Non-CMP SC1903A3 from todays gunshow....

[canes7]

I've always needed an 03A3 to fill a gap in my collection. I figured a SC would be just the thing. I really didn't take too much interest in the CMP's offerings recently because of the VFW returns were release a couple years ago. I needed some powder and primers too so off to the gunshow I go. I didn't know much about 03A3's but felt I'd know enough when the time came.

Details:

SN - 4,728,902
Barrel - SC 6-43, 4 groove, muzzle is just less than 0, OK crown and bore is mint
Headspaces perfect.
Bolt - Seems to be all SC from what I've read. One inconsistancy is that it has a 1 and an X stamped in the handle. I read that the 1 is early and the X means late. Maybe I've got a mid-production? :confused:
Stock is in very good condition. I am not sure if it's an SC or Remington, it has a Remington buttplate. FJA, ord. wheel, flaming bomb on the tip and a rebuild stamp.
Trigger is creepy and rather crappy feeling. I'll take care of that as I think this is going to be a great shooting rifle.

Pics:
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/hurricanes7/SC1903A3/DSC01228.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/hurricanes7/SC1903A3/DSC01240.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/hurricanes7/SC1903A3/DSC01236.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/hurricanes7/SC1903A3/DSC01237.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/hurricanes7/SC1903A3/DSC01239.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/hurricanes7/SC1903A3/DSC01235.jpg

[Prince Humperdink]

I would say"nice Rifle",or "congrats Bro",but it doesn't have a certificate,so it is junk ;)

[canes7]

I would say"nice Rifle",or "congrats Bro",but it doesn't have a certificate,so it is junk ;)

Shit. Where are those "CMP Certified" guys at so I can get my rifle certified?

[toolman]

I bought a S.C several years ago. beautiful weapon. Hangs on the wall in my gun safe. peace toolman

[jak]

What size is the circle "P" proof mark ? Remington is 7/16" , Smith Corona is 1/2". Check the cutout on the right side where the barrel band spring is located. If the front of the cutout is square, it's Remington, if it's round, it's S/C.
The barrel should be correct for your s/n range. The pins in the stock were used in early production rifles and later changed to the stock bolts.

[melloman]

Very nice rifle. I have a Remington. Has more recoil than my Garand though. I need to take breaks when shooting it at the range to give my shoulder a rest.

[Roadkingtrax]

Nice looking SC 03a3.

[Rick B]

I always thought the FJA out of a box was rebuild period. Could someone have replaced this stock?

Very nice rifle. Rick B

[canes7]

I always thought the FJA out of a box was rebuild period. Could someone have replaced this stock?

Very nice rifle. Rick B

That makes perfect sense to me. To add to this there is a P, but it is not in a square or circle, like a rebuild. There is a rebuild stamp on the left side it a boxed "O.something" kinda like an OGEK or whatever but not all there. Then there is the ord. wheel? Did rebuilds get stamped with that? I wondering if maybe someone added a stamp or two to a rebuild stock. I'm not too concerned about it. It would be cool to have an all original SC, but this one is more about filling a hole in the collection and having a bolt gun for vintage matches than a correct collector rifle.

[jak]

Check the lightening hole under the buttplate. If it's not drilled out, it's a S/C. Are there any inspector stamps in front of the trigger guard ?

[cuppednlocked]

I spoke with that seller on Sunday. He put together a lot of his other rifles on the table. He also didn't seem real happy that his SC was gone!!!

[canes7]

Was it the old guy in the corner with the funny accent? Do you mean he assembled rifles out of part to sell? I've had a couple guys say that they knew the rifle I bought, but I'm not so sure. This one was on a horizontal rack at the end of the table, kinda hard to see. Anyway, I'm thinking I might make a range trip this weekend! :)

[cuppednlocked]

Hmmmm, must have been a different guy. This one had a table "near" the front on the left as you walked in. Maybe two or three rows in from the far left. He mentioned he sold an SC the day before.

I didn't get by his table on Sat. The SC I saw was in the back "right" as you walked in IIRC.

The guy with the 03's and A3's mentioned he "put together" most of what he had on his table. The exception was a 03 MK1 for $1100 he said was correct.

Did you see the IHC gap letter w/LMR barrel? Total mixmaster with the exception of the front site. Muzzle was a 2, not sure of TE. Wanted $1k.

How about the guy with the 03 MK1 for $2k? I almost hit the floor for that. It had a rebuilt stamp and everything...

[canes7]

Yeah.. I saw the IHC it was a gapper. I was tempted to make an offer but I think I would have offended the guy. The throat was a solid 5, not much life left. The rest was crap (rebuild oprod, late SA trigger group, -12SA bolt and a pitted windage knob) and the CMP/DCM stickers were awful. He also had a .308 Garand that was a definate bushing insert rifle, he didn't like learning that at all.

[cuppednlocked]

I saw the .308 rifle. Asked him if it was a .308 and he said no. I pushed him about the spacer and the 7.62 inscribed on the barrel and he still tried to tell me it wasn't a .308 rifle. After a bit he finally agreed with me it was probably sleeved.

I thought for sure you'd like the DCM/CMP stickers!

He said something about $600 when I was looking at the gapper. I said, "I'll take it for $600". Turns out he was saying he had $600 worth of stuff to make it "correct" but hasn't taken the time.

[canes7]

$600 was all it was worth. We went thru the correctifying conversation. When I realized he still wanted the 1k plus the 600 for it with the correct parts but w/o the correct wood is when I said I have to go.....

[cuppednlocked]

I think he was playing opossum about his rifles... hoping that the "aw shucks" act would catch him a sucker.

Did you look at his barreled receiver?

[canes7]

Nope... What was it?

[cuppednlocked]

A 900,000 serial with a commercial tomato stake he screwed on that morning. Wanted $250 if I'm not mistaken.

[canes7]

Bargain at half the price. BTW - We should do this over a beer instead of the internet.

[cuppednlocked]

Sounds good to me!

[poiuyt]

So how much for the SC if you don't mind?

[canes7]

$625... I think it was fair.