1903a4 Rifle Recovery

[Roadkingtrax]

Been chasing 1903a4 sniper rifles since forever, but the cost of entry has been way too high for my taste. Not thinking I'd ever find a reasonably priced original, I've been tempted to pickup a 1903a3 that had already been modified. The purist in me just wouldn't let that happen.

Thankfully I lucked out on modified, yet affordable 03a4 that someone mounted Lyman match sights on, modified the stock, and applied a varnish finish. Much to my surprise, the rifle has it's original barrel, original bolt assembly, and was essentially unused otherwise. I've added a commercial Redfield mount, Scant stock, NOS handguard, and a Weaver 330c. I'm hoping I can find a USGI contract scope mount, but far too many A4-forgeries have the real deal, and this one wont barring me finding one to purchase. I did swap out the original blued firing pin rod, as this one has a much crisper trigger pull for sniper matches. So consider another one saved from the dustbin of history!

Special thanks goes out to John Beard for his assistance in answering some questions regarding stocks, and 1903's in general. Always a tremendous resource in the community.

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-MLmP6VW/0/a8aa4b85/XL/MATCH%20RIFLE-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-MLmP6VW/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-qTkm4Gq/0/4ba9eba8/XL/20190320_172142-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-qTkm4Gq/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-s7c5hGN/0/cca8847f/XL/20190320_172639-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-s7c5hGN/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-fDBLr2n/0/c5eeb8a4/XL/SN%20SIDE-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-fDBLr2n/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-w3F3wFL/0/8d84f037/XL/20190320_172655-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-w3F3wFL/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-JMGhzkL/0/67f88605/XL/20190320_172224-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-JMGhzkL/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-P789pr9/0/95ddad1a/XL/20190320_172536-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-P789pr9/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-tKPSK7T/0/2ce543f5/XL/20190320_172443-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-tKPSK7T/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-Qm7wTC4/0/89b86d49/XL/20190320_172250-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-Qm7wTC4/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-FJSRzGF/0/cb0a74f9/XL/s-l1600-XL.jpg (https://hpshooter.smugmug.com/1903a4/i-FJSRzGF/A)

[p246]

Very nice, patience paid off...

[Dan Shapiro]

Great job!

[lyman]

Nicely done!!!!


range report?

[John Beard]

You have a splendid-looking rifle!

You need to find stamped bayonet and stacking bands to replace the milled upper band. The milled upper band was exclusive to the M1903 rifle and, likewise, the stamped upper bands were exclusive to the M'03-A3 and M'03-A4 rifles.

Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

[Roadkingtrax]

You have a splendid-looking rifle!

You need to find stamped bayonet and stacking bands to replace the milled upper band. The milled upper band was exclusive to the M1903 rifle and, likewise, the stamped upper bands were exclusive to the M'03-A3 and M'03-A4 rifles.

Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

I fully agree about the stamped parts. I'm a bit nervous about those being sold in the market now, as many are not USGI.

With the two extra screws holes, I opted for a bit of poetic license, and just reused what hardware came with the rifle in "Match" configuration. :)

[Roadkingtrax]

Nicely done!!!!


range report?

SR-1C at 100 yards. 5 shots.

45578

[bruce]

Fine fine shooting! Congratulations on a fine rifle! Sincerely. bruce.

[lyman]

Fine fine shooting! Congratulations on a fine rifle! Sincerely. bruce.

ditto,

not a bad group at all,

hope you place well at the match!

[Sandpebble]

SR-1C at 100 yards. 5 shots.

45578

I used to use a grain less of 4064 ... using Winchester Brass.