Would like advice on Remington 1903a3

[RazorBurn]

A fellow I trade around with called me today out of the blue. He has a 1903a3 Remington for sale, and of course knows I like old battle rifles. He started out at $375.00, but dropped to $350.00 pretty quick on the phone. What's the problem you ask, of course the only problem is that it's been sporterized. The way he talked is that it has only had the stock replaced with a monte carlo stock. Original parkerization is on all proper parts, nothing has been cut down, has the original front and rear sights, and it has not been drilled and tapped.

I told him to bring it by the shop tomorrow, and if the rifle itself hasn't been molested other than the stock I'd have some serious interest in it. If it ends up looking as good as he says it is, I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy it. Then of course I'll have to get ready to spend $200.00 or so on a good used stock and band set up.

Knowing what nice 03a3's are bringing now, I think it's a pretty good deal even keeping in mind I'll have to sink another $200.00 in it getting rid of the sporter stock. Of course I plan on trying to get it for a little less, but knowing him he's not going to budge much more. I already have a cherry Remington 03a3, so I don't need another one. Picking up this one is more for the fun of restoring it to it's former glory and then flip it for a little profit.

What your all's opinion? Good deal, decent deal, or walk away. If you all tell me to walk away you're going to have a hard time convincing me, but I'll try to keep an open mind.

[Jumperwire]

I've always admired people who have the patience for "finding that one little part" to make it correct again.
I on the other hand, have always said. " If I had patients, I'd be a Doctor"
Good luck

[etprescottazusa91]

Price is about right, yep the stock will probably be expensive. Try getting the rifle for $300.00 you'll have a few additional parts as you know bands and stuff that will add to the cost, still you should end up with a decent O3A3 someday.

[Junk Yard Dog]

If it's as advertised then it's worth the time and money to put right. It's a hall of a lot easier to find a US M1903-A3 stock than it is to find some Finn, or M1891 Mosin stocks.

[RazorBurn]

If it's as advertised then it's worth the time and money to put right. It's a hall of a lot easier to find a US M1903-A3 stock than it is to find some Finn, or M1891 Mosin stocks.

You've got that right! I'm still looking for a Finn M27 stock to install on mine and remove the 91/30 stock I temporarily put my M27 in.

[RazorBurn]

Well, the rifle is mine. It's all Remington, perfect park, and just real clean. Two groove Remington 9-43 barrel with receiver 41568** serial number, so based on the serial number I'm going to say there's a good chance it's the original barrel.

I'll post pictures when I get home tonight. Now it's time to find a decent deal on a stock set, front sight cover, and stock hardware. I've got a few leads for those.

[desdem12]

[Junk Yard Dog]

With the A3 you rarely see a replacement barrel, they had a very short service life, the two groove wartime barrels were original, and very accurate.

[TulaTom]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Like Jim said, much easier finding a stock for this than it is for a M91. I actually had a guy offer me one of the keystone stocks yesterday. The 1903a3's are climbing in price.

[Celt]

[RazorBurn]

Here are some pictures of the rifle. I have a stock set ordered from Numrich, and a stock hardware set ordered from Sarco. Hopefully they'll be in mid next week, and I'll have her back to her former self by the weekend. The previous owner painted the front sight tip white, but I'm sure I'll be able to remove the paint pretty easily. Now, I just need to pick up a front sight hood.

[desdem12]

Almost nice

[CalFed]

Looks nice. An added bonus...looks like it has a milled 1903 trigger guard, instead of the stamped 03A3.

[Dan4good]

are the A3's more or less valuable than first 1903's?

[Junk Yard Dog]

Less, or the same considering condition. Find a original M1903 that has never seen a refurb and the price will go way higher than a A3.

[Dan4good]

theres a springfield 1903 at my ffl in good shape the only negs it appers to be refinished and the rear sight slide just flops around the consignment price is 599

[Junk Yard Dog]

Sights can be fixed, without lots of good pics I couldn't offer much in the way of advice on the rifle.

[RazorBurn]

theres a springfield 1903 at my ffl in good shape the only negs it appers to be refinished and the rear sight slide just flops around the consignment price is 599

Flash $500 cash and I bet it follows you out the door. I'll buy any 03's or 03a3's I can find in good shape for 5 to 6 hundred every day all day long if I could afford it.

[Dan4good]

i have a 500 dollar in store credit with him and hes mostly got new firearms that springfield is one of two old firearms the other a 54 tula or maybe was a 53 tula sks missing upper hand guard and bayonet and original 10 rd mag gone with a 30 in instead. nothing has really made me go ill take that one yet i would like to get my first 45 acp pistol and a 1911 at that but not in a rush to choose somthing

[rice paddy daddy]

I have a Remington 1903A3 that is in original configuration (but non numbers matching). It has the serial number in electropencil on the bolt which I've been told is a Greek send-back. It came through the CMP, I got it for $600.
Just thought I'd post that for comparison purposes.