Guess who finally got a 1903 Springfield -- This Guy!
A Remington Model 1903-A3 just about fell into my lap at my local gun show. I was at a booth, chatting with a local gun-rights broadcast personality, when I noticed an odd front sight blade behind the table. Iz dat an '03??? It certainly was. They had just bought a small selection of guns from an eclectic mil-surp collector. A deal was quickly struck.
To my limited understanding, the rifle seems to be in very good shape. The metal is unrusted and still has original parkerization, the wood has the correct cartouches and has some modorate "experience." The bore is bright with well defined, sharp lands and the crown is unmarked. The trigger is nice - however, not as nice as some other specimens I've shot. The rear sight seems correct. Overall, I'm very pleased: I've been looking for a 1903 for years.
At $880, it wasn't a great deal - certainly not Dev's eye-waterer. Instead of overpaying, I'm choosing to believe I simply bought a little too early. These mil-surps are steadily increasing in price.
This completes my triumvirate of WWII US arms: The Garand, the M-03A3, and the M-1 Carbine. I've also got the British Lee Enfield No. 4. Plus a couple of Mosin-Nagant tomato stakes. Now for the German Mauser. Saw a lot of Turkish Mausers at the Fun Show... thoughts? I know to stay away from most Spanish Mausers.
A Remington Model 1903-A3 just about fell into my lap at my local gun show. I was at a booth, chatting with a local gun-rights broadcast personality, when I noticed an odd front sight blade behind the table. Iz dat an '03??? It certainly was. They had just bought a small selection of guns from an eclectic mil-surp collector. A deal was quickly struck.
To my limited understanding, the rifle seems to be in very good shape. The metal is unrusted and still has original parkerization, the wood has the correct cartouches and has some modorate "experience." The bore is bright with well defined, sharp lands and the crown is unmarked. The trigger is nice - however, not as nice as some other specimens I've shot. The rear sight seems correct. Overall, I'm very pleased: I've been looking for a 1903 for years.
At $880, it wasn't a great deal - certainly not Dev's eye-waterer. Instead of overpaying, I'm choosing to believe I simply bought a little too early. These mil-surps are steadily increasing in price.
This completes my triumvirate of WWII US arms: The Garand, the M-03A3, and the M-1 Carbine. I've also got the British Lee Enfield No. 4. Plus a couple of Mosin-Nagant tomato stakes. Now for the German Mauser. Saw a lot of Turkish Mausers at the Fun Show... thoughts? I know to stay away from most Spanish Mausers.