Gun and Game Forums - 1903/A3

Lets see those 03's & 03a3's I'll start.

obie1946 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:53:42 GMT

My only 03, waited a long long time to find one in this condition.

My 03 Mark I's. Straight stock & Scant stock (CMP purchase)

Here's the bore on one of the Mark I's other bore is just as good.

Receivers of the Mark I's (note the different sights)

Ok, Now lets see some photo's of those 03's and 03a3's & Mark I's.

Taking off rear sight of Remington 03-a3

jason.mcgill — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:29:38 GMT

Remington 03-a3 30.06. I would like to mount a a scope on it, but first i need this rear sight off. i tried hammering it lightly left to right but it didnt even get any more loose. Any information on this rifle would be nice or an alternative way to mount a scope on it. My Great Grandpa gave it to my grandpa than from him to me and that is all i know about the rifle.

1903 Range Report

Iron_Colonel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:04:34 GMT

Well got her out to the range today. I think there is a little bit more to be desired as far as shrinking groups, but I'm happy with how it shot considering it was my first time shooting it. I didn't think there was much recoil, it was quite comfortable considering the amount of ammo I ran through it. Here is the vid I put on my YT acct.

You Tube

Anyone Handload for Their 03 Rifle?

Iron_Colonel — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:19:24 GMT

I have a bunch of .30-06 brass, and was wondering if anyone else here reloads for it. If so, do you have a recommended bullet type, weight, or powder charge?

What bullet weight did these guns shoot most during military service? I would mainly be shooting it to kill paper. However, if I did want to take it hunting, is the factory loaded soft point stuff too hot of a load for the 03? Will it create too high of pressures? Or can any factory loaded soft point ammo be safely shot out of the 03 not having to worry about too high of chamber pressures?

Any info or links would be appreciated. Thanks to all who posted on my other post with all the good info :)

Front sight cover?

dodgeman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:18:21 GMT

What is the story on a front sight cover for an 03-A3? I thought I read where they weren't really suppose to have one, or if they did they weren't meant to be permanent. I saw somone at the range that had one on his and he said they were suppose to have one. Whats correct?

My First Springfield 1903!!

Iron_Colonel — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:01:25 GMT

FINALLY!!! I have wanted one of these babies for a long time now. I couldn't pass up the deal for this baby! Its a Springfield Armory rifle, and the serial dates it to March 1937. There is a 9-42 stamp on the barrel which I understand is a rebarrel date. There were 7 of these all lined up on the table, all for the same price. There was at least 1 A3 that I can remember with the different rear sights. This one had the ugliest stock, but one of the best 2 bores of the lot. I checked them all. So it doesn't have to look good on the outside to be a good shooter at heart :D The stock is a little beat up, but thats ok. I think it just gives it some character. You know this one was used. If only it could talk. The line of 7 Springfield 1903 rifles were the cheapest lot of any table I saw 1903 rifles on. I saw two later on and they wanted $1000 each for them. One of the two was in the 800,000 serial # range. I didn't care much to look for a re-barrel stamp. I had already bought this one and was out of cash anyways. So hopefully I didn't overpay at $500. I did see one other one that had a nicer stock on it for $550. Others ranged from $600-$1000 and everywhere in between on a dozen or more anyways that I saw.

I don't know much about the 1903 rifles. The only thing I did know, is I wanted one. The Springfield 1903, M1 Garand and Luger were three firearms that were on my list of guns I thought I'd never own in my life. Well, all items on that list are now crossed off. The US service rifles have been pretty expensive, with the exception of the CMP. They have very doable prices, but they are sold out of 1903s and A3s until 2011 :( But I have filled the void. So if anyone has any good links or literature ideas then I'd be happy to know them. I'd love to learn about these babies! Pics were taken before I cleaned it, with exception of the first one. It did have quite a bit of cosmolene all over it. The bore sure cleaned out very nicely. I think this bore pic is also before I cleaned it. If anyone knows what any of the stock markings are as well, any info is appreciated. Now for the pics:

Bore after cleaning:

Bore before cleaning:

It looks like a light stamp. If anyone knows what it means, please do share. It appears to be stamped "SADAL" I suppose it could mean something Springfield Armory, but this I do not know.

This number does not match the serial on the receiver.

need magazine feed spring

SUBMOA — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:52:28 GMT

I am trying to find a spring for the plate that pushs the cartridge follow plate up . I looked thru a couple of issues of shotgun news especialy thru the sarco ads but didnt find any a303 parts listings. any suggestions.