AIM Surplus - 03A3

[ppknut]

I was following the thread about the A4 repros and wondered about the 03A3 that AIM advertises. The add states:

"Original US manufactured model M1903A3 Springfield 30.06 caliber bolt action rifles. These beautiful rifles have been professionally restored and refinished. They feature original, unissued US barrels and new Military Spec. walnut stocks."

Does anyone know about these pieces? They make it sound like the barrels are not Gibbs (or?), but rather original barrels mated to original receivers, with a new stock.

Does anyone know anything regarding these 03A3's. I wanna shoot the hell out of an 03 A3 and thought: better to use one of these than my old original (1942 Rem).

Thanks for any input
-ppknut

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[mack]

I have not examined one of these rifles, but would not be surprised if they didn't have original WWII production barrels.

The WWII barrels were around for nearly 50 years, selling for as little as $2 each when I started with milsurp rifles in the early 60's. They have increased over the years as scarcity made them harder to find. The most recent ones have sold well north of $150 each for new, in wrap originals. The last I bought from AIM Surplus were $50 each some years ago. I am glad I did buy more than one, but suspect that AIM might have saved some for just such a project. A few cases would go a long way as I believe they were packed 24 to a sealed carton.

I don't know any of this for sure, but I guess Gibbs could have been making new barrels for these rifles.

What are they selling for, if you don't mind my asking?

[ppknut]

$799.95

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/U...06_Rifles.html

[PeteDavis]

I wonder where the receivers came from?

[ppknut]

As do I

[Calif-Steve]

There are more then just a few Drill Rifles floating around. The last pile I saw were stripped barreled receivers. Cheap, too. Under $10.00 a pop. Rumor has it they went out as trade items for '03 bolts.

[Arisaka99]

You can get a nice original Remington 03A3 for $600 on the auction sites. Not sure why someone would pay $800 for one they can't see?

[ppknut]

I can't "see" the ones on the auction sites either. IMO, a drawback to buying such items. I've canvassed all the local shops and there's nothing worth the effort.

If as advertised, they are new ("unissued") US original barrels and original receivers, I'm not so sure that $800 isn't reasonable.

[Arisaka99]

OK... I'll say it. $800 for a restored and refinished parts gun? This is a slightly cheaper version of a Miltech: something sold to folks who don't do any comparative shopping or research. No history beyond this year. The stock is a repro.

The supply of less expensive originals that are both collectable and excellent shooters is far too plentiful for this to even be a consideration in my opinion. I can pull up any number of auctions where an arsenal original Remington in 90% or better sold for less. To each their own and this is only my opinion. Perhaps $800 for one that was match tuned for the competition crowd would be different; this is not what I read in the ad.

[mack]

There will always be certain number of buyers who will react to the word "NEW" when placed in an ad, whether it be true or not, in all or part.

There is no way to explain the willingness to spend money on an item that is "NEW" except to say that some don't trust their ability judge a good used item that is original and correct. The same phenomenon has produced such businesses Carmax and such inane ideas as "buyer warranties" that bring in millions to protect buyers from the scoundrels that would take your money and sell you something fake or defective.

While may do exactly that, the vast majority of sellers are simply moving goods when they need money. The trick, I suppose, is to be able to tell the difference.