I like the Springfield 1903 but most of the WWI and WWII ones that I see for sale have made it to the lampshade stage or have the older weak metallurgy. Does anyone make a modern reproduction that is safe to shoot? Thank you!

Given how much machining went into the originals, 1903 & 1903a, my guess is that restoration might be a better term than reproduction?
One possibility for restoration is M1 Garand, M1 Rifle, M1 Garand sales, M1 Garand repair, M1 Carbine sales, M1 Carbine repair, 1903 Springfield sales. Reading about them in the past is more mixed reviews and not low cost.

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

I'm not in the market for reproduction M1903's so I've not paid real close attention, but due to my C&R license I do see advertisements for restored or rebuilt M1903 rifles using USGI receivers (usually 03A3's) from time to time. Seems I saw something from AIM Surplus that had some. TURNBULL Restoration was doing something with M1903 rifles . . . and I've seen the work from Dean's Gun Restoration (DGR) that looks real good.

The MILSURP Forum probably has some folks that can help out too.

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- Change it back -

After WWII surplus parts for 1903 and 03-A3 rifles were offered for sale at scrap metal prices .a company named National Ordinance bought up lots of parts , made new receivers ,stamped National Ordinance and given serial numbers , then using the surplus parts , assembled and sold complete rifles. They look just like military rifles, they even bought surplus wood stocks and handguards , slings....all parts were military.
They are good shooters , good for reinactors, they are NOT collectibles. I paid $60.00 for mine. It has an excellent, new military barrel, fitted with minimum headspace and just as accurate as any new 03-A3 could be.
So if you want a shooter look for National Ordinance 1903 - A3 .
You will hear people talking badly about them but I could find no actual evidence of any blowing up or causing damage.
Since I have one and shoot it a lot I looked long and hard but found no reports of them being faulty .
N.O. may have used Bill Rugers method of investment casting in the receiver making process and that might have made them think they were weak. Mine is a shooter and I'm not concerned.
Gary

I have a sporterized 03, all I need is an "S" stock, and all the hardware and I'm in business.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

There are usually plenty of 1903s in good condition on that well known gun auction site. Have they dried up recently?

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Release the Kraken

Low numbered M1903s were tested post WWI and only three out of thousands were found to be sub-standard and this was due to defective ammo. The USMC used low numbered M1903s untiled replaced by M1 Garands.

Thank you, but I do not buy a gun that I cannot inspect first - even a supposedly new one.

Rock Ridge MAchine Works is another place that builds/rebuilds 1903/1903A3 and A4 rifles. Most are built on deactivated Drill rifle recv's that are 'reactivated'. . New bbls and other parts. New stocks,
Repro scopes on the sniper versions.
Not cheap either.
These are what AIM sells once in a while. Supposedly Rock River does the re-mfg work on the 1903's for a couple others that were marketing them also. Lots of reviews and info on line about them and the others.

The Remington mfg 1903 from WW2 is a nice rifle if you don't mind it not being a real to life WW1 relic. Nearly identicle to the WW1 version, no worrys about low#/high# ser numbers,,they're strong enough for any commercial or milsurp load. Usually priced well below the WW1 mfg ;03's but climbing as well and like so many other Military rifles getting tougher to find unmolested,