought a rifle for my son at a gun show. I was told it was a Springfield. It says Rock Island Armory model 1903. The stock looks different from what I've seen on the internet of other 1903s.

I've never owned a 30-06 before and I don't care if this thing is collectable because I just want to teach my son to shoot, but I'm curious about what I have.

Any comments are welcome.







Thanks

Information

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[Fred G.]

How much did you give for it?

[RCS]

You have a sporterized 1903 low number Rock Island rifle. Looks like a 60's Fajen stock. Most will advise against firing these low number
receivers. looks like it might have the original barrel, any date under the RIA stamp by the front sight ? might have been polished off.

All the military features have been removed or changed so not much value to a collector

[Orava]

I think the RIA stamp has been polished off. I paid $300 for it and it came with a scope. The stock poorly finished, but I wanted something simple to for my son to shoot with.

What should I be worried about? I'm really new to these.

Thanks

[Eaglelord17]

Below serial number 286,506 for RIA they didn't do proper heat-treating. This lead to some receivers blowing up in WWI. The US military actually condemned all these rifles, and only condoned there use in the event of a emergency (like WWII). When these were sold off as surplus the CMP used to do a straight trade, low serial number receiver rifle for a high receiver rifle.

Personally I wouldn't shoot it because my life isn't worth risking but that is just me, you can do the research yourself and come to your own conclusions but there has to be a reason why a military would be willing to write off over 1 million firearms (and as far as I know it is the most extensive condemnation of a service weapon in history).

The scariest part about the heat treating issue is it isn't like it shows the signs of fatigue or anything before it potentially detonates, there is no warning signs to look for.

[browningautorifle]

The scariest part about the heat treating issue is it isn't like it shows the signs of fatigue or anything before it potentially detonates, there is no warning signs to look for.

That's right. They just go off to pieces...like glass.

[Orava]

Thanks for being straight with me. I was going to take this to the range, but reading this and other threads, it looks like someone saw a guy with no experience and took advantage. I paid cash, so no receipt, and I don't think my life, or especially my son's, is worth risking - even if the risk is small.

So what can I do now? Is there any value of this thing at all or do I now have a large paperweight?

It sucks, but it's a life lesson. My son was so excited, but I'm going to buy something new tomorrow.

Thanks

[supercub]

I would say there is some value in the bolt and the milled trigger guard. The bolt appears to be a modified A3 bolt and not a single heat treated one that you wouldn't want to sell or use. The milled trigger guards are always sought and depending on which make will determine value.

Kurt

[Orava]

I would say there is some value in the bolt and the milled trigger guard. The bolt appears to be a modified A3 bolt and not a single heat treated one that you wouldn't want to sell or use. The milled trigger guards are always sought and depending on which make will determine value.

Kurt

Thanks for letting me know. Is there any way I could replace the receiver with a different one and make this rifle safe?

Darian

[martin08]

You will likely spend near as much or more replacing the receiver than you would by purchasing another gun.

How old is your son? Under 12 years of age? A .30-'06 delivers quite a kick, and could be uncomfortable to anyone under 120 lbs, or so.