U.S. Model 1903A3...pics added

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flatapple	U.S. Model 1903A3...pics added	Lead	[-]
Posts: 59 (08/07/08 06:01 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None I am going to a gun show this Saturday with the mission to purchase a Model 1903A3. I need to know what to look for in this rifle and also what to stay away from. Last Edited By: flatapple 08/10/08 12:17 AM. Edited 1 time.
Rick the Librarian		#1	[-]
Posts: 4555 (08/07/08 08:33 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Look for signs of grinding around the cutoff. There have been a lot of former drill rifles offered as shooters. Are you looking for just a shooter or a "collector"?
flatapple	Really nice shooter...	#2	[-]
Posts: 60 (08/07/08 10:13 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I am looking for a really nice shooter! What am I looking at price wise...$500 to $700?
brody729		#3	[-]
Posts: 110 (08/07/08 10:49 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	flatapple wrote: I am looking for a really nice shooter! What am I looking at price wise...$500 to $700? That is probably a good guess. I've bought three 03A3's in the last several months-all close to the price range you mentioned Most recent was a Smith Corona for $625 http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums.yuku.com/topic/28901 I got this Remington for $540 about two months ago http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=48098 I got this Remington for $725 about 4 months ago http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=46819
oldrgr		#4	[-]
Posts: 242 (08/08/08 01:14 AM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I think your estimate is realistic. I picked up this one last Friday in a private sale transaction for $700. Don't have much to pick from where I live, which makes it a seller's market, but this one is quite nice. Recommend taking a look at any pics that guys post here and use as a guide when you get to the gunshow. Mine has all Remington parts as far as I can tell, a four grove pristine bore, park in tact, only minor rubbings on the blued parts and excellent wood. Good luck!
brass rat		#5	[-]
Posts: 1893 (08/08/08 08:02 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Wow, that is a nice looking piece of timber. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Why not join us at Milsurp After Hours handloading forum
Rick the Librarian		#6	[-]
Posts: 4557 (08/08/08 08:02 AM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	In my neck of the woods, (Pacific NW), $500-700 should get you one. Look at the bore and function, as well as the "drill rifle" problem I mentioned. If the gunshow doesn't turn up anything, try Gunbroker or Auction Arms.
mauserand9mm		#7	[-]
Posts: 1082 (08/08/08 08:35 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	oldrgr, What were you doing on the roof?
Mountain Doctor		#8	[-]
Posts: 2847 (08/08/08 11:08 AM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	That's what I was wondering!
oldrgr		#9	[-]
Posts: 243 (08/08/08 02:16 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Gents. It was strictly about available lighting. Timing was about 0730 on a Saturday and Rick the Lib. had requested some close up shots to help me verify originality of its hardware (over on a Gunboards's Forum). My condo apartment, one floor down, has crappy lighting for digital photos. While taking the pics, a blinding flash of the obvious hit me - what if some tree hugger liberal (we are inundated with them here) from an adjacent structure sees me..., and calls the cops about some crazy sniper on the roof! I was off the roof in the bat of an eye! Even contemplated doing something with the rifle for a couple hours (putting in one of the storage rooms) just in case.
Mountain Doctor		#10	[-]
Posts: 2850 (08/08/08 03:10 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	oldrgr wrote: Gents. It was strictly about available lighting. Timing was about 0730 on a Saturday and Rick the Lib. had requested some close up shots to help me verify originality of its hardware (over on a Gunboards's Forum). My condo apartment, one floor down, has crappy lighting for digital photos. While taking the pics, a blinding flash of the obvious hit me - what if some tree hugger liberal (we are inundated with them here) from an adjacent structure sees me..., and calls the cops about some crazy sniper on the roof! I was off the roof in the bat of an eye! Even contemplated doing something with the rifle for a couple hours (putting in one of the storage rooms) just in case. I will ow take a moment to thank God, again, that I live in the country!
oldrgr		#11	[-]
Posts: 244 (08/08/08 03:41 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Back to the original question: Quick Check List Follow Rick the Librarian's recommendation and look for suspicious rubbing/polished/grinding type markings on the left side of receiver vicinity of the cutoff lever - looking for evidence of a previously welded receiver. Overall inspection: (if you are going to pay at the top end, $600 plus, you need to understand what's driving the pricing. Bore condition. Critical assuming you plan to shoot it. Blued parts - approx percent of bluing remaining. Condition of parked portions (floor plate, receiver) Original parts (Remingtons will have "R's" on the swivels, front sight assembly, various places on the bolt, probably an RA somewhere on the stock, etc. Condition of wood, i.e. cosmo soaked or not. Evidence overall of rust, pitting, etc. With the exception of 2a above not much else will make a hoot if you plan to shoot it, other than some severely warped wood possibly. Items 2b - f will simply be a negotiating factors in price. Simply tried to visualize myself at some guy's table oogling at the toys… Again - best of luck
flatapple	That's what I'm talking about!	#12	[-]
Posts: 61 (08/08/08 04:16 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	oldrgr...If I can find one like the rifle you have I"ll be a happy guy! Thanks for the info.
oldrgr		#13	[-]
Posts: 245 (08/08/08 06:31 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I had been looking at that particular A3 for over a year. There are only two gunshows a year on Oahu (Honolulu) and the seller had it displayed at the last two. He happens to be a fellow Cowboy Action Shooter, and I kept telling him I was interested. I needed some leverage though so waited until the Finance Minister had upgraded her 41 year old engagement ring... Doing the the math I could buy somewhere between 32 and 40 milsurps before equalling what she has on her finger now Again good luck and certainly post pics if you bag something!
flatapple	How about this one?	#14	[-]
Posts: 62 (08/10/08 12:02 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	How does this one stack up? Remington mfg '03A3. Overall condition 98%,excellent. Barrel 98% four groove RA with 3/43 date finish almost perfect no rust or pitting Bore 100% with crisp lands and grooves. Front Sight Hood. left side has number C64157-4 stamped on it, right side G inside a triangle stamped on it. Trigger guard 98%. Scant stock in excellent condition, 95%. Stock has been refinished. Original sling with rifle...$775.00 This is from another site. Why has no one showed any interest? Last Edited By: flatapple 08/10/08 12:19 AM. Edited 1 times.
m1 talker		#15	[-]
Posts: 6012 (08/10/08 08:31 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Looks pretty good to me! Curt
BobM14		#16	[-]
Posts: 445 (08/10/08 11:08 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	What I can see of it looks good. I think the lack of interest in it so far is likely because it has the scant grip, replacement stock. For nearly $800 alot of guys are going to prefer the original straight grip stock preferrably with proper cartouche. From a "shooter" standpoint, the scant grip stock is better in my opinion. It doesn't do anything for the collector status of the rifle but the scant grip stocks, like the C type stocks, are a little longer in the length of pull, and are more comfortable for the average to larger sized shooter. I have removed the original straight grip stock from one of my 03A3's and installed a NOS scant grip stock for that very reason. Of course I kept the proper stock, but I prefer the scant grip for shooting. Armed Infidel
oldrgr		#17	[-]
Posts: 246 (08/10/08 03:36 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Concur with BobM14's assessment. For 800 bucks there are too many knowledgeable guys out there. Is it for sale at an auction site? Also Flatapple, did you make it to a gunshow this weekend?
flatapple	Gun show...	#18	[-]
Posts: 63 (08/10/08 08:47 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Strike out at the show...I am thinking about this rifle. It is at a classified ads page.
oldrgr		#19	[-]
Posts: 247 (08/10/08 09:23 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	It looks like a very nice rifle. That's only $75 more than what I paid, and I don't think I got taken to the cleaners, but mine had all original parts and correct stock and barrel. Is it locally available without having to pay FFL fees to a local gun dealer for the transfer? Would need to take that into consideration. Some dealers do transfers for chicken feed and others much more. You could end up tacking on another $50 bucks or more potentially. Here's a link to a good ref site for 03s, specifically this one shows serial number and barrel match ups. http://vishooter.home.att.net/RA3.txt
A square 10		#20	[-]
Posts: 707 (08/11/08 04:31 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	me too mtn doc , i had wondered why he was on the roof as well , the lighting made perfect sence BTW but i gotta agree with the concerns of being seen and missunderstood , very nice rifle