I don't think the barrel has been cut. There are dimples on the end where the front sight was. It has been polished and the date is no longer there. It has a 2 groove barrel. I had thought about a sniper clone but have not had time to check in to it. I bought it a few months ago for $200 and it shoots good. I would like to know more about the 03 rifles but I have not had time to do any reading. Is there a good book about the Springfield 03 rifles?