Hi fellas , my first post on the military page. I would like to someday own a nice springfield rifle, and i was wondering , what should you look for , how much do you have to give? Do they make reproductions? I would like to shoot it. I`ve heard there very accurate. I want one that`s still all military. No scope or anything like that. And last of all , where do you find something like this? I was looking at Garands , but WOW, there alot of greenbacks. I`ll bet they`d be fun though. Thanks

There is a great deal of information in "Small Arms of the World" by W.H.B. Smith about 1903 Springfield rifles. They were produced by Springfield Armory, Rock Island Arsenal and Remington. According to Smith and Smith in "The Book of Rifles", Springfield rifles below serial number 800,000 and Rock Island rifles below 285,507 are considered "low number" and some question the use of modern or stepped-up loads loads. Remington made 1903A1 rifles and were made after 1929 and used improved steel.

I would look for the best overall condition available, check the bore and exterior metal and the stock. Prices of 1903s has been rising steadily and recently I saw a Rock Island high number sell for $1,000.00 the day it was traded at a local gun shop. The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) website has 1903 serviceable rifles for sale for about $375.00 and they can be purchased by filling out the required paperwork.

Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

Before you go any further go to Milsurpshooter (http://pub113.ezboard.com/bparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums) and do some reading up on the 03. There is a lot of information there and lots of people who specifically work with the C&R firearms and the 03 who would be a much better source of information for you.

I bought my 03 from these people. I waited 6 months to have one restored, but I was very satisfied. http://www.miltecharms.com/