Help Identifying a M1903 Stock

[marshman1113]

Hello, I recently came into possession of a Smith Corona M1903A3 barrel and receiver after my grandfather's passing. He also had what I assumed to be an M1903A3 stock, however upon trying to place it into the stock, it does not seem to snugly fit. After doing a little research, the semi pistol grip was used in the type 12 and type 15 stocks, and so is it possible that this is an early type 12 stock that only fits M1903s? Am I perhaps simply placing it in wrong? The stock has no visible cartouches, and appears to be in remarkable condition, making me wonder if it is a reproduction my grandfather got or if it was sanded or something. Thanks for any assistance.

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[Randy A]

Your stock is an early Keystone replacement stock, it lacks the recess for the 1903A3 handguard retaining ring, therefore was intended for use on the 1903. If your retaining ring was on the action when you set it in the stock then the barrel/ action would rock in the stock, appearing loose but actually suspended from bottoming because of the ring. Do not force it, you will break the stock. Properly inletting a stock for an 03/A3 is no trivial task and is a pain in the butt but well worth it when done right. I strongly recommend experienced guidance on the matter, it is easy to turn a nice stock into garbage.

If you are wanting to restore the rifle to original GI configuration it would have an S (straight grip) stock and not a Scant. The Smith Corona S stock had unique features exclusive to SC, so post in the WTB and maybe someone can help out, I gave my only spare one to another member otherwise I'd have you fixed up. The type identification (ie 12, 15 etc) that you are referring to is not a system that stuck so most don't know what models or variations those are (not the most popular book).

[Randy A]

These rifles had stock pressure at the muzzle and do not fit like a sporting rifle, make sure the retaining ring is not on the action and set the barrel/ action into the stock (don't install the trigger guard or screws). Place the heel of your palm on top of the front ring (front end of the action) and wrap your fingers around the bottom of the stock. Squeeze your hand and the action should sink into the stock and feel "springy" (this is good). You will most likely need to fit many areas and "do not" install the T/G and screws until fit, if not fit correctly you can easily break the side of the stock drawing the action into it with the screws.

This could easily turn into a novel but in short, when finished and bolted in, the only places on the action that should have pressured/ clamped contact with the stock are the bottom of the rear tang, the front pad and rear face of lug and the 1.5 "ish" inch muzzle pad at the tip of the stock. When done (bolted in), a thin strip of news paper between the barrel and stock should be able to slide from the lug to the muzzle pad. When the retaining ring is in place it should not be captive (pinched) and should have detectable free play but not a lot. There should be 5 to 8 lbs pressure between the muzzle and the tip (muzzle bed) of the stock and should be a perfect fit in the channel at that location around the bottom of barrel from the 3:00 to the 9:00 locations. When unseated and released it should return to the "exact" same location every time or you will experience poor accuracy. Now, that is only part of it, you still have the trigger guard to fit, which is not easy either and should have about .030+ gap left from the top of the mag well contacting the bottom of the action. Without this gap there is little or no clamping force between the two and poor accuracy inevitable. This can get complicated due to a false sense of being secure due to the "spring' action of the stock I mentioned earlier. A distorted T/G can be problematic so check the top of the front T/G bushing it should not have contact with the "wings" of the lug but should be just starting over the boss around the front lug screw hole. Really the best way to see how the T/G should fit with the action is to place them together outside of the stock and study their fit, don't forget to include the rear bushing also. The mag well should contact the action evenly and simultaneous with the rear and front bushings. Anyhow, when in the stock and action screws tightened to about 45 in/lb all of those contact points between the two should have .030-.040 gap. As I always say, there is no such thing as a poor shooting 03/A3, it all depends on who put it in the stock!

[marshman1113]

Thanks so much for the info! Do you think I (admittedly a novice) would be able to do the inletting process? Or should I cut my losses and get a smith corona specific S stock? I have been eyeing up a bid on ebay for a Smith Corona S stock, but I do not know what they normally go for. The bid includes a buttplate and hand guard, do you know how much is reasonable?

[P246]

Having been brought a couple after a “novice” tried the alteration my advice would be to sell the 1903 stock and buy the correct S.C. stock. If you error during the alteration it will take money and and experienced person to bring it back to usability. Good luck.

[marshman1113]

Here are some pictures of the barrel and receiver. It appears that about 2 inches are missing off the front of the barrel including the front sights cutouts. I am not sure what my grandfather's plans were with the gun, considering the apparently incorrect stock and what appears to be a modified barrel. Any ideas? Maybe he wanted to make it into a competition rifle with a scope? What are my options?

[browningautorifle]

It seems simple to me, looks like about a 555 mirror polish on it all and a gorgeous hot blue. That one's headed for a sporter life, hunting and range work. Not sure why you're looking to restock that sporter in a full wood stock, missing as you see the front sight area. Guess you could make it into a faux '03-A4 after a bead blast and parkerize if you wanted. Bolt handle almost looks like it already was... The front end is gone though. Bet the bore is perfect...

[Salt Flat]

I have to agree with BAR on this. The simplest thing to do at this point would be a sporter stock from Ebay or a gun show. Add a no drill scope mount and scope a you could have a nice sporter. With the cut barrel and polish job it's a bit too far past restorable to go back to military. That scant stock though is quite collectible and worth around $150 or more so that could pay for the whole project. Salt Flat

[marshman1113]

So considering the lack of a front sight, my options are either placing it in a sporter stock of some kind, or trying to make it into a faux 03-A4? How would I make it into a faux A4? I guess I would still prefer to preserve some of the antique look to it than just throwing it into a sporter.

[browningautorifle]

How would I make it into a faux A4?

You'd need to bead blast and parkerize it but you still have a short barrel. You'd have to drill and tap for the forward scope block and then install in the wood you have after doing the inletting you've been warned is hard and touchy. You'd need all the parts to do it. That would cost a bag of cash...or get a scope and mounts and sporter stock. Then you have what it is. A sporter. Like Roy says...