I just purchased an 'as new' Springfield 03A3 mfd by Smith-Corona - 100% AI gun EXCEPT it has a nice, checkered Fajen sporter stock. This piece still has the original GI sights, bottom metal, etc - everything except the stock!
Now my question is this: Should I look for a GI stock and hdwe to return this thing to military or should I just shoot it and enjoy it 'as is' now?
Any comments and info welcome.

Yes, return it to its former and proper glory as a service rifle. Dump that damn sporter stock...

Why do people have to do that stupid stuff?

quote:

Originally posted by TrapperP:
I just purchased an 'as new' Springfield 03A3 mfd by Smith-Corona - 100% AI gun EXCEPT it has a nice, checkered Fajen sporter stock. This piece still has the original GI sights, bottom metal, etc - everything except the stock!
Now my question is this: Should I look for a GI stock and hdwe to return this thing to military or should I just shoot it and enjoy it 'as is' now?
Any comments and info welcome.

IF the ONLY change is a different stock, by all means restore it to as-issued condition!!

I guess I can understand why some one would sporterize a rifle like the 03, k98,and others,

But damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

For god's sake return it to it's natural state!

Where is the big sin in sporterizing a 1903A3?

That particular model, from that particular manufacturer, is hardly something rare or valuable...and very few A3’s were ever used in combat.

Geez...you guys are sounding like someone is about to destroy a valuable or nostalgic piece of military history.

Any part of military history is worth preserving, PERIOD. It matters not that it likely hasn't seen combat. What matters what it is and the intended purpose of the rifle.

There are so many "commercial" rifles and actions out there. Why bastardize something that is disappearing? They are becoming much more scarse and there are a lot of people who would appreciate the military and historical significance of that rifle in its military trim.

To sporterize a military rifle is to rip the hearts out of many people who value them in their former glory...

Amen Trapdoor.

As someone who has in the past chopped up many a military gun, there comes a point where you regress back into loving the old originals the best.

-Spencer

For God’s sakes guys...you’re acting like someone is wanting to paint over the Cistine Chapel ceiling!

The rifle has already been converted once (that you know of) so it ain’t exactly like starting out with a pristine full trim military model and “butchering†it.

I have six 1903’s, two 1917 Enfields, and two 1898 US Krags. One of each is in full military trim and the others are sporters or on their way to becoming such... and I certainly don’t feel as though any of them are “less†than the others.

Just about all the custom gun makers prior to the 1950’s used military actions as the basis for some of the most beautiful and valuable rifles ever made. Was this a sin?

1903’s and 1903A3’s are far from being rare or scarce. CMP is still selling them for $400 bucks...and you can find tables full of them at any gun show. In addition, there are at least two companies that I am aware of that refurbish and sell 1903’s and 1903A3’s in full military trim with new barrels, new stocks and new parkerizing.

Let’s keep things in perspective. Do whatever you want with your rifles, but Geeeeeeeeeez, it certainly ain’t a mortal sin to sporterize a military rifle.

A visit to Shop Cart Racing’s web site will quickly show you how much he is against sporterizing military rifles. Those are nice FIBERGLASS sporter stocks for military rifles that you are selling!

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
For God’s sakes guys...you’re acting like someone is wanting to paint over the Cistine Chapel ceiling!

Yep, that 'bout covers it...

quote:

The rifle has already been converted once (that you know of) so it ain’t exactly like starting out with a pristine full trim military model and “butchering†it.

According to TrapperP, it's 100% military except the stock. So, put a military stock on it and return it to its former GLORY!

quote:

I have six 1903’s, two 1917 Enfields, and two 1898 US Krags. One of each is in full military trim and the others are sporters or on their way to becoming such... and I certainly don’t feel as though any of them are “less†than the others.

Oh, God, I don't want to hear that!

quote:

Just about all the custom gun makers prior to the 1950’s used military actions as the basis for some of the most beautiful and valuable rifles ever made. Was this a sin?

This aint the '50's. And, Yes, it was a sin!

quote:

1903’s and 1903A3’s are far from being rare or scarce. CMP is still selling them for $400 bucks...and you can find tables full of them at any gun show. In addition, there are at least two companies that I am aware of that refurbish and sell 1903’s and 1903A3’s in full military trim with new barrels, new stocks and new parkerizing.

Yes, I know this. But they ain makin' 'em anymore, so their numbers are limited.

quote:

Let’s keep things in perspective. Do whatever you want with your rifles, but Geeeeeeeeeez, it certainly ain’t a mortal sin to sporterize a military rifle.

Yes, it is a mortal sin.... and you're going to Hell!

This is the Military Surplus Forumn. Here we talk about military rifles. We here appreciate the glory and honor these rifles have earned and we celebrate these qualities.

I cannot stop anyone from sporterizing a fine military arm, but if I can play a part in returning a "sporterized" son to its true and regal former self, I'm going to try, because that is what he deserves.

Rick:
If you have other 03s, shoot the damn thing and enjoy it. To really return it to Military trappings, you would have to find a stock with the proper inspecters marks on it. This usually means trashing another rifle just for the stock. Simply putting a replacment stock on it would make it look GI but would not do anything for a collector. I have a 3 in 280 Rem that I am glad someone did a great job on. It shots like a dream and looks like the prettier of the Hilton girls (but with more brains).
I have a M-1 that is colector grade except that a replacment stock was put on it. I was advised to get a CMP M-1 change the stock and then sell the CMP rifle with the unmarked stock on it. Too much trouble. I will use it in High Power shoots and then retire it.
Say hello th eyour son from the Brower family.
Judge Sharpe

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeSharpe:
Rick:
If you have other 03s, shoot the damn thing and enjoy it. To really return it to Military trappings, you would have to find a stock with the proper inspecters marks on it. This usually means trashing another rifle just for the stock. Simply putting a replacment stock on it would make it look GI but would not do anything for a collector. I have a 3 in 280 Rem that I am glad someone did a great job on. It shots like a dream and looks like the prettier of the Hilton girls (but with more brains).
I have a M-1 that is colector grade except that a replacment stock was put on it. I was advised to get a CMP M-1 change the stock and then sell the CMP rifle with the unmarked stock on it. Too much trouble. I will use it in High Power shoots and then retire it.
Say hello th eyour son from the Brower family.
Judge Sharpe

Thank you Judge...I just spent three days with him and his wife and kids as he is home on leave. He returns to the sand box on Friday.

I shoot and use all my rifles...I don’t own any “collectors†pieces.

Don’t get me wrong...I love anything military, but I really think that making such a big fuss over a very common 1903A3 is just a bit silly.

The one guy on here that claims its a sin to sporterize these things has store/website selling the parts to do it! He carries fiberglass, skeletonized stocks for military rifles, scope mounts for military rifles, etc. If it’s such a sin why doesn’t he stop selling that stuff?

“This is the Military Surplus Forumn. Here we talk about military rifles. We here appreciate the glory and honor these rifles have earned and we celebrate these qualities†[ Quote from Trapdoor]

Hey, Trapdoor!

Look up “surplus†in the dictionary...you’ll normally find it somewhere between SUCK and SYPHILIS!

So is sporterizing always bad?

quote:

Originally posted by sputster:
So is sporterizing always bad?

It would appear so...according to some on here!

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:
Where is the big sin in sporterizing a 1903A3?

That particular model, from that particular manufacturer, is hardly something rare or valuable...and very few A3’s were ever used in combat.

Geez...you guys are sounding like someone is about to destroy a valuable or nostalgic piece of military history.

I would agree with you - 30 or so years ago, before the majority of Springfields were chopped up.....

Riddle me this: how come sporterizing an M1903 causes such an uproar, but sporterizing a K98 is reason for celebration?

Last I checked, they ain't making any more of them either.

Don't get me wrong. I personally don't give a rip about what someone does with their own property. I just want someone to explain that seeming double standard to me.

quote:

Originally posted by HP Shooter:
Riddle me this: how come sporterizing an M1903 causes such an uproar, but sporterizing a K98 is reason for celebration?

Last I checked, they ain't making any more of them either.

Don't get me wrong. I personally don't give a rip about what someone does with their own property. I just want someone to explain that seeming double standard to me.

AMEN!!!!!!

No celebration here...

Trapdoor,

I don’t think anyone is “recommending†sporterizing a military rifle... but some of us just happen to believe that if someone does choose to do so it shouldn’t be considered as defiling the Holy Grail!

I have a 1943 M1-30 carbine that is original - clips, bayonet, sling, oiler and tech manual.

Also have a K-31 that is all matching but has a refinish job on the stock.

Last have a Vz-24 Mauser that has been sporterized. Beautiful stock with a glass bed action and a scout scope added at rear sight position.

I'm no collector. My favorite and the most used is the Mauser.

actually a smith corona 03a3 is somewhat rare.I have one in very good condition with a 6 groove barrel.The price is only going up.

quote:

Originally posted by jb:
actually a smith corona 03a3 is somewhat rare.I have one in very good condition with a 6 groove barrel.The price is only going up.

Smith Corona did make the fewest number of 03A3’s, just under a quarter of a million, and Savage made those six groove barrels for them. The Smith Corona stocks were all made by a company that made billiard balls and bowling pins!

Seems to me that there are plenty of butchered military rifles haunting the gun shows and gun shops. No need to mutilate any more. If one wants to play with a certain type of action it would be no trouble to pick up a decent mongrel anywhere.