About six months ago I sold an unused, still in cosmoline and wrapper, RA M1903A3 barrel for $140. I looked at the boards where people were selling the same item, and where they were asking $175, no one was taking them up on it. The breaking point seemed to be right around $150, which is why I priced mine at $140 and it sold within 24 hours. Just my experience.

 

Thank you thorin6,

As my labor for my friend is free it looks like it will be more cost effective to modify the 1903A3 barrel to fit the 1903 than purchase a new Criterion barrel and sell the 1903A3.


Vlad

 

yuk...
just cuz you can ...doesnt mean you should...

 

+1 on what Chuck said.

 

chuckindenver, ZGun,

If you will pay $189.95 I will gladly send you this barrel, shipping included, so that I will not have to cut this barrel. I would rather not have to modify it. I would rather see it go to someone that needs it for a restoration.

Unfortunately my buddy's 1903 needs a new barrel. This is the most cost effective solution for my buddy. He has no extra money to buy a barrel. He works three days a week at a struggling family business, having cut his own hours so that they would not have to let anyone go. He pays for his own health insurance yet can't afford to go to a physician or buy prescriptions so he goes without.

If one of you guys wants to save this barrel then buy it. I will then buy a Criterion barrel from the CMP and pay the shipping out of my own pocket to send you this barrel and the shipping for the Criterion barrel also. And, as planned, I will provide the labor for free. I will probably rent the reamer on my own dime as well to help my buddy out.

Vlad

 

Vlad,

I understand in life you gotta do what you gotta do given the circumstances. If that is the only solution given fiances then that is probably what you/he will do. Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
I am curious if the 03 sewer pipe shoots and if your friend has shot it to get it hot and aggressively cleaned when hot. I have 03A3 may 43 4 groove barrel that was in similar condition. After 650+ patches all the green/blue is gone and she shoots about 2 MOA at 100yds with M2 surplus. Before that 2 month long exercise it was about 4 MOA at 100. It has cleaned up nicely, I would never call it good, probably fair but for my purposes I will accept 2 MOA at 100 yds for this original 03A3.

 

ZGun,

Thank you for your understanding of the situation my friend is in.

My friend lives in a crappy trailer that is falling apart on the property where the family manufacturing facility is. His father died about a year ago and the business is just breaking even. As long as they can break even they will stay in business as the employees at the business are all over 50, have been there for many years and are working primarily for their health insurance. My friend is living below the policy level to insure the employees can stay employed.

As far as the rifle, no it has not been fired recently. The rifle has not been fired in a very long time. It was apparently fired with corrosive ammo, not cleaned and then put up in the overhead of the family house. The barrel is a severely pitted sewer pipe. Cleaning will not remove the pits.

My friend also had a US Model of 1917 with the same issue. I did buy a replacement Criterion barrel from the CMP for this rifle. and repaired his rifle for him as a gift for labor that he did for me in installing a twin post auto lift in my shop that he also found for me.

This guy is one of my best friends so I will do what I can to help him but I'm not made of money either, recently retired and living on SS disability.

If I could find someone to buy the 1903A3 barrel for near the price of the Criterion I would gladly sell it and make up the difference out of my own pocket for my buddy. I would rather see this 1903A3 barrel stay in it's original condition but I don't think that is going to happen.

Again, ZGun, thank you for understanding the situation.

Vlad

 

Vlad,

You are welcome, good luck I wish you the best. I would suggest you shoot the 03 and see how it preforms if you have some M2 and the time. You me be surprised regardless of what you see looking down the bore.

 

All,

As there is no urgency to complete the rebarrelling of my friend's 1903 rifle the 1903A3 barrel has been listed on this boards WTS forum.

Vlad

 

Vlad, good on you making so much effort on all fronts.

 

Fellows,

Here is a link to the WTS thread for this barrel. http://forums.gunboards.com/showthr.../showthread.php?377550-WTS-Excellent-condition-two-groove-RA-8-44-1903A3-barrel

Price has been reduced, shipping is included and I guarantee your satisfaction or your payment will be returned.

Vlad