Hello Fellow Shooters!
For quite some time, I've been entertaining the idea of hunting for a 1903A3 rifle as my first 'long gun'. I own other guns and shot plenty rifles, but currently do not own a rifle of any kind. It has been a childhood dream of mine and I love the look of the wood. Now I've got funds to play around with.
I"ve been hunting online for various information regarding them, but the price ranges and etc. are a little perplexing. My intention for this is to mainly be a range and nostalgia piece. I'm seeing individual prices range from $600+ to $2,000+ for the various types of 1903s, and I am seeing the A3s for generally around $900. Would this be a realistic price point?
More specifically, would this be a realistic price point in the MD area? I'll try and buy from a private individual, followed by local stores, before I go looking on various sites. Gotta keep it in the MD family; if all goes well here I'll throw a post up on WTB shortly.
Serial Numbers and Manufacturers? I'm a little in the dark as to how these play into the various rifles. I would assume that lower serial numbers are more valued by collectors, but I am not looking for a collection piece never to be fired. If anyone has information regarding this I'd greatly appreciate hearing it. Should I avoid any particular manufacturer or serial number range if I intend to fire the rifle on a not-so-semi-regular basis? (once or twice per year;It's MD, I have to travel a ways for rifle ranges).
After I've found a rifle, are there any things to disqualify it as a good rifle? Anything that I should be aware of in advance that would dissuade any of you from make a purchase after seeing one in person? How should I inspect a rifle such as this?
If you need more info or anything else let me know and I'll attempt to provide it. Thanks all!
For quite some time, I've been entertaining the idea of hunting for a 1903A3 rifle as my first 'long gun'. I own other guns and shot plenty rifles, but currently do not own a rifle of any kind. It has been a childhood dream of mine and I love the look of the wood. Now I've got funds to play around with.
I"ve been hunting online for various information regarding them, but the price ranges and etc. are a little perplexing. My intention for this is to mainly be a range and nostalgia piece. I'm seeing individual prices range from $600+ to $2,000+ for the various types of 1903s, and I am seeing the A3s for generally around $900. Would this be a realistic price point?
More specifically, would this be a realistic price point in the MD area? I'll try and buy from a private individual, followed by local stores, before I go looking on various sites. Gotta keep it in the MD family; if all goes well here I'll throw a post up on WTB shortly.
Serial Numbers and Manufacturers? I'm a little in the dark as to how these play into the various rifles. I would assume that lower serial numbers are more valued by collectors, but I am not looking for a collection piece never to be fired. If anyone has information regarding this I'd greatly appreciate hearing it. Should I avoid any particular manufacturer or serial number range if I intend to fire the rifle on a not-so-semi-regular basis? (once or twice per year;It's MD, I have to travel a ways for rifle ranges).
After I've found a rifle, are there any things to disqualify it as a good rifle? Anything that I should be aware of in advance that would dissuade any of you from make a purchase after seeing one in person? How should I inspect a rifle such as this?
If you need more info or anything else let me know and I'll attempt to provide it. Thanks all!