I went to look at the Remington 03A3 this afternoon.....

[Bustachip3]

I didn't think to get any pictures though... I thought about it on the way home. Anyway, I
can describe it to ya, first off it had a straight stock in pretty good condition, it had "FJA" on the left side and a "P" underneath the forearm in front of the trigger guard. It also had what looked to be a "OG" with a square around it on the left side of the buttstock?

Everything looked to be green except the bolt which looked black, also it looked like some faded
yellow paint in the lettering on the receiver? It may have been a different color it was faded and
not in all the lettering. The barrel was marked RA 7-43 if IIRC, it also had a "P" or something similar underneath the barrel. The only thing that was missing was the front sight hood, but he said that he could possibly find it. The butt pad did look a little scratched up, and it wasn't blued it was kinda bare looking.

The action functioned smoothly, the receiver cut off tab area was clean and looked unmolested, the barrel looked shiny inside, although he did say there was a tight spot in the barrel when you run a patch through it? He also said he's shot 3/4" groups
at 100 yards with it and also rang the 500 yard gong at a "CMP" match with it offhanded.

It had a correct looking leather sling, but I didn't look for any markings. I was also wrong about the extra barrel coming with the rifle...LOL, he does have a new one still in wax paper with the grease still on it and dated very close...for $200 extra....

All in all it looks like a nice Remington 03A3 example........but the $900 isn't negotiable, I really like the rifle though....he said he would give me a week to decide before he advertised it....LOL.

The rifle looks very close to the one in Remington 1903A3 (displaying original configuration and finish) sticky....except the wood is darker and not quite as nice, also the stacking swivel and the bayonet band etc..is green looking not blued. I did not take the action out of the stock and I didn't have time to really look for all the marking on the stock, but it did look genuine.

Opinions....? what do you seasoned buyers say?

Regards,








What do you guys think?

Information

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[martin08]

Opinions....? what do you seasoned buyers say?

We need pics!

It was arsenal rebuilt, or at least inspected, at Ogden Arsenal. From there, we need to know if the bolt parts, band, bayo lug and swivel are R-marked, and if the stocks triggerguard and buttplate are Remington configuration. A serial number would help match the barrel date. Sounds like the small parts may have been refinished.

Sounds like it may be a bit overpriced.

[Bustachip3]

We need pics!

It was arsenal rebuilt, or at least inspected, at Ogden Arsenal. From there, we need to know if the bolt parts, band, bayo lug and swivel are R-marked, and if the stocks triggerguard and buttplate are Remington configuration. A serial number would help match the barrel date. Sounds like the small parts may have been refinished.

Sounds like it may be a bit overpriced.

I did noticed an "R" on the bolt but that was about all I remember, and I doubt that I will go back to ask to take pics, I should've got some today.

So your saying that the green swivel and bayonet band/lug should never be green? Were these only blued?

As I stated in the OP, it all looked green except the bolt which was black looking, and I think $900 is also high, but he wouldn't dicker either way...LOL!
Anyhoo, it's the first real Remington 03A3 I've had in hand, so I was kind of spell bound for the moment.....:^)

Regards,

[LJUTIC]

I personally would stay clear of any rifle that has any tight spot other then the end of the barrel. And as far as someone saying how great the accuracy is on their rifle is only hearsay.

[ed skeels]

The CMP/NRA doe not have five hundred yard "gong targets".
Actually I have no knowledge of the CMP having any five hundred yard course of fire.
And then do it off hand.
I'm thinking he has Doctorate in BS and wouldn't trust him. I he will BS you about that, where does it stop.
My penny's worth.
Ed

[LJUTIC]

The CMP/NRA doe not have five hundred yard "gong targets".
Actually I have no knowledge of the CMP having any five hundred yard course of fire.
And then do it off hand.
I'm thinking he has Doctorate in BS and wouldn't trust him. I he will BS you about that, where does it stop.
My penny's worth.
Ed

But, you got to admit the story was a great sales pitch.

[Bustachip3]

Well, I'm not so sure about this rifle now, even though I'm itching to get one...LOL! Either way
of the BS, it was a nice Remington. And I've been looking online at GB and GI and about everyone
I see on there is around $750 to $1200 and they don't look much better than the one I looked
at yesterday..LOL.

So tell me where do ya find a decent Remington 1903A3? I don't really do the gun shows anymore...if and when there is one around here. And often those guys are like dealing with car
salesman...the kings of BSers. Guess I could check some pawn shops and gun stores.

I don't want a drill rifle, that I do know. I think if I could get this one for $ 700 or 750 I would jump on it, I still have till next Tues to decide....Oh well.

Regards,

[Randy A]

Pass on it.

[Patrick Chadwick]

A)

but the $900 isn't negotiable...

Don't worry about that. If you were to actually hold, say 750, in front of his face and say, quite pleasantly "I'd love to have it, but this is really all I can offer" I doubt that he would say flatly NO. Maybe have another 50 in reserve for last-ditch dickering, but no more, so that you truly cannot go further, and, once again gently, point out that advertising it is not the same as selling it, and he would presumably have to pay some kind of auction fee or advertising costs.

B)

but the $900 isn't negotiable, I really like the rifle though....he said he would give me a week to decide before he advertised it....LOL.

In effect, he is trying to get you to pay what would be the "instant buy" price at an online auction. So let him advertise it. Doesn't stop you buying it.

C)

even though I'm itching to get one.

A psychological attitude error. Which leads you into buying something that you know is second-rate, but don't want to admit because you are in a hurry.
Crafty salesman play up on this, using devices such as "I can only hold it until..." or "I'll get more at the auction next week..." or "There was another guy in here yesterday, says he's coming back tomorrow..." to encourage you to make a snap decision based on incomplete knowledge.

D)

although he did say there was a tight spot in the barrel when you run a patch through it?

This is the real killer criterion. It has already been established that the Doctor B.S. has made some very doubtful claims, so why should you believe this one? The phrasing is a wishy-washy cover on the lines of "I told him it had a fault..." against your complaint when you discover that the barrel is really bad - like he told you about the tight spot, but overlooked the washed-out throat and bell-mouthed muzzle!

Conclusion. You were wise enough to consult this forum before purchase. Good for you and your purse! As a collector's item this rifle is obviously dubious, and you know that you do not have the knowledge to make an accurate on-the-spot evaluation. The only reason to purchase this rifle would be that you want it for shooting, regardless of hypothetical collector value, and you are able to evaluate yourself that the barrel is fit for that purpose and that the rifle is worth the price as a shooter.

Which means careful examination by you, not the seller, and a test shoot. If not, leave it.

[Bustachip3]

Words of wisdom for sure, I think I'm just going to make him an offer over the phone and be
done with it, then if he accepts I'll ask for a test shoot. If not I'll keep looking.

I just wish I could look at some others in person to get a feel for them, I don't think I would be
comfortable buying online, "sight unseen", unless it was a new firearm...LOL.
But that could change with time.

Anyway, thanks for the wise advise.

Regards,