[quote=43Shooter]Just picked up a really nice, supposed to be originally from CMP, parkerized Smith-Corona 03A3 that I got off Gunbroker. The barrel marking is Oct. 1943. The bore is bright with sharp four groove rifling. The straight grain walnut stock is the non pistol grip model with hardly a mark on it. It's stamped OG so I believe it's safe to say it's an Ogden Arsenal replacement.
This is the third O3A3 I've owned. I paid $40 for the first one in 1970, like new that still had cosmoline on it. They cost a lot more now. I probably paid too much for this one but I saw several that had considerably higher starting prices that didn't look any better if as good as this one does.
I've owned a couple of the older 03 Springfields; blued, no stamped parts with the cool rear sight and finger groove stock. No question, up close, they're a better looking rifle IMO but the 03A3 receiver mounted "peep" sight make is a lot easier for me and probably a lot of shooters to hit what we're shooting at.
My SC 03-A3 has Two-groove rifling.
OEM.
GR[/quote
One of my A3s came from the CMP with a rough, two groove and the first time I looked down that two groove bore I felt like I was cross eyed. It didn’t shoot worth a rip so I kept my eyes open for a new barrel on Gbroker and finally found a new “in the wrap” four groove with the same date as the original. It was completely full of cosmoline and it all came out as a two foot, brown noodle the first time I pushed a patch through it. 😊
I had the CMP Custom Shop swap the barrel and it shoots well. I just wish I had my 20 year old eyes again so I could really see what it could do.
