1903A3s mixing and matching

[Stick895]

I have 2 complete 1903A3 rifles and the receiver plus various bits and pieces for another. A3 #1 was a bring back from WWII, so I was told, except the safety assembly has been replaced with an aftermarket BS unit. I have the parts to fix that. Some moron drilled & tapped it for a scope, it has a straight grip stock and the receiver markings are not offset so I don't think it's a real 03A4. The other rifle and the receiver are unmarked. My question is do I mess anything up more than it already is to take the already D&T action out of the stock, put it in a pistol grip one and make a A4 clone out of it then move the action to the empty stock and build up a rifle by adding parts? If 03s are like AR's I'm in trouble as I have a total of 3 uncommitted bolts assemblies that seem to demand complete rifles of which to be a part. I'm also open to the possibility of using some of the parts to build a hunting rifle of some as yet unspecified caliber.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

after getting the A3 bug and doing alot of research on them, it seems almost a crime to sporterize them in some way today, unless as you commented, one is already D&T.

i don't think putting it in a C stock would hurt, it would sort of be fitting with the optic.

i'd keep #2 rifle as is, and either build another with the bits and pieces if you have more tha 50% of a total rifle in parts or if less than 50%, keep for spare parts.

as they aren't makin them anymore is just seems a shame to sporterize one that isn't already chopped up, just my opinion.

but they are yours, you have some soul searchin to do.

 

[Stick895]

No the only sporterizing would be if I used the orphan receiver and one of the bolts, et. al. to build a sporter from. I may switch stocks between #1 & #2 and then build up #3 to another A3 configuration

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

^ that's what i would do if i was fortunate enough to be in your situation.

maybe use #3 as seed money or trade for a garand or M14.

 

[pmclaine]

Your D&T receiver has no collctor value. Have a blast building it into an A4. There are plenty of parts available on sites such as the CMP Forum or Culvers Shooting Page. A4 bolts are getting rare/expensive. Plan on modifying one of your bolts to clear the scope.

VIshooters web page gives a pretty good break down of what parts belong on what vintage rifle. Do some research and look at the pile of parts you have. Take all those that belong together and use that as the basis to build your restore rifle.

You would be hard pressed to find any 03 that is in factory original condition - sales rifles are the most likely to be unmolested. GI rifles have been rebuilt, restocked, rebarreled, rebolted over and over.