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Posted: 3/5/2026 10:10:08 AM EDT
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Turning 40 later this month. Thinking I might use that as an excuse to add another gun ive always wanted Anything I need to watch out for with these? I figured 03a3 because they had the issues with heat treating worked out and because of the sights. I want a shooter, it's not a showpiece. Is gunbroker best bet nowadays? I've been watching ee for awhile unsuccessfully. $1000 get me a pretty decent shooter? Thanks |
| It really depends on if you want receiver sights or conventional. The heat treatment thing is over blown. The suspect heat treat were WW1 guns, the serial number range is well known (I don't have it in front of me at the moment). They're not super rare, I see them at most shows. CMP occasionally turns up a few. Generally the 03A3 will be in better condition. Most of those were issued to second line troops and didn't see a lot of front line use. |
| This may be a good source, but "coming soon" can be a long time with the CMP: https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1903-m1903a3-rifle-information/ |
If you don't have a plan, you can't change it.
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They should all be safe in the 03A3 category. You’re buying condition and stock style, there are straight grips, scant pistol grips and the 1903a3C model with the full pistol grip like the Garand. At age 40 you are way better off with the O3a3 as it has a thicker front sight and the rear peep, the ,03 has a very thin sheet metal front blade and an open rear notch battle sight. The ladder sight is quite nice but around your age that thin front sight would tend to disappear from view. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By fatboyslim34: I don't see a wtb on the ee for anything other than ak or ar? https://www.ar15.com/exchange/manageTopicEE.html?a=init |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
LETS GO REDWINGS!!!
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
LETS GO REDWINGS!!!
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Thanks brother |
| The "heat treatment" rifles/ recievers has been blown way outta porportion. to the point that now the theory is failure was caused by improperley loaded ammo( factory) in some of the failures...friend of mine has a low # rifle that was sporterized years ago and has been used as deer rifle regulary. |
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1903a3 is my favorite because the sights. They are also the easiest to find in all original pristine condition. Around here they go for around $800 if mixmasters and $900-$1000 for really nice condition original rifles. A bunch of 1903a3’s were never used and went through Ogden Arsenal. They were marked OG on the side of the butt stock. If your looking for an original unmolested rifle, look for one of those. When looking at them, make sure the stock has no cracks, no holes added in the receivers for sights or scope, receiver has not been welded on at the cut off. Make sure it has a USGI stock and the stock has not been heavily sanded. I personally don’t even consider buying one if the receiver doesn’t have the original finish. Nice condition examples are common and not much more in cost to consider less. |
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Originally Posted By LittleAugieMo: The "heat treatment" rifles/ recievers has been blown way outta porportion. to the point that now the theory is failure was caused by improperley loaded ammo( factory) in some of the failures...friend of mine has a low # rifle that was sporterized years ago and has been used as deer rifle regulary. I've read Hatchers notebook and looked at the table of known failures, a bunch of them were people trying to shoot other calibers ( 8mm Mauser) out of the rifle. |
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Originally Posted By FlipTopLid: The CMP is supposed to be releasing expert grade 1903’s soon. They initially said January 2026. New barrel, new stocks, all or most parts are refinished. Their expert M1’s have been well received and are good shooters. They’re already in the stores, so should hit mail order relatively soon |
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Originally Posted By vellnueve: They’re already in the stores, so should hit mail order relatively soon Originally Posted By vellnueve: Originally Posted By FlipTopLid: The CMP is supposed to be releasing expert grade 1903’s soon. They initially said January 2026. New barrel, new stocks, all or most parts are refinished. Their expert M1’s have been well received and are good shooters. They’re already in the stores, so should hit mail order relatively soon How much were they in the stores? |
The value of Freedom is not realized until it is lost
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Originally Posted By FlipTopLid: The CMP is supposed to be releasing expert grade 1903’s soon. They initially said January 2026. New barrel, new stocks, all or most parts are refinished. Their expert M1’s have been well received and are good shooters. Would this still hold its value as history or just a good shooter? |
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Originally Posted By fatboyslim34: Would this still hold its value as history or just a good shooter? Originally Posted By fatboyslim34: Originally Posted By FlipTopLid: The CMP is supposed to be releasing expert grade 1903’s soon. They initially said January 2026. New barrel, new stocks, all or most parts are refinished. Their expert M1’s have been well received and are good shooters. Would this still hold its value as history or just a good shooter? With new parts, it would hurt its Historical value in the eyes of a serious collector. More than likely, it will be a nice shooter, though. |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
LETS GO REDWINGS!!!
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
LETS GO REDWINGS!!!
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Originally Posted By FlipTopLid: The CMP is supposed to be releasing expert grade 1903’s soon. They initially said January 2026. New barrel, new stocks, all or most parts are refinished. Their expert M1’s have been well received and are good shooters. All expert grades are built on reclaimed receivers now, that includes 1903A3 and Garands. Expert grades are built for shooting matches. Nothing wrong with a reclaimed receivers. They still hold some hold value but are never going gain value like a collector grade. They shouldn’t lose value. |
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I built an 03-A3 from a reclaimed drill rifle receiver. It has a brand new (old stock) 2-groove barrel. All of the parts are GI (I did initially purchase some repro parts, they ended up in the trash - don't bother!). It is a fantastic shooter, and very accurate. |
"The two things men never get to old to play with, electric trains and boobies." - substandard
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
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This was a sporter I fixed as well as I could. Its certainly not correct but I do really enjoy shooting it. I wouldn't mind getting another with the thinner wrist. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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