Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
12/16/2024 7:07:27 PM EDT
Hey guys, I am from the Marion area and I am looking for a gunsmith that can take off and fit a new barrel on a 1903 Springfield rifle.  I got this rifle from my Dad's estate and it is a 1903 that has been made into a deer rifle. The receiver was tapped and drilled for a Lyman peep sight and it has a Fajen walnut stock on it.  The barrel I am pretty sure is original but has had a Lyman sight silver soldered on it.  I can just make out part of an 8 by the muzzle.  Serial number has it as being manufactured in 1928.  Criterion has a direct replacement in either 30.06 or .308.  I just need to find someone who knows what they are doing to replace the barrel.  Yes, I am looking to restore it to a military configuration.

The boring part: My dad acquired this in the early 70's.  He had it for 20 years and loaned it to an Uncle who died shortly after borrowing it from my Dad.  In the Uncle's family, they thought it was his and his son got it, then the son (my cousin) passed away and one of his boys got it, then when my Dad passed away, one of the family members was talking to me and I expressed how my Dad had wished he had got that rifle back and low and behold, one of the Grandson's of my Uncle said he had it!  So I got it back after 30 years from the time my Dad loaned it out!

A question for my ARFCom family: SHOULD I restore the rifle to its Military beginnings or leave it?  My Dad had it for maybe 20 of the last 50 years.  He never hunted with it and to be quite honest, it doesn't have any sentimental value to me other than it belonged to my Dad.  We never went hunting together with it or taught me how to shoot it....I just knew he had it.  I just thought about restoring it and keeping it to remember my Dad then passing it on as a milsurp to my kids knowing it belonged to their Grandpa.

What do you guys think?

Sorry so long, but I thought a back story was needed.
12/16/2024 8:03:39 PM EDT
[#1]
If I was out in your area and needed a gunsmith, I would call Smoky Valley and ask them who to use in the area.


Phone: (785) 227-4318
Fax: (785) 227-3508

Smoky Valley Shooting Sports
2341 14th Ave.
Lindsborg, KS 67456

12/16/2024 9:28:54 PM EDT
[#2]
If you want to drive to Olathe, Simmons can install a new barrel.  

Simmons


12/16/2024 11:20:30 PM EDT
[#3]
Hmmm, Smoky Valley, been there a couple of times a long time ago. I didn't know they did service work.

I did look at Simmons website.  They do a lot of stuff but I didn't see barrel change on the list. I will send them an e-mail and ask.

Thanks for the ideas.
12/21/2024 1:09:15 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Uys][Edited] [#4]
Most of the real gunsmiths that my dad or I know/knew are all dead.   I'd try to go straight to someplace with known skills -

https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/custom-gunsmithing/

Let them re-barrel it and you do the rest.

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/services-for-the-1903-springfield/

Sign up to continue the discussion

Create a free account to share your thoughts, follow topics, and connect with the AR15.COM community.

Already a member? Sign In