1903 NRA Sporter

[Forgetful Coyote]

For anybody in the market, theres one at benchrest central for 1400.. not sure if thats a good price or not but figured Id spread the word since I kinda doubt everyone here also happens to be a fan of benchrest..
Theres also a .25-06 on a pre-war M70 over there for 975$ for anyone wanting one to build off of...

https://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=11332

 

[kraigWY]

I've seen some dern nice '03 sporters that I would pay that much or more for, but that isnt one of them. Not impress, looks like someone just cut down the stock and added sights.

If one has interest in sporters, they should check Cpt. Edward Crossman's "Book of the Springfield" to get an ideal of what to look for.

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Springf...rds=Book+of+the+Springfield+-+Edward+Crossman

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

I've seen some dern nice '03 sporters that I would pay that much or more for, but that isnt one of them. Not impress, looks like someone just cut down the stock and added sights.

If one has interest in sporters, they should check Cpt. Edward Crossman's "Book of the Springfield" to get an ideal of what to look for.

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Springfi...dward+Crossman

So the one in the OP ain't a original factory Springfield NRA Sporter? What do you look at to tell a fake from the real deal Springfield Sporters? AFAIK that looks like a legit NRA Sporter stock..??

 

[sandwarrior]

I've seen some dern nice '03 sporters that I would pay that much or more for, but that isnt one of them. Not impress, looks like someone just cut down the stock and added sights.

If one has interest in sporters, they should check Cpt. Edward Crossman's "Book of the Springfield" to get an ideal of what to look for.

https://www.amazon.com/Book-Springf...rds=Book+of+the+Springfield+-+Edward+Crossman

Agreed. That does not represent any of the sporters I've seen in that price range.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Agreed. That does not represent any of the sporters I've seen in that price range.

From what I can tell, the condition aint so great by the looks of it.. but otherwise I cant tell anything else particularly different about the example posted? Is there something that stands out as marking it a obvious fake or something? Ie heres another on gunsinternational for a ridiculous $5500 lol.. but besides it being in better condition I cant tell much difference? And I'd assume from the price that its a legit Sporter, not just some bubba job..?

http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...orter-30-06-sprg-r18511-.cfm?gun_id=100899118

 

[pmclaine]

I'm pretty sure that gun was posted over at CMP and it is in the SRS.

Stand by I'll see if I can pull it up.......

 

[pmclaine]

Here you go.

http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=219745

If John Beard likes it, its likeable.

 

[sandwarrior]

I'm pretty sure that gun was posted over at CMP and it is in the SRS.

Stand by I'll see if I can pull it up.......

here's a better lookin' rifle for less:

And a really nice one:

This one is pretty snappy:

And this one has a nice Bishop stock:

All of these are less than $500.00

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

sandwarrior no doubt those are nice, but I don't think any of them are "factory" Sporters..? Correct me if I'm wrong, they're just custom sporters. What pmclaine and I are referencing here are "NRA Sporters". May not be much to look at on first sight, but these are quite rare versions of the 1903 which Springfield themselves built and offered to the public in a sporter configuration, you follow? These aint just surplus '03's that some random joe just bought and sporterized, they're Springfield factory rifles, hence the price. Just wanted to make that clear in case you and/or Mr Kraig didn't know it... these NRA Sporters are very very rare iterations of the '03 .. Certainly you know of the .22 LR 1922-M1 rimfire 1903 trainer rifle, this is kinda like a centerfire version of that I would say.

PS pmclaine thank you sir

 

[pmclaine]

here's a better lookin' rifle for less:

And a really nice one:

This one is pretty snappy:

And this one has a nice Bishop stock:

All of these are less than $500.00

Those are not real Springfield Sporter Specials listed in the Springfield Research Service as a sales rifle.

Appears that is a totally legit sales rifle in the stock it was sold in. There is some discussion regards the sight. The barrel is air gauged and the rifle probably shoots. The stock is special according to Mr. Beard. I think it came from a heavy target barrel rifle and Springfield worked it to fit a smaller profile barrel such as the one on the gun. He is thinking the work was done at Springfield.

I have its .22 caliber brother.

 

[pmclaine]

From what I can tell, the condition aint so great by the looks of it.. but otherwise I cant tell anything else particularly different about the example posted? Is there something that stands out as marking it a obvious fake or something? Ie heres another on gunsinternational for a ridiculous $5500 lol.. but besides it being in better condition I cant tell much difference? And I'd assume from the price that its a legit Sporter, not just some bubba job..?

http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...orter-30-06-sprg-r18511-.cfm?gun_id=100899118

The one you posted has been tuned for match firing.

It has a headless cocking piece to reduce lock time and Ill have to look but probably has a reverse safety so you can inch your nose up into the peep without getting whacked by the safety when its in its issue position.

Im noting the Jap flag on the wall and wondering is someone in the family was a service rifle shooter and this is his match gun.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Those are not real Springfield Sporter Specials listed in the Springfield Research Service as a sales rifle.

Appears that is a totally legit sales rifle in the stock it was sold in. There is some discussion regards the sight. The barrel is air gauged and the rifle probably shoots. The stock is special according to Mr. Beard. I think it came from a heavy target barrel rifle and Springfield worked it to fit a smaller profile barrel such as the one on the gun. He is thinking the work was done at Springfield.

I have its .22 caliber brother.

I think we replied at about the same time but x2 I think these NRA Sporters and similar aint real widely known to have existed by a lot of people, so most folks likely assume they're just a plain jane sporterized '03 as I believe sand and Mr Kraig were?

Just wondering, is it possible to free float the barrel on a Springfield Sporter, or on your 1922? Ie have you ever shot it without the barrel band? Or is it necessary to keep the barrel band on? Just curious.. I'm sure its there for a reason tho

ETA: lol we posted at same time again but I meant to mention if you look at the other listings on BR central there, they have a pre-war M70 .25-06 for $975 which I'm sure could be talked down.. just figured I'd mention it, bet it would make a nice rifle to throw on 24" Douglas chrome-moly barrel in the proper Winchester target contour + a Lyman/Unertl/etc on top.. might could even let your 1941 USMC Sniper and the M70 share scopes since ya already have one?

 

[pmclaine]

Looks like a Buhler style safety



and the trigger is marked possibly aftermarket...

 

[pmclaine]

I think we replied at about the same time but x2 I think these NRA Sporters and similar aint real widely known to have existed by a lot of people, so most folks likely assume they're just a plain jane sporterized '03 as I believe sand and Mr Kraig were?

Just wondering, is it possible to free float the barrel on a Springfield Sporter, or on your 1922? Ie have you ever shot it without the barrel band? Or is it necessary to keep the barrel band on? Just curious.. I'm sure its there for a reason tho

ETA: lol we posted at same time again but I meant to mention if you look at the other listings on BR central there, they have a pre-war M70 .25-06 for $975 which I'm sure could be talked down.. just figured I'd mention it, bet it would make a nice rifle to throw on 24" Douglas chrome-moly barrel in the proper Winchester target contour + a Lyman/Unertl/etc on top.. might could even let your 1941 USMC Sniper and the M70 share scopes since ya already have one?

The general consensus on 30-06 Springfields is that they shoot better with some up pressure from the stock at the forend. Never thought about how the .22 would do free floated.

Its shoots better than I can hold though even with surplus ammo...




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.....and I bought a Model 70 earlier this week. There is a post about it in the Vintage section right below this one probably.

 

[sandwarrior]

sandwarrior no doubt those are nice, but I don't think any of them are "factory" Sporters..? Correct me if I'm wrong, they're just custom sporters. What pmclaine and I are referencing here are "NRA Sporters". May not be much to look at on first sight, but these are quite rare versions of the 1903 which Springfield themselves built and offered to the public in a sporter configuration, you follow? These aint just surplus '03's that some random joe just bought and sporterized, they're Springfield factory rifles, hence the price. Just wanted to make that clear in case you and/or Mr Kraig didn't know it... these NRA Sporters are very very rare iterations of the '03 .. Certainly you know of the .22 LR 1922-M1 rimfire 1903 trainer rifle, this is kinda like a centerfire version of that I would say.

PS pmclaine thank you sir

You are correct! Apologies. I was thinking "sporter" as in sporterized. My first clue should have been NRA 1903 Sporter. That it would be an actual type of rifle used in competition.

Added: So, when the light finally came on that this was it's own model, I thought D'oh! I just looked something up for a guy on another thread the other day.

Here it is:

https://gun-data.com/springfield_model_1903.html

6500 NRA Sporters, and 599 NB Sporters.

 

[ArcticLight]

Not an NRA sporter but a passion of mine:
I have a fully restored M1903 "Modified" - did not know until I ran the S/N th rough the Gov's database (Was going to do an 03A4 conversion).
The "Modified" is 1 of 26,000 made. I have the original sporter stock my dad made back in 1976, 15" LOP, gorgeous stock. I may buy another just to hunt with but my original is now back in a historically accurate state.

I sent my stock out and got the correct stamps put on it.

 

[pmclaine]

Not an NRA sporter but a passion of mine:
I have a fully restored M1903 "Modified" - did not know until I ran the S/N th rough the Gov's database (Was going to do an 03A4 conversion).
The "Modified" is 1 of 26,000 made. I have the original sporter stock my dad made back in 1976, 15" LOP, gorgeous stock. I may buy another just to hunt with but my original is now back in a historically accurate state.

I sent my stock out and got the correct stamps put on it.

Your modified is it a Remington and by modified it relates to it being a transition from 03 to 03A3?

The Remington 03 story is an interesting one and displays just how concerned the country was at the start of WWII.

 

[ArcticLight]

Yes it is a Remington, 03A3 are mainly press stamped parts where the 03 was milled parts, but join them on the same stock and voila.

What I don't understand is if they converted the ladder sight to the peep site, I refuse to do that.

 

[pmclaine]

Remington got a contract to build full blown spec 1903s on an emergency basis while Springfield committed to Garand production.

Remington was producing beautiful rifles but pretty quickly began to fall behind on the contract.

To explain why all you have to do is look at the rear sight and its complex machining to realize 03s are not a rapid build rifle.

Remington began to propose changes to speed up production and produce what would become an A3.

Transition Remingtons are the ones that the rear bridge of the receiver was starting to be modified to accept the new peep sight.

The rear peep is a much better combat sight than the leaf.

The USMC tried to mitigate the usability issues of the leaf in combat by installing a larger peep in the ladder and a wider back cut front sight.

I ve used the USMC sight and it is a ton more useable and accurate enough, but it is not KD range accurate and range scores suffered. Therefore the USMC sights were put on the shelf.