Smith Corona 1903-A3 with bad chamber

[Patton63]

I posted a thread a few weeks ago looking for a gunsmith to look over my Smith Coron 1903-A3. I wanted a general safety check and some sight work. The 'smith called today saying that the chamber has a deep corrosive pit in it and is not salvageable. I got burnt on this one and am not happy about it, but such is life. My question, though, is - what now? The 'smith suggested attempting to find a replacement barrel and have it fit. I want a shooter, but 'm not sure if this is the way to go.

Any and all thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[Hunt4life]

I would not be against it. I know there are guys doing Mauser and mosin nagant barrels. I am sure there are plenty of smiths that can fit one to your Springfield.

Think of it like this, it is trash if you don't rebarrel, this way it lives on and you get a fresh barrel. I would not worry about the value anymore as you bought it to shoot.

 

[VJJPunisher]

id sell it as a crapper junker wall hanger, i'd be interested

 

[jbell]

Have you shot it? I have a SC also with a pit in the barrel that will make a ding on the brass in the shoulder but I have not lost a piece of brass yet and it shoots great. I say F it shoot the bitch and see what happens...

Just wear safety glasses with that one.

 

[classicshooter]

There are guys that specifically work on old battle rifles like that. They can re-barrel the rifle just like the old armories used to. I cannot give you anyone specific, but I have read a lot about ChuckinDenver to the point I have given him some money to build me a rifle that is in the works now. The thing to keep in mind is there are plenty of those rifles out there that have been re-barreled, so it is not like you would be doing something new.

 

[303_enfield]

Shoot it, sleeve it, cut some threads and rechamber it or just rebarrel it. Brand new barrels can be bought from the CMP an new old USGI ones are listed on Sturmgewehr Assault Rifle and NFA Forums - 24/7 Online Gunshow and Firearm Community all the time.

I'd shoot it first.

 

[kraigWY]

Re-barrel it. Changing the barrels on 'A3s is rather simple. You can get a new Criterion barrel from the CMP for less then $200 delivered to your door.

Civilian Marksmanship Program eStore

Just screw it on until the witness marks (barrel and receiver) line up. They are tight so they can be headspaced to your action. Its not that hard.

Then you'll have a shooter that will last you probably the rest of your shooting life. Those Criterion barrels are damn accurate barrels.

The M1903/M1903a3 are about as close to plug and play as you can get in a military bolt gun.

You say you want a shooter, this will give you a good one, (CMP GSM) match quality, or as close as you can get and still keep it in the "As Issued" per CMP Rules. And yes the Criterion barrels are CMP legal.

 

[Patton63]

Thanks for all of the replies. Rebarrel it is.