Smith Corona 1903A3

TheJoker · 02-26-2008, 06:44 PM

Hi All ...

I'm really excited about this one. I've been watching these for some time now. This beauty was made in March 1943. My collection is leaning toward the non conventional arm manufacturers. I think it says a lot about a country and generation willing to put aside the manufacture of typewriters, adding machines and automobiles to pitch in and make arms for the war effort.

I've got a question. I always thought the safety was one the left side of the rifle. But there is also a safety catch on the striker. Is the button on the left strictly for releasing the bolt?

********

Ahhhhhhh... "Magazine Cut Off Switch" Very interesting. I learned something today!!!

"When the '03 rifle was designed, the U.S. Army still saw the magazine as a reserve for cartridges. The soldier or doughboy needed to load ammo one round at a time and only use the magazine when needed or ordered by an officer. The magazine cutoff switch located on the left of the receiver turns the magazine on or off. The magazine cutoff switch when place in the middle position allows for the bolt to be removed from the rifle."

Here's the whole story....

Collecting and Shooting the U.S. Model 03A3 Rifle - OPERATIONS

Bravo · 02-27-2008, 01:23 PM

Yeah, the magazine cut of switch is a neat little tool.

Beautiful wood! I wish mine still had iron sights, but for what I paid, I'm happy with the drilled receiver/scope.

TheJoker · 02-29-2008, 05:39 PM

Hello Again ... 'Nother question. I can shoot the same surplus 30 ought 6 out of this 1903A3 as I use for my Garand, correct???

Bravo · 03-19-2008, 11:45 AM

Yup! Just remember to take them out of the bandolier before loading

Capt'n Mil Coll · 04-11-2008, 01:42 PM

Damm nice Rifle Joker. Dont you love the solid weighty feel of the US made 03A3. Seems like the US Rifles weigh more than the competition.

texnmidwest · 04-11-2008, 02:06 PM

Nothing finer that the report of an 03A3 in the first morning light!

TheJoker · 04-23-2008, 09:54 PM

I finally got to shoot this beauty over the weekend. It's a real tack driver! It feels really tight and solid. The bolt worked much smoother than I expected. Another great purchase, I'm really pleased!

Capt'n Mil Coll · 04-23-2008, 10:07 PM

Way to go. Now you can hit those darned tax collectors.

02-26-2008, 06:44 PM	#1
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 230 Trader Rating: (0)	Smith Corona 1903A3 Hi All ... I'm really excited about this one. I've been watching these for some time now. This beauty was made in March 1943. My collection is leaning toward the non conventional arm manufacturers. I think it says a lot about a country and generation willing to put aside the manufacture of typewriters, adding machines and automobiles to pitch in and make arms for the war effort. I've got a question. I always thought the safety was one the left side of the rifle. But there is also a safety catch on the striker. Is the button on the left strictly for releasing the bolt? ******** Ahhhhhhh... "Magazine Cut Off Switch" Very interesting. I learned something today!!! "When the '03 rifle was designed, the U.S. Army still saw the magazine as a reserve for cartridges. The soldier or doughboy needed to load ammo one round at a time and only use the magazine when needed or ordered by an officer. The magazine cutoff switch located on the left of the receiver turns the magazine on or off. The magazine cutoff switch when place in the middle position allows for the bolt to be removed from the rifle." Here's the whole story.... Collecting and Shooting the U.S. Model 03A3 Rifle - OPERATIONS __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." :joker: Last edited by TheJoker; 02-26-2008 at 07:19 PM.

02-29-2008, 05:39 PM	#3
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 230 Trader Rating: (0)	Hello Again ... 'Nother question. I can shoot the same surplus 30 ought 6 out of this 1903A3 as I use for my Garand, correct??? __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." :joker:

04-11-2008, 02:06 PM	#6
texnmidwest Senior Bear Fluffer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,021 Trader Rating: (0)	Nothing finer that the report of an 03A3 in the first morning light! __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

04-23-2008, 09:54 PM	#7
TheJoker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 230 Trader Rating: (0)	I finally got to shoot this beauty over the weekend. It's a real tack driver! It feels really tight and solid. The bolt worked much smoother than I expected. Another great purchase, I'm really pleased! __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss." :joker:

04-23-2008, 10:07 PM	#8
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,063 Trader Rating: (0)	Way to go. Now you can hit those darned tax collectors. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!

02-27-2008, 01:23 PM	#2
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,775 Trader Rating: (0)	Yeah, the magazine cut of switch is a neat little tool. Beautiful wood! I wish mine still had iron sights, but for what I paid, I'm happy with the drilled receiver/scope.

03-19-2008, 11:45 AM	#4
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,775 Trader Rating: (0)	Yup! Just remember to take them out of the bandolier before loading

04-11-2008, 01:42 PM	#5
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,063 Trader Rating: (0)	Damm nice Rifle Joker. Dont you love the solid weighty feel of the US made 03A3. Seems like the US Rifles weigh more than the competition.