1903a3 Gun Smith

[bullpup]

I recently inherited a 1903a3 rifle. I don't really know the history of it. I know that my relative did some work a number of years ago for an old farmer and this was part of the compensation he received. The rifle was apparently never fired and was stuck in the safe and forgotten about. I can clearly tell that it was a reactivated drill rifle. That's not really my issue. The issue is that it won't chamber a round. The bolt will only close about halfway.
I live on the plains and we really don't have any good gunsmiths out this way. Do you guys know of anyone on the front range that has knowledge of these rifles that I could take it to. I would like them to, first, ascertain why it won't chamber a round. I imagine that when it was reactivated it wasn't head spaced and hasn't been fired since. I would also like a smith to look it over and see if it is safe to shoot. I'm no metallurgist but the tack welds on the barrel don't look like they were deep but I would like someone with more knowledge to inspect the rifle.
It is a 3 million serial number Remington that looks to have been produced in April of 1943. The barrel is from December of the same year and looks to be a 2 groove barrel. All parts seem to be Remington. The bolt has a single "R" on the bottom side. I would love to be able to use this as a shooter. I know the value isn't as high because it was a drill rifle, but shooting it would be awesome!
Thanks,
Bullpup

[BPTactical]

Very likely not worth the time, money and risk.
There is a reason rifles were turned into drill rifles- for whatever reason they are no longer servicable.
The spooky thing is given the heat involved in welding the heat treat is at the least very questionable. If it won't even come close to chambering a round I would question if a slug at one time was welded into the chamber. If there are remnants of a weld in the chamber forget it, it will be a hard spot that can't be worked through/around.
The cost of rebarreling will exceed the value of the rifle.

Part of the Gunsmithing game is knowing when to walk away....

[wctriumph]

I am not a smith but concur with BPTactical. Once modified, never the same.

One option; There are a lot of 1903A3's that have been sporterized but still may retain their original barrel and sights. These can be had for around $350 or so. Wait for the right deal, snatch it up and use your stocks from your disabled rifle to make a "correct" milsurp rifle.

Then go shooting.

[bullpup]

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have mentioned that the barrel isn't the original. It is a replacement as it doesn't have any tack weld marks on it at all. I don't know if that makes any difference at all or not. I think whoever put the barrel on never actually had it head spaced. I guess that still doesn't change that it was a drill rifle. Thanks again!
Bullpup

[hobowh]

aim surplus occasionally has barreled actions. Might be easier

[Marine24]

John Kelley at Kelley Sports in Parker might be worth a call too. He specializes in WWII and older weapons. He has been threatening retirement for years, but still does some work. At a minimum, you can describe the rifle's condition and he will give you an honest answer on your options or whether you should just hang it above the fireplace.