What would be a good modern functional scope for a m1903a3

[03RN]

I've got a weaver k 3 on my m1903. I feel like I could do a lot better shooting with a better scope... but then ... it's a m1903. I don't really want sone crazy scope on there. What would be a good scope that would look right on it.

Im on the fence that a leupold 3-9x40 with cds dial would be the best model scope that would look right on it.

 

[Random Guy]

I feel like I could do a lot better shooting with a better scope... but then ... it's a m1903. I don't really want sone crazy scope on there. What would be a I I good scope that would look right on it.

I would not change the scope on that rifle. There is really no clearance with the M1903A3 wood handguard for a modern scope with a modern/large objective bell - unless you mount it ridiculously high and destroy the simple ergonomics of that vintage rifle in the process. The best 1950s era scope that looks "right" is the Kollmorgen 4x Bear Cub scope, but even with its small 34mm objective - you still have to sand down the handguard with the typical low rings that you find on that rifles. To me, sanding a clearance cut into the rear handguard should be avoided. That handguard makes fitting a modern scope on a 1903 difficult and/or ungainly. Here's the sanding issue I noted:

Again, I'd leave your rifle as-is, it looks appropriate with that old K3 scope, and I think its legal for the CMP vintage sniper matches in that configuration. If guys can compete at 300 and 600 yards with old scope on replica M190A4s, it's good enough. Spend your money on match ammo instead.

 

[03RN]

Thanks for that visual. I guess I'll leave it alone.

 

[TorF]

Weaver mounts are sort of "QD", so a modern 30mm scope don't look completely out of place in the woods or on the range. I would not mind do some hunting with one of these scopes and have the K3 as a display scope.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Somehow my first sentence didn't take... damn phones. You could consider a Kollmorgen..

Nice old scope. Is still very capable, somewhat period… and has a small bell.

But I agree with the above: leave it be!

Sirhr

 

[Mister Ridge]

If they weren't so expensive and hard to find, I'd recomend a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24mm.

 

[matthias]

Maybe cruise gunbroker for vintage leupold scopes. Some of the older m8 scopes are quite nice. I believe they came in several magnifications and they have a smaller objective bell.

 

[ZG47A]

Maybe cruise gunbroker for vintage leupold scopes. Some of the older m8 scopes are quite nice. I believe they came in several magnifications and they have a smaller objective bell.

The Leupold M8 4x that was discontinued circa 1989-90 has a 28mm objective lens and 3.6x magnification. True eye relief of that scope is approximately 3.6 inches. It was popular on Parker Hale conversions of the SMLE No.1 Mk III and rifles with similar backsight setups.