Corky's Milsurp

FINALLY, my influence is beginning to tell.

from Corky:

I have this friend, yeah a friend. We were talking about old rifles and I was telling him to skip them and buy something in the now but he will not listen to me. Well I, he.. is interested in possibly a M1903A4 springfield. What’s your opinion?

That what he gets for watching Saving Private Ryan.

The peep sight is a good improvement on the late 03s. Model A3? I believe that was the major difference between it an earlier models, other than quicker manufacturing technique with stamped parts and stuff. He really cannot go wrong picking this one as his primary bolt action milsurp. It's a very fine piece, and it's made in America.

But the A4 is the sniper version. To get a real, original, one is prolly very pricey. To get a bubbafied 03 is very good shape (other than the holes for a scope mount) and can be cheap because of the loss of collector value compare to an intact 03. Bubbafied ones are surplus iron-sight rifles that some hunter long ago had a gunsmith modify by tapping screw holes for a scope. If you happen to have a pretty pristine version without holes (like I do) you are better off selling it buying a Bubba special, and pocketting the was of cash you have extra, if you insist on an 03 with scope.

Nowadays to get a real regular 03 is kinda pricey, too.

Plus everyone will warn you not to get an early serial number version because of tempering processes in manufacture weren't as refined in older guns, so the receiver can fail in use. A receiver failure is known as 'very big deal; day ruining event.' 'Light and get away.' Plenty of info about that around.

You can get a cheaper Mauser or Mosin milsurp. But thems is Furren Guns. Boo.