Where to find 1903's or M1's

[N2DADARK]

I've herd of rumors at work about a bunch of 1903 springfield snipers and m1 Grand's coming over from Korea selling for cheap, and in decent condition. I would love to pick a either one up for my wife and re-do the stock and metal to make it her new baby. I know its a sin to do such things but I want to have a nice fun shooter for her, any help?

 

[SRT_Supply]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

www.thecmp.org

If you want a Garand (or M1 Carbine), the CMP is THE option. There's nothing like that feeling of having the UPS driver drop off 9 1/2 pounds of walnut-and-steel goodness on your front doorstep!

 

[68GT]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

2nd the CMP, they check them over before shipping, and the quality is higher for the price than you will find elswhere.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

CMP won't have those for a long while.

Best bet is to look around a BIG 5 Sporting good store- they seem to get them in from time to time, local gunshops - you can get a complete rifle for $150-$200


Mine is almost pristine now, CMP sells stocks so I got that and went to e-gunparts.com for all the misc parts..

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CMP won't have those for a long while.

Best bet is to look around a BIG 5 Sporting good store- they seem to get them in from time to time, local gunshops - you can get a complete rifle for $150-$200


Mine is almost pristine now, CMP sells stocks so I got that and went to e-gunparts.com for all the misc parts..

</div></div>

No offense but when was the last time you bought an '03 for $200???? I haven't seen a decent one for less than $600 in quite a few years. And Garands?... Those are crazy expensive for something that isn't a re-imported one... and you DON'T WANT one of the re-imported ones! They usually have a TE of about 5-6! You can tell them because on the side of the barrel they're stamped either: "Blue Sky" or "Arlington Ord". Run away from those!!!

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

I just saw one in the gun store about 4 months ago - low S/N and crappy condition but if you are doing a build it's perfect.

price was about $196 for it.


I do see them from time to time.

Heck there was a Vietnam era Mosin-Nagant for $499 at big 5 the other day, with scope/mount...

You are correct on the garands, OUCH, I want one and turned down one a few years ago for $450 - shoulda taken it...

My 03 has $300 into it now, new stock, new sights, etc etc - hopefully it's value climbs but I will never sell it - it's been in the family since right after Vietnam...and no it was not brought back -

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just saw one in the gun store about 4 months ago - low S/N and crappy condition but if you are doing a build it's perfect.

price was about $196 for it.


I do see them from time to time.

Heck there was a Vietnam era Mosin-Nagant for $499 at big 5 the other day, with scope/mount...

You are correct on the garands, OUCH, I want one and turned down one a few years ago for $450 - shoulda taken it...

My 03 has $300 into it now, new stock, new sights, etc etc - hopefully it's value climbs but I will never sell it - it's been in the family since right after Vietnam...and no it was not brought back - </div></div>
Sorry to hi-jack but...Man... I wish I lived in your neighborhood! An '03 (with original wood and all there) is worth a bunch more than that!... as long as it doesn't have headspace issues. Hell, even then! All that crap about the "low serial number" ones blowing up is total Bullshit! To me, that's a great way to score an '03 for less! I've bought low numbered ones, shot the hell out of them, sold them! A couple years ago I missed one on Gunbroker that was in 30-03!!! Jesus... Do you know how rare those are?!!! It had like a 3-digit serial number and if I remember correctly a "spike style" bayonet that slid into the stock like a cleaning rod. Had a Buy-it-now of $600.00!!! In the description the seller put that you couldn't get ammo for it anymore and that's why he was selling it!!!!! "Oh, the humanity"!!!

 

[EscapeVelocity]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

you and me both that wants one. it may come down to forking out some serious dough for one though...

 

[woody66]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

Last month at the Houston gun show found a really clean 03, shoots great all parts match. $750. bought an 03-a3 at Cabelas in Buda Tx very clean gun $950, They are out there but dont come cheap. Woody

 

[N2DADARK]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

Yeah Im going to have to try CMP near the end of the trip and if not Ill have to check around locally than. I dont know how the walnut will look after I take some fine grit sandpaper and steel wool and a bunch of tru-finish to it. I would like to get some blank wood for it and finish it myself so and I might save some money if I parts it out, what's the market look like for parting it out?

 

[nicholst55]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

CMP passed on the rifles coming back form Korea. To me, that speaks <span style="font-style: italic">volumes</span> on their condition. I remember the Blue Sky Korean return rifles in the '80s - they were in NRA junk-to-mostly-junk condition! I expect these will be in similar, or worse, condition - when they finally arrive.

 

[learjet]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

be patient, and scrounge the pawnshops!

heres a before pix, $200 1903a3

dont have an after pix, but found a nice stock, and the bands etc. got $400 in mine

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Where to find 1903's or M1's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: learjet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">be patient, and scrounge the pawnshops!

heres a before pix, $200 1903a3

dont have an after pix, but found a nice stock, and the bands etc. got $400 in mine

</div></div>
Well yea... You can scrounge up a Sporterized one pretty cheap. You just have to know just how "sporterized" it is. If it was just removed from the military stock and fitted to a hunting stock... fine. But many have been altered more than that. You just have to know what the metal should look like under the military stock.