Scant stocks good bad or ugly

[Johnny Peppers]

Years ago when there was a lot of sporterizing military rifles, outfits like Bishop and Fajen sold what they called 95% finished stocks. The only thing they didn't tell you was that they left the worst 5% to finish. I don't think the problem is an '03 stock, but just that it hasn't been fully inlet.

[Col. Colt]

You, Sir, are blessed! You have the seemingly rare and hard to find "early" Scants, cut ONLY for an original 1903! DO NOT ALTER IT TO FIT an 03A3!! There are a few people looking for this variation, and the one you need is common by comparison.

What it really means to you is you must purchase a straight M1903 to put it in!! CC

[ABPOS]

Uh oh. Another reason to get a rifle. It never ends.

I'm not saying that because I know what I'm talking about. Because i have no clue if it is that. Mine dropped right in to the one I bought.

[Jim From Oklahoma]

A Scant stock has the same comb height as a C stock. Much easier to shoot than a S Stock. Rifles are for shooting.

[noelekal]

Scant grip stocks have can have a certain charm when a fellow is 18. This was my first ever center fire rifle, purchased from a pawn shop in 1975. First two deer were taken with it. First few years of high-power competition were accomplished with it. It's a early Smith Corona with a six-groove barrel dated 12-42.

[Rick the Librarian]

My first M1903 was a Remington M1903 with a Scant stock, purchased in 1967 for $39.95 (I was 17 at the time - still have the rifle). I didn't know squat about M1903s (never had heard of a Remington M1903!) and never had heard of a Scant stock! Still have the rifle, but changed out the stock many years ago.

[jmoore]

http://s1141.photobucket.com/albums/...le/03%20stock/Hi
I eventually came to decision that the right scant stock can be a thing of beauty, well not quiet gorgeous but with a strange charm or fascination. The C stocks less attractive sister but you wouldn't be ashamed to take it out in day light.

So I ordered a scant stock for my 03A3 and it arrived today and would appreciate some feed back on the pictures, I assumed that all these stocks where pretty much a drop in fit? well the action will not drop in or even come close to dropping in I think its a 03 stock that was never fully given the A3 fit. The recoil lug wont fit at all and if I got that to fit don't think barrel guard ring would fit either

03 stock pictures by smle - Photobucket

If it's a real surplus stock, there may be a reason it was never assembled to a rifle! I had (have?) a "new" M1917 stock which was dandy except the buttplate area was "machined" several degrees off plumb. Holes, tang pocket- everything. So it sat in a reject pile that was later sold off for dirt cheap. Years later some sucker (me) paid good money for it...

[rugersworld]

"If it's a real surplus stock, there may be a reason it was never assembled to a rifle! I had (have?) a "new" M1917 stock which was dandy except the buttplate area was "machined" several degrees off plumb. Holes, tang pocket- everything..."

This sounds like the scant stock I bought from Dupage. Does not have the grip "P" proof. When the barrelled action was dropped into the stock, the muzzle was close to 3/4" high at the barrel contact point. So after some thought, carefull wood excavation, and glass bedding, it all fits great. I bought the stock for the price as I have a C stocked A3 already. The C stock is night and day in the comfort area when shooting prone compaired to the S type. The scant stock feels good prone - still need to shoot the rifle. If you are going to have only one 1903, suck it up and buy the C stock for the great looks and comfort when shooting. Also, If the stock doesnt fit and is not comfortable it may affect your shooting.

[RBruce]

Don't turn your nose up at a scant stock. The are original replacement for the 03A3, and in fact are much more comfortable than the original S stocks. -- JMHO

[rice 123]

if the scant stocks were replacement stocks for the 03A3 Then why were the WW11 C stocks produced. I thought the scant stock was produced because Remington got a bunch of stock blanks that were not fat enough for C stocks so they got permission to produce the scant stock. Seems like if the scant stocks satisfacory it would have been a waste of resources to produce the C stocks