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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:33:54 PM EDT
[#1]
Damn. Tough choice.
I've had both but sold the garand. I still have the 03a3. Nice gun. I would have to say 03a3. (by a whisker) eta: i made about 30% on the garand sale. The Remington i got from the CMP so it will probably go for more than that if/when i sell. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:34:07 PM EDT
[#2]
Which one do you prefer? Which one is a better investment is silly.
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:34:17 PM EDT
[#3]
well its 50 50.. you will either find a Tanker M1 or a bubba Sporterized 03A3. kind of sad really.
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:34:32 PM EDT
[#4]
Garand. If you're planning to "invest" in a 1903, get the original 1903 (not the 03-A3).
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:35:03 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Which one do you prefer? Which one is a better investment is silly. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:35:25 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Garand. If you're planning to "invest" in a 1903, get the original 1903 (not the 03-A3).  |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:37:44 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: But I would want to shoot it! Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Garand. If you're planning to "invest" in a 1903, get the original 1903 (not the 03-A3). If you're referring to the heat-treatment issue, that only applies to World War I-era 1903s (serial numbers 800,000 and below). 1903s made after 1918 are perfectly safe to shoot. Look for a serial number in the 1 million range (that's what I did). |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:37:57 PM EDT
[#8]
Investment? Whichever you can find the rarest variation.
Neither will be rare for a long time. Too many made. It comes down to a personal preference. Unless I had a very early '03 or had the a4 version, I'd go with a Garand because its more fun to shoot. 
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:39:53 PM EDT
[#9]
I have both. Get the garand.
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:42:09 PM EDT
[#10]
On average the M1 is more expensive and usually holds value more. Everyone wants an M1. That being said 1903's are no slouches either. If you were to invest in 1903's I personally would look for pristeen 1903's or guns with some sort documented provenance. In my collection I have 3 M1's and 7 1903 variants. I have more 1903's simply because that is what comes into the shop the most.
The other aspect is......what makes you more happy? The M1 or a 1903? Both are fine specimens. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:44:46 PM EDT
[#11]
It all depends on condition and degree of correctness. As a rule a Garand should have more upside than a 03A3, but nothing is certain.
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:44:47 PM EDT
[#12]
Garand, 03's are at market price now. Garands are artificially low because of the CMP.
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:48:09 PM EDT
[#13]
Springfield never produced a M1903A3 so if you have a line on one of those, it might be a fake. Remington and Smith-Corona made those (USGI).
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:48:40 PM EDT
[#14]
I own both and the Garand gets shot way more than the 03. The 03 doesn't have much of a fun factor for range time IMO. Regarding collector value, assuming we're talking both rifles being all original as shipped from the manufacturer (original finish and original parts marked correctly), I would say the Garand will come out on top. I am basing this on casual observations of 03/03A3 and Garand selling prices over the last 10 years. BTW...my 03 is actually an 03A3. Also, a Garand would be far easier to sell. I could count the threads on one hand about; "should I buy a 03?" Yet for the last 10 years there is about 1 thread per week on someone asking about buying a Garand. Garands are highly loved among most shooters due to their US war history, quality, advanced/unique design for the period, superb sights, accuracy & effectiveness.
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:50:09 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Springfield never produced a M1903A3 so if you have a line on one of those, it might be a fake. Remington and Smith-Corona made those (USGI). This is correct and there differences in parts concerning those two makers as well. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:51:16 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you're referring to the heat-treatment issue, that only applies to World War I-era 1903s (serial numbers 800,000 and below). 1903s made after 1918 are perfectly safe to shoot. Look for a serial number in the 1 million range (that's what I did). Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Garand. If you're planning to "invest" in a 1903, get the original 1903 (not the 03-A3). If you're referring to the heat-treatment issue, that only applies to World War I-era 1903s (serial numbers 800,000 and below). 1903s made after 1918 are perfectly safe to shoot. Look for a serial number in the 1 million range (that's what I did). Rock Island M1903s after SN 286506 also. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 2:52:13 PM EDT
[#17]
Since you said 1903A3, I am absolutely voting M1. A 1903 or 1903A1 is a beautiful rifle, with lots of history...
The 1903A3 is the bastardized, cheapened up model of the 1903, with cost cut out at every possible point. I know some people will defend it, but who really wants a 2-groove barrel, stamped parts, shitty sights, etc. It also doesn't have much historical significance compared to a 1903A1, M1, Carbine, etc. If you look at WWII photos, you see some 1903A3s guarding ammo dumps, and with grenade launchers (before the M1 got a launcher). (There's 1903A4's all over, but you didn't ask about them). On the other hand, the M1 was there for the entire war, plus Korea, plus some use in Vietnam. The M1 simply works better than a 1903A3 at everything. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 3:09:40 PM EDT
[#18]
My dad was a 1903/garand nut when I was growing up. The culture I think has died significantly from what it was in the 8os and 90s but right now the garand is more desirable. The 03 sub culture is still around no doubt, but it's very much like the k98 collector sub culture at this point. I'd still love to get a Camp Perry 03 from my dad complete with the original comp sights, glove groove, and competition glove that slides on it. His friend was on the shooting team in Benning, and he got it from him probably 25 years ago.
Garands are awesome and always will be, can never have too many. The amount of garand threads that pop up in GD show that they are still desirable. |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 3:11:25 PM EDT
[#19]
I would imagine that the Garand has a wider appeal, thus better resale.
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 5/4/2015 3:13:20 PM EDT
[#20]
Do like I did and get both!
2 Garands and a 03-A3. |
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