How do SA 1903 variants compare??

[aspen1964]

..if looking for a Springfield 1903, how do the different sub-models compare as to desirability?..i.e.....A1, A3, etc...

 

[MachIVshooter]

The M1903 (or 1903A1) is the original.

The '03A2 is a subcaliber device for cannons.

The '03A3 is the later version, in which the stock was simplified, the trigger housing and mag baseplate stamped (rather than machined), and the rear sight moved to the back of the reciever.

The '03A4 is a sniper rifle, built on the '03A3.

 

[mordrid52]

There is also the Mark I 1903 for use with the Pedersen Device. Mainly just of historical interest since you'll never see a Pedersen Device outside of a museum. Wikipedia has a good rundown of the different versions here.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

The M1903 was the the first (it has the sights up in front of the action). Fine shooter, and generally well made (based on the Mauser). Make sure your serial number is above 805,000 (I think that is right, you can check at CMP) so that you are sure you got the proper heat treated recievers.
The M1903A3 was cranked out at the start of WWII and is just as good, although often cruder in workmanship (this does not effect the rifles function, just appearance), the sights are back behind the action---more like the M1917.
Either is a great bolt action .30-'06 shooter with a good barrel. Really just a copy of the Mauser, but made of AMERICAN steel and wood--and that counts for sumtin'.

 

[mordrid52]

The issues with low number 1903s are vastly overrated. Go here for a very good write up about it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Make sure your serial number is above 805,000 (I think that is right, you can check at CMP) so that you are sure you got the proper heat treated recievers.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. Mine is well below 800,000. It was rebarreled in '42, so obviously had seen significant use.

I suspect most of the 1903's that were going to have a problem had it long ago. Remaining specimens are ~80 years old and have likely had counless rounds through them.

IIRC, there were only a hanful of cases in which the reciever failed, and even fewer resulted in significant injury. No one ever died as a result.

 

[Novus Collectus]

The M1903 (or 1903A1) is the original.

The '03A2 is a subcaliber device for cannons.

The '03A3 is the later version, in which the stock was simplified, the trigger housing and mag baseplate stamped (rather than machined), and the rear sight moved to the back of the reciever.

The '03A4 is a sniper rifle, built on the '03A3.

The origional M1903 was just an M1903 and not a M1903A1. The A1 was the M1903 with a C stock and didn't come out until the late 20s..

 

[Novus Collectus]

The M1903 was the the first (it has the sights up in front of the action). Fine shooter, and generally well made (based on the Mauser). Make sure your serial number is above 805,000 (I think that is right, you can check at CMP) so that you are sure you got the proper heat treated recievers.

That is for the Sprinfield Armory made rifles. For the Rock Island rifles the serial number that had problems was something like less than 250,000 or so.
I have a Rock Island low serial number rifle and I have put a few thousand rounds through it no problem.
Basically all the rifles that the receiver failed in occurred before or during WWI and I don't think any have failed since, so I am pretty confident mine is fine.