What are the the differences in these rifles, and which one would you get given the same price for equal condition. I am thinking of getting one from the CMP http://www.odcmp.com Both are chambered in .30-06, and have the same throat and muzzle erosion. Another dumb question, how bad of wear is a "3" on a muzzle or throat gauge? I am looking at getting one, since they are a historical firearm that I can obtain on a budget, which shoots common ammo, and I can do some target shooting/hunting with.
The sights are better on the 1893 A3 and there is little or no difference in accuracy. Buy the 1903 A3.
Thank you all for the opinions. I just found out my grandfather had used a sniper variant in WWII, found an old picture in a box of his stuff that had a pic of him with a 1903 variant with a scope. Now I have another reason to get one!