un-sporterizing a 1903 Springfield, one problem

[556slinger]

My grandfather has a sported 1903 and I am trying to un-sporterize it and i have some serious work ahead of me. The barrel was cut and crowned just behind the front sight which means the barrel need replaced, the bolt has been bent and jeweled which means the bolt needs replaced, the stock is a Monte Carlo aftermarket so that has to go also, the rifle had been blued which means I'll have to have it re-parked and the only problem is the holes from the scope mount have to be filled but this is a bit confusing, it needs to look as if it has not been D&T'd. any ideas?

[zachomega]

Just wondering why you would go through the trouble?

Does CMP sell parts and receivers?

-Zach

[93-2.3]

ill be honest dont know much about these rifles but sometimes its gonna cost more to get the parts and convert it back than just buying another one im just saying. but it is your rifle your project and your descision i wish you luck with what you do

[762xIan]

the rifle had been blued which means I'll have to have it re-parked and the only problem is the holes from the scope mount have to be filled but this is a bit confusing, it needs to look as if it has not been D&T'd. any ideas?

The problem with parkerizing is it only works on steels....not stainless either.

The only way to fill those holes up is with steel, and welding is pretty much the only way. If you weld up those holes, the metallurgy won't match the receiver steel, and when you parkerize it, it may come out blotchy in the welded area, or the parkerize may be a different color. Hard to say. I have some welded areas on my 1919 that came out different than the rest, but it is a small area and not to noticeable.

As far as a bolt, the recent issue of sportsmans guide has surplus 03/03a3 complete bolt assembly for around $40 or so...check the website. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...y.aspx?a=92107

Numrich will probably be a good place to start for the stock and some of the other stuff you need. http://www.e-gunparts.com/productsch...NGFIELD%201903

Curious though are you turning it back into a 1903 or a 1903A3?

[556slinger]

Originally Posted by 762xIan

The problem with parkerizing is it only works on steels....not stainless either.

The only way to fill those holes up is with steel, and welding is pretty much the only way. If you weld up those holes, the metallurgy won't match the receiver steel, and when you parkerize it, it may come out blotchy in the welded area, or the parkerize may be a different color. Hard to say. I have some welded areas on my 1919 that came out different than the rest, but it is a small area and not to noticeable.

As far as a bolt, the recent issue of sportsmans guide has surplus 03/03a3 complete bolt assembly for around $40 or so...check the website. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...y.aspx?a=92107

Numrich will probably be a good place to start for the stock and some of the other stuff you need. http://www.e-gunparts.com/productsch...NGFIELD%201903

Curious though are you turning it back into a 1903 or a 1903A3?

thanks for the links. also for the welding, wouldn't that destroy the rockwell hardness causeing the receiver to be either soft or brittle? this would be a 1903.

[556slinger]

Originally Posted by zachomega

Just wondering why you would go through the trouble?

Does CMP sell parts and receivers?

-Zach

Originally Posted by 93-2.3

ill be honest dont know much about these rifles but sometimes its gonna cost more to get the parts and convert it back than just buying another one im just saying. but it is your rifle your project and your descision i wish you luck with what you do

simple, because i can do the work as a side project and do the work as i can afford the materials. also, i must save milsurps god told me to do it!!! lol

[Al-Mumit]

How long ago did your grandfather sporterize it? You might be better off just getting a new (to you) 1903 and keep your grandfathers as an heirloom.

[556slinger]

Originally Posted by Al-Mumit

How long ago did your grandfather sporterize it? You might be better off just getting a new (to you) 1903 and keep your grandfathers as an heirloom.

he bought it from a hardware store back in the 60's it was original m1903 he paid $35 bucks for it and what sucks the most............IT WAS NEW SURPLUS IN ARMORY GREASE AND PAPER WRAP!!!

[brian]

fyi, most 03's were originally blued, the park only came after overhauls.

so you're buying a new:
barrel, probably front sight parts as well
stock, and probably most of the furniture
bolt
and plan on welding up the reciever

so the only thing you're really reusing, is a drilled and tapped receiver? and maybe a few trinkets.

the first thing you should do is figure out if it's a "high" serial number or "low" serial number receiver.
the low numbers are concidered at best to be risky to shoot, some would say dangerous.
if it's a low numbered receiver, you're pissing in the wind.
if it's a high numbered, you're just pissing money away.
i understand it's your project, but till it's all said and done you'll have enough time and money tied up in one gun, too afford two correct samples.
besides this was you're grandfather's gun and it was setup the way he wanted it.
this example will never be what it once was. put me in the "leave it be" camp. they're are plenty enough out there that this one will not be missed.

[93-2.3]

556slinger like i said you time your money your project and your decision but as brian and al-mumit said its the way your grand father wanted it and also the way he made it or had it made maybe sentimental value would be better as he had it im just saying im not really the type to say no dont do that or anything but to me i let most things i get from family just the way i got it unless its missing parts then i get what i can to put it back together. as i have said before i wish you luck with whatever you do...... im not sure but tennessee gun parts might have parts for your restoration i know they deal with some older mil-surps but not sure about the 1903