School me on 03A3 drill rifles

[smokedog]

Is a 03A3 drill rifle recovery project worth doing?
I am thinking of doing one and most of my searching say's no, don't do it but I keep thinking why not? Anyone here done one? How bad is it?
This would be a project for me to "tinker with" or am I wasting time and money on something not worth doing?

 

[ken792]

You'd want to hand pick one that has light welds (or no welds in some rare cases). It's not really worth it unless you get one cheap, and it comes with a lot of salvageable parts. Don't get ones with the resin stocks and missing sights.

I'd say $150 is a decent price if you get one with good wood furniture, intact sights, and intact internals. Basically the welded bolt, cutoff lever, and barrel would be all you'd have to toss.

If you want to do an 03A3 build, I'd recommend getting one of the recovered drill receivers from Gibbs Rifle Company/Navy Arms. They had them for $115 at the last Nations show, with a stripped NOS bolt. The welds are already milled down, and the whole receiver refinished with a coating of some sort.

 

[metalman3006]

Just be careful and don't get the non-rifle ones that have the receiver cut.

 

[BlackBart]

ALL of ours that we had at Great Lakes years ago had no welds on the bolt. In fact we were required to snap the bolt open for both "noise" (singular) and inspection. (drill company, "stomping ass smackers" as our sister company, sissy choir called us) Would I want one.......... probably not, chromed actions do nothing for me.

Sad thing........... I don't remember if they were A3's or just regular 03's.

 

[ken792]

Whoops, by welded bolt I mean the firing pin hole welded. The bolts were rarely welded shut on them.

 

[BlackBart]

Whoops, by welded bolt I mean the firing pin hole welded. The bolts were rarely welded shut on them.

Don't remember but as far as our standard everyday "marching rifles" I'm pretty sure they weren't because we would dry fire them when the gorilla wasn't watching.

 

[smokedog]

Here's a picture of the possible project. This is all I have until it arrives.

 

[BlackBart]

Here's a picture of the possible project. This is all I have until it arrives.

Looks nice actually, interesting to find out how many plugs and welds there might be. Complete bolt assy's can be had for 30 - 40 dollars if you watch.

 

[Furious George]

I think it is a waste of time and money because at best, you will wind up with a bottom of the barrel example of an 03. Safe and functional? Probably. But I can get that from a Savage 110 from Wal Mart. I want something like 03 for its history – including the original high standard of manufacturing.

Reclaimed drill rifles are like cars with salvage titles in my mind. A rare Ferrari might be worth bringing back from a trashed condition, but a standard production Chevy Chevelle – not so much.

03’s that were NOT welded up into drill rifles are by no means rare and will always be more desirable than damaged ones salvaged from the junk pile. If you want an 03, get a good one, not one that you have to make excuses for.

 

[BlackBart]

I think it is a waste of time and money because at best, you will wind up with a bottom of the barrel example of an 03. Safe and functional? Probably. But I can get that from a Savage 110 from Wal Mart. I want something like 03 for its history – including the original high standard of manufacturing.

Reclaimed drill rifles are like cars with salvage titles in my mind. A rare Ferrari might be worth bringing back from a trashed condition, but a standard production Chevy Chevelle – not so much.

03’s that were NOT welded up into drill rifles are by no means rare and will always be more desirable than damaged ones salvaged from the junk pile. If you want an 03, get a good one, not one that you have to make excuses for.

Well you might need to get your mind right. It all depends on what he has into it (maybe a LOT maybe NOT) How much is welded if any? What needs to be replaced. We don't know.... the wood is worth 100 or so, trigger asy, metal parts ect. I LOVE "junk" rifles, made a ton off them.

 

[molonlabe]

ALL of ours that we had at Great Lakes years ago had no welds on the bolt. In fact we were required to snap the bolt open for both "noise" (singular) and inspection. (drill company, "stomping ass smackers" as our sister company, sissy choir called us) Would I want one.......... probably not, chromed actions do nothing for me.

Sad thing........... I don't remember if they were A3's or just regular 03's.

If you were in around 1965 they were A3's

 

[Drmsparks]

Sometimes the pleasure of the restoration outweighs the cash value.

Just keep in mind it will never be worth what you put in it.

I have a small pile of o3a3 sporters around that confirm that. I enjoy my work, I make them pretty, but I'll never make money off them.

 

[smokedog]

Sometimes the pleasure of the restoration outweighs the cash value.

.

This sums it up for me.
Not going to do it to sell just to see if I can bring a classic back to life.

 

[BlackBart]

If you were in around 1965 they were A3's

Thank you, one of those nagging questions I never thought would get answered. 69

 

[stu929]

If i was doing a drill rifle resto it would only be to make a A4gery. There are plenty of affordable A3s out there. A4s not so much and i wouldnt want to drill anf tap an A3 that wasnt a drill rifle anyway.

 

[smokedog]

A4gery is a option will have to look into that.

 

[Sev89]

A4gery is a option will have to look into that.

That's what I'm doing http://mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=164490

 

[smdub]

All of this talk in the two 1903 threads peaks my interest even more. I've wanted a nice collector A3 for a while now since I got my first Garand. My eyes suck too much to use the orig 03 open sights. Now Im thinking about an A4gery (that word makes me chuckle) as a good shooter. Optics > peep sights on a shooter for my eyes. So, it better/cheaper to get something like a gibbs refurbed drill rifle A4 or do it yourself from a drill rifle? I have the tools and capability to restore one. Looks like a Gibbs A4 is ballpark $1k.

 

[molonlabe]

I bought this at James River for around 700 bucks. Refinished Smith Crona built in 1944 4 land barrel considered the most accurate.

 

[molonlabe]

I bought this at James River for around 700 bucks. Refinished Smith Crona built in 1944 4 land barrel considered the most accurate.

Carried one of these in boot camp. They were not welded or sealed. had operational bolts.

Why two post?