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Want yo buy a nice '03 Springfield - suggestions?
self | 8 March 2019 | Eric Pode of Croydon

Posted on 03/08/2019 5:32:47 AM PST by Eric Pode of Croydon

Wanted one for as long as I can remember, now I am ready to buy.

Only two criteria

First, looking for one in original military configuration. (Prefer the 1903 to the 03A3, but that's not a must). The few I have found in gun shops or shows around my semi rural area have all been modded with new stocks, scopes, etc.

Second, must be a safe shooter. I've seen dozens for sale at on line gun dealers which all say "sold as collectors item only" and I'm not thrilled about buying that sight unseen.

Any suggestions? I'd be willing to drive anywhere in the OH-KY-WV area.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: 1903; banglist; rifle; springfield; vanity; yo
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1 posted on 03/08/2019 5:32:47 AM PST by Eric Pode of Croydon
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

Is there an issue with modern ammunition?


2 posted on 03/08/2019 5:34:44 AM PST by AppyPappy (How many fingers am I holding up, Winston?)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

I would look for a 03 shooter forum and start asking around. The Internet has everything.


3 posted on 03/08/2019 5:36:39 AM PST by Vermont Lt (If we get Medicare for all, will we have to show IDs for service? Why?)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon
Gunbroker.com is your friend. Over ninety listed there.
4 posted on 03/08/2019 5:37:24 AM PST by Badboo (Why it is important)
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To: AppyPappy

There is a range of serial numbers to avoid below a certain number where the receivers were improperly heat treated and can be more brittle. It’s a well known thing you’ll easily find online.
Other than that exception, modern ammo is fine.


5 posted on 03/08/2019 5:41:42 AM PST by DesertRhino (Dog is man's best friend, and moslems hate dogs. Add that up. ....)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

Decide if want a collectible or a using rifle. If it’s for a collection, modernizing decreases the value. You will want one in as good original condition as you can find and afford.


6 posted on 03/08/2019 5:42:05 AM PST by Spok
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

At this point, best I can suggest is to look on Gunbroker.com. The days of surplus ‘03s being in every corner gun shop are long over.

Look for an auction with lots of pictures, and a seller that’s been around a while (lots of feedback in *both* directions)—both are a good protection against scam artists.

If you want to know particular details, I recommend “Collectors Guide to the 1903 Springfield” or “’03 Springfield Service Rifle”, both by Bruce Canfield. There are other excellent books on the ‘03 out there (by Bill Brophy and Clark Campbell) but they’re a bit dated and often pricey. I also recommend the 1903 Springfield forum on milsurps.com...lots of input from recognized 1903 experts there.

For safety...look for a serial number above 800,000 (Springfield Armory) or 285,507 (Rock Island Arsenal). Some will claim that the “brittle receiver” problem of lower-number rifles is overblown or bogus...I just don’t buy that, sounds too much like internet rumor and things taken out of context. Anything beyond that, have a competent gunsmith look it over...so long as you’re not too picky (e.g. wartime replacement parts are acceptable) then parts are still pretty easy to find.


7 posted on 03/08/2019 5:48:05 AM PST by M1903A1 ("We shed all that is good and virtuous for that which is shoddy and sleazy...and call it progress")
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

A nice upgrade to the 03 Springfield are the USMC improved sights, a thicker, higher front post and a larger rear sight aperture. S & S Firearms of Glendale NY have them on their website.

The higher front sight will require a higher front sight cover. Sarco used to have them but I have not checked lately.


8 posted on 03/08/2019 5:54:56 AM PST by Finnwolf (It needs but one foe to breed a war, not two and those who have not swords can still die upon them.)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

Of all the rifles I ever had Dad’s $19 dollar 03-A3 was one of the best shooting rifles. I miss it but so it goes.


9 posted on 03/08/2019 5:55:43 AM PST by wastoute (Government cannot redistribute wealth. Government can only redistribute poverty.)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon
Decent shooters in original configuration (but not necessarily numbers matching) are going for well North of $2,000 on Gun Broker.

If you want a shooter that hasn't been sporterized, you will either comb Gun Broker and keep bidding until you win one for a price you're willing to pay, or else you'll have to plan on travelling to a lot of gun shows hoping to find one on a table that isn't too overpriced.

Places like Classic Firearms get them in occasionally, but when they do they typically last only a few hours before they're all snatched up.

Good luck, and make sure to post your find here when you get it!

10 posted on 03/08/2019 5:56:38 AM PST by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Finnwolf

Also Miltech of California sells refurbished Springfields which have been checked for functioning and look brand new. They are expensive but of excellent quality.


11 posted on 03/08/2019 5:57:47 AM PST by Finnwolf (It needs but one foe to breed a war, not two and those who have not swords can still die upon them.)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

Checkout arms list.
They are on there occasionally and at a decent price.


12 posted on 03/08/2019 6:02:00 AM PST by magyars4
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

If you want a shooter, you can try this:
http://www.gibbsrifle.com/1903-a4_sniper_rifle_.html
$1250 bucks.
Believe this is the only rifle Gibbs still produces.

Parts, go here:
https://www.fulton-armory.com/M1903A3-Springfield.aspx

If you want a collector/original, just be careful. As previously noted in posts above, there are some issues with the lower serial number receivers.


13 posted on 03/08/2019 6:02:43 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

CMP Forums under marketplace, bolt action thread, always people selling 1903 and 03A3 rifles

http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=89


14 posted on 03/08/2019 6:06:24 AM PST by utdutt (Tax cut)
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To: M1903A1

Thanks, I know about the receiver number issue. I’m fine with replacement parts as long as they are original appearance and in safe shooting condition.


15 posted on 03/08/2019 6:08:44 AM PST by Eric Pode of Croydon (I'm an unreconstructed Free Trader and I do not give a damn.)
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To: Eric Pode of Croydon

Check out Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show. It held in early April and early November each year. It’s the biggest militarily exhibit around. Read up on Springfields, do your homework first, if you haven’t already. But at Tulsa you can handle more Springfields than at any other one place.

Even if you buy from Gunbroker.com, after handling a lot of them in person, you will have a better idea of what you are looking at on line.


16 posted on 03/08/2019 6:11:39 AM PST by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
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To: NFHale
If you want a shooter, you can try this:
http://www.gibbsrifle.com/1903-a4_sniper_rifle_.html
$1250 bucks.
Believe this is the only rifle Gibbs still produces.

Unfortunately, the Gibbs Rifle website says: NO LONGER AVAILABLE...OUT OF PRODUCTION.

17 posted on 03/08/2019 6:13:39 AM PST by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: M1903A1
The days of surplus ‘03s being in every corner gun shop are long over.

The days of cheap surplus SKS's are over. The days of cheap Mosan Nagants are over.

If you see deals, GRAB THEM.

18 posted on 03/08/2019 6:15:37 AM PST by Lazamataz (McCain's passing ended up being + 2 net Republican Senators. Him, and Lindsey Graham.)
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To: Yo-Yo

Yes, you are correct... I just saw it.
Sorry about that. Damn, it’s a fine piece.

I knew they stopped making other rifles (Enfield rebuilds, etc), but thought that was still in production.


19 posted on 03/08/2019 6:16:59 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: AppyPappy

You could check in one of the forums in here: https://gundynamics.com/about


20 posted on 03/08/2019 6:20:26 AM PST by 2harddrive (Go to www.CodeIsFreeSpeech.com for 10 FREE 3D-printer gun blueprints!)
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