Springfield 1903 questions

S

Saleen351

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Hello i have a new 1903 , a 1931 production based on the serial number. Ive done some research this week but could not find a definitive answer. I was checking the bolt steel lot , and found out my bolt is a replacement ( B&S ) and looking at the barrel markings , the stampings is ''Circled S '' dated 1-45 . Seems they were replacement barrels for the USMC but they never used them. Ive checked throughly and its not a demilled barrel , and not punched usmc either.

Question is , from a collector standpoint , is it worth something or is it just a mixmaster 1903 ?
BTW i love the rifle and it wont change that , its looking great , not mint but really good
 
The USA overhauled almost every 1903 they ever had.ay were overhauled well after the army and corps used these rifles, and they were given to allies like Greece or Korea.

It won’t devalue the gun any more than any other refurb.
 
I've owned many M1903s/03A3s with all makes of barrels (Springfield, Rock Island, Avis, Remington, Sedgley, Hi Standard, Smith-Corona) and they can all shoot well provided that the barrel is sound, sights are tight and bedding is correct. There are some basic tweaks to bedding to improve accuracy and these can be done quite easily.

New military M1903 barrels are now unobtainium, although I was fortunate to find a source for NOS Hi Standard and Springfield replacement barrels some years ago. New commercial Criterion M1903 barrels are good quality and will shoot on par with a NOS military barrel.

I have 2 scoped M1903 sporters which are consistent MOA shooters with 150,165 and 180 grain hunting bullets.

Finding an M1903 with an unworn barrel can be a challenge as many were ruined by, excessive shooting, shooting corrosive primed military ammo and negligent cleaning. Some barrels were counter-bored to clean up excessive wear at the muzzle end. Worn barrels can still be surprisingly accurate provided that the crown is OK. I had one that gauged .303 at the muzzle and still shot groups just over MOA. Handloads bring out the best accuracy and the .30-06 is easy to load for.
 
purple said:
I've owned many M1903s/03A3s with all makes of barrels (Springfield, Rock Island, Avis, Remington, Sedgley, Hi Standard, Smith-Corona) and they can all shoot well provided that the barrel is sound, sights are tight and bedding is correct. There are some basic tweaks to bedding to improve accuracy and these can be done quite easily.

New military M1903 barrels are now unobtainium, although I was fortunate to find a source for NOS Hi Standard and Springfield replacement barrels some years ago. New commercial Criterion M1903 barrels are good quality and will shoot on par with a NOS military barrel.

I have 2 scoped M1903 sporters which are consistent MOA shooters with 150,165 and 180 grain hunting bullets.

Finding an M1903 with an unworn barrel can be a challenge as many were ruined by, excessive shooting, shooting corrosive primed military ammo and negligent cleaning. Some barrels were counter-bored to clean up excessive wear at the muzzle end. Worn barrels can still be surprisingly accurate provided that the crown is OK. I had one that gauged .303 at the muzzle and still shot groups just over MOA. Handloads bring out the best accuracy and the .30-06 is easy to load for.
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On mine it looks pitted , but the rifling is strong and the crown is ok , pitting is in the grooves. Ill try it this weekend and i may be surprised who knows
 
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