U.S. issue 03a3

[Ron-Solo]

Get an original stock for it. Send Bubba packing.....

[Vlad 11]

I would say to keep it as original as possible or sell it to someone who may enjoy restoring it. The original stocks are not as plentiful as they use to be but you can find them. Probably $200 -$300

[BillCA]

I also have a Smith-Corona 1903A3.
Check the serial number and talk to someone knowledgeable about Springfields. Later model A3's had a "C" stock with a slight grip instead of a straight stock. Also, clean and check the barrel. The standard rifle has a 2-groove barrel, the later A3's had 4-groove barrels.

I agree that finding an original stock or original-modern replica stock is the way to go. The 03A3 is a good battle rifle and you should be able to pick off silhouettes out to 300m with iron sights.

[Dr.Mauser]

DO NOT LET BUBBA VISIT! He wont leave and will destroy your rifle. Keep it as stated as original as possible.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Bubbafiying an 03 of any kind is not a good idea. In fact, it's a terrible one.

Just get an orignal stock. It'll be much better that way.

[CSACANNONEER]

I don't believe that your mom has had the same bed for 40 years. If that's really the case, please, sell the rifle (unless you discover that it has some family history) and buy her a new bed.

[Saigon1965]

Perhaps this is a troll post by OP - I'll retract this statement if otherwise -

[smle-man]

I would say to keep it as original as possible or sell it to someone who may enjoy restoring it. The original stocks are not as plentiful as they use to be but you can find them. Probably $200 -$300

GPC has A3 stocks for sale.

[Kansasweed]

I aquired a Smith Corona 03A3 from my grandfather it's missing the butt plate and cleaning rod that was suppose to be in the butt. I put a recoil pad on it and stripped it down and cleaned out all the cosmoline grease(which took about 3 hours) then reoiled it and then went through all the ammo that my grandfather bought over the years. I had to get rid of half of it because I didn't feel it was safe to fire and kept the good ammo. 125 grain to 220 grain. Set up some targets. 2 liter bottles of water and fired it. It was fun. I then put it on paper and turned out to be deadly accurate to at least 100 yards. I haven't fired it farther than that even though the sight adjusts up to 800 yards but the best I have seen is over 600 yards with open sights on youtube. I thought about getting a no drilling scope mount but after firing it some more I decided not to alter the gun. I like the bumps and nicks on the rifle. Makes me think what this remarkable rifle has seen in it's day. I wouldn't change a thing about this rifle except trying to find a butt plate and bayonet for it.

[Kansasweed]

I also noticed that Vlad 11 has a smith corona with a different sight on the end of the barrel. Mine don't have the peep on the end of the barrel. I hear that there was small differences depending where it was manufactured.

[dustoff31]

Mine don't have the peep on the end of the barrel. I hear that there was small differences depending where it was manufactured.

It's just a hood that fits over the regular front sight blade.

[8200rpm]

Definitely go tactical. Tapco adjustable stock, plastic quad rail handguard, vertical fore grip, drill the receiver for a Weaver rail, NcStar illuminated scope, clamp-on muzzle brake, bipod, and a 3-point sling from Cheaper-Than-Dirt.

[Don the savage]

Definitely go tactical. Tapco adjustable stock, plastic quad rail handguard, vertical fore grip, drill the receiver for a Weaver rail, NcStar illuminated scope, clamp-on muzzle brake, bipod, and a 3-point sling from Cheaper-Than-Dirt.

Don't forget a flashlight, a surefire Chinese copy for sure.

[7.62x63mmUS]

With all the money you could spend on sh@t to thoroughly destroy a piece of history you could buy a modern sporter or anything else you want. Restore it to original condition and enjoy it that way. I go to gun shows and get bored of table after table of EBR stuff (even though I like them) and its getting more and more rare to see vintage rifles in good condition.

[smle-man]

Smith Corona A3s are more desirable now than the Remington version which is a flip from 30 or more years ago. Back then the Remington was considered a 'real' rifle and since the SC was made by a typewriter manufacturer 'real shooters' knew the Remington had to be the better rifle. A bunch of nonsense but just goes to show how fashions change even in the gun biz.