At this point my goal is to make it look like it's supposed to. but not to try to do a perfect restoration. The collection of parts that is this rifle can "Look" pretty good for somewhere near what I could justify. So I guess that is where I'll head.
I like the idea of the genaric stocks.
Mark - You have a fine rifle at a great price! Keep everything clean and enjoy shooting it.
Ricks advice on the stock is spot on. Don't buy after-market. Pay the price for an original. Look for one without markings or with a rebuild cartouche and you will save money. If your trigger guard is indeed a Remington, you could sell it, and buy another (correct) one, and save money.
That gun deserves a decent original stock and handguard. You'll probably pay more for the stock set then you did the rifle, but it will still be worth it. Take your time and save the money, you'll be glad you did.
Whats the barrel date? Any chance you live near Anniston to pick up one of the original C type Keystones they have in the CMPstore at $125? (Edit - just saw your Oregon address) Occasionaly someone is selling one of these on the CMP site trading page at some profit to the seller.
Last edited by pmclaine; 11-18-2010 at 08:19 PM.
Barrel date is 5-19 I'll check out the CMP ads.
I like the idea of a rebuild stock. I'm in no hurry this winters project is a .22 target rifle. and I really should restock the M1Carbine first that stock is just plain ratty.
My brother owns a gun shop in SE AZ and has already been set to looking for a 03-A3 for a shooter.
Check for posts from a party called Hammonje (or something close). He must live close enough to Anniston that he can pick up three or four keystones at a whack. He does sell at a profit and should get something for his travel /expense. He had some real nice keystones for sale on the bolt actionwant to sell board a month or so ago. Downside is that he just posted that he had some sort of injury and is laid up so he has been slow in sending out his wares. The keystone wont be original for your rifle but it will make for a nice shooter stock and it is a GI product. The handguard would have to be had from CollectorSource (send a pic of your stock and they will try to match the handguard sent to your stock) as the Anniston stocks do not come with a handguard.
Last edited by pmclaine; 11-19-2010 at 04:00 PM.
Mark,
I too am looking for a stock for my 1920's rifle. However, it isn't a priority, so I am just watching the prices to get a feel for the market.
WOW! Prices seem stiff for a military original stock! I figure that eventually the right one will come along. I will keep my eyes peeled for you also.
Love your rifle! You have a fine weapon there!
Thanks for the tips guys. I'm not sure how quick I can start putting money into this rifle right now. I work construction (I drive a dump truck and trailer for a paving company) and my last pay check until about My is in the bank. Had I planned on buying the rifle or any rifle for that matter I would have budgeted for it. But this winter I will be lucky to finish the Savage MKII 22LR based target rifle I'm building. If some of the stuff from my other hobbies sells I will be able to move forward on the M1903. I do have a number of good gun shows coming up this fall so I might find something local.
At the risk of tooting my own horn, I do have a generic GG stock available at a very reasonable price. If you want to find out more, email me at rrsbls[at]msn.com (make the usual substitution).
RtL
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell
(Whispered) I won't tell the mods your selling stuff in the forums Rick
Mark, you should go for it while Rick needs some money!
(I'll bet he's found something he wants to buy)![]()