need info on 1903's

[cruddymutt]

Well Ive been saving my pennies and I almost have enough to finally get an SVT40. Everytime I get close I spot something else and get that instead but this time, Im determined!!
Anyways, I am already thinking of my next purchase. I dont own anything American (except a Marlin 30-30) so I am looking at a 1903 but I know nothing about them. What should I look for? In my mind I am thinking of something like an RC K98. A good shooter in military configuration but doesnt have to be 100% matching and whatnot. Period correct would be nice though.

[Noonanda]

1903 or 1903A3. I love my A3 for the better sights, but the regular 03 has alot more history to it. I have an 03A3 and a 03A4 repro sniper.

[NaughtyMonkey]

Model 1903 are mainly WWI and 1903A3 and 1903A4 are WW2. Usually the 03A3 are in better condition because there not as hold. Thats my understanding on them and I beleive that 1903's with a low serial numbers were not heated treated right and have been known to explode.

[cruddymutt]

Guess I need to narrow down what model I like best.

[NaughtyMonkey]

I like how the 03A3's look and if you didn't know the 03A4 is the sniper Variant.

[smle-man]

Well Ive been saving my pennies and I almost have enough to finally get an SVT40. Everytime I get close I spot something else and get that instead but this time, Im determined!!
Anyways, I am already thinking of my next purchase. I dont own anything American (except a Marlin 30-30) so I am looking at a 1903 but I know nothing about them. What should I look for? In my mind I am thinking of something like an RC K98. A good shooter in military configuration but doesnt have to be 100% matching and whatnot. Period correct would be nice though.

Do your research and learn the difference between low and high number 03s as a start.

[Flyin Brian]

For my first venture into the 03s, I went with a Greek return, or the "Greasy Greeks" as some people call them. The stocks are soaked with so much cosmoline they are literally black. The CMP sold a bunch of them in the early 2000s so I had a buddy who wanted to trade one off for a Finn M-27 and that was that. I have seen a few of these around lately and the last pair went for $450 and $500. They will never bring as much as the "correct" grade or whatever they call the matching originals, so they are more affordable, but they are usually great shooters. You can easily tell a Greek return because the top surface of the base of the bolt handle is ground smooth with a number electro penciled onto the flat area. Mine has an excellent bore and shoots great, so I'm happy I found one without having to pay $800 or more.

I am now looking to snag an 03-A3 just because I don't have one

[cruddymutt]

been cruising the auction sites and doing some readin on other sites and Im really liking the 1903a3. I think while looking for info on the 1903 I came across info on the m1917. I like that one as well. I think I have enough k98's and mosin snipers for now, time for some good ol American stuff.

[Army GI]

For my first venture into the 03s, I went with a Greek return, or the "Greasy Greeks" as some people call them. The stocks are soaked with so much cosmoline they are literally black. The CMP sold a bunch of them in the early 2000s so I had a buddy who wanted to trade one off for a Finn M-27 and that was that. I have seen a few of these around lately and the last pair went for $450 and $500. They will never bring as much as the "correct" grade or whatever they call the matching originals, so they are more affordable, but they are usually great shooters. You can easily tell a Greek return because the top surface of the base of the bolt handle is ground smooth with a number electro penciled onto the flat area. Mine has an excellent bore and shoots great, so I'm happy I found one without having to pay $800 or more.

I am now looking to snag an 03-A3 just because I don't have one

Thanks for the info, I was wondering what that number was. That's exactly what I got.

And YUK for the "greasy Greeks". I've never seen such a horrendous stock (well maybe except for the one in my Krag "school rifle").

[ColdDeadHands1]

Do your research and learn the difference between low and high number 03s as a start.

Here OP, I'll save you some search time. This is from the CMP's website regarding low serial # A3's:

http://www.thecmp.org/m1903.htm

*WARNING ON “LOW-NUMBER” SPRINGFIELDS
M1903 rifles made before February 1918 utilized receivers and bolts which were single heat-treated by a method that rendered some of them brittle and liable to fracture when fired, exposing the shooter to a risk of serious injury. It proved impossible to determine, without destructive testing, which receivers and bolts were so affected and therefore potentially dangerous.

To solve this problem, the Ordnance Department commenced double heat treatment of receivers and bolts. This was commenced at Springfield Armory at approximately serial number 800,000, and at Rock Island Arsenal at exactly serial number 285,507. All Springfields made after this change are commonly called “high number” rifles. Those Springfields made before this change are commonly called “low-number” rifles.

In view of the safety risk the Ordnance Department withdrew from active service all “low-number” Springfields. During WWII, however, the urgent need for rifles resulted in the rebuilding and reissuing of many “low-number” as well as “high-number” Springfields. The bolts from such rifles were often mixed during rebuilding, and did not necessarily remain with the original receiver.

Generally speaking, “low number” bolts can be distinguished from “high-number” bolts by the angle at which the bolt handle is bent down. All “low number” bolts have the bolt handle bent straight down, perpendicular to the axis of the bolt body. High number bolts have “swept-back” (or slightly rearward curved) bolt handles.

A few straight-bent bolts are of the double heat-treat type, but these are not easily identified, and until positively proved otherwise ANY straight-bent bolt should be assumed to be “low number”. All original swept-back bolts are definitely “high number”. In addition, any bolt marked “N.S.” (for nickel steel) can be safely regarded as “high number” if obtained directly from CMP (beware of re-marked fakes).

CMP DOES NOT RECOMMEND FIRING ANY SPRINGFIELD RIFLE WITH A ”LOW NUMBER” RECEIVER. Such rifles should be regarded as collector’s items, not “shooters”.

CMP ALSO DOES NOT RECOMMEND FIRING ANY SPRINGFIELD RIFLE, REGARDLESS OF SERIAL NUMBER, WITH A SINGLE HEAT-TREATed “LOW NUMBER” BOLT. SUCH BOLTS, WHILE HISTORICALLY CORRECT FOR DISPLAY WITH A RIFLE OF WWI OR EARLIER VINTAGE, MAY BE DANGEROUS TO USE FOR SHOOTING.

THE UNITED STATES ARMY GENERALLY DID NOT SERIALIZE BOLTS. DO NOT RELY ON ANY SERIAL NUMBER APPEARING ON A BOLT TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH BOLT IS “HIGH NUMBER” OR “LOW NUMBER”.

[Milsurp Collector]

Anyways, I am already thinking of my next purchase. I dont own anything American (except a Marlin 30-30) so I am looking at a 1903 but I know nothing about them.

If you want an American rifle why not a CMP Garand? It will be cheaper than an equivalent-condition M1903 and it is more comfortable to shoot.

If you are set on a M1903 get a M1903A3. It will be a little less expensive than a M1903, many people prefer the 03A3 rear sight to the M1903 rear sight, and there are no safety issues with any of them.

[mls343]

Everything stated above is good advice - especially the M1 Garands coming out of the CMP. With that said, for my personal opinion, nothing feels better for an Ameriacn Military bolt action than an 03 finger stock Springfield.

03-A3's have better sights and can be found in possibly better condition, but for me, the original 03 just plain feels good.

[Mac Attack]

I have a 1903A3 and it is amazingly accurate, smooth as butter action and plain fun to shoot. I recommend the A3 over an 03 for a shooter because the peep sights. With that said for my next rifle I hope to get a Eddystone M1917 to complement my USGI firearms collection.

[cruddymutt]

If you want an American rifle why not a CMP Garand? It will be cheaper than an equivalent-condition M1903 and it is more comfortable to shoot.

A CMP Garand is another on the wish list.

[johnthomas]

Well Ive been saving my pennies and I almost have enough to finally get an SVT40. Everytime I get close I spot something else and get that instead but this time, Im determined!!
Anyways, I am already thinking of my next purchase. I dont own anything American (except a Marlin 30-30) so I am looking at a 1903 but I know nothing about them. What should I look for? In my mind I am thinking of something like an RC K98. A good shooter in military configuration but doesnt have to be 100% matching and whatnot. Period correct would be nice though.