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...a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place... -
For what it's worth, I had the CMP put together a 1903A1 clone on a sporterized M1903A1, a new Krieger barrel, Hi-Lux repro scope and a full set of USGI parts; they supplied the stock and an upgraded set of scope mounts. Total cost for CMP-supplied parts, labor, re-parkerizing and staining the stock was ~$1400. I'd expect a 1903A4 clone with similar parts to cost about the same.Comment
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Shot as good if not better than a true sniper considering the Era the parts / scopes they were made with, Mike Lau was making sniper rifles for Police Depts so the wait times can be long. My M1941, M40, M40AI, XM-3, Winchester Model 70 are built to USMC Spec’s. I used original Unertl 10X scopes because the 8’s were harder to find on the M1941 & Model 70, my 1903A4 I brought off CMP Market ( replica ) but I changed the scope from M73 to Bearcub and Mounts to Redfield and original C Stock. My M1C & D are CMP, the C has a Bearcub mounted but I have a new M84 the D also has a new M84. I have a second 1903A4 I picked up with the M84. As many NOS parts as I could find were used, they use to be plentiful.
Mike also built me an M1A National Match off my LBR Receiver, McMillan stock and NOS TRW parts.
Went a bit overboard but I blame that on the Senich & Chandler books collection.
I also have and shoot original M41, PU, No4Mk1(T), Argentine M1909 Sniper, MAS49/56, MAS49, all with original scopes. I have built K98 snipers off Russian Capture with original Zelvier scopes ( not Nazi marked ) and replica High Turret, Long Slide, Short Slide.
Regret not buying an Arisaka sniper or a Swiss. Yes can be expensive but quality is never cheap and there not Chinese parts.Last edited by Ronin6; 09-14-2022, 7:55 AM.Comment
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Nice. How does it shoot?
I had Chuckindenver put together an M1903A1 clone sniper rifle for me. It was considerably cheaper, but only because I lucked out on the donor rifle--a high number Rock Island 1903 that had a great barrel that I got really cheap. It had been sporterized and had apparently been used with one of the old school external adjustable scopes. It also had some other bits that I could sell to offset some of the cost.
It had the C stock and the scope mounting blocks already mounted. . The barrel was pristine and interestingly, is a less common Sedgeley.
Chuck did great job on it.
Last edited by Mustang; 09-14-2022, 11:22 AM....a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place...Comment
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Damn, Ronin, you've got some great pieces there. I've got an original M41B Swede and an original A4, but do not shoot them.
I've been in the hunt for an Argentine sniper for some time. I've got an 09 Argentine that may be an 1909/73 sniper but am not certain of that.
Post some pics when you get a chance....a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place...Comment
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Nice. How does it shoot?
I had Chuckindenver put together an M1903A1 clone sniper rifle for me. It was considerably cheaper, but only because I lucked out on the donor rifle--a high number Rock Island 1903 that had a great barrel that I got really cheap. It had been sporterized and had apparently been used with one of the old school external adjustable scopes. It also had some other bits that I could sell to offset some of the cost.
It had the C stock and the scope mounting blocks already mounted. . The barrel was pristine and interestingly, is a less common Sedgeley.
Chuck did great job on it.
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Talking about them made my shoulder sore
Nothing like 30/06, .303, 7.62x54, 8x57 to rattle your cage. The 6.5 Swede and Jap were more civilized.
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The scope in that picture is a 10X Fecker. Not legal for the vintage sniper matches (vsm). But I did get a Malcolm 8X repro scope. I also have an 8x Unertl, but it does not have the micrometer rear scope ring.
To be vsm legal, the spring has to be removed....a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place...Comment
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Yep. The Argentine is an almost ballistic twin to the .308Win, so it is a little better.
Amazing that the Swedes selected a military cartridge that was so far ahead of its time....a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place...Comment
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That's not bad at all.
I've shot my 1903A1 a few times and am happy so far.
I had trouble with the Malcolm reproduction scope and had to send it back for warranty work. When it came back, the reticle was tilted and I had a bit of trouble getting it back.
The funny thing was that I got frustrated and shot a five round group using the sights and it was tighter than the groups using the scope!
I fired the gun at 25 with the Malcolm 8X and found the rounds hit far to the right. I adjusted the scope until the hits were centered, then moved the target back to 75 yards. I couldn't get the rifle to group very well and finally removed the scope and fired 5 rounds of 30-06 Federal Gold Medal Match using the iron sights and was rewarded with an approximate 1" group. So Chuck did a fantastic job with the rifle. Still working with HiLux on the scope.
@75 yards. Pasters covering 25 yard shots, unpasted holes @ 75 yards with scope, small group in upper left shot with iron sights @ 75 yards.
...a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place...Comment
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I've got a number of old-style target scopes, including a 10X Fecker
I mounted that one and it did much better than the Malcolm. Here is the Fecker...about 1.25 MOA
...a fool and his money were lucky to get together in the first place...Comment
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Seems like the 1903 can benefit from having the receiver squared to the threads. Might make more sense to start with a stripped action and go from there.Comment
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