+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 6 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 ... LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 59

Thread: Very late number RIA 1903 I purchased today...a few questions.

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #11
    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 12:38 PM
    Location
    Denver Co
    Age
    61
    Posts
    3,152
    Real Name
    chuck
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:39 PM
    hard to say for sure, looks like somone tried to buff it hard, rounded edges, id just live with it, address the stock issue, and keep moving.. check the headspace for sure,, sometimes,,,you have to sit back and just say well,, that sux,..and live with it....
    thats how we all learn
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #12
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Todd2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    08-14-2016 @ 11:48 AM
    Location
    Fayetteville Pa
    Posts
    49
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:39 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks again Chuck. I guess the headspace is a little tight remember the bolt wouldn't close on the GO gauge, but it did feed the rounds. What do u think about the repair job the guy did on the crack with the brass pin going through.
    Also I'm real miffed as to why I can only push 4 rounds in the magazine. There's no way the fifth one will fit!
    I'm thinking for my own purposes filling the pits with JB weld. I'm not going to sell the rifle as long as it'll fire I'm happy. It's actually my favorite at the moment over the 1903a4 replica I recently posted. Plus I have a Springfield M1Aicon so I'm holding this 1903 in high regard maybe I'll get a more correct one later in the year.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #13
    Advisory Panel
    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    04-09-2023 @ 08:59 PM
    Location
    NW Washington State
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,301
    Real Name
    Rick Slater
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:39 PM
    You might start doing some research, if you want to eventually get another M1903 and learn from this incident. There are books out there, there are these forums and you can attend gunshows and look at (but don't buy) examples.

    We've all been there!
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

  6. #14
    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 12:38 PM
    Location
    Denver Co
    Age
    61
    Posts
    3,152
    Real Name
    chuck
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:39 PM
    the fact that the crack is still open and exposed says it wasnt repaired correctly. and likely has other issues at the recoil lug.
    if you plan on shooting the rifle i would find a good replacement,
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  7. #15
    Legacy Member Calif-Steve's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    10-01-2023 @ 12:52 AM
    Posts
    2,508
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:39 PM
    The price is a little steep considering you got an 03A3 stock and pits like crazy. Do read up on the topic and ask questions before you buy. Who told you it was late RIA? The seller? I have a 400,000 RIA and that would be late.

  8. #16
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Todd2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    08-14-2016 @ 11:48 AM
    Location
    Fayetteville Pa
    Posts
    49
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:39 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Calif-Steve View Post
    The price is a little steep considering you got an 03A3 stock and pits like crazy. Do read up on the topic and ask questions before you buy. Who told you it was late RIA? The seller? I have a 400,000 RIA and that would be late.
    First off I really like this rifle in spite of its shortcomings. And I plan on shooting it frequently. I wanted a 1903 shooter that's it. I did not notice the pitting at the shop most is below the wood. From what I've read the pitting does not make it unfireable so I have repaired it cosmetically as best as I could. I did not buy this rifle to sell at a later date. As far as serial numbers that was me I read on line that mine was not put together by RIA but by SA after RIA stopped production. What makes this an 03a3 stock?
    Last edited by Todd2; 04-01-2016 at 12:28 AM.

  9. #17
    Legacy Member Orroe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Last On
    03-16-2024 @ 01:49 PM
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    22
    Real Name
    Owen
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:39 PM
    Hi Todd,
    Let the other, I don't see any safety issue from the pictures provided. As for the stock you do need to see if the repairs done already are antiquate to prevent any more progression of the cracking. The reference of the 03A3 stock is the stock you have has stock re-enforcing pins in it (below the receiver) instead of the stocking re-enforcing bolts. Stock with pin were manufacture about 1943 and were used for 03A3 production, and were reverted back to stocking bolts because the pins were not strong enough when rifle was used to firing rifle grenades (split or cracked stocks). Your stock look like a WWII replacement stock made for 1903 because I don't see the cut out for the 03A3 handguard receiver ring in your pictures. Owen

  10. #18
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Todd2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    08-14-2016 @ 11:48 AM
    Location
    Fayetteville Pa
    Posts
    49
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:39 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks Owen. If the stock is a wwii replacement for 03 that is awesome to me since the Marines used these till the Army was stocked with M1icon's. The crack is only visible from the top. When I took it apart I examined that area and the crack is not visible at all under the surface. I'm pretty sure the guy that repaired it glued it well because from the inside it is like it's not there. I also examined the stock inside and out and could find no other damaged areas. I did shoot 15 rounds through it so far I'm getting 150 grain I think it's not a hot load not sure. It was pretty accurate was happy. Rifle looks great to me sure it's no where near a collector and if I knew more i probably could have talked him down in price some. Thanks for the info. I was in the Marines but these milsurps
    are new to me I just wish I was rich so I could buy more haha
    Last edited by Todd2; 04-01-2016 at 01:23 PM.

  11. #19
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:15 AM
    Location
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Posts
    1,061
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:39 PM
    With a rifle pitted on the outside that badly, I would be gravely concerned about the bore. If it's not bright and shiny, you may be fondling and triggering a loaded time bomb! The cracked stock may be the least of your worries.

    J.B.

  12. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to John Beard For This Useful Post:


  13. #20
    Legacy Member cplstevennorton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-23-2024 @ 07:06 PM
    Location
    Van Wert, OH
    Age
    44
    Posts
    376
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:39 PM
    John brings up a really great point. I've seen documents where they determined the reason a rifle blew up was because of a pitted bore.

    It really does make sense when you think about it and it seems to be something that isn't discussed much either.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 6 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Late Springfield 1903
    By M1903Guy in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 06-06-2015, 01:00 PM
  2. Number off so 241B for today
    By Snafu in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Picture of the Day Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-01-2014, 08:20 AM
  3. Late model number 4 mk1, what do the markings tell me, South African? Where made?
    By busyfixin in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 04-05-2014, 02:40 PM
  4. Low number 1903 questions
    By The John in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 07-07-2012, 05:51 PM
  5. Survey of Purchased 1903 upper handguards
    By Midmichigun in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-26-2011, 10:45 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks