03-A3 Ethical Dilemma, Shoot or Not?

[Krogen]

I never thought I'd be in this boat. I shoot my collector's items. No safe queens. I probably drive collectors nuts, but it's what I do.

However . . . .

I picked up an 03-A3 manufactured by Remington in 1942. It is as pristine as any I've seen. Likely un-fired. Probably un-issued. The parkerizing is unworn, even the bolt face is unmarked. Parts are marked R where appropriate. The bore is perfect. I figure it's not a rebuild, because if it is, it's the best job I've ever seen.

It's an 82 year old time capsule. My dilemma is that I want to shoot it, but I also respect the piece of history it is. It conjures up all sorts of mental images of the Remington factory sending these off to our solders fighting for us. This rifle is as it sat on the rack before going in harms way.

I am in a jam. What would you do? What would you do? I'm not going to sell it. So shoot it? Or find another one for a shooter?

 

[AJ]

I would shoot it as I will not own a gun that I do not shoot. That said, sell it for more than you have paid for it and buy a couple of shooters.

 

[Valmet]

I say shoot it- While it’s a great 03A3, it isn’t like it’s an unissued, orig high-hump handguard 03 from the pre-WW1 era.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Sell it and buy one thats as nice but a shooter. There are collectors who buy minty guns just for the pleasure of owning. I have a very nice
Krag rifle that was in cosmoline when I bought it and I haven't shot it either. But I have a couple other nice Krags that I shoot.

 

[Greyman50]

Where’s the pic of the upper hand guard???

 

[Golddollar]

Keep that one as it is. This gives you a reason to go buy another gun.

 

[jjrr]

I am an old guy which may factor in this, I probably would not shoot it although it wouldn’t do any harm except leave some marks where the bolt runs or the sight slides. Problem I would have is trying to get it cleaned to the state it is now after it had been fired. Tha act of firing an 03-a3 is the same with a shooter grade as with that rifle but like I said I’m an old

The color of that finish is that of an original, a refinish would not be that color.

 

[Dump1567]

I thought "O.G." was an Arsenal Rebuild mark?

 

[TheTinMan]

That’s quite a dilemma. That rifle is a piece of important history. If you are confident that it is not a high quality re-build, I would keep it just the way it is now. Part of my reasoning is that every time I take a firearm to the range, I feel that I am taking a risk - however small - of an irreparable accident. Same with cleaning a rifle.

I’m wrestling with the same problem regarding a Ruger No. 1 chambered in .30-30 that I got late last year. When I bid on it I knew it was a limited edition and very clean. I did not know it was 1 of only 248 ever made and unfired.

I want to shoot it! But the collector in me says that’s just silly. If it had the historical significance of your 03-A3, it would be easier to keep as a safe Queen. YMMV and forgive me if this seems like a hijacking.

 

[Shibadog]

Or you could send it to me. I’d be happy to shoot it and break it in for you, and you wouldn’t feel guilty about it��. Seriously, shoot the darn thing. That’s what it was made for. As long as you don’t abuse it you’ll not hurt it. I wouldn’t own a gun I couldn’t shoot, but that’s me. If you don’t, you’re just saving it so somebody else will get to enjoy it��

 

[6string]

Truly mint condition collectibles are always worth a seemingly disproportionate amount compared to even slightly imperfect examples.
Doesn't matter if it's coins, stamps, Cracker Jack prizes, or Barbie dolls.
Even a box of ammo through that, if it's as nice as you say, will mess up the bolt face (as far as a collector is concerned.)

If you had one that was almost as nice, but not mint, do you think your shooting experience between the two would be different enough to reflect the difference in value?
Say, as a guess, your mint one could fetch $4,000. Would it shoot any better than a clean rebuild with correct stock/hardware and new barrel that might be worth $1,000-1,500?

I would keep that mint one untouched and just shoot the shooters. Or, I'd sell the mint one for as much as I could get to a real collector, then go on a shooter-grade shopping spree!
There are people out there just looking to park there money into anything that's not going to depreciate. Go ahead and take their money!

In any case, it's a wonderful dilemma you've got there!
Cheers and Happy New Year!

 

[zwartepiet]

Beautiful Remington 03-A3!

It’s most likely been through a rebuild. OG would indicate an Ogden Arsenal rebuild.

Man I’d shoot it!

 

[45Smashemflat]

I guess I would offer up that you cannot definitely state it’s never been shot. (I suspect.). As such, 1-50 or so is certainly not going to hurt it. It’s in amazing shape. If your plan was to start shooting matches, I would say no. But just to “see how it does”, why not.

 

[Sevens]

I would not shoot it. I won’t suggest that you sell it, you already said you have no intention of selling it.

I’d absolutely preserve it.

 

[6string]

That’s quite a dilemma. That rifle is a piece of important history. If you are confident that it is not a high quality re-build, I would keep it just the way it is now. Part of my reasoning is that every time I take a firearm to the range, I feel that I am taking a risk - however small - of an irreparable accident. Same with cleaning a rifle.

I’m wrestling with the same problem regarding a Ruger No. 1 chambered in .30-30 that I got late last year. When I bid on it I knew it was a limited edition and very clean. I did not know it was 1 of only 248 ever made and unfired.

I want to shoot it! But the collector in me says that’s just silly. If it had the historical significance of your 03-A3, it would be easier to keep as a safe Queen. YMMV and forgive me if this seems like a hijacking.

That's a nice Ruger No. 1!
The Ruger No. 1 might well be the last heirloom quality rifle being offered by a major American manufacturer. The market for collectible or rare variations is very strong. I think I'd be tempted to keep that one unfired and then buy, say, a shooter grade No. 3 in 30-40 Krag and then put some No. 1 wood on it.
Or, maybe find a shooter No. 1 in 303 British!

You guys have such terrible problems to contend with!

 

[AlHunt]

Even if it's a rebuild, I probably wouldn't shoot it. I appreciate the time capsule aspect and would probably appreciate holding and admiring it as much as shooting it.

Even if it's a rebuild, it's an unfired example of that point in time.

Whatever it's status, unfired or rebuild, it looks pristine perfect. One shot and it's not.

I understand your dilemma in a slightly different way. Not that I don't want to own a gun I can't shoot - but I don't want to be responsible for keeping such a pristine gun in that condition.

 

[Baxter6551]

It’s been arsenal rebuilt as others have noted. It’s in fine shape. I would shoot and enjoy it for sure.

 

[RobertJ.]

If you don't, eventually someone else will!

 

[murphydog]

I would guess a rebuild would show evidence of prior use, likely extensive, so for this one I vote original.

I'd keep this one as is and find a nice used 1903-A3 to satisfy your shooting curiosity.

 

[kb1903]

03-A3

Very nice rebuilt rifle. "Scant" stock, with rebuild stamp. Bolt should be blue, not parked. Shooting will not hurt value as long as you don't beat it up. Even rebuilds bring at least 1K in S/E Pa.
Enjoy shooting it, just treat it nice.