Dupage Trading recently posted a couple of M1903s for sale and this one caught my eye for one, and only one reason- the pre-WWII C stock attached to it! So, while the rifle may be a mixmaster, it is a perfect candidate for Camp Perry use.
Springfield Armory didn't manufacture a whole lot of the pre-war C stocks carrying the drawing number D1836. Most of them went to NM rifles while the service rifles received the plentiful S stock as replacements. The stocks not chewed up during the war seem to have been hoarded by collectors and shooters and consequently, I've never seen one for sale in decent shape.
The pre-war C stock is slimmer and features a different grip profile from the wartime manufactured C stocks from manufacturers such as Keystone and American Bowling and Billiard. Some people claim that it is a more comfortable stock but I don't have a wartime C stock so I can't comment on that aspect.
The rifle is in the 1.43 million range with it's original SA 10-32 barrel and a nickel steel bolt. The stock has been stamped with a Greek rack number but retains a decent SA/SPG cartouche.
As nice as it looks, the stock wasn't quite properly fitted. The barrel wasn't settling properly so I very, very carefully broke out a chiesel and sand paper and dropped the action a tiny bit further into the stock. It's still not as tight as a new production stock but I think the results speak for themselves:
100-2X at 100 yards- unsupported prone with 168gr handloads
For me, the C stock really is a much more comfortable option than the S stock, especially in offhand. The pistol grip allows the shooter to get a better grip on the rifle and pull it in toward the shoulder.
Thurmont and Camp Perry should be a good amount of fun this summer
Springfield Armory didn't manufacture a whole lot of the pre-war C stocks carrying the drawing number D1836. Most of them went to NM rifles while the service rifles received the plentiful S stock as replacements. The stocks not chewed up during the war seem to have been hoarded by collectors and shooters and consequently, I've never seen one for sale in decent shape.
The pre-war C stock is slimmer and features a different grip profile from the wartime manufactured C stocks from manufacturers such as Keystone and American Bowling and Billiard. Some people claim that it is a more comfortable stock but I don't have a wartime C stock so I can't comment on that aspect.
The rifle is in the 1.43 million range with it's original SA 10-32 barrel and a nickel steel bolt. The stock has been stamped with a Greek rack number but retains a decent SA/SPG cartouche.
As nice as it looks, the stock wasn't quite properly fitted. The barrel wasn't settling properly so I very, very carefully broke out a chiesel and sand paper and dropped the action a tiny bit further into the stock. It's still not as tight as a new production stock but I think the results speak for themselves:
100-2X at 100 yards- unsupported prone with 168gr handloads
For me, the C stock really is a much more comfortable option than the S stock, especially in offhand. The pistol grip allows the shooter to get a better grip on the rifle and pull it in toward the shoulder.
Thurmont and Camp Perry should be a good amount of fun this summer
