building a 1903a3

[Guest tangojuliet]

so i figured every one is build ars i dont really like ars so..... im build a 1903a3 will show the receiver when it gets here

[DMark]

Remington or Smith Corona?

[peejman]

Cool.  Didn't know parts were available to build one from scratch. 

[Guest tangojuliet]

Remington or Smith Corona?

smith corona

[DMark]

So long as you have the correct tools, gauges, and skills to fit and headspace the barrel to your receiver and bolt, it will be a fun build. 

 

The challenge will be tracking down all of those small parts & pieces to complete the build.  The days back when you get a $125 drill rifle for all of that stuff are long gone.

 

 

Be careful - - - a lot of CHICOM junk out there now days.  You will want to track down USGI parts.

 

And You Know The Man Rule....., Post Pics when you are done!

 

Good Luck!

 

[Guest tangojuliet]

So long as you have the correct tools, gauges, and skills to fit and headspace the barrel to your receiver and bolt, it will be a fun build. 

 

The challenge will be tracking down all of those small parts & pieces to complete the build.  The days back when you get a $125 drill rifle for all of that stuff are long gone.

 

 

Be careful - - - a lot of CHICOM junk out there now days.  You will want to track down USGI parts.

 

And You Know The Man Rule....., Post Pics when you are done!

 

Good Luck!

was goona get this  http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/1903a3spfkit.aspx once i get the receiver and the money

Edited February 13, 2014 by tangojuliet

[DMark]

was goona get this  http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/1903a3spfkit.aspx once i get the receiver and the money

 

SARCO is know to use some parts from China.  The picture I posted is one they use and was lifted off the old Culvers Shooting Page.  You could get that kit from SARCO to build your 03A3 in order to get it up and running.  Later you could track down whatever USGI parts to replace the CHICOM parts that the SARCO kit might come with.  Then again you might get lucky and SARCO might - might send you all USGI parts. 

 

I would also contact SOG (Southern Ohio Gun) at (800) 944-4867 and ask if they have any 1903A3 drill rifles left.  Last fall they showed some in stock.

 

Is the 03A3 receiver you have coming complete or stripped?  Does it have a bolt? 

 

 
 

[Guest tangojuliet]

SARCO is know to use some parts from China.  The picture I posted is one they use and was lifted off the old Culvers Shooting Page.  You could get that kit from SARCO to build your 03A3 in order to get it up and running.  Later you could track down whatever USGI parts to replace the CHICOM parts that the SARCO kit might come with.  Then again you might get lucky and SARCO might - might send you all USGI parts. 

 

I would also contact SOG (Southern Ohio Gun) at (800) 944-4867 and ask if they have any 1903A3 drill rifles left.  Last fall they showed some in stock.

 

Is the 03A3 receiver you have coming complete or stripped?  Does it have a bolt? 

 

 
 

 

SARCO is know to use some parts from China.  The picture I posted is one they use and was lifted off the old Culvers Shooting Page.  You could get that kit from SARCO to build your 03A3 in order to get it up and running.  Later you could track down whatever USGI parts to replace the CHICOM parts that the SARCO kit might come with.  Then again you might get lucky and SARCO might - might send you all USGI parts. 

 

I would also contact SOG (Southern Ohio Gun) at (800) 944-4867 and ask if they have any 1903A3 drill rifles left.  Last fall they showed some in stock.

 

Is the 03A3 receiver you have coming complete or stripped?  Does it have a bolt? 

 

 
 

its stripped but has bolt  this is what im getting http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F11903RSC&name=Smith+Corona+1903A3+Stripped+Receiver+and+Bolt+Action&search=1903

[roverboy]

That should make a good rifle. Hope it turns out good and you get it going quick.

[Guest tangojuliet]

That should make a good rifle. Hope it turns out good and you get it going quick.

ty and will try to get it up and running quick 

[DMark]

its stripped but has bolt  this is what im getting http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F11903RSC&name=Smith+Corona+1903A3+Stripped+Receiver+and+Bolt+Action&search=1903

 

Make sure that the receiver ring has a square mating area to seat the barrel and check for cracks. 

 

Word among the 03/03A3 collector world is that the receivers being sold by AIM are from Gibbs.  Gibbs used drill rifle receivers for their sniper builds.  The drill rifles had their barrels and mag cut-offs welded onto the receiver.  The method Gibbs used to break these welds were often less than gentle and there have been reports of twisted receivers and cracks.  Also check the face of the bolt for any recent machine marks to remove a spot weld to cover the striker hole.

 

If you do find any evidence of weld marks, be aware that there are many who question the affect that the heat might have had on the steel.  That is a level of metallurgy that way past my liberal arts degrees.

 

Good news is that AIM is a great company to deal with and with fix any issue that might come up.       

Edited February 15, 2014 by DMark

[Guest tangojuliet]

Make sure that the receiver ring has a square mating area to seat the barrel and check for cracks. 

 

Word among the 03/03A3 collector world is that the receivers being sold by AIM are from Gibbs.  Gibbs used drill rifle receivers for their sniper builds.  The drill rifles had their barrels and mag cut-offs welded onto the receiver.  The method Gibbs used to break these welds were often less than gentle and there have been reports of twisted receivers and cracks.  Also check the face of the bolt for any recent machine marks to remove a spot weld to cover the striker hole.

 

If you do find any evidence of weld marks, be aware that there are many who question the affect that the heat might have had on the steel.  That is a level of metallurgy that way past my liberal arts degrees.

 

Good news is that AIM is a great company to deal with and with fix any issue that might come up.       

as per the metal part most of them were tack welded so its not gonna hurt the metals strength by the least bit trust me  you learn alot about metal as a machinist ;) and the new marks will keep an eye out for when i get it  when i get it ill take into a machine shop im in good with  ill use the optical comparator to sheck for cracks and surface plate for squareness

Edited February 16, 2014 by tangojuliet

[DMark]

you learn alot about metal as a machinist.....

 

And a little bit when your Dad was a Master Tool & Die Maker.    ;)

 

Good Luck.  Remember - - - Post Pics when you are done!

[Guest tangojuliet]

ok just ordered the receiver now just waiting for the call and yall can expect pics 

Edited February 22, 2014 by tangojuliet

[Guest tangojuliet]

ugh hit a major snag cant find a barrel for it  ; /

[DMark]

ugh hit a major snag cant find a barrel for it  ; /

 

CMP has new Criterion barrels in stock.

 

http://estore.thecmp.org/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=065CRI/A3&item=&sfv=&cat=BAR&desc=&udc=&mct=&vndr=&ba=&pmin=&pmax=&note1=&note2=&note3=&note4=&note5=&max=

[Guest tangojuliet]

CMP has new Criterion barrels in stock.

 

http://estore.thecmp.org/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=product&ID=065CRI/A3&item=&sfv=&cat=BAR&desc=&udc=&mct=&vndr=&ba=&pmin=&pmax=&note1=&note2=&note3=&note4=&notbut dont i have to belong to a club that is recong

dont i have to be in a club that is cmp affiliated to order from them 

Edited March 2, 2014 by tangojuliet

[DMark]

Dean's Gun Restoration (DGR) also has the barrel.

 

http://dgrguns.com/0-main-page-barrels.htm

 

These barrels have chambers that are cut .010 short.  You will need an action wrench, barrel vice, headspace gages, and pull through reamer.  You may also need to use an engine lathe to move the shoulder back so the barrel will 'index' correctly. Some barrels come close enough to not require any machine work, but others don't. Just the luck of the draw on barrel selection.

 

If you don't have these tools, buying them for a one time install won't be cheap.  It might be better and more cost effective to let a gunsmith do the barrel install.

[Ramjo]

My 1903a3 is dang accurate! 

[Guest tangojuliet]

My 1903a3 is dang accurate! 

ive heard that ive never shot one in milspec have shot a sported one ..

[Ramjo]

I'm hitting an 8" plate at 300 yards iron sights with Korean milsurp ex-machine gun belted ammo.

[Guest tangojuliet]

ok just got the receiver  saturday  so heres some pics of it 

[Guest tangojuliet]

[Guest tangojuliet]

[Guest tangojuliet]