I'm looking at a very reasonably priced remington 1903, S/N 3294XXX. It's been re-blued and has a Lyman receiver sight with target knobs and a perfect bore.

Is there anything particularly desirable or undesirable about this vintage Springfield ? all I want it for is a truck gun for camping/fishing.

Thanks in advance

I have an 03 that was modified for some outdoor writer to use as an Alaskan pack/fishing gun. The barrel is cut to 16" and wood shortened and hardware reinstalled. Original front sight base reinstalle and Tall Redfield Sourdough installer. Bolt handle modified for scope clearance. Winchester side swing style safety installed. Lyman Alaskan in Griffin&Howe side mount and compass set in the left side of buttstock. Trap original butt plate contained an old plastic tube that used to come with all poloroid film full of stick kitchen matches.Original web sling. Mods were done by Les Womack and it shoots very well. I did replace the original trigger with a Timney. Perfect knockabout gun. Original parkerize. The action is a Remington. Barrel is a two groove.

If the price is right, then the 03 with good peep sights would make a fine hunting rifle. If you get the gun and have the urge to cut the barrel to 16", you might be better served carrying a camp gun like I carry in my truck. A 12 guage with and extended magazine, loaded with alternating slugs and 00 buck. Makes a great 100 yard or less stopper/sweeper.

The Springfield is my favorite rifle..I try to give every one I find that some gunsmith has worked over a good home.. most times they only bring around $200.. and when you add up the "extras" like Drill-tap, new bolt handle, most have a new low safety, some have new triggers.. it's like getting the rifle itself FREE!!.. guess I've got around a dozen of 'em.. Les

quote:

Originally posted by free_miner:
I'm looking at a very reasonably priced remington 1903, S/N 3294XXX. It's been re-blued and has a Lyman receiver sight with target knobs and a perfect bore.

Is there anything particularly desirable or undesirable about this vintage Springfield ? all I want it for is a truck gun for camping/fishing.

Thanks in advance

I had a Remington from WWII, and rechambered it to .308 Norma, had it restocked in Fre=nch Walnut by Paul Jaeger, put a Leupold 4X scope and a Lyman 48 aperture sight on it. I used it a lot for over 20 years. It was an excellent rifle.

I never had an '06 with that short a barrel but my very first centerfire rifle was a Krag that I cut to 16". When I shot it every pine cone for an acre around fell down ... and it permanently damaged my hearing. Sixty years on my ears are still ringing.

Freeminer there is nothing un-desireable about that Springfield. Very desireable weapon and it is well past the manufacture range of what some people call "weak" recievers.
I am looking for one myself but all that I find it local pawnshops are really expensive($400's)
I'd like to spend about $250 or so.