Why aren't springfield 1903 rifles more abundant?

[Frederick]

It would go to figure that a springfield 1903/1917, manufactured by the millions in this very nation, would be cheaper than either a K98 or a Mosin Nagant and be more plentiful.

Why isn't that the case?

 

[RickN]

Many were sold to other countries and a lot were converted to sporting rifles.

 

[adamsredlines]

It still amazes me how many Mosins are out there...and people still buy 'em.

 

[coolhandluke]

Number of 1903/ 1903A3 / 1903A4 rifles produced = approx 5 million.

Number of Russian 1891 / 1891-30 / M1938 / M1944 / PE / PEM / PU rifles produced = approx 37 million.

The 1903 variant is far less common than the Mosin Nagant. Not to mention all of the rifles that were lost through lend lease, wartime and normal service use, low serial rifles that were destroyed or parted due to unsafe heat treat, sporterizing etc. Even if the production levels were similar, the build quality alone would make the 1903 command a much higher value.

 

[mr ed]

Also you have to figure Russian Mosins have really only been on the US market 25 years or so. They have been selling Springfields surplus in the US since WWII.

 

[okeydoke]

uh, cause there's been none made in 75 years, and there's been 110 years of people buying the existing ones? and the Mosin is SUCH a piece of crud. If I couldn't sell or trade it, you couldn't give me one.