I have a sporterized Smith-Corona 03-A3 I'd like to un-sporterize and get it back into its original configuration.

I've been perusing Google for parts sources. I mainly need to replace:

1. Barrel. It's been blued, sights removed, aftermarket brake installed, etc.

2. Stock. It's been cut down on both ends.

3. Rear sight assembly. It's gone. Some kind of flip up has been installed in the middle of the barrel.

4. Bolt. While it looks pretty close, the handle is now thin and square instead of a ball. It isn't very comfy to use.

Anyone know of some sources? I've only found scattered parts here and there.

Though it would be nice to replace with original parts, I'm not that picky. I saw that CMP can replace the barrel with a new Criterion. My primary concern is getting it back into the right form.

This is only my second old school Cosmoline type rifle. I just finished a complete teardown/reassembly of my inherited M1 carbine. I actually managed to get the bolt back together without the special tool. Lots of cursing, but no tool.

Honestly it sounds too far gone to bother with. A current CMP rifle ( available at the south or north store ( is a round $700. The shape you describe, you would need at least as much money and possibly more, to get it back to military trim. Buy a rifle with more potential and less damage, or just get one from CMP

Forgot to mention there is some sentimental value with this one. I want to keep it and still restore it because it just isn't shootable now.

Numrichs is going to have some of the parts, check eBay for a stock. You almost might be best off finding an 03-a3 that hasn't been butchered up and pulling from it. I know around here you can find them for 400ish. Nothing special, they shoot, but that's about it.

Might check out Sarco.
https://www.sarcoinc.com/rifle...1903-a3-springfield/

PC

You might keep an eye out on the CMP forum for a drill rifle. These will have a welded chamber, but you could scavenge all the other parts besides the barrel from that. Just make sure it hasn't been chromed or too heavily refinished.

Original bolts and rear sights will be easy to source. Original stocks can be pricey, but they're occasionally available. New old stock barrels are out there too if you're patient.

Otherwise, there are new production barrels available from Criterion and others. And if you're going with a new production barrel anyway, then it won't hurt the value to go with a new production stock set from somewhere like Stockys or Boyds.

If you decide to go the new commercial barrel/stock route, the CMP will provide and install a new barrel and stock for the fairly reasonable price of $675, or $875 if you want the whole thing reparkerized too. It'll be a better shooter and look prettier than an original rifle, but won't have the same collector's value.


Just understand that either way you go, you're not going to be saving any money by restoring this one. Restoring a sporterized M1903A3 that is this far gone is a labor of love, not a smart financial decision.

If you're on a budget and want to make the smart financial decision, and don't have any particular sentimental attachment to this particular rifle, then I'd buy a different decent condition non-sporterized M1903A3 for $700-$800, and part out whatever is salvageable from this one to sell and recoup a bit of the cost. I'm guessing you should be able to salvage at least the receiver with cutoff, trigger, and trigger guard/magazine assembly, along with some of the bolt parts, and potentially the buttplate.

Good info, all! Thanks.

It sounds like it is too far gone to me. Save it and shoot it in it’s current form as an heirloom. Save up your pennies for a decent SC 03-A3.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Anyone know of some sources? I've only found scattered parts here and there.

Check your email.

quote:

Originally posted by 357fuzz:
It sounds like it is too far gone to me. Save it and shoot it in it’s current form as an heirloom. Save up your pennies for a decent SC 03-A3.

The main issue is that I have no front sight. There is a hole where an aftermarket post used to be, but it is gone. All that I have is that flip up sight that was also aftermarket. The receiver has no tapped holes for a hunting scope either.

quote:

Originally posted by M1Garandy:

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Anyone know of some sources? I've only found scattered parts here and there.

Check your email.

Replied to. Thank you!

good news that the receiver has not been tapped,


original stocks etc may be a bit pricey, but replacements can be had,

boyds used to make them but they seem to have stopped, I cannot remember who else,
northridge has some but they are pricey,



either way you go, you can recoup some funds by selling the sported stock and barrel on ebay , that stuff does sell,



someone mentioned CMP services

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-s...he-1903-springfield/

Didn't consider someone may want to buy the sporterized leftovers. Good to know.

After looking around, CMP may be a good place to have a Criterion barrel installed and get everything re-parkerized.

They'll also fit a new stock too.

Just understand that you'll be spending the same or more on having the CMP bring this one back to life with a new barrel, new stock, and repark as you would on a decent condition unmolested M1903A3. And the unmolested M1903A3 will continue to appreciate in collectors value, compared to the rebuilt M1903A3 with commercial parts.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
They'll also fit a new stock too.

Just understand that you'll be spending the same or more on having the CMP bring this one back to life with a new barrel, new stock, and repark as you would on a decent condition unmolested M1903A3. And the unmolested M1903A3 will continue to appreciate in collectors value, compared to the rebuilt M1903A3 with commercial parts.

Ding,ding,ding......Winner.

UPDATE:

On another member’s recommendation, I sent the rifle to Warpath Vintage run by Chuck.

He installed a new GI barrel and reparkerized all of it. It is shipping out tomorrow. I inherited this rifle from Grandpa, who unfortunately just passed away on Thanksgiving. It will be nice to have it shootable.

I’ll post before/after photos when it arrives.

Sorry to hear about the passing of your Grandpa.

Awesome news about your SC though! I own one that is a mixmaster that has a ‘C’ stock and it is my favorite rifle! They are great shooters and worth putting the $$ into to restore them as much as practical. I am sure you will love it!

'C' stocks are sweet.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
They'll also fit a new stock too.

Just understand that you'll be spending the same or more on having the CMP bring this one back to life with a new barrel, new stock, and repark as you would on a decent condition unmolested M1903A3. And the unmolested M1903A3 will continue to appreciate in collectors value, compared to the rebuilt M1903A3 with commercial parts.

I can attest to this. I paid $844 for a 1943 Smith Corona with a practically new barrel but it did have a replacement stock at some point.

Before:








After:

A definite improvement.