CMP 1903 & 1903A3 arrived.

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How do the bores look? Have you been able to measure MW or TE ? Either way, they're a great piece of history.
 
they also look to be low numbered serial# below 850,000 which makes them unsafe to shoot?? because of the bad heat treating on the recievers.
 
The bores were what was stopping me. I have an 03A3, but would like to get an 03. I got an Enfield last year that had a pretty rough bore from firing blanks (6" to 8" groups only).

Does anyone sell new barrels for those old rifles?
 
I haven't had a good look at the bores, yet. I don't have a TE gauge, but the muzzles look good, from just a quick glance.

Glimmerman, I admit to not knowing too much about the heat treatment issue, and where the serial number cutoff is, but the Springfield I ordered was specifically listed as a high-numbered rifle and safe to shoot. I'm still learning about these rifles. edit: The CMP says 800,000 is where the heat treating was changed. So, my 1903 should be safe to fire.

Overall, the rifles are in good shape. A few dings in the wood, and lots of minor scratches, but otherwise nice. A little clean-up on the stocks is in the plans.
 
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My CMP '03 is great

I tried to get an '03A3 for years and finally "settled" for a straight stocked '03. Boy am I glad I did.

The '03 sight seemed way too complicated to me, with multiple notches, peep sights and that "Christmas tree thing" when you flipped it up and I was already used to using a peep sight anyway.

I finally had a guy at one meet that really knew his way around the '03 and spent some time with me showing me how to set up the '03 sight for different distances.

(General comment: people at shooting meets have to be the nicest folks around, they'll share their experience, their ammo, stripper clips or just about anything else you need.)

I've shot the '03 now at a couple of meets so far, the last one two weeks ago. At 200 yards it was a lot more accurate than i was but put plenty of rounds in the black.

Now buy yourself a couple of cases of 30.06 M-2 Ball and have fun!
 
DonP, the ammo is on order, along with a handful of stripper clips.

For now, education and cleaning are the top priorities.
 
It's been said many times, but bears repeating.

The '03 Springfield (complex sight system and all) is a real rifleman's weapon.

If you don't believe me, ask any of the Marines that carried one in the South Pacific Islands campaign.

Start saving up now for one of those reproduction '03 16" bayonets and the matching scabbard. Has no impact on shooting, but they look so darn cool on that rifle.
 
My suggestion:

Get yourself a good leather '07 sling and learn to use it. It makes a big difference, but it does take some time to figure out how to set it up properly.

There is a web site with some great old 1950's style photgraphs about how to use it and I can't recall what it is now. Maybe someone else will have it on hand.

The CMP sells them as accessories if I recall. But any gun show will have some on the tables and most of the mail order shops have them too. Just make sure you get a good one with good hardware. It takes some time to break it in, like anything leather, but once you get the hang of it, it's a world of difference.
 
Wow. That CMP '03 looks a lot better than mine. Mine was practically in the white, and the wood looks like a tent stake. However, the bore in mine is pretty darned good. So...trade-offs.

Mike
 
Nice.

I wish I could have afforded an 03 AND an 03a3. As is, I am still waiting for my CMP a3 still.
 
Well, I just eye-balled the bores. The rifling looks good to me, but I'm far from an expert.

What I see: Looking down the bore from the muzzle, bolt removed of course, I see the four ridges plainly on both rifles. The overhead light and my flashlight create shadows off of the ridges. There is no obvious rusting or pitting on either rifle. The rifling is more worn right near the muzzle, but there aren't any dings in the crown.

I really need someone with knowledge, and a bore scope to check 'em out.

BTW, the barrels are stamped RA 2-43 with the proof bomb on the 03A3 and RIA 6-17 on the 1903. Dates of manufacture, yes?
 
Not that I'm about to buy one (too much like a mauser), but couldn't the low serial number receivers be re-heat treated? Seems like it wouldn't be that hard.
 
I used one quarter of a bottle of solvent and half of a bag of patches on the two rifle bores. Took nearly two hours to do it, too. But, I was watching Band of Brothers which sure made the cleaning more enjoyable.

The 1903 shows moderate pitting, viewed from the muzzle with only my eye, but still sharp rifling.

The 03A3 has no pitting that I can see and the rifling looks excellent. Overall, the A3 is in much better condition than the '03.

If the weather ever gets warm again I'll take 'em to the range to see what they can do.
 
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