View Full Version : Another sported A3
I've been skulking around on the auctions looking for a good sported A3 to convert into an "A4gery".
My first attempt netted me an SC that had been sported, but turned out to have the rear sight reverse dovetail ground off.
Second attempt was a very early SC that still had the original 6-groove barrel and may be too nice to further sporterize.
Third time might be the charm. I got this one for pretty short money and it seems to have some of the work needed for an "A4gery" already done.
http://i.imgur.com/uOu1vEA.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/XAaCojl.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/sNGjdwN.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/erAiSv1.jpg
Barrel has been cut, but I was considering putting a new Criterion on anyway.
Heck not bad. All you need is a stock and scope and rings. Good buy!
Don't get all of this. I have an original A4 and a repro and both are crap as a sniper rifle. Those who have made these things have made junk. I have been lucky to own and fire 7 different WW2 sniper rifles and I will not bother to fire an A4 again. My favorite rifle now is a AR15 heavy barrel, with a trigger job and Leatherwood bullet drop compensating scope. With a Federal Gold Medal 69 grain round, it is 1 MOA at 300 yards and can hit any military target out to 600. Of course it does not hit that hard at 600. Did not mean to insult anyone.
Don't get all of this. I have an original A4 and a repro and both are crap as a sniper rifle. Those who have made these things have made junk. I have been lucky to own and fire 7 different WW2 sniper rifles and I will not bother to fire an A4 again. My favorite rifle now is a AR15 heavy barrel, with a trigger job and Leatherwood bullet drop compensating scope. With a Federal Gold Medal 69 grain round, it is 1 MOA at 300 yards and can hit any military target out to 600. Of course it does not hit that hard at 600. Did not mean to insult anyone.
I'm building one up for the CMP vintage sniper match. I doubt that your heavy barrel AR-15 would be allowed in that match.
Don't get all of this. I have an original A4 and a repro and both are crap as a sniper rifle. Those who have made these things have made junk. I have been lucky to own and fire 7 different WW2 sniper rifles and I will not bother to fire an A4 again. My favorite rifle now is a AR15 heavy barrel, with a trigger job and Leatherwood bullet drop compensating scope. With a Federal Gold Medal 69 grain round, it is 1 MOA at 300 yards and can hit any military target out to 600. Of course it does not hit that hard at 600. Did not mean to insult anyone.
Hey what ever turns your crank>>> That's why they make Ford, GM, Chrys. products, the owners swear by them...
I guess it boils down to a matter of opinion more or less.. enjoy your rifle.........
Don't get all of this. I have an original A4 and a repro and both are crap as a sniper rifle. Those who have made these things have made junk. I have been lucky to own and fire 7 different WW2 sniper rifles and I will not bother to fire an A4 again. My favorite rifle now is a AR15 heavy barrel, with a trigger job and Leatherwood bullet drop compensating scope. With a Federal Gold Medal 69 grain round, it is 1 MOA at 300 yards and can hit any military target out to 600. Of course it does not hit that hard at 600. Did not mean to insult anyone.
BTW, 1 MOA @ 300 yards isn't bad, but I have 80+ year old military Mausers in original condition, except they have been scoped, that will do that all day long.
The rifles...a 1931 Persian Mauser and a 1909 Argentine Mauser, with their original barrels and stocks.
http://i.imgur.com/rp383TI.jpg
The Persian at 300 yards at my last trip to the range...
http://i.imgur.com/CWOjRzO.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/cOYFfmQ.jpg?1
The Argentine at 220 yards
http://i.imgur.com/PRTMfQk.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/hbRYzAL.jpg?1
These are typical results. I won't even go into my scoped K31 with GP11 ammo...
Calfed.... Just enjoy your new project. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun building it and shooting it.
Thanks, Louis.
The challenge is to keep the costs down. I got a good start on that...was able to glom this one for $185 :)
I've got bits and pieces, including a weaver K2.5 scope already. I've also got a NIW GI barrel. I'm kicking around selling it and buying a Criterion to mount on this. I've heard that the Criterion barrels are fantastic shooters and better than the older WWII made barrels.
Sounds like you've got a great plan. Great price on that sporter. You have just about everything you need except a c type stock. When you finish it up post some photos.
Sounds like you've got a great plan. Great price on that sporter. You have just about everything you need except a c type stock. When you finish it up post some photos.
I'd love to use a C stock, but may use a scant stock that I already have. It is in great shape and is historically accurate as an alternate stock for the A4.
Yep that would be a great choice since all I've seen are c' s would really like to finally see a different version in a scant stock. So you're really are set to go and build it. What are you waiting for? I'd be burning the midnight oil!
Yep that would be a great choice since all I've seen are c' s would really like to finally see a different version in a scant stock. So you're really are set to go and build it. What are you waiting for? I'd be burning the midnight oil!
Only problem...I got the sporter A3 at an online estate sale over the weekend...has to go to my FFL and then I have to wait for the 10-day "cooling off" to expire. :(
Ohhhh. Lol I hate that part also. Post photos I'm looking forward to seeing it!
I will. And a range report after that.
Shooter5
12-03-2015, 12:43
Always neat to see your acquisitions and range reports.
Have fun putting your 03-A4gery together! On target results will likely be good, maybe even very good! Principle advantage of the scope on a combat rifle is that one can get better field results. As developed the 03-A4 was not a no holds barred 1,000 yd. sniper rifle. Fact is, very few 1,000 yd. sniper rifles ever hit anything at 1,000 yds. in the field because no one gets sandbags issued to them, and most of the people on the receiving end are not cooperative enough to stand still and let someone have another go or so at them. Of course it's nice for the shooter when everything works out. The 03-A4 was like the M-1C and M-1D developed to meet the actual needs of men in the field. Apparently these rifles were used very effectively. Likely your 03-A4gery will give you very good results. Mine is a Remington 03-A3 w/ standard USGI barrel and a 2.5 Weaver in a scant stock. From sandbags... it is MOA using selected lots of HXP M-2. It is MOA using Winchester 150 gr. Soft-Point ammo, which is what I use when I take it out for a deer hunt. In the field it is extremely effective. I love iron sighted rifles, but that little Weaver really helps when shooting under poor light conditions. My last deer was shot w/ my 03-A4 at 140 yds. It was a nice doe that was jumping over a fence. Caught her right behind the right front leg. She hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. In good light the shot could have been made w/ a iron sighted rifles. In the very poor light of that early morning, that scope made the difference. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.
Thanks, bruce
I'm looking forward to putting this together and shooting it.
PhillipM
12-04-2015, 10:37
Thanks, Louis.
The challenge is to keep the costs down. I got a good start on that...was able to glom this one for $185 :)
I've got bits and pieces, including a weaver K2.5 scope already. I've also got a NIW GI barrel. I'm kicking around selling it and buying a Criterion to mount on this. I've heard that the Criterion barrels are fantastic shooters and better than the older WWII made barrels.
Chuckindenver, a Crierion dealer, once said he preferred short chambeted new ww2 barrels and use a match reamer.
Chuckindenver, a Crierion dealer, once said he preferred short chambeted new ww2 barrels and use a match reamer.
Interesting. I'll re think whether to sell the NIW GI barrel to buy a Criterion.
PhillipM
12-05-2015, 07:05
Interesting. I'll re think whether to sell the NIW GI barrel to buy a Criterion.
I bet chuck would give you a good deal on a swap if you decide to get a Criterion
looks good, one thing that scares heck out of me is buying an auction receiver and finding that the scres that had been drilled by a drunken organ grinders monkey. done four of these and so far (knock on wood) has yet to happen. all the holes were drilled correctly and proper tap had been done. i get pretty good money when i uload them and they all shoot sub MOA at 100. with custom ammo
what is fun is testing and shooting against some guy that has a real hot high dollar 300 magnum and can not get sub minute and ur there with a plain old 1003 A4gery
looks good, one thing that scares heck out of me is buying an auction receiver and finding that the scres that had been drilled by a drunken organ grinders monkey. done four of these and so far (knock on wood) has yet to happen. all the holes were drilled correctly and proper tap had been done. i get pretty good money when i uload them and they all shoot sub MOA at 100. with custom ammo
what is fun is testing and shooting against some guy that has a real hot high dollar 300 magnum and can not get sub minute and ur there with a plain old 1003 A4gery
Thanks, pelago.
I do worry about what kind of job was done on the drill and tap. Hoping for the best.
I've got several Mausers that shoot about 1 moa or a little better. One is a Persian and the other is an '09 Argentine
http://i.imgur.com/rp383TI.jpg
On a recent trip to the range to check the zero on these rifles, the Persian shot a .9 MOA 5 shot group at 300 yards and the Argentine wasn't far behind...
http://i.imgur.com/CWOjRzO.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/cOYFfmQ.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/PRTMfQk.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/hbRYzAL.jpg?1
Nice going C.F. I just picked up a sporterised 03A3 last week, waiting for it to get out of jail. Best part is only the stock ha been cut down, no drill and tap. Looks like 90% original park finish. Have all parts to return to military configuration. When I get it together we can go to the range and try it out. See u around. Ron P.S. ?Nice Mausers.
Nice going C.F. I just picked up a sporterised 03A3 last week, waiting for it to get out of jail. Best part is only the stock ha been cut down, no drill and tap. Looks like 90% original park finish. Have all parts to return to military configuration. When I get it together we can go to the range and try it out. See u around. Ron P.S. ?Nice Mausers.
Thanks, Ron! Great find on the 03A3. Putting it back into military configuration could be a lot of fun. Shooting it afterwards could be even more fun. :)
Before and after on my recent 03A3 sporter purchase.
Damn, Ron. That is a great transformation! Post a range report when you get a chance.
The sported 03A3 arrived at my FFL and I started the 10 day "cooling off" period. It is a Remington , s/n 418xxxx. It is excellent shape, and looks like a good prospect for the "A4gery treatment".
One thing I hadn't noticed...the barrel is really short. I didn't measure it, but probably around 17 or 18". Bet the muzzle blast on that one is impressive.
You need help.......We need help.
You need help.......We need help.
LOL...there is no help for what ails us
Don't get all of this. I have an original A4 and a repro and both are crap as a sniper rifle. Those who have made these things have made junk. I have been lucky to own and fire 7 different WW2 sniper rifles and I will not bother to fire an A4 again. My favorite rifle now is a AR15 heavy barrel, with a trigger job and Leatherwood bullet drop compensating scope. With a Federal Gold Medal 69 grain round, it is 1 MOA at 300 yards and can hit any military target out to 600. Of course it does not hit that hard at 600. Did not mean to insult anyone.
only 1MOA? and scoped?
get some irons and learn the positions, and see what a good AR will do,
and comparing apples to oranges,
I have an 03 that shoots better than 3/4 MOA regularly at 100, no bedding, nothing special, just a mid 30's 03 and a scant stock (surely a replacement) and AP USGI type ammo,
Picked up the sported 03A3 yesterday, along with a few other items. As I said...the barrel has been cut back to 17.5" and a recessed crown added. I'll be mounting a military profile barrel, so it isn't a big issue for me.
Guess the previous owner just wanted an 03 A3 carbine
http://i.imgur.com/RwyOoJ2.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/OYJxM7y.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/0ZvTJOT.jpg?2
There are a few a3 barrels available recently on eBay under $200 to about $240. you might want to watch for them.
There are a few a3 barrels available recently on eBay under $200 to about $240. you might want to watch for them.
Thanks, louis. I've got several NIW 03A3 and 1903 barrels.
I'm thinking of selling one of the 03A3 barrels and buying a Criterion 03A3 barrel. I've heard very good things about the Criterions.
Nice project. I bought one similar to that one a couple years ago, 18'' barrel and cut down original stock. No holes drilled in it but rather an oddball all in one peep made for the 03A's on the dovetail. The front sight band had been split and jb welded to the cut barrel end. The sad part was, the whole gun was an unused original with all the right parts and a beautiful cartouched stock. It's back in uniform so to speak. :)
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