snowman748
New member
A while back I picked up a 1903A3 Sporter from a local pawn shop for $250. I debated leaving it a Sporter and using it as a hunting rifle. It has the original barrel, action, trigger guard/magwell, trigger, etc. It was drilled & tapped, had the bolt handle turned down, front sight removed, safety switched to one that would clear the scope and put in a Sporter stock. I bedded the stock and added a Timney trigger (I kept the original trigger) and restained the Sporter stock to give it an aged look. Overall I liked the way it turned out BUT I'm kind out getting an itch to make a 1903A4 clone out of it. After doing some research it appears the only things I would need are a new stock, handguard, barrel bands, scope mount, scope, safety and possibly a sling. I'll probably use mostly reproduction stuff and not original, especially since I'm sure some modifications will be needed to make it fit right. I picked up an original 1903A3 stock from a gun show for $10 but it's been cut short. I plan to use this to practice inletting the bolt handle. I figure if I screw it up I'm only out $10 and it's good to practice before I buy a full length stock since they seem to run about $200. I also know I'll have to probably drill new holes on the scope mount to match up with the existing holes in my receiver.
Am I on the right track? I understand making a 1903A4 clone probably won't increase the value much but it just seems fitting to try and return it to somewhat of an original form. I'm not in any kind of a hurry to do it but would it really be worthwhile versus leaving it a Sporter? I did some research and I know for sure the stock came from "Golden State Armory" something about their "Santa Fe division" and I kind of wonder if they might have sporterized it also. I know they're more well known for making Enfield sporters BUT they did do some 1903s and Mausers.
I'm also wondering if a do make a 1903A4 clone if I should cut my loses and go back to the original trigger or leave the Timney in it for fun since it shoots so nice. I have no plans to sell the original trigger off. And yes I did have to file the opening bigger in the trigger guard to accommodate the Timney. If I go back to the original trigger I'm sure I'll have to replace that part as well.
Any feedback or input would be appreciated.
Am I on the right track? I understand making a 1903A4 clone probably won't increase the value much but it just seems fitting to try and return it to somewhat of an original form. I'm not in any kind of a hurry to do it but would it really be worthwhile versus leaving it a Sporter? I did some research and I know for sure the stock came from "Golden State Armory" something about their "Santa Fe division" and I kind of wonder if they might have sporterized it also. I know they're more well known for making Enfield sporters BUT they did do some 1903s and Mausers.
I'm also wondering if a do make a 1903A4 clone if I should cut my loses and go back to the original trigger or leave the Timney in it for fun since it shoots so nice. I have no plans to sell the original trigger off. And yes I did have to file the opening bigger in the trigger guard to accommodate the Timney. If I go back to the original trigger I'm sure I'll have to replace that part as well.
Any feedback or input would be appreciated.