Any Advice on 1903A3's,Carbines and various types??

[HILLBILLY-06]

It's that time (AGAIN) for me to take the plunge on my search, "Locally" or as I prefer to say it... "In my neck of the woods" For another yet Illusive 1903A3, or perhaps M1A1, etc.
As bad as I really want one, (03A3), or the little M1A1, I don't know anything about them really. I have written down all the Carbine (M1A1) manufacturers, and some of the 1903A3 ones too. But I guess My Big Question Here... "Are there any of the Genuine G.I. Carbines I should avoid" or any of the 03A3's, just as far as serial ranges, or perhaps known issues?
I don't have any books, I have been to several internet research type places, but any Advice on ones to avoid, perhaps examples of some you all already know about, having more problems than others...etc.
Thanks a bunch.......... HILLBILLY-06

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[vintage hunter]

First off take your time and learn more about whatever it is your after before you buy, especially when dealing with M1 Carbines. Lots of fakes out there now. M1a1's usually go for fairly big bucks so do your homework and avoid getting burned. Theres some really sharp folks on the carbine forum who could help out if you spot one your interested in, post some pics and listen to what they have to say. There are no bad USGI M1 Carbines that should be avioded with the exception of maybe Blue Sky imports and thats just because the majority seem to be worn out. As for 1903a3's theres only 2 makers AFAIK, Remington and Smith Corona. These are a bit easier to learn about than Carbines IMO. Avoid Santa Fe and National Ordinance 03a3's at all costs. Pure junk and dangerous to boot. There are no bad USGI 03a3's save for the worn out ones and even they can usually be brought back to life with a new barrel. The 1903 forum has a bunch of knowledgeable folks who will be more than willing to help you out also but be prepared to furnish photos of any prospects, easier to diagnose that way. Hope this helps and good luck.

[Emri]

Without knowing exactly what you are looking for (excellent original collectable, looks like new re-build shooter, beater shooter) i can't add much to Vintage Hunters advise. I will add however that since you are in the Heart of Dixie, head to Birmingham July 14/15 for the Alabama Gun Collectors Association summer show at the BJCC north hall. There should be quite a few to peruse there.

Oh, I just remembered and can add to Vintage Hunter; watch out for, and avoid, guns built up from recovered drill rifles.

FWIW,

Emri

[emmagee1917]

Original makers list of M1A1s :
1) Inland .
The end.
Chris

[HILLBILLY-06]

Without knowing exactly what you are looking for (excellent original collectable, looks like new re-build shooter, beater shooter) i can't add much to Vintage Hunters advise. I will add however that since you are in the Heart of Dixie, head to Birmingham July 14/15 for the Alabama Gun Collectors Association summer show at the BJCC north hall. There should be quite a few to peruse there.

Oh, I just remembered and can add to Vintage Hunter; watch out for, and avoid, guns built up from recovered drill rifles.

FWIW,

Emri

Well, I'm not looking for a collector grade persay, just a G.I. good condition one, safe to shoot and accurate. It can have a new barrel, that won't bother me. But the important thing is that it not be unsafe to shoot, or poorly headspaced, or rusted and pitted real bad inside and out. I don't want to wind up with a junker, or one that dont work. No mater what kind it is... ALSO, A local shop has gotten in a 1903, I dont know who made it yet, a buddy told me he saw it just put up for sale. Around $900.00, but he said the guy would take less on a serious offer. I know it's not an 03A3, but I may go look at it anyway. I am starting to loose faith after all these years and not finding an 03A3. I may wind up settling on a good 1903 instead if I don't find a good 03A3. He also is said to have a real good Greek Return M1 Garand, but I don't know anything about those yet, as far as if they are even desirable to have, or are they mostly mix-masters or are they worth the $750.00 he is asking for it ??
I haven't seen any carbines in a while, exept comercial ones, and the one that was fixed up, real nice in a paratrooper stock, the guy took it out of the stock to let me look at it. "WOW" that was the first time I ever saw a receiver that was stained like it was over heated from shooting it. It looked like blue, yellowish, and red colors all mixed up all around under the receiver. So I passed on that one, and was lucky he showed it to me with all that honesty, most folks wont let you see em like that, but I knew him, so he did.

[HILLBILLY-06]

Well, I been looking and calling all around, and finally found a stache, or in this case a "cashe" of M1903A3's. Some are RIA, some Springfield, and all are guaranteed safe to shoot, and fully functional/reliable by the owner. He isn't there today, so I got to sit on pins and needles until tomarrow to go look.
I hope this is finally it, and that my thurst for iron and wood can once again be satified with yet one more fine rifle to take down range. I am nervous, but I know this guy well, and he's never steered me wrong, or shot me a bunch of bull. He too, does his research and has each weapon inspected by a qualified gunsmith, before they go up for sale.
I ask that everyone keep thier fingers crossed, I am really exited to find out that he has them. He will tell me strait, and he will give me all the specs up front, (ME) (TE), correct, not correct, rack, field, or service... He's the guy around here.
I had also asked if he had any M1C or D models, but the only ones he has are "proofed" and correct, and way out of my price range, (maybe later if I'm lucky) I can get one of those. But I am really happy now that my search has finally found some good ones to deal with.
I'll keep you posted............... HILLBILLY-06.

[vintage hunter]

If they are Rock Island and Springfield manufacture they are 1903's not 1903a3's. Only Remington and Smith Corona made 03a3's, Remington also made some 1903's. Don't rush in to anything, post some photo's and prices on the springfield forum. It never hurts to get a second opinion about things like this.

[HILLBILLY-06]

If they are Rock Island and Springfield manufacture they are 1903's not 1903a3's. Only Remington and Smith Corona made 03a3's, Remington also made some 1903's. Don't rush in to anything, post some photo's and prices on the springfield forum. It never hurts to get a second opinion about things like this.

Yeah, I remember the guy told me the owner had to bring the 03A3's to the store to show them to me tommarrow. They did have 1903's in the store already, but he had just gotten the 1903A3's and they had to go through the gunsmith certification before putting them out. I will hopefully be the first one to see them tomarrow. He will guarantee any of them, and if I decide to get one, and have a problem with one I get, he will fix it for me. (He has a good reputation) around here, but this is the first time in a very long time he got any 03A3's in. So that being said, I will adhere to your advice as best I possibly can, until I am comfortable about what he has. Nobody else around will do the gunsmith certification on them before you buy them, except that big high dollar store (Gander Mountain), but they really sock it to you on the price tag, so I don't even go there anymore. They seldom get milsurps in on trade anyway.
He alway's likes to see me come in anyway, because I carry my target history for my guns with me when I want to trade with him. That way I can put my money where my mouth is, and I am a good shooter, with good stuff, so I get bragging rights with him just walking in the door. It helps his customers out too, when they see a used gun that comes with the owners previous targets and history. It just makes breaking the ice easier, and lots of folks get a kick out of it when they see that kind of stuff. So it's half social visit, half buisness trip I guess you'd say. The day I got one of my Garands from him, I was in there for about two hours, just having a great time, and looking at great stuff. After being stuck here so long taking care of my Parents, and my two nephews, I need to go there tommorrow, just to have a day out to myself.
Dad is doing much better now, Mom is up and doing stuff again, after being sick for a week, the kids are allways kids, so "tommarrow is all mine" Maybe he has something I like, maybe he don't, but thanks to all of you, "I have my ducks in a row" and maybe, I will be able to finally find a good 03A3.
(ONE) Final question... How do you control the urge to foam at the mouth after seeing a great looking rifle like this? I don't want to make it look like I'm hooked the moment he hands one of those 03A3's over the counter (LOL) I havent seen a descent one in many years, except that one my cousin has, and that one aint for sale period. So I just got to control the urge and let these things I am reading sink in, let the knowlege center and helpful posts do my bidding for me, not my passion for a rifle that has seemed to be so hard to find, that I have given up looking so many times before.................... HILLBILLY-06.