Howdy,
A friend wants to sell me one of his two 03A3s. Can you help me pick one? I'm no gun guru, but here's what I've discerned so far:
1. Both manufactured in 1943 and barrels appear to be match serial.
2. One is Remington (rifle A) made and the other is Smith-Corona (Rifle B)
3. Both bores look OK, but Rifle A appears to have a more distinct rifling and Rifle B's bore looks to have some very minor pitting towards the muzzle end.
Rifle A (Remington -- Top in pictures):
- Stock does not appear to be original -- It has something of a pistol grip (this actually feels better and fits me better)
- Action feels a bit tighter like it has been shot less than Rifle B.
- Bolt has an 'R' on the ring
- No markings on the stock that I can see
- Bore looks excellent
- Rear sight wobbles, but I think this can be fixed by simply drifting it left to right and into place?
Rifle B (Smith-Corona -- bottom in pictures):
- Stock could be orignal -- marked with a 'P' in a circle behind the trigger guard and very faint stamping on the left side. I can't make it out, and I'm pretty sure the pictures don't show it.
- Bore appears to have very minor pitting and rifling is less distinct than rifle A
- action feels nice and smooth but not overly worn.
I really want the Smith-Corona, but the stock on the Remington feels so much better to me, and the pitting in the barrel has me concerned. The only thing holding me up on the Remington is the wobbly rear sight.
Also, is the stock/grip on the Remington legal for BAMM, or does it constitute an illegal external modification?
Thanks for any advice!