Question about 1903 Springfield stocks, etc.

[Ora Serrata]

I just picked up a sporterized 1903 (from the serial # it was built in 1918).

I have a spare 1903a3 Smith Corona stock I plan to put it in. I know I need to use a 1903 handguard because of the rear sight. I will need to buy the hardware for the stock and a 1903 front sight.

Is there any thing I need to be aware of when putting this together (like compatability of 1903 stock hardware vs. 1903a3 stock hardware)? I assume I need the 1903a3 buttplate. Are the barrel bands the same and nose piece/bayonet lug the same?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[pro-nra]

All stock hardware for 1903 are forge while stamp on the A3. So if you have a 1903 then install the forged parts...they look better anyway compared to the cheesy stamp A3.

[loademup]

As someone mentioned, M1903 parts are milled/forged and M1903a3 parts are stamped. Here are some pictures of the differences;

Front barrel band assemblies:


1903a3 stamped front band on the left, 1903 milled front band on the right

trigger guard and floor plate assembly:



stamped trigger guard and floor plate on the bottom and milled on the top

My non-expert opinion would be to find a 1903 stock to fit a 1903 receiver and barrel and use 1903 hardware if possible.

[highpower]

As has been mentioned 1903 and 1903A3 parts are largely interchangeable except that while '03A3 stocks will fit on the earlier rifles, '03 stocks will not work on an 'A3 due to the relief cut for the 'A3 not being present on a 1903 pattern rifle.

To a casual observer a later stock will appear the same (except for the finger grooves) if you use all the appropriate milled bands and bayonet lug.

[smle-man]

Many 03s were rebuilt for WW2 using 03A3 stocks. The A3 stock is inletted for the rear sight base on the 03. My CMP 03 sits in an early WW2 03A3 stock.

[Don the savage]

I just picked up a sporterized 1903 (from the serial # it was built in 1918).

I have a spare 1903a3 Smith Corona stock I plan to put it in. I know I need to use a 1903 handguard because of the rear sight. I will need to buy the hardware for the stock and a 1903 front sight.

Is there any thing I need to be aware of when putting this together (like compatability of 1903 stock hardware vs. 1903a3 stock hardware)? I assume I need the 1903a3 buttplate. Are the barrel bands the same and nose piece/bayonet lug the same?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

You may be uninterested, but i have a new old stock 1903 forend and a smith corona 1903a3 that has had a recoil pad added to it with no other mod. I have been looking for a smith corona stock to replace it. The stock is a remington.