question about 03a3 springfield

[grizzlyadams1874]

a friend of mine has one of these that he wants to sell. it is sporterized but i still want it. it has a nicely done walnut sporter stock and very nice adjustable open sights on it. not drilled and tapped for scope mounts. what is a fair market price for on of these rifles. i am relatively sure that it has been reblued also as it's in very nice shape. tia

[Larry L]

Around here an 03a3 that's been sporterized in an after market wood stock with decent wood, a scope in the 4-6 power range of decent quality, that is real clean will bring about $350.00- $450.00 depending on how good the wood and how good the scope. An open sights rifle would be about 100 bucks less depending on the brand of sights. Williams would be the cheapest with Redfield or Lyman peeps bringing the most. Because its been sporterized, it's real doubtful it has any collector value at all. The good news, even with a pitted barrel I've seen these old Springfields still shoot groups of an inch at 100 yds- 2 groove or 4 groove- doesn't matter. If the serial number is over 800,000, it will have a nickel receiver of the correct heat treatment. If under that, it's a real old receiver and is suspect.

[mannyrock]

Gentlemen,
   The 03A3 is not the same rifle as the 1903 Springfield.  The 03A3 was a cheapened version of the Springfield, and all of them were made during WWII, as a wartime product to make them fast and cheap.  They were issued to U.S. Marines to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese, before the M1 Garand was put into mass production.
   The pre-800,000 serial number issue does not apply to the 03A3, only to the 1903 Springfields made prior to and during WWI, by substitute factory workers who didn't know how to property heat the steel without burning it and making it brittle.
   The 03A3s are nice rifles, primarily because they have a great adjustable peep sight.  But, the metal they used was so hard that the bolt never slicks-up with use.  It always feels "sticky" when you cycle it.
   In my experience, sporterized 03A3s, regardless of how nice, are only $250 to $350 rifle.  These rifles in original excellent condition sold for about $25 to $50 in the early 1960s.  Due this cheap price, thousands were bought up and sporterized, often by guys working in their garages.
   In my opinion there is simply no reason to buy one of these sporterized rifles, when you can find high quality rifles (like used Remington ADL) in the same price range.
  Hope this helps.
Mannyrock
 
 
 
 
 

[S.B.]

$300-$450 in central Illinois.
Steve

[FPH]

I just finished one and have done some research on them.  $450.00 seems to be about tops. 

[S.B.]

Gentlemen,
   The 03A3 is not the same rifle as the 1903 Springfield.  The 03A3 was a cheapened version of the Springfield, and all of them were made during WWII, as a wartime product to make them fast and cheap.  They were issued to U.S. Marines to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese, before the M1 Garand was put into mass production.
   The pre-800,000 serial number issue does not apply to the 03A3, only to the 1903 Springfields made prior to and during WWI, by substitute factory workers who didn't know how to property heat the steel without burning it and making it brittle.
   The 03A3s are nice rifles, primarily because they have a great adjustable peep sight.  But, the metal they used was so hard that the bolt never slicks-up with use.  It always feels "sticky" when you cycle it.
   In my experience, sporterized 03A3s, regardless of how nice, are only $250 to $350 rifle.  These rifles in original excellent condition sold for about $25 to $50 in the early 1960s.  Due this cheap price, thousands were bought up and sporterized, often by guys working in their garages.
   In my opinion there is simply no reason to buy one of these sporterized rifles, when you can find high quality rifles (like used Remington ADL) in the same price range.
  Hope this helps.
Mannyrock
 

Actiallly, The Marines only accepted the 03A3s after much complaining to top officials. Then they turned in their beloved 03s for the M1s.

Steve

[cwlongshot]

Gentlemen,
   The 03A3 is not the same rifle as the 1903 Springfield.  The 03A3 was a cheapened version of the Springfield, and all of them were made during WWII, as a wartime product to make them fast and cheap.  They were issued to U.S. Marines to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese, before the M1 Garand was put into mass production.
   The pre-800,000 serial number issue does not apply to the 03A3, only to the 1903 Springfields made prior to and during WWI, by substitute factory workers who didn't know how to property heat the steel without burning it and making it brittle.
   The 03A3s are nice rifles, primarily because they have a great adjustable peep sight.  But, the metal they used was so hard that the bolt never slicks-up with use.  It always feels "sticky" when you cycle it.
   In my experience, sporterized 03A3s, regardless of how nice, are only $250 to $350 rifle.  These rifles in original excellent condition sold for about $25 to $50 in the early 1960s.  Due this cheap price, thousands were bought up and sporterized, often by guys working in their garages.
   In my opinion there is simply no reason to buy one of these sporterized rifles, when you can find high quality rifles (like used Remington ADL) in the same price range.
  Hope this helps.
Mannyrock

I agree, Excellent post manny!!
 In my mind, buying a Springfield should be a orig or near orig. If you want a good hunting rifle buy a good used Remington or like rifle of your choice for the same or even less $$.



I do have a Sporterized Springfield, it was sporterized by my grandfather and my father, sometime in the mid 1950's. For me it has personal value and for this reason will be cherished.  One of these days I will break it out and shoot another deer with it.

I lean toward the Mausers over the Springfields. 

CW

[tturner53]

I have 3 03a3s, one was sporterised. It has the slickest bolt I've ever tried. I can't imagine it's possible to get any slicker. There's something to be said for hunting with a piece of history, for some guys. Modern rifles in this price range just don't look like much to me, although I'm sure they are accurate and dependable guns. If you can get it for a decent price I say go for it.

[S.B.]

tturner53, try a Krag?
Steve

[Curtis]

tturner53, try a Krag?
Steve

I second that.  The bolts on both my Krags will glide in either direction by just tilting the rifle about 30 degrees or so.  It is impressive.
 
Curtis

[tturner53]

My 03a3 sporter bolt glides like that. The issue ones don't. I'd love to have a Krag, it's on my bucket list. So's a Trapdoor. If I can stop buying $250 guns long enough to save up a grand I'll have a Krag for sure. Almost bought a $400 Trapdoor off GB, but decided to pass. Too good to be true.

[S.B.]

Krags don't have as many locking lugs as Springfields. Havdloaders have to be careful not to load to the point where pressure become too great, or the bolt will crack.ONe theng that you must check when buying one(cracked bolt).
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

Gentlemen,
   The 03A3 is not the same rifle as the 1903 Springfield.  The 03A3 was a cheapened version of the Springfield, and all of them were made during WWII, as a wartime product to make them fast and cheap.  They were issued to U.S. Marines to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese, before the M1 Garand was put into mass production.
   The pre-800,000 serial number issue does not apply to the 03A3, only to the 1903 Springfields made prior to and during WWI, by substitute factory workers who didn't know how to property heat the steel without burning it and making it brittle.
   The 03A3s are nice rifles, primarily because they have a great adjustable peep sight.  But, the metal they used was so hard that the bolt never slicks-up with use.  It always feels "sticky" when you cycle it.
   In my experience, sporterized 03A3s, regardless of how nice, are only $250 to $350 rifle.  These rifles in original excellent condition sold for about $25 to $50 in the early 1960s.  Due this cheap price, thousands were bought up and sporterized, often by guys working in their garages.
   In my opinion there is simply no reason to buy one of these sporterized rifles, when you can find high quality rifles (like used Remington ADL) in the same price range.
  Hope this helps.
Mannyrock
 
Actiallly, The Marines only accepted the 03A3s after much complaining to top officials. Then they turned in their beloved 03s for the M1s.

Steve
 

From what I read the marines liberated M-1's from the Army ( in the islands) every chance they got until they were issued to them.

[S.B.]

Shootall, could you please type that in something other than blue? Too hard on my old eyes.
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

Shootall, could you please type that in something other than blue? Too hard on my old eyes.
Steve

Sorry , I have read that the marines liberated M-1's from the army (in the islands ) every chance they got until issued them. It was so bad as the marines were loading back on their transport ships the army was watching and taking back the M-1's.

[S.B.]

Shootall, where did you read this? NOt saying it's untrue but, far different than what I've read?
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

I will need to look it was a book about a guy that recived the Medal Of Hornor for what he did in the pafic during WW2 . It was about his life during the war and after. He was credited with many kills and many more maybe's. It was very sad how it effected his life and anyone who reads it will gain respect for those who go into combat.
 I have also see it noted in magazine articles . But it is easy to see how it could happen when you consider the rate of fire over a bolt gun and the love of the Jap's to charge .

[SHOOTALL]

Shootall, could you please type that in something other than blue? Too hard on my old eyes.
Steve

Check out Phantom Warrior by Forrest Bryant Johnson , Its A true story about John McKinney's action in WW2 .

[alsatian]

I too have a sporterized .Springfield.  The barrel and action are original (bolt modified for use with scope).  The stock was made from a walnut stock blank by my deceased father.  The stock is beautiful and has an extra long length of pull -- a 15.5" trigger pull -- which is just right for me: I'm 6'2" tall.  Standard manufactured rifles seem to all have a length of pull of about 13.5".  I can live with that, I guess, but I do like the feel of that longer length of pull.
I use my sporterized Springfield to hunt elk and have taken two bulls with it.  I'm sure my father would take great pleasure in knowing I've used his rifle to take bull elk at 11000' in the mountains of Colorado.  The rifle is very accurate.  I've also got a Remington ADL .30-06 with a black synthetic stock that I take on my hunts as a back-up rifle. If the weather is bad, I may leave the Springfield in the truck to protect that nice walnut stock, but so far I haven't run into any rain while elk hunting.  I love the looks of the Springfield action and the thought of hunting with such a classic firearm.

[gcrank1]

Griz, if he gives you a good fair price I say get it, if it passes your approval. Many of us are into this for more than just using a gun as a tool; the esthetics matter. I regret getting rid of a 1928 S.F. '03 that had been sporterized in a pre-WWII style, and likewise a Krag sporter. Both were no good to a collector, but my, were they good guns with history and class.