Purchase of 03A3 Riflles Through the NRA-1960

[ArtPahl]

A recent post got me thinking back. While thumbing through some 1960 issues of the American Rifleman, I ran across the announcement of 03A3 rifles for sale @ $14.50 in the Sept. issue. I also found in the Jan., 1961 issue a note that 83,000 purchase requests had been received with 60,000 having been processed.

I was 22 years old when I got that 1960 issue and immediately sent in a purchase request. I told the three guys I hunted with to apply, also. The rifle I got is a Remington with a 4-groove barrel that appeared un-issued. The serial number indicated manufacture in 8/43. The one my brother received is a 2-groove Remington made in 12/43, also in like new condition. Charles got a Smith Corona and Dave also got a SC but his had a 6-groove barrel. We bought these rifles to use as hunting rifles with no thought that they would ever be collectable. I had a good Gunsmith nearby so the rifles were left with me for the conversion work. I had mine re-chambered to .300 Winchester Magnum, a popular conversion, and Charles had his re-barreled by Flaig's to .25/06, still a wildcat at the time. We, of course, ditched the stocks replaced the stamped trigger guards with milled 03's, forged the bolt handles, replaced the safeties, drilled and tapped for scope bases, and re-stocked. This all took some time and 2+ years passed when I saw another notice in an American Rifleman that A3's were still available. I sent in another request and this time got a SC with a 2-groove Rem. barrel. This one has a bolt that is not the square safety lug SC bolt and the stock had a rack number painted on it.

Over the years, after Dave died, I lost track of the 6-groove SC, but Charles left me his rifle in his will and I bought my brother's rifle from his estate. So I have 4 of the origional rifles we got in the early 1960's. They are all beautiful sporters and I still shoot them on a regular basis.

I thought forum members might be interested in hearing from a guy who was in on the ground floor of the 03-A3 program.

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