New RIA 03

[Calfed]

I won this Rock Island Armory 1903 today at an on-line auction..




I'll post better pictures when the rifle arrives.

The description advised as follows:
US Rock Island Arsenal 1903 bolt action military rifle. Cal. 30-06. 24" bbl. SN 370185. Reparkerized finish on metal, full military stock shows minor handling marks, leather sling, canvas muzzle cover. Excellent.

Because of the relative rarity of high number RIA M1903's , is there any premium on the price for RIA 1903's over Springfield 1903's?

Thanks

Information

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[Mike D]

I keep an eye on alot of auctions, and haven't noticed any difference between the two.

Nice looking rifle!

[P-07ShortLee]

Looks nice.

[Calfed]

Thanks, guys. You never really know what you get from one of these on-line auctions till the BBT arrives. I'm hoping for the best and will post better pics when it arrives.

[Calfed]

The RIA arrived and it is in great shape.

Actually, I think the previous owner was a well-meaning moron. It has a 1942 SA barrel, in very good shape, and the Parkerizing appears to be in great shape.

Alas, the stock has been sanded and refinished. It looks nice and feels great--but there is only the hint of a cartouche--the "P" stamped behind the trigger guard. The barrel was recrowned.

There were a few bonuses..a canvass muzzle cover, a decent sling of unknown vintage, and a combination oiler-cleaning kit w/pull through and patches intact in the butt trap.

It should be a good shooter...which is probably a fair deal for what I paid for it.

[Rick the Librarian]

One reason I shy away from auctions like the one you use is the poor descriptions offered. I remember one auction I went through in which they were willing to answer a reasonable amount of questions. But others either refuse or simply don't get back to you.

As I recall, you paid in the upper $400 range? If so, I think you still got a pretty good deal. The muzzle cover and the cleaning kit probably add $25 each and the sling, maybve another $35 or so. Decent shooter mixmaster '03s run in the $550-650 range, so I think you did all right.

[Calfed]

One reason I shy away from auctions like the one you use is the poor descriptions offered. I remember one auction I went through in which they were willing to answer a reasonable amount of questions. But others either refuse or simply don't get back to you.

As I recall, you paid in the upper $400 range? If so, I think you still got a pretty good deal. The muzzle cover and the cleaning kit probably add $25 each and the sling, maybve another $35 or so. Decent shooter mixmaster '03s run in the $550-650 range, so I think you did all right.

Thanks, Rick.

Including shipping it came to a bit under $500. Not a smoking deal..but not too bad.

I'll get to the range as soon as I'm able and post a range report

[Calfed]

I got to the range today and got to shoot a few rounds through the RIA, First three @ 50 yards looked good..

The third was just off the paper at the top. In fact, you can see where the bullet dented the top of the target. LC 69 ammo.

The first three at 100 also looked good (they are the ones near the quarter)


The next three went wild..not sure what to think.

I checked the bedding and found little to no down pressure on the stock at the tip. I know that some down force is recommended and am wondering if my experience is common with rifles that do not have any downforce at the tip of the stock


Guess I need an opinion from Bob S on that.