Author Topic: Should I get this Springfield? - I did get the Springfield (Read 1966 times)

woodchukhntr · « **on:** October 07, 2008, 03:14:13 PM »

I have an opportunity to buy a '03-A3 sporter. It is a Smith-Corona with the original barrel with excellent rifling. It has been blued and the bluing has just a few pits. The bolt is polished, and it has been drilled and tapped and has Weaver bases. It has a Bishop walnut stock whose finish is very worn, but without dents. The trigger has been replaced with a commercial 2-stage trigger that is very good. It was probably done in the 60's or 70's from the looks of it.

It's at my local Gander Mountain for $200.00. That's right - $200.00! They are holding it for me until I decide. I wonder if I can get them to knock off 10%.

Kurt L · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2008, 03:38:56 PM »

does it have oem safey or after market.
some after market ones if not installed corectly are dangerous and will go off
when racking the bolt .

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2008, 07:58:44 AM »

It has the original safety.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:17:40 AM »

What Gander Mt is that again?
Do you think I can pass for you at the counter? I have $200 in my wallet.
For $200 you can't go wrong.
As for the 10% off. You can't get what you don't ask for.
Sounds like a good solid rifle.
What are you going to do with it? bulid a custom hunting rifle or return it to original military?
When I was in Military school (a million years ago) I was the arms sgt and had 101 Remington and Smith Corona 1903-A3 in the arms room. Great rifles. I would like to get one some day.

Troyboy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2008, 11:33:23 AM »

What's 200$ That is cheap. Buy it now!!!!!

Troy

Mike Britton · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2008, 01:27:01 PM »

Quote from: Kurt L on October 07, 2008, 03:38:56 PM

does it have oem safey or after market.
some after market ones if not installed corectly are dangerous and will go off
when racking the bolt .

Copy that!!! I have one with some sort of cheap aftermarket safety and as soon as I can get it to the gunsmith I'm going back to the original.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2008, 02:59:03 PM »

If I get it I will just put a scope on it and use it. The stock will get refinished in the winter.

TribReady · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2008, 03:39:50 PM »

IF you get it

I agree, for $200, buy it now!
Save up and find an original military version sometime down the road, but get this one right now...or tell us where it is

.

Mike Britton · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2008, 04:38:03 AM »

Quote from: TribReady on October 08, 2008, 03:39:50 PM

IF you get it

I agree, for $200, buy it now!
Save up and find an original military version sometime down the road, but get this one right now...or tell us where it is .

'03A3 actions alone bring more than $200 at most gun shows...

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2008, 01:42:46 AM »

If you get it?

Your first post on this topic was on 10/7 - that's 3 days ago. Ya ain't got it yet?

? Mikey.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2008, 06:41:45 AM »

They are holding it. The gunsmith has not test fired it yet. Today's the day!

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2008, 01:37:55 PM »

I picked it up today. It looks even better than it looked at Gander Mtn. The stock needs refinishing, I'll get around to it later. I hope to get to the range tomorrow to put a few rounds thru it. I'm cleaning the barrel and will take it out of the stock to check on what kind of trigger it has.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2008, 01:51:17 PM »

For those of us that are Jelous. A full range report is required!

Troyboy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2008, 02:59:28 PM »

Good show, I'm glad you got off the fence and rescued the stray. Send some pictures our way

Troy

Mike Britton · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2008, 04:22:32 AM »

I have two 03's. One is an old Neidner barreled target rifle that I found at the Tulsa show, and one is mongrel action I picked up at Las Vegas. Both of these old warriors still perform as well, if not better, than a lot of new rifles.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2008, 03:23:21 PM »

Range Report!

Well I finally got to the range this morning with the Springfield and some light reloads: 147 gr. military FMJ's, 150 gr. RCBS SP's, and 180 gr. RCBS SP's, all with 13.0 gr. of Red Dot. The picture tells it all. The 3 shots clustered in 1/2" on the left are the 150 gr. and the other 3 are the 180 gr. These are at 100 yd.

The only problem I have is that the rifle doesn't have an ejector. The gunsmith said that he test fired it, but apparently didn't check everything out. I'll bring it back to Gander to have this taken care of. If he gets the ejector, I can put it in myself.

What do you think, is this a keeper?

TribReady · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2008, 04:09:31 PM »

keeper!

Great find....good thing we talked you into it

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2008, 04:17:36 PM »

Yes keeper.
Heck with groups like that you will only need the one shot.

223Shooter · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2008, 04:23:27 PM »

I have a 03-A3 that I bought back in 1964. It is like new. Paid $35 for it. I still have the receipt. It now wear a 3-9x40 and with my handloads, it is amazingly accurate. I will never sell my Springfield.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2008, 07:10:40 AM »

Ah yes, 1964, I remember it well! I had one in original condition about then, like most other guns that I have had, it moved on to make room for others. I wish I had kept it like you did. In issued condition they are going for about $700 around here.

Mike Britton · « **Reply #20 on:** October 23, 2008, 03:35:04 AM »

Have you guys ever heard of a National Ordnance '03A3? I have a friend who wants to sell one.
I know Nat. Ord. did some sporters after the war, but Steve says this one has full G.I. wood and looks like your typical Springfield '03.
I can't find any mention of these G.I. style rifles in my reference library.
Anybody got a handle on it's value?

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2008, 08:46:47 AM »

National Ordnance made their own cast receivers & used GI Parts to finish them.

Mike Britton · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2008, 04:21:59 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 23, 2008, 08:46:47 AM

National Ordnance made their own cast receivers & used GI Parts to finish them.

Thanks swampy. You said cast. Is that a good cast, as in Ruger, or a bad cast as in don't dare shoot this thing?

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** October 23, 2008, 11:58:35 PM »

From what I can tell they are safe to shoot. They just aren't as valuable as a GI Springfield.

Mike Britton · « **Reply #24 on:** October 24, 2008, 04:13:53 PM »

Copy that. I got a chance to look at it today. It's really crude compared to the real thing. Thanks

kiddekop · « **Reply #25 on:** October 27, 2008, 08:59:38 AM »

Quote from: 223Shooter on October 21, 2008, 04:23:27 PM

I have a 03-A3 that I bought back in 1964. It is like new. Paid $35 for it. I still have the receipt. It now wear a 3-9x40 and with my handloads, it is amazingly accurate. I will never sell my Springfield.

In 1962 the NRA was selling 1903 & 03A3's for about $15,I was a married student at the Univ of AZ living on my GI Bill of $135/mo plus some part time work so I couldn't afford one.Smith Corona Barrels are still in demand & most were made by High Standard.The March 1986 issue of the American Rifleman has an article titled Reloading For The M1 Rifle(I have it PDF format ) that has a lot of interesting information covering bullets from 150gr up to and including 200 gr,I've used the data to make up loads for hunting with my garand & for use in M1 Matches plus loads for my Sako 30-06 rifle & TC Encore 15" 30-06 pistol .If anyone wants a copy of this article send me your email address and I'll send it to you! When I was working in Yucca Valley,Ca as a juvenile probation officer some deputy friends found a man selling 3 03A3's so I got in on the deal and bought one for $125 with 4 groove rifling and took it home with plans to have it customized by a local gunsmith who would add a smith corona barrel, that is until my young son blabbed to my wife about my new rifle then ww4 started I had to sell it .I got even when I bought a used 30-06 Sako Finnbear with a Redfield Accutrac scope for $450.I reminded her that in AZ I could've purchased an 03A3 for $14.95 & I had another for $125 that she made me sell.

Troyboy · « **Reply #26 on:** October 27, 2008, 12:49:42 PM »

Some woman just do not get it

Troy

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #27 on:** October 27, 2008, 02:03:03 PM »

Try to make them sell a purse or a pair of shoes.
You make a deal. You stop looking in the closet at the 10 pair of black shoes and the three black purses, and she stops looking in the gun safe. The arguement is the same. They may look the same to you but they are all a little different.