Springfield 1903
- Thread starter dak0ta
- Start date
heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
saving private ryan
yea i still want one too
yea i still want one too
No. More along the lines of mystique. It is what some would say quintessentially American.
Supply and demand. There is next to no supply and there is a definite demand. They are dammed difficult to find in Canada, and they sell fast when they come up for sale.
My local dealer phoned me one evening to say an old guy brought a 1903 in that day. I said "I'll be right there" and made the 45 minute drive in about 30 minutes....I brought that rifle home that evening. Two other guys wanted to have a look at it while I was there, I let them see it only after I finished paying for it.
FishDoc
CGN frequent flyer
They are nice rifles, and my shooter is in excellent condition - never blinked at $750, since I have seen them for more in crappier condition! Considering I could probably sell my SKS-D for $500, and well... cant compare an SKS to a 1903A3 
MapleSugar
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- On the loose from NIMH
I still contend that it was a design, not yet thought of by the Americans & stolen by Paul Mauser... But yet the courts didn't think this way & forced the U.S. to pay royalties to the Germans. These rifles are steeped in history (like many), but also have their fair share of conflict on & off the battlefield. They were used from 1903'ish through to the Vietnam War. The old line goes: The Americans built a great target rifle (1903). The Germans built the perfect hunting rifle (Mauser 98) & the Britt's showed up with a battle rifle (Lee Enfield). I think that's why Milsurp rifles are the best; they got the most history.
But yet the courts didn't think this way & forced the U.S. to pay royalties to the Germans. These rifles are steeped in history (like many), but also have their fair share of conflict on & off the battlefield. They were used from 1903'ish through to the Vietnam War. The old line goes: The Americans built a great target rifle (1903). The Germans built the perfect hunting rifle (Mauser 98) & the Britt's showed up with a battle rifle (Lee Enfield). I think that's why Milsurp rifles are the best; they got the most history.The 1903 rifles in Canada have always been in short supply. In WWI they were in short supply as well. The M1917 dominated as more M1917's were in service than 1903's.
US prices are very high, See below
ie: US M-1917 listed at $895.00 VS 1903A3 @ $995.00
In Canada, I would expect to see $600 to $800 range.
US prices are very high, See below
ie: US M-1917 listed at $895.00 VS 1903A3 @ $995.00
In Canada, I would expect to see $600 to $800 range.
Your best bet is to find a sporterized 03 that has not had the metal messed with. ie. original sites & barrel. A high enough serial number for the receiver if it's an 03 (A3's are ok) & not tapped or cut for a scope or after market sight. An original 03 barrel will have the flaming bomb & date on the muzzle end if it has not been refinished. This might help in the search for an affordable 1903... The last couple of sporterized ones cost me $250 & $125 & the furniture & wood is reasonably easy to find. A cheap booklet to get you started is the yellow ".30 Model 1903 Springfield Handbook". $5 bucks off of Ebay & a good basic reference for identification, assembly, service & parts.
They are basically one of the smoothest military actions next to the M1898 30 U.S. Army Krag bolt action.
I know that statement will get a lot of you guys fired up...try to hold down your Starbucks.
Here it is...The early M1903's(pre 800,000 serial number) had very smooth actions. As time progressed and mass production was required to meet military needs the quality deteriorated dramatically. The 03-A3 action with the late war bolt is brutal when compared to the early pre war guns.
It also seems that a lot of fellows prefer later era guns for shooting, yet the best of the breed are the early pre WW1 guns.
Why are they "expensive" comparatively? Looking at a combined production figure of over 3 million guns that is a logical question. The reputation the gun earned on the battlefield and on competitive shooting ranges are what drives the value.
The caliber it was designed for(30-06)is without doubt the most popular rifle caliber in modern history.
Yeah I know some you will spew your Tim Horton's double double all over your keyboard with that statement, but there is reality to that, due the volume of loading variations available. and the number of firearms manufactured in this caliber.
Let the debate begin anew.
I know that statement will get a lot of you guys fired up...try to hold down your Starbucks.
Here it is...The early M1903's(pre 800,000 serial number) had very smooth actions. As time progressed and mass production was required to meet military needs the quality deteriorated dramatically. The 03-A3 action with the late war bolt is brutal when compared to the early pre war guns.
It also seems that a lot of fellows prefer later era guns for shooting, yet the best of the breed are the early pre WW1 guns.
Why are they "expensive" comparatively? Looking at a combined production figure of over 3 million guns that is a logical question. The reputation the gun earned on the battlefield and on competitive shooting ranges are what drives the value.
The caliber it was designed for(30-06)is without doubt the most popular rifle caliber in modern history.
Yeah I know some you will spew your Tim Horton's double double all over your keyboard with that statement, but there is reality to that, due the volume of loading variations available. and the number of firearms manufactured in this caliber.
Let the debate begin anew.
