sporterized remington 03a3

[ecvmatuca]

I recently aquired for the great price of free. However there are a few problems and i need some advise. there is no follower or spring and when you pull the bolt back it doesnt cock the rifle the trigger is slack no resistance and there is no hammer drop so to speak. Somebody please advise.

Information

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[Griff Murphey]

Your rifle sounds like there are many parts missing. You might do to the Gun Parts Numrich Arms website and look at the exploded view of the rifle. You probably are missing parts in the bolt and/or trigger group. Although you don't hear these books mentioned much today, NRA used to sell disassembly-assembly books that had military and civilian guns scattered through them. You had to buy the right volume for the gun you wanted info on. They were a great source for beginners to learn about their guns and safely maintain them; but I don't even know if they are still in print. Another option would be reprints of military manuals on the M1903 or M1903A3. After determining that your rifle is unloaded, you should be able to take it out of the stock with screwdriver disassembly and look for missing parts. William J. Ricca is also another great source of parts. It is not unusual to find guns which were partially disassembled and then the owner lost interest in the gun or was unable to get it back together, so over time the loose parts get lost. Sometimes people want to disable a gun so it cannot be fired, and they remove critical parts, which are then thrown away or lost. Also, technically speaking, the M1903 series does not have a hammer; the firing pin is connected to a striker which is powered by a spring in the bolt. The trigger only "fires" the bolt.

[Chuckindenver]

sounds like its missing the rebound spring, and a follower and spring..
i have those parts available, and mine arent China made POS..
contact me outside the forum for prices.

[ecvmatuca]

Thanks for the advise guys I will look for those books online and see what I can find. I can't wait to get this gun finished

[Calif-Steve]

Springfield Sporters is the place to start. The Dealers Warehouse has piles of mint parts. Bill Ricca is very good. Chuckindenver is a good pal. Good luck to you.

[Lancebear]

I recently aquired for the great price of free. However there are a few problems and i need some advise. there is no follower or spring and when you pull the bolt back it doesnt cock the rifle the trigger is slack no resistance and there is no hammer drop so to speak. Somebody please advise.

Hey ecv,

Get a copy of "TM 9-1270 War Department Technical Manual". Ordnance Maintenance manual for the M1903, 03A1, 03A3 and 03A4. Little seven dollar book will tell you all you need to know about '03's, photos of parts, schematics, dis-assembly and re-assembly. Easy to find on the net, five bucks at a show. Best '03 book besides the expensive historical info ones. With it you can figure out what you need, it was printed for armorers and grunts by the gubmint.

You can get a complete bolt assembly from Bill Ricca or Dealershowroom. Get a real WWII handguard from Bill, new old stock WWII Remington was my choice, very fine and good price. Or figure out what you need and have Chuck fix you up.


Lancebear

[Chuckindenver]

check out this link...best thing....its free!!

http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/1903A1.jpg

[Lancebear]

check out this link...best thing....its free!!

http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/1903A1.jpg

...it doesn't tell you how to take anything apart to see what ya' missin'.

The tech manual is not the same bird as Brophy's or Nick's RIA book or Nick and J.B.'s '03 alteration book but is a great '03 book to have. Have the Garand one also, and the introductory chapter does go through development and history.

Great little books. To me the '03 manual is actually a good read, if ya' like rifles.

Bet ya' have it.

Regards and get warm up there,

Lancebear

[Chuckindenver]

it aint rocket science..a screwdriver, is all you really need to take a 1903 apart.
maybe a pin punch if you want to remove the band spring..

[aldo5468]

Thanks for the advise guys I will look for those books online and see what I can find. I can't wait to get this gun finished

check Collecting and Shooting the U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle - HISTORY
- menu on right side has excellent step-by-step disassembly procedure with great pictures, both for the whole rifle and for the bolt assembly