M1903a3 is my rifle safe to fire? s/n 3775552?

Question

1903-A3 {R A 2-44} END OF BARREL

Answer 1

The only way to find out if the firearm is safe to fire is to take it to a competent gunsmith. He will give it a through inspection and let you know if it is a shooter or a wall hanger.

Answer 2

If you are not knowledgeable about firearms, always have a gunsmith inspect and test fire any used or old military weapon.

While the advice to check the bore for obstructions is sound ......and the fact that early 1903s had weak metal issues....... these are not the only things that could be wrong.

For example, improper headspacing of the bolt into the chamber could result in failure-to-fire, hot gasses and burning powder being blasted into your face or worst of all, a "catastrophic failure" where the bolt or pieces of the receiver explode and penetrate your skull, killing you.

Always consult with someone that knows the rifle and has the proper "Go, No-Go" gages to check headspace before firing and can verify that the bolt is locking properly.

While it is very rare for someone to be injured in this way, it does happen.

I had a carbine receiver rupture on me some 10 years ago, injuring my hand and requiring a visit to the ER and 20 stitches. I am lucky I did not lose my hand.

Also, modern high pressured .30-06 ammunition should be avoided if you can. You want to find what's called "M2 Ball ammo" that's 150gr. It's the lighter load that this gun was built for.

I have been collecting and shooting military surplus rifles for decades and own many more than I care to have my wife know about!

Answer 3

Your 1903A3 was manufactured by Remington Arms in February of 1944. These were probably some of the best finished 03A3 models made. If you look down the barrel and it is unobstructed and clean and the action is clean you have a premier shooter. Google it up and read the history; it is basically a copy of the unbeatable Mauser action. which makes it one of the safest bolt action rifles made. The 30/06 caliber is the most versatile one in existence; you can take anything on the north american continent with it and the variety of ammunition will boggle your mind. I purchased one exactly like yours in 1958 from DCM for $ 7.50 and paid $ 11.00 for the shipping. Saw a similar one advertised last week for $ 1,100.00. Depending on condition you have a fairly valuable rifle there that will last you forever.

Answer 4

Well, that is not a low-number receiver (Springfield Armory below 800,000; Rock Island Arsenal 285,507 or below), so in that respect its passed one test. The reason I mention that is "low number" receivers have been known to have, uh, problems of sorts so you shouldn't shoot those if you have one. The CMP says that too.

Looks to be by the markings a Feb 1944 Remington Arms re-barrel.

The only way to know for sure if its safe to fire, is to have a competent gunsmith check it out. None of us can diagnose that rifle from here where we sit behind a PC.

Answer 5

Only a competent gun smith can answer that question for you. Those guns are pretty old so don't fire it without having it checked out by a gun smith.

Answer 6

You should never share serial #'s from firearms w/ complete strangers. Just a word of caution