M1903-A3 Restoration

Bravo · 10-09-2007, 01:12 PM

Well, it's finally done. After a couple of weeks, I got all of the parts to rebuild my sporterized M1903 to it's original form (aside from the modern scope).

I was so excited to begin rebuilding it, that I forgot to take pictures of it before. A lot of you have seen pictures of sporterized 1903's, but in the even that you haven't, it looked something like this:

http://san1.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/08...x261416485.jpg

Mine actually looked worse, because the receiver was tapped for a scope.

Anyway, attached are the pictures of the restoration. The handguard and stock don't match, but are very very close, so close that I don't want to change it, thinking that I will mess things up big time.

I thought it would cost more to restore it. The original sporter rifle cost $200, and the parts to restore it cost $100, for a total of a $300 project. The stock was actually $18...with no cracks. The reason it was so cheap is that the bolt area has a notch cut out. Ironically, my bolt falls right into it...almost as if I would have to do it anyway.

.22guy · 10-09-2007, 02:09 PM

That looks really good. Where did you get the stock from?

Bravo · 10-09-2007, 06:09 PM

Found it on eBay

I didn't think that they still sold gun parts on ebay...maybe if it's a relic?

The stock is stamped with a circled P, and has a K stamped under the buttplate...not sure what this means though.

The receiver is Smith Corona, the Barrel is Remington, both made in the early 1940's.

Bravo · 10-12-2007, 12:24 PM

A few people recommended that I remove the front sight and call it a M1903-A4 Sniper, so I did :P

The problem is that the metal under the sight has no finish, so I have to come up with some way to protect it.

SwedeSteve · 10-16-2007, 10:18 AM

Beautiful weapon! Handguard looks great too.

Retired LEO · 10-23-2007, 11:52 PM

Nice looking...I've got a Remington 1903 A3 that had been sporterized..looking for stock/forearm etc to bring it back to almost original...good job on yours...

Mooseman684 · 10-24-2007, 12:55 AM

It is TOO Bad that somebody tapped the Smith-Corona receiver. That cuts the Value in 1/2. My friend has one the same way...A sporterized SC , tapped , scoped, and worth about 350.00.
Rich

SwedeSteve · 10-25-2007, 11:14 AM

Most of these that have been sporterized were probably done back when these rifles were dirt cheap and plentiful. Remember that with the "cheap" guns you are buying now. Someday some lucky dude might come across yours and it will be "as issued", much to his delight!

44spl · 10-31-2007, 06:39 AM

I have Springfield made in 1937 and to this day is as issued. It was my Dad's until he gave it to me 20myrs ago. He got a buck at 500yds with it. I still use it for deer hunting last yr I got my deer at 360 yrds. I will never give it up and never change a thing about it. I have all of the webbing and bayonet also bought over the years graet job on making it look NORMAL

billy · 10-31-2007, 06:53 AM

it needs a pistol grip and a flame paint job.

Cyrano · 01-28-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravo

Found it on eBay

I didn't think that they still sold gun parts on ebay...maybe if it's a relic?

Oh, the politically correct, lawsuit-phobics over at eBay still sell some firearms-related items. Basically, they will sell parts that aren't closely related to the action. No bolts, firing pins, magazines, barrels, receivers or things like that. You can still get things like telescopic sights, magazine pouches, bandoliers, slings, stocks, springs, scope rings, recoil pads; things that are more aesthetic than mechanically functional.

However, when all is said and done, these days you are better off looking elsewhere than eBay for parts. Numrich Arms Corp., gunbroker.com, J&G Arms, shootersXchange.com, places like that. Ask questions here, and those in the know will happily share their knowledge. It's why I like this place.

publius · 05-07-2008, 01:48 AM

Ebay still does Op Rods too.

10-09-2007, 02:09 PM	#2
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,156	That looks really good. Where did you get the stock from? __________________ Guns: they are like baseball cards except they are cool and you can kill things with em. -Billy

10-16-2007, 10:18 AM	#5
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,348 Images: 1	Beautiful weapon! Handguard looks great too. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

10-24-2007, 12:55 AM	#7
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,668 Images: 2	It is TOO Bad that somebody tapped the Smith-Corona receiver. That cuts the Value in 1/2. My friend has one the same way...A sporterized SC , tapped , scoped, and worth about 350.00. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

10-25-2007, 11:14 AM	#8
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,348 Images: 1	Most of these that have been sporterized were probably done back when these rifles were dirt cheap and plentiful. Remember that with the "cheap" guns you are buying now. Someday some lucky dude might come across yours and it will be "as issued", much to his delight! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

10-31-2007, 06:53 AM	#10
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,108 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	it needs a pistol grip and a flame paint job. __________________

10-09-2007, 06:09 PM	#3
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,897	Found it on eBay I didn't think that they still sold gun parts on ebay...maybe if it's a relic? The stock is stamped with a circled P, and has a K stamped under the buttplate...not sure what this means though. The receiver is Smith Corona, the Barrel is Remington, both made in the early 1940's.

10-12-2007, 12:24 PM	#4
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,897	A few people recommended that I remove the front sight and call it a M1903-A4 Sniper, so I did :P The problem is that the metal under the sight has no finish, so I have to come up with some way to protect it.

10-23-2007, 11:52 PM	#6
Retired LEO Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4	Nice looking...I've got a Remington 1903 A3 that had been sporterized..looking for stock/forearm etc to bring it back to almost original...good job on yours...

10-31-2007, 06:39 AM	#9
44spl Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 12	I have Springfield made in 1937 and to this day is as issued. It was my Dad's until he gave it to me 20myrs ago. He got a buck at 500yds with it. I still use it for deer hunting last yr I got my deer at 360 yrds. I will never give it up and never change a thing about it. I have all of the webbing and bayonet also bought over the years graet job on making it look NORMAL

05-07-2008, 01:48 AM	#12
publius Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 45	Ebay still does Op Rods too.