1903A4 Sniper Rifle

[GarandGrabber]

I read on Olive-Drab.com that the early 03A4 snipers had the straight stock vs C or Scant. Can anyone supply any evidence that this is true? I am building a Vin-Sniper for Camp Perry and a sraight stock is what I have for the project. Thanks in Advance...
Gary

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

As we discussed off-forum, I don't believe there were any M1903A4s with straight stocks. Most of them had Type C stocks while some of the later ones had Scant stocks. Sounds to me like somebody with a "put-together" trying to "justify" what he has.

I don't want to say it NEVER was done (maybe a 03A4 had a straight stock fitted as a replacement on the local level), but it certainly was not done at the "manufacture" level" to my knowledge.

[GarandGrabber]

I was afraid of that. Olive-Drab.com must have gotten errant info. Thanks as always Rick.

[JGaynor]

The olive drab site has numerous errors in their write up on the A4. Frankly i would disregard it.

Better sources of information:
"The "03 Springfield Era" Clark Campbell 2003
"Snipers, Snarls and Snafus" Bill Hansen, The Journal of the Remington Society of America Fall 2004
(in the sticky section of this forum there is a link to the Remington Society Serial number section prepared by Mr. Hansen.)

and for basic stuff:
TM 9-270 M1903A4 Characteristics and Operation of the Telescopic Sight
TM 9-1270 Ordnance Maintenance (M1903A4, and also the 03, 03-A1 and 03-A3)

(inexpensive reprints of both manuals are widely available)

Regards,

Jim

[Calfed]

Has anyone in authority made a determination that a straight stock will not be allowed?

Someone posted pics of an A4gery on the CMP forums that was based on an M1903 and apparently had been allowed to compete with it at the test match. Apparently Dave Emary approved it. As far as I know, there were no M1903 based A4's ever issued.

I'm not sure what the problem would be...the straight stock would not seem to offer any unfair advantage over a C or scant stock

[GarandGrabber]

Mr Demary has given it the thumbs down. I can understand the need to keep it as close to authentic as possible. If anything the straight stock is a disadvantage from a shooting stand point. Stock I took the wood out of for the bolt was nothing special. No big deal but seems a small detail to DQ a rifle. This is an evolving class..See what happens

[JGaynor]

The "S" stock is slightly shorter and has about 1/2" lower comb at the heel than the M1903A1 stock ("C" or "scant"). I suppose it would be an individual thing but the "S" stock may be a disadvantage.

Overall i agree with your comments though. If a 1950 vintage Weaver is acceptable on a WW1 vintage Mauser 98 then a straight stock on a Springfield does not seem like that much of a leap

Regards,

JIm

[Calfed]

Mr Demary has given it the thumbs down.

Well, he is the authority.

I just glommed a scant stock for my project. They seem to be the cheapest of the original stocks. Alternatively, newly manufactured C stocks are available and might be better than a scant.

Good luck and hang in there

[GarandGrabber]

Well I did some horse trading for a take off USGI Garand stock I had on a field grade and ended up with a C stock (repro), forearm, and butt plate and $ ta boot. Tired of trying to argue my case on the straight stock. Hope it shoots as well once I get the C on it.

[Promo]

Recently saw about 50 03A4's that were given to new governments after the war, all still in the same configuration as back then. All had C or scant stocks. This wouldn't justify that there were no straight stocks, but I believe along such a number of 03A4's there should have been one.