Replica M1903A1 USMC Sniper rifle

[Miller Tyme]

Picked up a new toy yesterday that was such a deal I took off from work and drove over 3 hours each way to pick it up.
It's a Replica M1903A1 USMC sniper rifle. It is an original 1916 Springfield 1903 that had a replacement NOS High Standard barrel manufactured in 1944 installed along with authentic set of Unertl rings, and a Hilux USMC replica scope. It was from an estate of a gentleman from Fort Wayne that use to shoot at Camp Perry so I have little doubt it will be a shooter.

 

[onetopgun]

Picked up a new toy yesterday that was such a deal I took off from work and drove over 3 hours each way to pick it up.
It's a Replica M1903A1 USMC sniper rifle. It is an original 1916 Springfield 1903 that had a replacement NOS High Standard barrel manufactured in 1944 installed along with authentic set of Unertl rings, and a Hilux USMC replica scope. It was from an estate of a gentleman from Fort Wayne that use to shoot at Camp Perry so I have little doubt it will be a shooter.View attachment 7735956View attachment 7735957View attachment 7735958View attachment 7735959View attachment 7735960View attachment 7735961View attachment 7735962View attachment 7735963View attachment 7735964View attachment 7735965View attachment 7735966

Nice Stick!

 

[deltawiskey]

Congratulations!! That's an awesome rifle...
DW

 

[Badshot308]

Picked up a new toy yesterday that was such a deal I took off from work and drove over 3 hours each way to pick it up.
It's a Replica M1903A1 USMC sniper rifle. It is an original 1916 Springfield 1903 that had a replacement NOS High Standard barrel manufactured in 1944 installed along with authentic set of Unertl rings, and a Hilux USMC replica scope. It was from an estate of a gentleman from Fort Wayne that use to shoot at Camp Perry so I have little doubt it will be a shooter.View attachment 7735956View attachment 7735957View attachment 7735958View attachment 7735959View attachment 7735960View attachment 7735961View attachment 7735962View attachment 7735963View attachment 7735964View attachment 7735965View attachment 7735966

Looks excellent. However, it might be one of those low number Springfields that have a questionable heat treat. https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/m1903-m1903a3-rifle-information/

 

[Davo308]

Cool

 

[BullGear]

Picked up a new toy yesterday that was such a deal I took off from work and drove over 3 hours each way to pick it up.
It's a Replica M1903A1 USMC sniper rifle. It is an original 1916 Springfield 1903 that had a replacement NOS High Standard barrel manufactured in 1944 installed along with authentic set of Unertl rings, and a Hilux USMC replica scope. It was from an estate of a gentleman from Fort Wayne that use to shoot at Camp Perry so I have little doubt it will be a shooter.View attachment 7735956View attachment 7735957View attachment 7735958View attachment 7735959View attachment 7735960View attachment 7735961View attachment 7735962View attachment 7735963View attachment 7735964View attachment 7735965View attachment 7735966

That is a sweet firearm. You should feel privileged to be able to own such a fine instrument.

Congrats!

 

[cplnorton]

That looks really nice! I bet it's a heck of a good shooter!

 

[pitspitr]

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

[Miller Tyme]

Thanks everyone, as soon as we get the OK to resume operations at my local range in a couple of weeks (long story) I will give an update on it.

 

[FuhQ]

I'm not big on the vintage stuff, mainly because I can't afford them (the period-correct NOS/OEM stuff) , but that's one sharp rifle! I'm interested to see how it shoots.

 

[pitspitr]

Those mounts aren't like the ones on my Hi-Lux. Can you tell us anything more about them?

 

[Random Guy]

Those mounts aren't like the ones on my Hi-Lux. Can you tell us anything more about them?

The silver mounts are vintage Unertl mounts from probably the 1950s-1960s (see attached). They have much more precise, tactile 'clicks' - rather than the mushy 'clicks' on the Hi-Lux repo scopes. Thus, guys who are serious about vintage sniper matches will sometimes utilize the vintage Unertl mounts, so they can accurately count their clicks when they go from the 300 yard line back to the 600 yard line. With the Hi-Lux turrets it's sort of a 'best guesstimate'. The upside is the Hi-Lux 8x USMC repo scope uses coated lens, and they are typically much brighter than the vintage 1950s-60s scopes.

In fact, Hi-Lux made a competition mount for those who wanted better clicks (maybe $250 or $275?), but it's been out of stock for a long time:

Malcolm 8X Vintage Sniper Competition Mount

You've asked, and we've delivered! Specially designed for Vintage Sniper Competition, the new Malcolm micrometer mounts give you precise adjustment clicks to clean targets at 600 yards. The Malcolm Vintage Sniper Competition mounts eliminate virtually all backlash between clicks. Compatible...

hi-luxoptics.com

 

[deltawiskey]

I see Hilux has a V2 of the 8x USMC scope out claiming to have better adjustments. I may have to give one a try...
DW

 

[pitspitr]

The silver mounts are vintage Unertl mounts from probably the 1950s-1960s (see attached). They have much more precise, tactile 'clicks' - rather than the mushy 'clicks' on the Hi-Lux repo scopes. Thus, guys who are serious about vintage sniper matches will sometimes utilize the vintage Unertl mounts, so they can accurately count their clicks when they go from the 300 yard line back to the 600 yard line. With the Hi-Lux turrets it's sort of a 'best guesstimate'. The upside is the Hi-Lux 8x USMC repo scope uses coated lens, and they are typically much brighter than the vintage 1950s-60s scopes.

In fact, Hi-Lux made a competition mount for those who wanted better clicks (maybe $250 or $275?), but it's been out of stock for a long time:

Malcolm 8X Vintage Sniper Competition Mount

You've asked, and we've delivered! Specially designed for Vintage Sniper Competition, the new Malcolm micrometer mounts give you precise adjustment clicks to clean targets at 600 yards. The Malcolm Vintage Sniper Competition mounts eliminate virtually all backlash between clicks. Compatible...

hi-luxoptics.com

Thank you for that! Apparently my front mount got changed out with the tube, but I got the original rear mount back.
Is there anybody that makes a repro of the rear mount that's as good as the original?

 

[Random Guy]

Only Hi-Lux is making a separate rear mount. I don't think anyone else is making parts for these old externally-adjustable scopes.

Malcolm 8X Vintage Sniper Competition Mount

You've asked, and we've delivered! Specially designed for Vintage Sniper Competition, the new Malcolm micrometer mounts give you precise adjustment clicks to clean targets at 600 yards. The Malcolm Vintage Sniper Competition mounts eliminate virtually all backlash between clicks. Compatible...

hi-luxoptics.com

 

[pitspitr]

Are they any better than the old ones?

 

[Charger442]

Only Hi-Lux is making a separate rear mount. I don't think anyone else is making parts for these old externally-adjustable scopes.

Malcolm 8X Vintage Sniper Competition Mount

You've asked, and we've delivered! Specially designed for Vintage Sniper Competition, the new Malcolm micrometer mounts give you precise adjustment clicks to clean targets at 600 yards. The Malcolm Vintage Sniper Competition mounts eliminate virtually all backlash between clicks. Compatible...

hi-luxoptics.com

Steve Earle says hey

scope accessories

 

[Random Guy]

I didn't know that he also makes a rear mount, as seen here:

scope accessories

 

[pitspitr]

Thank you both. I'm going to look into those, but it will have to wait until I can replenish my "gun-safe cash stash." It will be thoroughly depleted when I pay for the work that is at the gunsmith's now.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

I have a CMP built version of that rifle. I did the same thing, I put my original Unertl rings on the Hi-Lux scope. Hi-Lux adjustments are coarse and crude compared to Unertl workmanship from 50 years ago when people had skills.

CMP included a test target with a slightly under 1 moa group. It was easily duplicated with match ammunition and 1960's 30 cal match gets you around 1" to 1.5" at 100 yds and does very well out to beyond 600 yds. When compared to the M1C or the 03-A4 sniper rifle the Marines had a far more accurate rifle, the scope was a tad more fragile for use under harsh field conditions in my opinion.

 

[coyotewillie]

Just got mine back from "Chuck in Denver". Remington 03, Malcolm 2nd gen scope with Steve Earl mounts. Shoots alright.

 

[Miller Tyme]

Well I went to the meeting at my gun range yesterday and after all the hoops we have had to jump through ( and we have passed them all with flying colors) they dropping a zoning violation on the range so it looks like March before it might reopen.

Looks like I am going to be searching for another range to try it out on.