Springfield 1903 Where to Start?

[scott.ballard]

Hello,

I want to get to know some of the older guns and have decided to start with a Springfield 1903.

Where should I begin?  

Which model is best?

I want to be able to shoot it.

Do you know of any good books which will point me in the right direction.

There are a lot of them out there and I want to avoid making any huge mistakes if I can.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

[texcaliber]

I like the 1917 better because of the peep sight and I refuse to safe-gueen any gun. As for which to get you can never go wrong with a Remington or Springfield  manufacture. Good luck.

tex

[fightingquaker13]

I have heard that some of the later ones (1930s) vintage had a star mark. They were, according to an article who's title I can't remember at the moment, supposed to be more accurate. I have no clue as to whether this is true or not. Still a very cool rifle. (Or course, you can buy a half dozen moisants plus a boatload of ammo for the same price if all you want is a vintage service rifle).
Keep us posted
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Scott, Try Lewis Arms. I've only been in there twice, but I was impressed both by the quality and selection, this is the place to go if you want to pick up a Beretta Stampede Revolver, a Winchester  94, High wall,or Model 70 and an AR 10. (He can order DPMS, but Armalite were in stock )

Macbride - A Rifleman Went to War

BE VERY CAREFUL, There were Heat treat issues with the first 250,000 from Springfield and the first 25,000 from the other Arsenal (Frankfort ? ) These receivers have a reputation for bursting and should not be shot. As some one who works with metal I would wonder about reheat treating them. There was an article in American Rifleman a while back that carried the Specific serial number range.
If You PM me Friday I will look for it. Otherwise I'll forget.    

Eddystone P 17's are still around and some what less pricey than the Springfield, mostly because it is virtually unknown today , it got overshadowed by the Springfield.
It would be wise to grab a Kragg if you see a nice one as they are going up.

[alfsauve]

The current issue (April) of American Rifleman has an article on the Smith-Corona '03.    Even if you don't particularly want the SC made version, the article has other information on the '03 in general.    If you're compiling a dossier on '03s it's a good article to include.

[Sponsor]

[Walkeraviator]

The early serial number issues have already been stated on 1903 and 1903-A1 models.  If you have the cash, the desirable ones are the 03-A4's with the original scopes from unertl.  If you want to go hunting for one as a classic... 1903-A1 have the ladder sights adjustable for range.  But the one everyone seems to go for is the 1903A3 with teh peep sights like a 1917.  CMP on occasion has 03A3's...Saw a lot of these at the recent military show at the fairgrounds.  I LOVE 1903s and you picked a good place to start when learning about classics.  Throw in Mauser 98s, Mosin-Nagants, and SMLEs and you got the best Bolt Guns made (IMHO)

[scott.ballard]

Thank you for the information!!!

I'm going to start with the 03 and then an 03A3.  After that I'll add the Mauser and the rest.

I really appreciate the help!  Especially the warning about the serial numbers.

Thank you,

[kilopaparomeo]

Good advice above.

I like the M1903...it is a fine battle rifle and an great military target rifle.  There are lots of variations...03, A1, Mk I.  The sights are highly adjustable but are of an older generation.  Springfields, Rock Island, Smith Corona, Remingtons.  I have a Rock Island that is only a couple of thousand outside of the ones with the heat treat problems.



The 03A3 is a better rifle from a shooter's view than the 03 in my opinion.  While bottom metal is stamped, the sights are better...aperature and a longer sight radius.  Mine is a Remington.



Don't forget about other US Military arms.  See the Krag above and the 1917.  The Krag is a cool design and has a butter smooth action.  The 1917 is a classic Enfield action...pot belly and all.  Rumor is that Sgt York actually used a 1917 rather than a 1903 in his heroic event.

Also don't forget about other military bolt actions.  Everyone loves German K98 Mausers and I have a few...but they aren't my favorites.  I really like Swedish Mausers, Finn M39s.  Don't care for Mosins that much (even though the M39 is based on one)  K31s are fun too.  The Arisaka is actually a very nice rifle...underappreciated in my opinion.



British, French, Swedish and Swiss WWII rifles

Ishapore Enfield 2A, 7.62x51mm
Savage Enfield No. 4, Mk I*, .303 British
Fazerkly Enfield No. 4, Mk 1/2, .303 British
MAS 36, 7.5x54mm
Berthier Mle 1892/27 (32 ?) (Mosqueton d'Artillerie Mle. 1927), 8x50R mm
Swedish M1896 Mauser 1900 Oberndorf, 6.5x55mm
Swedish M1896 Mauser 1903 Gustav, 6.5x55mm
Swiss K31, 7.5x55mm
Swiss K31, 7.5x55mm

 


Yugo, German, Japanese, Russian, Finnish military bolt actions

Yugoslavian M48 Mauser, 7.92x57mm
Mauser K98k, 7.92x57mm
Mauser K98k, 7.92x57mm
Type 99 Arisaka, 7.7x58mm
Mosin-Nagant M38, 7.62x54R
Mosin-Nagant M44, 7.62x54R
Mosin-Nagant 91/30, 7.62x54R
Finnish M39 Sako, 7.62x54R
Finnish M39 B-barrel, 7.62x54R

[twyacht]

I'll take any one you don't want kpr.....

[scott.ballard]

OK, KPR...DAMN!!!

You have a very nice collection. 

Thank you for the sound advice.  I plan to move on to the others but had to start somewhere.

Stay Safe,