35Whelen
posted this
24 January 2009
Ken,
Watch GunBroker vigilantly. Less than a year ago, I bought an 03A3 there that was a former drill rifle. The guy I bought it from replaced the bolt, “un"welded the bolt release, and installed a beautiful, brand-spanking new old stock (12-43)2-groove barrel on it. The whole rig cost $450. He had fired less than 50, and probably WAY less, jacketed bullets through it. She LOVES cast bullets! I get misty-eyed just thinking about her sitting out there in the safe.
Deals like this don't come along every day, but they're not rare either. I just found an 03A3 on GunBroker that sold less than a week ago for $550 AND it had a Lyman 48 on it. These sights routinely sell on eBay for $100 or more. The thing is the guy had been listing it over and over for over a month before it finally sold. He had mis-spelled “Remington", so anyone looking specifically for a Remington 03A3 would have never found it.
You might try going to GunBroker and doing a “Smart Search” . Search for “03A3” or “1903A3” and search completed auctions. Occassionally for what ever reason one won't sell and you can possibly contact the seller. I'd also post a “WTB” (want to buy) on some of the Surplus Rifle forums. Also, when you search the gun auctions, use your imagination. I've gotten some really good buys just because the seller was inept when it came to listing/describing his item, mis-spelled words, etc. and no one could find it. If the lister doesn't know what he's selling, a Remington 1903A3 might be listed as a Remington 30-06 for example.
Right now at AuctionArms.com, there's a Smith-Corona with a Buy It Now price of $635. The stock is rough, but the rest of the rifle looks really nice.
As a last resort, Southern Ohio Guns has 03A3 drill rifles for well under $300. Of course they'd have to have the mag cutoff ungrounded, and a new bolt and barrel installed, but you'd have a really nice rifle after that.
Good luck,
35W