Best source for a 1903A3, military stock barrel or aftermarket.

Ok here goes guys. I have a friend who is a paraplegic, from a virus, he is wheelchair bound. His grandfather was a friend, and old school gunsmith who I knew growing up. He left him a pretty slick 03A3 action, with good numbers on it. He no longer able to hunt, but has a 16 year old son who loves hunting. He was wanting me to build a 30/06 on this action to give to his son, for his birthday in May. I was wondering if anyone knows where I might get a mil surp barrel, if they are cheap enough, or an aftermarket replacement. Also if anyone has one they want to sell, laying around. I have a stock I am donating and I am going to do the work, barreling, drill and tap, hot blue and bed, finish the stock, all for free to help him out. He wants to pay for the barrel, and is on a fixed income/disability check which does not leave him much to play with. All help appreciated.

Michael and Anthony Pucci, Jr. make a living selling (primarily) military firearms and parts thereto. They have always treated me more than well, and *I* would not hesitate in asking Tony or Mike. They are situated on Long Island, New York, having a pretty well equipped shop with sign above door, "Orion7 Enterprises." Anthony is a past Chairman of Board of Garand Collectors Association, and to state he knows "lots" of people would be more than an understatement! Their telephone is 631 205 1299; in past they were closed on Thursday for on-range testing and the like.
Perhaps worth a 'phone call? (You may mention my name -- they know me :) )
geo

Thanks a bunch, great place to start it sounds like.

Are you wanting an original configuration military barrel or will a sporterized one work? I think I have a decent sporterized military barrel in my stuff. If you can use it, and I can find it, the price will be the postage to send it. Please advise.

Get a new mil spec Criterion barrel.

https://criterionbarrels.com/product-category/m1903a3/

CMP (the Civilian Marksmanship Program) has a website for sales of all vintage US Military Rifle parts back to the Krag. Their active forum also has an active Swapping and Selling segment as wall. :coffeecom

Froggie

Thanks everyone for the replies, Elk Hunter I sent you a pm!

GI barrels (2 groove) regularly turn up on the CMP forum in the $150-200 range NIW. They will require fitting as the new barrels are short chambered. The Criterion barrels are new manufacture (believe 4 groove) and have a good reputation. At one time gunsmiths had take off barrels from rifles rebarreled to a different caliber, many in like new condition. Have used several of these and if installed so the witness marks lined up head spaced okay. For a sporter try to find a milled trigger guard, looks much nicer than the stamped A3 guard.

I would simply grab a Criterion barrel and not look back. If it's for a sporter build there's no point in spending as much (or more) for a milsurp barrel as what a new Criterion barrel sells for from the CMP. Having owned a few now, I can pretty much guarantee it'll shoot better than a wartime 03A3 barrel. (Of course exceptions exist, but you'll look long and hard to find that exception.)

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Originally Posted by gnoahhh

I would simply grab a Criterion barrel and not look back. If it's for a sporter build there's no point in spending as much (or more) for a milsurp barrel as what a new Criterion barrel sells for from the CMP. Having owned a few now, I can pretty much guarantee it'll shoot better than a wartime 03A3 barrel. (Of course exceptions exist, but you'll look long and hard to find that exception.)

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^^This^^ NIW milsurp barrels cost just about the same as a Criterion barrel. I wouldn't even think twice about it - order a Criterion!

I have a nice 2 groove chambered to .308 Norma Magnum, blued. Bolt face would need to be opened. take 20.00 for it.

If you are looking for a reproduction type "C" stock google Starkeys stocks. Just saw the ad in the firearms news aka old shotgun news. I believe they make them for the 1903 and 1903A3 as well. As far as new old stock A3 barrels I see them occasionally for sale on the gunboards forums. Prices usually range from about $150 up to $200 with the 4 groove maybe slightly higher. 2 groove may be a little less. I don't know if you mentioned it but a milled complete trigger guard complete will run about $100 to $150 or so. The issue trigger can be stoned and polished to give a nice 2 stage let off. I found a bubba'd 1903A3 years back for about $100.
New A3 barrel was $35, able to save the fajen sporter stock,milled trigger guard was about $50. I did all the metal work and the smith took off the old barrel, installed the new one,D&T for a steel Lyman 57 SME,installed a Redfield banded ramp front sight with front sight blade for $200. That price also included bluing it as well.You can tell this was done a bunch of years back by the prices. Still have it and still shoots well. Only thing I regret is that I didn't have the bold altered for scope usage and D&T for scope base and rings. Frank

https://www.stockysstocks.com/stocks...nt-stocks.html

Guy in Denver specializes in restoring 03's of all variants, probably has anything you need. Chuck Moline at Warpath Vintage. He also works on rifles for the CMP.