Springfield 1903 Receiver with Remington Barrel

[usabaker]

What I'm wondering is if I can return the rifle to its M1903 config.

Unless your returning the rifle to the original configuration for fun and are not worried about the cost I would say it's not really worth the cost. With what you will end up paying you could buy a really nice original 1903. I did two that I use as my shooters and was not cost effective but FUN and rewarding.

[Rick the Librarian]

I'm not saying it is odd, just that it wasn't done by the military - obviously, a civilian post-military job. The military had plenty of M1903 barrels to use as replacements. M1903A3 barrels used to be dirt-cheap and if you wanted a shooter and had a little gunsmithing expertise (or knew someone who did), it wasn't a big deal.

I've seen quite a few.

[CaptMandrake]

Unless your returning the rifle to the original configuration for fun and are not worried about the cost I would say it's not really worth the cost.

After the post from Rick the Librarian, about the barrel, I was beginning to think the same thing. Not even sure I could find a WWII dated 03 barrel for it and my friend still hasn't figured out if he wants money or trade for something I have.

[CaptMandrake]

[QUOTE=Rick the Librarian;453831]I'm not saying it is odd, just that it wasn't done by the military

I'm not saying it is odd, just that it wasn't done by the military - obviously, a civilian post-military job. The military had plenty of M1903 barrels to use as replacements. M1903A3 barrels used to be dirt-cheap and if you wanted a shooter and had a little gunsmithing expertise (or knew someone who did), it wasn't a big deal.

I've seen quite a few.

I had hoped that wasn't the case but seems it was. Could turn the barrel down to 03 specs but that would cost to much and why screw up a good barrel that someone down the road could use to restore an 03A3 with.

[Wineman]

I have a similar project. Sporterized M1903A3 in a cut down C stock (really nice one too...) $150. Blued, drilled and tapped (almost, one of the two front receiver screw holes was not tapped) and t came with an issue two groove barrel NOS that could go on but parked and blued, not a good combo. Four groove barrel was cut down and had Williams front and rear sights installed. Still had the original M1903a3 rear sight too. The bolt was NOT bent. Real mess. A scant stock fell in my lap for $45, not great but OK condition. All the parts and handguard came to about $100. I put on a Leupold one piece scope base and the rear and one front 8-40 screw are holding well. With Leupold extra high rings I was able to make a Weaver 6X work without bending the bolt! Had a "Tactical" black nylon cheek pad that works to get my head up to the scope. Wood color not a good match, stock is really dark and the handguard stain did not match all that well. Kind of fugly but it shoots pretty good as a faux (lots of imagination here) A4. All in about $350 but not close to any condition other than it shoots and looks vaguely like a sniper 03A4. Fun project but only a shooter and not anything else.

Dave

[Cosine26]

In the final days, 03A3 barrels were selling through the DCM for $0,99. I bought several and some were 4 groove SC's. I still have one 4 groove SC and one Remington 2 groove still in the wrap. If one were building a "sporter" the 03A3 barrels did not he the groove for the spline of the FRSD. It made a nicer conversion

FWIW

[CaptMandrake]

In the final days, 03A3 barrels were selling through the DCM for $0,99. I bought several and some were 4 groove SC's. I still have one 4 groove SC and one Remington 2 groove still in the wrap. If one were building a "sporter" the 03A3 barrels did not he the groove for the spline of the FRSD. It made a nicer conversion

FWIW

Wish I could find barrels like that but when I went looking around for 03 barrels the cheapest new one I found was $200 and you still have the cost of install for barrel, rear sight and front sight. Think if I get the rifle I'll leave it as is. From what I'm told it shoots great, has a 3x weaver scope and looks really great dressed to look like an 03A4.

[ArtPahl]

The post about the 98 with the A3 barrel reminded me of the one I have. It's a 1940 German 98 with a Remington 4-groove on it. I bought it mail-order from an outfit in CA that advertised in the American Rifleman. I think I paid around $30 for it as a barreled action. In those days, there was a Gunsmith in the area that was an artist (note the capital "G"!). I had him forge the bolt, cut the barrel to 19", d&t for a Redfield base, polish & blue. I fitted it with a Fajen mannlicher stock and, when I learned to checker; did that. It looked great, shot very well, and was my deer rifle. Several years ago, I changed the scope from the Weaver K2.5 to a Redfield 2-7X. I still have that rifle and, now that I am reminded of it, I'm going to get it out to the range soon. I have another 98 with a 2-groove A3 on it. That one started out as an FN made for a South American Country, chambered for 7x57. I mail-ordered that one, too, and it was a junker! I paid about $15 for it, the bore was rotted out, the receiver was pitted, etc. The Gunsmith cleaned up the receiver and fitted one of my 2-groove A3's to it. (I, too, bought some 99 cent barrels from CMP.) I guess it's time to get that one out and shoot it, too. I'm sorry if I hijacked this thread but I guess my point is that those 2-groove A3 barrels have done a lot for us shooters. Origionally we looked down on them and changed them out for 4-grooves when we could but we learned that they shot well. I'm not sure, anymore, how many 2-groove A3 barreled rifles I have: I think those 2 are the only Mausers--the rest are '03's and A3's.

[Cosine26]

Hi
I believe that those were Peruvian Mausers. I bought two, one was OK, but the other had a hole rusted through the receiver ring. I was going to return it but some guy wanted it and I sold it. He built a rifle on it and shot it. As I remember it, the barrel shank on the Peruvian's were smaller than other M98 actions and the receiver tings were thicker
FWIW

[ArtPahl]

This discussion about barrels prompted me to do some research. I dug out some of my American Rifleman magazines from the old days and browsed around. Parts for 1903's and A3's were plentiful in 1960. To give some idea of the opinions on A3 barrel quality, I ran across an ad from an outfit called Warshal's located in Seattle. 2-groove A3 barrels were $1.25, SC 4-groove, $4.95, and Rem. 4-groove, $6.95. I did not remember that Remington barrels were held in higher regard than Smith Corona. In a 1963 issue, an ad from Flaig's of Pennsylvania listed barrels in several chamberings fitted to your action and test-fired for $29. I have several rifles with Flaig's barrels and they shoot just fine.

Cosine26: I have no Peruvian Mausers and am not familiar with them but the 98 Mausers that I have with A3 barrels on them are the standard large ring with the typical 1.100x12V T.P.I. thread. The A3 barrels have enough "meat" on them that the threaded shank can be cut off, a new shank can be turned down and re-threaded. The chamber would then have to be re-cut to the proper depth. Apparently, that is what was done to mine. That doesn't sound like it would be cost-effective considering the $29 cost of a new barrel completely set up. But, with A3 barrels being essentually free, the labor was the only expense involved. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gunsmith that did mine had a dozen or so A3 barrels already threaded for 98's and just took my barrel in trade. In the '60's, guys (including me!) were doing a lot of things with WWII surplus military rifles and, due to corrosive priming, replacing barrels was a common thing.