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03A3 Needed Parts

4K views 56 replies 10 participants last post by  Firpo 
#1 ·
Happy New Year,

Need a little help from my friends before a pull the metaphorical trigger on a Numrich order. Yes, I've been dinking around with this for a while but having been given a little Christmas $$ and it's time to get my Sporterized 03A3 looking like it should......at least to me. Just a refresher, I bought a Remington 03A3 two groove that has a April '43 date from a local pawn shop maybe six months back. At some point someone put an actually nice sporter stock on it (nothing has been cut or drilled) but I'd like it back to looking more original. I already have a correct stock and triggerguard however I need pretty much everything else. So! If ya wouldn't mind, here's the list of parts I think I need and if it looks like I've missed something please let me know. Once I have it all squared away I'll be sure to post some before and after pics. So here we go and thank you in advance.

Handguard (Ouch! Numrich wants $55)
Upper Band (complete)
Upper Band Screws
Stacking Swivel (complete)
Stacking Swivel Screws
Lower Band (complete)
Lower Band Spring
Handguard Ring
Buttplate (narrow checkering)
Buttplate Screws
Butt Swivel
Butt Swivel Screws
 
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#4 ·
believe it or not, that makes sense to me too. It turns out that I am not getting that Savage 111. Wife made me wait too long and they sold it out from under me. All is not lost though. My Uncle I going to give me an 03 Springfield though it is not an 03 A3.
 
#5 ·
Firpo, turns out what I was told was an M1 Carbine rear sight, is actually a 03/A3 rear sight that has never been installed on a rifle. If you could use it, IM me your address and I will send it to you as a late Christmas Present.
 
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#6 ·
Jay tat is certainly very kind of you to offer. My rifle actually has all the sights so I'm good to go in that respect. Also, thank you for the referenced website. I'll be sure to check them out.

God Bless
 
#8 ·
They list a complete parts kit that might interest you I believe the listed price is less than $150, it doesn't include a complete stock Barrel or Action, but does include the Handguard, Stacking Swivel and Screws, and quite a few of the other parts you are looking for. It is listed as Not In Stock, but the say you can Back Order.

Well they may be the same sight, It does look like the rear sight on my Uncles M1 Carbine.

If you look at the site I linked to it shows a complete rear site for an 03/A3 and it looks the same.
 
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#10 ·
According to Numrich they have different part numbers so my guess is they aren't quite the same.
 
#12 ·
Try S&S Firearms (www.ssfirearms.com). They have a very comprehensive inventory of US military parts dating from Revolutionary War period arms to present day. Whenever I'm stuck for a Springfield Trapdoor or Krag part S&S has always been my first stop, and they've never let me down.
Mac, thanks as that looks like another website where a guy could lose a paycheck or two just like Liberty Tree which you introduced me to and has been a big help. Funny thing though, I couldn't find anything for an 03A3. No worries as I'm sure I'll come up with all that I need.
 
#13 ·
It's hard to believe I started this thread back in December and bought the rifle back in April of last year but here we are. I just placed my order with Numrich for all the parts I needed with the exception of the handguard which they were out of so I ordered that from Liberty Tree. I imagine they'll all be here in a week or two and I can finally finish this little project. I will be sure to take some before and after pictures for your viewing pleasure. ;)
 
#15 ·
How important is it, to YOU, to have a mil-surp "all correct"?

I've got an 03A3. When I got it, it did not have the stacking swivel. Bought one at a gun show a couple of months later.

Found out later that the 03A3 swivel (and several other parts) were stamped (left). Flat. The 03 swivel, on t'other hand, was a forged piece of round stock (right). Took longer to make it, which is why they went to the stamped.

Metal Hook


The swivel on my gun - the one I found at the gunshow - is the round, 03 swivel.

Don't bother me in the least.
 
#16 ·
If you are building a shooter then it doesn't matter as much. If you are trying to stay as correct as possible for a Show Piece, then it matters more. They are both 03 parts, My '03 is 95% original. I label it a collectable shooter. With the emphasis on Shooter. I love shooting it.
 
#17 ·
Stamped parts on the A3 include the Upper and lower band, Swivels, Trigger Guard/magazine box, Follower, Butt Plate Rear Site to name a few. My '03 has a stamped lower band, a m1917 Follower, and a Rock island Bolt Body (this is probably original to the rifle though unconfirmed (Remington used some New Old Stock RI parts in '41 and 42)).
 
#18 ·
The rifle has already lost all "collector" value so my goal is to make it look more correct. Where repro parts were available those were the ones I purchased. I guess I'd like to make it look as good as I can without breaking the bank. All together including the cost of the rifle I think I'll have around $425 in to it. I'm betting I could get my money back pretty quickly if need be.
 
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#19 ·
That isn't a bad cost at all from what I have seen. I have been contemplating Ordering a Milled Lower Band, and a Milled Remington Follower, but I have noticed that most places won't commit to providing a particular Armory.
 
#20 ·
I will say I was told about how accurate the '03 is (if you have a good barrel), but the first time I shot mine I was totally surprised by the accuracy. Also at the Range I seem to get a lot of Oohs and Aahs from the other shooters who may be there. People seem really impressed with MilSurp guns of that era.
 
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#22 ·
I don't know what would remove the Varnish, especially since it absorbed into the wood. If the gloss is too high you could try cutting it a bit with 0000 steel wool. my'03 is just hand rubbed Boiled Linseed Oil.
 
#23 ·
I've had luck with Awesome removing red tint shellac or varnish from a Mosin 91/30 stock, as well as stripping the rubber coating off a bargain basement spotting scope, so will give it a try on the A3's barrel channel and under the forward band & bayonet lug - at least the previous owner had the good sense to remove the stock before cutting loose with the spray can.
 
#26 ·
Lower rifle's a '43 Remington. Some birdbrain clear varnished the stock so I need View attachment 128179 to experiment a bit finding something that'll remove the varnish without compromising the stock or its markings.
That spray finish should be fairly easy to remove. I'd definitely stay away from sanding it if it has any stampings. Years ago I had my second Remington '03. The stock was completely oil soaked, but all original and no major scratches or dings. You wouldn't believe HOW oil soaked it was. Any time I picked it up my hands ended up oily and greasy. Got to where I'd leave it outside in the sun on extremely hot days just to let oil ooze out. Took almost a whole year to get most of that oil out. I did everything from pure alcohol to wrapping it in kitty litter for days to putting it up on the roof on the hottest days and constantly wiping it down with cotton towels. Brought it back, but it was a lot of work.

Firpo - don't loose any sleep over "making it all completely original". I doubt if 15% of any former U.S. military rifles are '100%' original. Any that are were probably stolen from the Government when they were new.
 
#27 ·
I rub the stock on my Remington 03 about once a month with Boiled Linseed Oil. But never so much as to saturate the Stock. I have seen a couple of Other peoples '03s that have a High Gloss Sheen on them. One was finished with Spar Varnish. Ruined the stock in my opinion. The old Stocks are getting harder and more expensive to come by.
 
#28 ·
The stock I'm putting on mine has been varnished although the handguard I'm patiently o_O waiting for has not so I'm left with a decision. I'm thinking I'll probably just varnish it as well so at least it all has the same finish. I know it may be sacrilege but that's my thought. Funny thing is the stock looks like it belongs on an '03 Springfield but it has the cutout for the handguard ring. It came off an '03 that was re-arsenaled in '42 so maybe that has something to do with it. I have all the metal installed and am just waiting on that darn handguard then I'll take some pictures and you guys can let me know.
 
#29 ·
Well, I've run into a snag with the safety. I can describe what's happening just not sure how to fix it. With the bolt face pointing away, just behind the bolt handle is about 1/8" of bolt body remaining visible. It would appear that when I rotate the safety it's barrel is coming in contact with that lip. Ya'll ran in to this and if so what might be the solution? This rifle had been sporterized so Lord only knows what it's been through and the possibility of mismatched parts is strong.

Tool Metal
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