Opinion of this 1903

[FremansFarm]

I visited the Anniston and Talladega stores in March and July. Bought a 1928 1903 for 830 in March and a Smith Carona 1903a3 in July for 750. Tax is 7%. Really scored on the SC. Value will often depend on bore condition. CMP will grade a rifle a rack grade if the bore is dark when it is just dirty. Mine turned out to be shiny and bright after cleaning. Store reports show 1903s are still available. 1903as now sparse. Believe they are currently doing mail orders for 1903s. Go to their site and forum for more accurate details. Your rifle with a good barrel would be a $900 Service Grade. Good luck.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=80291

[ssgross]

Really scored on the SC

Depending on the serial number of your rifle, you might need to be on the hunt for one of these. I found my typewriter first, serial number inside the frame is from the last month of production before they shut down to retool for rifles, but alas it didn't have the case. Nonetheless it's in perfect working order (now . Took me a few years to find a rifle worthy to make a pair.

[ssgross]

Well now ya got me thinking. I don't have a Springfield (or Rock Island) 1903, only some Remington's. I do have unfinished, 80% inletted C-stock from Roy Dunlap in the closet that's just dying for a rifle too. I'm going to be back home in Ohio next week with only a 2hr drive to the north store. Should I go take a peak? anyone been up there recently and can give me a heads up on inventory?

Last trip up I made the detour an found a rack grade m1c that was just perfect for a project. bore looked almost smooth, late 50's date (I think. have to dig it out to check.), 50 % finish left on the receiver with no rust or pitting - black manganese park. Stock looked like heavy field use too. Everything seems to point to one of the early Vietnam arsenal re-builds. base mount screws only lightly staked. Perfect rifle for a project, and sure beats trying to drill and tap the other bare receiver I had set aside fore the project. Now I've gone and hijacked. Sorry.

EDIT: Well shoot. Looks like the north store is closed until Sept. 5. https://forums.thecmp.org/forum/cmp-...-september-5th

[ssgross]

Rats. The monthly CMP sales update email said no 03's left at any store.

[Mjac]

Rats. The monthly CMP sales update email said no 03's left at any store.

I am painfully finding out the same. The search continues.

[ssgross]

my next source would be to look for the right sporter to restore. I'm not much for a "collectors item", not to mention the price is always too high, and everyone selling wants to convince you theirs (often a junk parts rifle) is more collectible than everyone else's. Besides, it feels far more satisfying nailing 3 x's in a row with something that came from your own hands. When I'm gone, I'm certain my kids will sell the few "collectibles" I have, and fight over who gets to keep the ones I built, which was often done with little ones hanging around the bench "helping".

Here is one from my watchlist today.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1061921505
...looked promising until picture #31. The tang scew hole looks filed out square and filled with epoxy.
If you can get a sporter in good shape in the $300-$400, you'll have your finished service rifle for 600-1200 when you are done, depending on what it needs and what you want. Don't be surprised when you shoot a 1MOA group off the bench and guy offers you 2K for it.

[Mjac]

That is #30 on my computer screen. I have passed on quite a few sporty 03's and A3' online but maybe some will be worthy of another look, considering your excellent remarks. In fact there is one local to me available for fondling. Thanks.

[Mjac]

Not a 03 but worth a look/work? It just popped up because it is also nearby.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1063331668

[ssgross]

there are not $500 of useable parts on that rifle, and the barrel is not re-sellable. If that barrel was competently plugged, and not because the barrel was on a drill-rifle, then it was likely so done for a very good reason. Any honest and competent gunsmith that comes across a rifle that is a serious danger will do such a thing, lest the owner pass it off as safe to an unsuspecting buyer that then blows their face off.

[Mjac]

I am not so sure if it was competently plugged. I was told that there appears to a steel rod in the barrel 5" in from the breach and the rod is about 6" long. No welding or holes present. Its at a LGS.

My not so bright idea was to grab it and having someone re barrel it. The ramifications of doing something along those lines is way above my pay grade.