03A3 Drill Rifle

[mixmaster]

I have coming to my door a welded drill rifle. I have restored welded M1 Grands and carbines but never was interested in doing an 03A3 till now. I got a heck of a deal on one and now find myself sorely lacking the knowledge to restore it. I can see the obvious areas that will require weld being removed and this is where it gets good. Anyone know how to cleanly remove the weld on the cut off? This is the area that will require prior knowledge to get it done right and so I am asking for anyone with this information for HELP! I do not want to screw this up and looking at it shows me I can do that real easy(screw it up) any help may go a long way to help me restore it.
Thanks
Mix

[dogboysdad]

Pictures would be the best way to start. Let's see what you get.

[Prince Humperdink]

A dremel works best.Use a cutoff wheel and be careful You don"t want to cut into Receiver,remove cutoff and start shaping...go slow.You may not be able to finish without a noticeable difference,as a lot of times They use stainless.
Post pics.
Ryan

[mixmaster]

Thanks I kind of figured the Dremel was going to play a big part in this project.
Have you done one? The only part I have any real concern about is the cut off as they welded it to the receiver and there are detent notches under that weld so it stands to reason that they will be full of weld. I'll keep you in formed as I progress (or don't)
Mix

[Prince Humperdink]

Thanks I kind of figured the Dremel was going to play a big part in this project.
Have you done one? The only part I have any real concern about is the cut off as they welded it to the receiver and there are detent notches under that weld so it stands to reason that they will be full of weld. I'll keep you in formed as I progress (or don't)
Mix
Yes,I did one.I can tell You lots of things NOT to do!The way I told You looks way better than My first Time...;)

[jjones]

Are the drill rifles safe to shoot after all the welds are gone?

[Prince Humperdink]

I shoot mine all of the time....and I never worry about it.I've actually shot 1" at 100 yrds regularly with the NOS '44 barrel I installed.I didn't repair the weld spots though,so it will never be any question about it's heritage.
Ryan

[jjones]

I have an o3 drill rifle receiver, but it is low numbered, so i will never shoot it. how much are the o3a3's going for?

[Prince Humperdink]

I have an o3 drill rifle receiver, but it is low numbered, so i will never shoot it. how much are the o3a3's going for?

https://www.dupagetrading.com/firearms/1903a3-drill-rifles.html

[mixmaster]

jjones
The one I got comes off of GB and they start at $49.00. I got mine for $50.00 as no one bid on it . They have a couple of more for sale and as mine was described as a Remington A3 I was not concerned about the serial(low) number.The ones advertised appear to be Remington and as A3 you don't need to worry about the serial number. If you want to part with the old receiver I am looking for one for a drill rifle, That's what got me in this mess with the welded on!
Mix