springfield m1903a3

[Fredy_C]

my dad has an m1903a3 he inherited from his dad that came from who knows where that i would love to get and restore. Its currently has the wrong stock, a 1903 trigger assembly, and is missing the internal clip. I would like to do a total restoration with as much origional hardware as possible.

I would then like to build a second 1903a3 but sporterized. I would do the same style stock as currently on the one my dad has and possibly add a scope if i can find the proper bolt.

Where is a good place to get parts. I have found sarcoinc and i can buy a kit with almost all the hardware to restore for 135 or piece toghether what i need.
Where to buy a barrel for the second rifle. Sarcoinc want close to 800 for an origional barrel. I know there has to be someone making barrels for these. Also i read something about a better trigger with a lighter action but dont remember the name

Some pics below. It has the bomb with the dot from being test fired but the picture sucked

[sparepartsdave]

CMP has parts listed for the '03s, you might try there

[Lil Uzi]

I did a quick look at Brownells and Numrich and didn't see stocks or trigger assemblies. A repro stock should be easily doable. There has GOT to be parts out there. Keep the faith.

Regarding the barrel, almost all custom barrel makers should be able to supply you with a match grade mil-step barrel for well under $400, if not $300. Or, if you can't get the barrel you want with the contour, a gunsmith could turn a blank to the contour you request. It wouldn't be Remington or Winchester OEM barrel with collectible serial number but that is all out the door in your case anyway.

Hereis the civilian Marksmanship Program, CMP stock and link:

http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/relatedsales.htm



That's a mirror image photo or a left handed rifle ???????

Timney Triggers:




http://www.timneytriggers.com/timney...P_SO3-A3Sm.png

Midway carries a Dayton Traister trigger for $21 but I suspect that is a Made in China. I have them on my Mausers, but they cost over $60 15 years ago. So I am suspicious of the $21 ones. The older ones break clean at 2 lbs btw.

[44Runner]

why not sporterize that one and buy an original?

[spork2367]

http://e-sarcoinc.com/1903a3spfkit.aspx

[PRegner]

Originally Posted by Lil Uzi

That's a mirror image photo or a left handed rifle ???????

Neither. That cut-out is for the magazine cut-off switch, not the bolt.

[Lil Uzi]

Originally Posted by PRegner

Neither. That cut-out is for the magazine cut-off switch, not the bolt.

Doh !! I don't see a right side bolt cut out

So it's not an exact copy of a Mauser

Look carefully at the CMP Springfield stock pics I posted. The lower left pic is bolt cut for sure. It's rounded to fit a bolt. There doesn't appear to be any cut out for the bolt stop AKA removal bar, Mauser part no. 13, on the opposite side. It looks like a flipped pic. Can you find/post a pic of the valid uncorrupted Springfield action illustrating your point ? On a Mauser, that left side void would be for the bolt stop bar. There is no Mag cut out switch. Why would one be necessary in a battle weapon ? Are you sure there is one on a Military strip fed weapon ??

Here is a Mauser pic. Look at the rounded bolt cut out on the right side.



Here is a close up of a Springfield action:



The part stamped "on" is the Mauser equivalent of the removal bar. Anyway, I can't find a good schematic of the Springfield action.

[jettscott]

Call this number (662-326-6030), ask for James Turner. I think he has some of what you need. Last time I was in there, he had a few original stocks and some parts. I don't know his pricing, and you may or may not catch him hung over.

Edit: talking to him now....

New, unissued stocks: 150
Used: 200

Both Gov't issue.

Has internal clips, and probably enough parts to build several guns.

Says he can point you in the direction of unused WWII barrels if you'd like.

The guy is local to me and all that jazz.

[PRegner]

Originally Posted by Lil Uzi

There is no Mag cut out switch. Why would one be necessary in a battle weapon ? Are you sure there is one on a Military strip fed weapon ??

The magazine cut-off switch was integrated into the 1903 models because at the time of it's developement the Army was of the opinion that the feature was required to help soldiers conserve ammunition. With the cut-off in the "On" position the rearward travel of the bolt is limited, allowing manual insertion of rounds into the chamber one at a time. With the switch in the "Off" position the bolt is allowed to travel far enough to the rear to strip another round from the magazine. With the switch in the half-way position, the bolt can be removed from the action.

On the 1903 there is no cut-out in the stock for the bolt to clear (unless the rifle in question is a 1903A4, with the bolt bent/shaved to clear the rear bell of a scope).

[Lil Uzi]

Thanks for explaining that, it makes sense and is kind of a historical statement on where our ordanance gun minds were at that time. The Springfield mag cut off switch then is a development and modification/refinement of the Mauser bolt stop. Back to the parts.