Nonesense. CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) just released a batch of '03 "Springfields" of various manufacture, I picked up three, one real Springfield Armory and two Remingtons. They also have M1 Garands, though I got my Garand from Militech, more expensive but like new. British Enfield SMLEs in .303 Brit are still dirt cheap. Check out Gibbs Rifle Company on line.
I'm with you. Some of the finest firearms ever devised were designed at the turn of the 20th Century. It's hard to find a better (More accurate and reliable) rifle than the M1903 and the M1911 is arguably the best personal defense pistol available.