Armory Sponsor
Posted: 5/1/2016 12:21:32 AM EDT
|
I've been eyeing this rifle, but I don't know much about them. I believe it is a RIA with a 4 digit serial number in the 6000's. It is in very nice shape. Seller wants $300 for it. Is it worth getting and finding a non cut replacement stock? Are these older rifles safe to shoot with commercial ammo?
Any advice and insight would be appreciated. Thanks 
|
| Well quick search that goes from $250-2,800 depending on caliber. From my quick search if it is 30.06 it is on the higher end. Anything else lower end. Only one pic showed up and from what it show stock looks pretty good. Cannot tell the blueing or anything else. Yet if they want $300 offer $250 and work the way up. Now my searches were purely basted of 1903 Springfield. |
|
Low SN Springfields are generally considered unsafe to fire.
http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/rifle_sales/m1903-m1903a3/ You see there an unsafe rifle that has been bubba'ed. I can't tell you if it's even worth putting correct wood on it just to have a mantle decoration. That's up to you. |
|
If it were me, I would buy it, un-bubba it, and shoot cast bullets out of it. Commercial ammo is a no go in those low S/N M1903s, Springfield and RIA alike. If i remember correctly the correction for heat treat issues for RIAs was in the high 200,000s S/N range.
I recently paid $325 for one in similar condition, so I'd be all over one at $300 or less. |
|
Quoted:
If it were me, I would buy it, un-bubba it, and shoot cast bullets out of it. Commercial ammo is a no go in those low S/N M1903s, Springfield and RIA alike. If i remember correctly the correction for heat treat issues for RIAs was in the high 200,000s S/N range. I recently paid $325 for one in similar condition, so I'd be all over one at $300 or less. 285,507 |
|
The price doesn't sound too bad to me. I don't know how worried you are of it slipping away but take a few days and do some research on it. If it is in mostly original condition and is a WW-I era gun it will take a while to find the right stock but you will have a good gun afterwards. Does the stock that comes with it have any markings on it? If so, they will be clues for what you need to replace it with.
Also, can you take it apart (field strip) to photo the parts and stampings on them? If so, they are all clues that can tell you how long it was in service before it was sold off. If it was sold off early perhaps the updates end at or before WW-I. Did the gun go through the post WW-I rebuild cycle? If not, and you can get your hands on a correct original stock from the proper date you will have a nice rifle. As for shooting early 1903's, that is a decision you will have to make yourself. Do some research and think it through for a while. The guns don't just blow up because they are early 1903's. The very few that did fail (or still will) did so because of faulty cases/ ammo or bore obstructions. If you decide to shoot it, use factory ammo made for service rifles like the PPU M-1 Garand 150 grain stuff. Don't use hopped up hot modern hunting stuff. Make damned sure the cases are good and the proper powder/ bullets are used if you decide to reload for it. I would not get it if you just want it for a shooter. |
Armory Sponsor
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.