Should I trade my k31 for this 1903?
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69 Posts
It’s in the 3 mil range
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2,167 Posts
I'd keep the K31...and buy the 03!!
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69 Posts
This is true, I already have 2 k31’s now idk if I wanna get rid of them😂
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45 Posts
Keep one and trade one. The 03 will be worth more in my opinion. Not to mention ammo being cheaper and much easier to find. Check the bore and trade one if it's good . That's what I would do.
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2,167 Posts
I'm not sure I'd agree with your 'miserable' assessment Kevin, I had an 03in the early '80's, that had been fully 'sporterized' (likely in the 50-60's), Bishop (or Fajen?) stock, safety, bottom metal, and even to include a Herter's Model Perfect Muzzle Brake. It had a well worn (or shall I say 'smoothed') four groove barrel. It shot both jacketed and cast bullets very well, regularly with 100 yard five shot groups being between 3/4" to 1 1/2", not bad for 'an old soldier'.
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2,405 Posts
I've had access to 4 different 03's....Dad gave one to our Priest when I was a kid...always said it was the best shooter. Brother got one...I gave one to my BIL....biggest mistake ever, and still have one that I will greedily NEVER give up.
Keep the K31 and buy the 03.
Keep the K31 and buy the 03.
That original stock geometry made the recoil unbearable for me, add to that some facial hair and it felt like your face was going to get ripped off. Never shot a sporterized one, I'm sure they were fine especially if they had a recoil pad.
Years ago you could get surplus guns at discount departments stores or through the mail for way south of $50.00-back then it was allot of money so I passed up on some guns I wish I could have now. If you can afford it keep the K31 and buy the 03, they will only go up in value. Consider it an investment not a purchase.
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2,167 Posts
Kevin, That reminds me of a story I had not thought about in many years.
When I started my 'career job' (after Army discharge in 1969) in 1970, I worked with a guy (almost 40 years my senior) for a couple of years before he retired at 62 (sadly, he passed away within 2 years), by the name of Charlie Conrad. He was a great guy and loved shooting and hunting (went dove hunting with him a couple of times), and he was a member and competitor with the St. Louis Benchrest Rifle Club, and was instrumental in getting me interested in that aspect of shooting. It wasn't until a couple of years ago, while I was digging into some rimfire research for something, that I came across an old photo of a shooting team, from the early 1930's, that had him shown and named with other members of a Winchester/Olin sponsored shooting team out of Alton, Il., which was Olin and Nilo (Olin spelled backwards) Farms territory. He, apparently, was a quite a well established nationally ranked shooter and Winchester team member...he never 'bragged' about it.
I've had 'facial hair' for most of my adult life, and normally keep it cropped fairly short. When I started that job, I guess somewhat rebellious against recent Army rules experience (boy, I'll show THEM!), I started growing my beard and let it get several inches long. One day, Charlie was teasing me about my beard, with a cautionary tale. He related an experience he had had one year at Camp Perry. He said there was this high power competitor, that had a large red beard, he was watching during a match. When the match had concluded, Charlie said his beard looked redder than normal. When he looked closer at him, he saw it was due to all the blood from the bolt ripping the hair out of his beard. He said the shooter wasn't phased by it and it didn't stop or affect his shooting...that's pretty tough! I'm betting that guy was competing with an 03 Springfield.
I've had facial hair off and on ever since I could grow it, before starting my own company I had pia boss who insisted I be clean shaven everyday. Now I'm glad he was that way about everything because it was that final push to say ef it I'm not not working for anyone ever again! Tired of ties and dog and pony shows.
If you have facial hair even trimmed short like I have to much cheek pressure with a hard kicking rifle is brutal especially if your perspiring.
Imagine what it was like for the guys in the south pacific during WW2, thinking 30 carbines were very desirable over any rifle in 30-06.
If you have facial hair even trimmed short like I have to much cheek pressure with a hard kicking rifle is brutal especially if your perspiring.
Imagine what it was like for the guys in the south pacific during WW2, thinking 30 carbines were very desirable over any rifle in 30-06.
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3,876 Posts
It depends what you prefer regarding trading one rifle for another. Both are desirable military rifles. All the best...
Gil
Gil
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19 Posts
I'd agree that the '03 is 'miserable' - IF/ONLY in regards to recoil/shoulder punishment.
I shot one in competition for years from age 15-21; 200, 300, 600 yards, and as an oem steel butt plate equipped like this one - it was not pleasant if not wearing a shooting jacket with shoulder pad.
Most of my 200-300 yard comps were with AP (black tip) ammo as it was cheap back then ($2/20).
Since it was corrosive primed, my Dad reloaded and would pull the bullets, pour the 1945 era 4895 powder into his sized/factory primed LC brass, then reseat the bullets.
'03 and ammo were amazingly accurate though.
Both are steadily climbing it value so it's a toss up for that. If you reload the K31 is a great shooter. If you don't the 03 is easy to find ammo for. I love 03's for their durability and parts availability if you need something. The K31 is a collectable but the 03 is a shooter. Take your pick.
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