I've always wanted an original 1903/A3 rifle. To me, it's one of the most beautiful rifles ever made, not to mention the horror it brought to our enemies and the honor it gave the worlds finest fighting men. And how can you go wrong with a 30-06? Well I found one or rather one found me. An excellent 1938 year built Remington 1903/A3 with (from what I understand) the first run of semi-pistol grip rear stock configuration. The barrel was replaced in 1958 by Remington Armory. I also have the bayonet and shoulder strap. I'm sure the bayonet is original issue but not to my rifle. The strap is surely original issue. In any event my smith said it was in perfect and original condition and as capable of shooting as any modern rifle is. With that, I loaded 60 rounds of 155 SMK's behind 44 grains of 2520. Off to the range I go. My original intent was to throw some 6.5X47 Lapua test loads down range which I did first. After a few hours of cursing the 6.5 laod I finally found a keeper and put the rifle away for the day. I almost forgot that I brought my new 03 with me and after showing it off to all that could bare it, I sat down and thought, "this should be good, no scope, a load that's un-tested and a metal recoil plate". So what the hell, I jacked a round into the chamber, took aim at a 12"X12" steel at 100 yards a let'r rip. Bang, thud! I hit the damn thing. After repeating the above 3 or 4 more times I raised the rear site to -200- and bang thud on the 14"X14" plate. Damn, this was getting to be fun. I did this all the way out to 600 yards. Sure a few misses her and there but when I got dialed in with the help of a spotter at 600 yards, I was ringing the 600 Yard 24"X24" gong like is was a telephone! I was having so much fun I would have wet myself before going 20 feet to the head! But I did let the barrel cool off and relieve myself. I just wish the barrel would cool down faster! During this time a buddy of mine shooting his M1A decided to have a little comp. so we put two 1 gallon water jugs out a 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hundred yards. He shot first taking 8 shots to put his away. It took me 10 shots (all I had left) and cost me a $20.00 lunch but I had more fun than I have had in a long, long, loooong time. I'm looking forward to a monthly outing with this beauty!

How about you?

Sounds like a great day. No telling how well it will shoot with Developed Loads.

WhatThe are you sure it is a 03/A3 I don't belive the A3 came out until after WWII started.

Does it have open sights then it is a 03 If it has a peep on the rear. then it a 03/A3

A lot of the nominclature with the 03'S is at times a bit confusing. If you get the 03 or A3 bug like I have, then you may want to get Lt.Col. William Brophys book, or the NRA Publication, Model 1903 Springfield Rifles, very informative.

Man they are tons of fun, try 48/IMR4895/150-155 Bullets. Mine will hold about an inch at 100yds with this load. Drop down to 46 grains, if you go up to the 180-90's.

At the club I belong to, they have a Curio & Relic shoot, old guns and guys, lol. I am able to hold in the 450-60's, in a 50 round shoot. Pretty good for a unmodified rifle.

Jerry

My knowledge is some-what vague with this rifle. Here is what I understood from an "expert" I say that with light tones. In any event, and from what I understand, this rifle was issued towards the end of WWI and was nick-named "silent death". It was issued as the primary weapon at the start of WWII and ended it's service at the wars end. The M1 Garand replaced the 03 about midway through the war but many GI's opted to keep their 03 a long with the long range marksman which are now snipers. I understand that many configurations saw service starting with the straight stock with an open barrel and rear ladder sights. The troops complained that they were getting burned when grabbing the weapon to bolt off so the open barrel design had a short life being replaced by the full wood fore stock. The straight rear stock was designed with the bayonet in mind giving the GI a better two handed hold of the weapon to use like a club as well as the bayonet. But snipers and marksmen complained that a pistol grip made for a more accurate shot. Apparently both styles were produced at the same time and continued to until the rifle was de-listed. Rifles equipped with the rear "peep" sight was issued specifically to snipers and LR marksmen.

This is what I have been told, I do not know the accuracy of this information, so I take the 5Th. All the knowledge I can get from you guys is well welcomed!..

From what I can tell 03/A3 started in production in 1942. They where a less expensive version of the 03 stamped bottom metal ect.

Personally I don't know anything about an 03 except:
My Grandfather was a corporal in the 37th Ohio Volunteer Infantry when he went to France at the tender age of 17.(He lied about his age)
He had been issued an Eddystone 1917 Enfield.

The first dead fella he came across had a Springfield and grandpa dithched that Enfield and carried a Springfield for the remainder of the war.

I recently had the pleasure of shooting an 03A3 that belongs to one of my buddies who is a milsurp rifle nut.He's an officer with our local police dept.
He (Scott) kinda ran me up the flagpole.He handed me an 03A3 and a stripper clip full of tracers.
The target was a 12 inch wide 30 inch tall plate at 400 yards.

Kneeling I hit it 3 out of five.The other two were very close.
Scott's partner was with us that morning.Scott lokked at his partner and told him they were through.If he had to get in a shootout he wanted me backing him up.

Helluva rifle. Enjoy it and shoot it like you stole it.
I'm jealous.

Howard

Could not agree more about just having fun with a Springfield. I searched for quite a while before I did find a very fine '03, Remington, made in '41 just before they switched to the 03/A3. All components stamped w/ R for Remington. Removed original stock and gave to collector friend of mine and replaced with one of the CMP "C" pistol grip styles(Boyd's makes them for the CMP)and did the unforgivable act of having it drilled and tapped for scope. Not a typical scope, but like new Unertl 1.5", 16x and modified the rear of the upper handguard to appear just like the original sniper version of WWII. Checked bore with Hawkey scope and it is excellent and accuracy with good loads is very good. Easy 1moa with about anything I shoot in it. I have a fair number of rifles, but this Springfield is one of my favorites and indeed a lot of fun.

Remington actually made three different variations of the Model 1903: 1941 thru March 1942, where in fact 1903'S, after March of 42, they were called 1903 Modified. The modifieds still had the rear sight mounted on the barrel. Then in December 1942, the 1903-A3 production began, with the rear sight mounted on the rear receiver bridge. While the A3, may have some stamped parts, I believe they are easier to shoot because of the rear sight. At any point looking at your very nice A-3, it was made after December 1942, with my guess being early 1944. BTW, can you show us a picture of the barrel markings?

Regards

Jerry

"Hatcher's Notebook" by Maj. Gen. Julian H Hatcher, Page 8 states:

"On May 21, 1942 this simplified form of Springfield was approved for manufacture under the name of Rifle Caliber .30 Modeld of 1903 A3."

Remington first made the 1903 but "immediately started studies and experiments on design changes to make manufacute simpler and easier."
One change was to switch to a two groove barrel which proved to be little different than four groove in performance. One distinct improvement was the switch to receiver mounted peep sight. The A3's were supplied with both pistol grip (type C) stocks or the straight stock. Upper hand guard covered the space previously occupied by rear sight on the 03."

Some sheet metal stampings were used on the A3's including, Trigger guard/magazine floorplate, Upper band assembly, Butt plate, Follower.

L C Smith-Corona Typewriters, Inc. also manufactured A3's, starting production on Oct. 24, 1942 and ending on Feb. 19, 1944 w/rifle #4,845,831.

Regards,
hm

Would add that upon asking my 'smith to arrange to have the rifle drilled and tapped he mentioned that some are difficult to do for the receivers are on the "hard" side. We did a hardness test and on the C scale it came in at just over 40. That seemed a bit high to me, but all went well.

Guys: FYI Brownells, has a special fluted drill, that makes drilling hard receivers a piece of cake.

Jerry