Looking for info and opinions, want to build 1903

[fogell]

So Ive got this stock thats been sitting in my closet for years, but now that Im older, have money, and an interest in guns I want to do something with it. I posted on another forum and got it identified as a 1903A3, but thats as far as I got. Didnt get much help with how much a build would cost, or if it was worth it to do so (one person said I should just give it away if I can) not sure where to start or what to do so thats why Im here looking for help

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

The stock appears to have been cut down. You might keep your eye open for a barreled action.

[Chuckindenver]

building a rifle around a cutdown stock is a long road.... save your money, and buy a complete rifle, even one with rough or no finish...cheaper less stressfull way to go..
the stock is the easiest part to find..

[Mike D]

Fogell - Welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place.

If you were to sell that stock online, you'd be lucky to get $20. As mentioned, it's cut down. On top of that, it has "pins" (the two little brass heads you see on each side), instead of "bolts". Some think (not me) they will crack over time. Either way, cheap stock, hence the suggestion to give it away. They're a dime a dozen.

Like Chuck said, building a rifle with that stock might cost you more than what it is worth. What is your goal - to hunt, shoot, collect? Just gettin' started and not sure?

The cheapest way to go, would be to find a barreled action, like Rick said, that has already been drilled and tapped for a scope, and the barrel cut-down. Even that will cost you close to $250, and the rifle won't be worth any more than that. But there is satisfaction in building one up yourself.

Whatever you decide, folks here can help every step of the way.

[fogell]

I knew getting into this it wouldnt be easy but if its doable and not too costy I would like to do a build as Im pretty sure this has been in the family for a while. Stupid question but cut down by what means? Also, Im really just looking to get a decent rifle to collect, shoot for fun and whatnot. Im not concerned about how much its worth, from what Ive seen these seem like cool guns and Id like to have one. What would it cost to build this vs. buying a different rifle all together. oh and thats for the help so far, really appreciate it

[vintage hunter]

Your stock should be about 10 1/2'' longer. Someone has cut it off just in front of the lower band. It is possible that a good woodworker could splice a piece on to get it back to length but if it's done incorrectly it won't fit/look right and can affect the rifles accuracy. Can't really tell in the photos but it may have been altered where the buttplate fits as well. Being as how you only have an altered stock to start out with it will be cheaper to just find a complete rifle to begin with, as has been stated before. Even if it's a mixmaster it will be worth more in the long run if you decide to sell it off, IMHO. And, FWIW, I have two pinned '03a3 stocks that are split stem to stern right through the action bed.

[Mike D]

Look for the sticky at the top of the '03 home page for an '03-A3 displaying original configuration. You'll see a "full length" stock.

You could turn yours into one of these beasts! - [IMG]

[/IMG]


Seriously though - You've got lots of possibilities with that stock. It's an A3 stock, which means it will except any M1903 action, as well. An action with a cut-down barrel might be cheaper, but you'd be better off with a full length one, like the rifle above has.

These rifles are very accurate and fun to shoot, not to mention addictive.

[fogell]

Oh I see what you mean now, I thought it did look a little short. Not sure what I want to do now, if I could an action, cut down barrel or not for a good enough price I might do that just for a fun shooter, and buy a complete rifle later down the road.

[madcratebuilder]

Oh I see what you mean now, I thought it did look a little short. Not sure what I want to do now, if I could an action, cut down barrel or not for a good enough price I might do that just for a fun shooter, and buy a complete rifle later down the road.

I think that may be a good choice. Gunbroker well have stripped actions/barrels, many times already drilled and tapped for a scope mount. You could build a "sporter" for not to high of an investment.

These are a lot of fun to shoot in full military trim, plus the history behind each rifle is a great story. Welcome to the forum.

[Kirk]

Oh I see what you mean now, I thought it did look a little short. Not sure what I want to do now, if I could an action, cut down barrel or not for a good enough price I might do that just for a fun shooter, and buy a complete rifle later down the road.

ViShooter has an excellent M1903 reference website and posts this picture of M1903 stocks http://www.vishooter.net/m1903/1903_stockpic.jpg Yours was "sporterized" by cutting off the fore arm and installing a rubber butt plate. Any barreled action, cut down barrel or not, should fit your stock with one exception. A receiver that has a scope sight mounted on it usually has a bolt handle altered to clear the scope. Such altered bolt handles usually require wood to be removed from the stock in order for it to close. So, you would have to relieve you stock for an altered bolt handle. Good luck on your project!