1903 vs 1903A3 scope base question

[HeyGhost]

I've been searching high and low and I'm just not finding a definitive answer to my question about 1903 scope bases and mounts.

I have a Remington 1903 that has been drilled and tapped and I am working on turning it into as close to an A4 clone as I can. I'm basically down to finding the right scope base at this point. I originally bought the S&K one but my A3 hand guard won't work with that unless I cut some of the wood off, so I figured since its already drilled and tapped maybe I should just go that route.

What I'm wondering is, will a scope base designed to be used on an A3 also work on my standard 1903? The measurement that seems to be the most relevant on sites selling the mounts is the center spread which I have measured to be 4.1" on mine. That seems to match what it is supposed to be, but I don't know if mine not having the A3 rear site dovetail base prohibits me from using an A3 base.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Information

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[Salt Flat]

The Redfield 1903 mount is setup for 3 screws, so that's out. If your hole spacing matches the 03a3 (and 03a4) Redfield mount EXACTLY, you could machine a spacer that replicates the shape of the dovetail and sets the mount at the correct elevation. The spacer would essentially be clamped between the receiver bridge and the mount. A screw of a longer length will be needed to reach into the receiver bridge. Salt Flat

[Salt Flat]

Option 2 would be to use the S&K mount-- which you already have. Trim the handgaurd. Install the hand guard ring. This may require a spacer ring because the barrel diameter is smaller than the receiver.

Either way I don't think you can use tis in the CMP sniper matches.

Salt Flat

[HeyGhost]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm still weighing my options on this one...

[Neal Myers]

The base used by the US military on the 1903A4 was the Redfield Junior (1903 model). You have to remove the rear sight. Popular with civilians for decades (blued, of course), it shouldn't be difficult to find or expensive.

Not sure how the correct base would line up with the holes you now have, but that's nothing that a gunsmith couldn't work out. HOWEVER, the Redfield Junior was not an exact fit; the military used several brass shims to raise the front of the base before they d&t'ed the screw holes. I assume that the military used some kind of fixture to hold everything together during installation.

Neal

[Randy A]

The base used by the US military on the 1903A4 was the Redfield Junior (1903 model). You have to remove the rear sight. Popular with civilians for decades (blued, of course), it shouldn't be difficult to find or expensive.

Not sure how the correct base would line up with the holes you now have, but that's nothing that a gunsmith couldn't work out. HOWEVER, the Redfield Junior was not an exact fit; the military used several brass shims to raise the front of the base before they d&t'ed the screw holes. I assume that the military used some kind of fixture to hold everything together during installation.

Neal

The shims were not because of fit, they were to zero the Weaver scope and still have 1,000 yard capability. The whole setup was originally intended to use the Lyman M73, due to internals the (what later became the M81 and M82) does not require shims under the front. The Weaver 330/M73B1 does, if you read the manuals and set a few of them up it is understandable but not very easy to explain to folks.

OP, unfortunately a 1903 with the base you're talking about is not allowed in vintage sniper, an A4 has to be built on the 1903A3 action. Your rifle however can be built into a USMC sniper??? The 1903 Redfield Jr mount you're looking for is actually quite easy to find. I'll look to see if I still have any, modifying base for an a3 would be a PITA.

[HeyGhost]

Ok, so I've made some progress on this project. This was a real learning experience, and I don't know if this was the best way to do this or not but heres what I came up with.




I ended up cutting a slot through the top of the hand guard ring and I also notched out the top center of the hand guard itself to allow room for the mount. The idea was that there would still be enough of the ring to retain the rear of the hand guard.





The only other obstacle I ran into was that the lip on the front of the hand guard was too long to slip all the way into the front lug, so I had to trim it down a bit.

[Chuckindenver]

that old saying, more then one way to skin a cat comes to mind