03-A3 Ethical Dilemma, Shoot or Not?

[TJm15.38]

You can't take it with you; shoot it.

 

[LVSteve]

I'm almost certain that Remington 03-A3s came with straight stocks from the factory.

I have a scant stock for mine to which I should transfer the action one day. that way people will stop asking "Did you HAVE to carve the last four of your SSN into the stock that big?" A former owner committed that sin.

 

[ken158]

Shoot the gun and revel in its history. The chance of ever seeing one of those truly unfired is minuscule and as noted, your gun has a rebuild stamp.

 

[BKLooney]

You're never gonna sell it anyway, shoot it and enjoy your rifle!

 

[444 Magnum]

As others have said, it's a nice condition rebuild. The OG stamp and the lack of any other cartouche indicates a post-WWII refurbishment at the Ogden Arsenal. It was likely restocked at that time.

 

[Krogen]

Thanks, everybody! This rifle is in such good shape that I figured it wasn't a rebuild. I wonder what they did during the rebuild? The barrel is dated 2-42 which is consistent with the receiver serial number. I see nothing but R stamped parts. I don't see any wear on the receiver rails. Could it be that it was just re-stocked? As mentioned above, Remingtons generally had straight stocks and this one doesn't.

Regardless, I think I'll go ahead and shoot this one. A piece of history, yes; and it will remain so whether I fire it or not. I'm not into safe queens. When others have questioned: fire or not? I've quoted Carroll Shelby who said "these cars are meant to be driven." I should follow my own advice. I drive my Shelby and I will fire my new 03-A3.

 

[sbrmike]

The Army will routinely send Lots of rifles in for refurb. they didn't sort through the worn ones or pristine ones; it was this battalion has had those rifles this long. Turn them in and draw fresh refurbs. They didn't worry about matching original parts; they put them together to specs. There are a lot of pristine rebuilt 03-A3's as they were not a widespread front line issue. Notice I said not widespread as they were a frontline weapon in the Pacific by especially the USMC.

I was in the Army and did my share of "Details" at the weapons pool.

 

[s&wchad]

Nice rifle! As others have mentioned, the bolt finish indicates a rebuild. The only mark I see on the stock is the Ogden Arsenal rebuild mark, which tells me it was either refinished or replaced. I'd shoot that one!

After the war, guns (including some that were unissued) were sent to various arsenals for inspection and rebuild. If the gun didn't require a rebuild, it was stamped and put into inventory. Elmer Keith talked about this and he was an inspector at Ogden.

I have an 03A3 that was unissued and passed through Ogden Arsenal. Note the finishes and the original stock markings. Photobucket trashed my posted images, but if you click on them you can view the unaltered photos. Use the back button to return to the thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firear...on-03a3-time-capsule-find.html?highlight=03a3

 

[alwslate]

I'm in the same situation. Several years ago I bought a standard straight stock Remington 03-A3 with a few small dings in the stock for $400 from a LGS. After I got it home and took a good look at it I realized that it appeared to be truly new and unfired from 1943 and with a four groove barrel. No rebuild marks on the stock anywhere. I figured someone inherited it and traded in for something they wanted or just sold it to the clueless shop owner. Sell, shoot or just keep it. I really like it so I decided to keep it and shoot it although I haven't done so yet. We only go around once in life so why leave it for someone else to enjoy?

 

[wbraswell]

I say shoot it. I have the one my Dad got from Red River Arsenal in 1960. He wanted the kind of rifle he had in basic, back in 1942. It was the first centerfire gun that I ever shot. Be real about value. What few bucks your rifle may devalue, if any, will not be missed by the enjoyment of shooting it. Shooting a gun does not defile it. Especially a milsurp. It's not like your going to drag it all over Guadalcanal.

 

[squidsix]

If you intend to buy nice art, buy art.
If you like to shoot, buy guns.
If you like to shoot nice guns, buy nice guns.

 

[CH4]

Go ahead, I won’t tell anyone.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have seen dozens of such 1903's. After the war these, M1 carbines and M1 garands and 1903's went in for a rebuild. New stocks in nearly every instance, new barrels if needed, and re-parkerization. What most think are new un-fired are just arsenal re-builds. I have owned a half dozen of these over the years in this condition. The thing with the 1903's is they were never re-issued and then sold off, while the M1 carbines and Garands went on to fight in Korea and Vietnam.

 

[max503]

Think of all the fun you'll miss if you don't.

 

[ron 57]

Date inconsistency?

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will respond but something is off with the dating of the OP’s rifle. The first delivery of 03-a3’s wasn’t until December, 1942. Production of 03 modified rifles continued alongside but at reduced numbers until the spring of ‘43. I can’t quite make out the serial number on the receiver but it almost looks like it begins with the number 4. If so, that would denote later ‘43 or early ‘44 production. The rifle may have been rebarreled with an earlier barrel during overhaul. Is it possible the 2-42 barrel date could be 12-42 with a poorly struck 1?
At any rate a fine rifle and I hope you enjoy shooting it.

 

[cruiserdan]

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?

Edit> This answer is late to the party.
The stock stamp OG indicates that is an Ogden Arsenal re-build. Shoot away.

 

[Spurdann]

I am seeing a dent on the stock, I would shoot it.
Seriously, what are the chances of finding a collector of 03-A3s that would pay a significant premium for a rifle that may be unfired?

 

[Shibadog]

You're never gonna sell it anyway, shoot it and enjoy your rifle!

This for sure. If YOU aren’t going to sell it, then shoot it and enjoy it. (If you were selling it that’d be different, but you’ve stated that you’re not). If you stick it in the safe and never shoot it, someday your heirs will wind up with it (who may or may not shoot it). Use it and enjoy it. You bought it, get some fun out of it

 

[03hemi]

Unfired and all orignal? Is it rare? Is it valuable? I have no idea about these rifles.
No way I'd shoot it, they're only unfired once plus if something breaks, now it's no longer all original. Too many other guns to shoot to get your jollies imo.
You have to overcome the urge to shoot every single gun in your collection, but then, some only have a collection of guns too.
If it's a delimma to you, then it sounds like you're more of a collector than shooter like me.

 

[CH4]

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.

I’ll let you shoot mine - the only difference is it’s stainless and it’s been fired. Other than knowing it’s a limited run for Lipseys, I don’t know how many were made. Don’t care.