I am looking for some info on My US Remington 03-A3 rifle. I have the following info. It is marked on the barrel R A 8-43. I assume it is manufactured in aug. of 1943. Why does this have a long barrel? All pics I have seen show a short barrel. Someone please help.

Thanks Matt

Where have you looked? I did a quick Google search and found lots of links. There's also more information available on this site.

Standard barrel length was 24".
If you have seen shorter barrels, they may have been on sporterized rifles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1903_Springfield

http://www.surplusrifle.com/03a3/index.asp

http://www.surplusrifle.com/03a3/specifications.asp


Den

Thanks Den, I clicked on your links and I still only see barrels that are abopuit 3" long. Do you see any in pics that are longer?

Matt

I don't know what you're referring to. The barrel length is measured from where it starts in the receiver. The '03 and '03-A3 Springfields had stocks (including the shroud on the top of the barrel) that covered all but about the last 3 - 4 inches of the barrel. If your rifle doesn't look like any of those in the links, then it's been modified in some way and is not original.

A .30-06 cartridge, itself, is over 3" long.


Den

Thanks again for the info. I would like to send you some pics to look at it. The barrel itself is 12" long from the bottom of the wood stock.

Please check your private messages (PMs)......up next to where you log in and out.


Den

Looks like somebody in the past has cut the stock.