My 03/03a1 project update II

Ok, I played hookie from work today. Heres the update my USMC sights came in on Monday from Bill Bentz, 15mins and there on the rifle. All I can say is there Great I would recomend them too all shooters not just us older guys.

I leave the house at about 10:30am and its already 110*, after calling off work I'm commited too shooting. I get to the range and there not a soul there I have the whole range to myself.

At the range all they have for targets that come close to fitting my needs are some 50yd small bore targets, oh well, I buy one sheet as it has 3 faces. I set up at the 50yd just too center things up fire a few rounds and things are looking good. Out to the 100yd line and refire, I needed too move the rear a little more for a 6-o'clock hold, on these 2 targets I zeroed from the bench. On the last target I went prone with tight sling I had 2 to the left of the X-ring 2 to the right and 1 at 12 all in the 10 ring, sad too say no X's for me on this day. I'm sure on a full size target at 200yds things would be better.

Ammo for the the day was reloaded Greek cases 48gr H-4895 with 155 Sierra pills, I noticed when I used the magazine #5 fed into the chamber harder/stiffer than the first 4 rounds. Barrel and chamber are as clean as it gets so I wonder what the issue is or could be.

The next step is for a USMC hood and alot more practace with the 03, I plan to shoot this rifle in the local Garand Matches.

Thanks too all for there help and advice.

Hey Phil,

Glad you had fun.

Does your rifle have a stamped triggerguard/mag? If it does, replacing it with a milled one will fix your fifth round roughness. Had a problem with an '03 as in it would not even feed the fifth round. Stamped triggerguard was pinched by someone jammin' it into a tight stock. If you have a milled triggerguard and follower, the spring could be the problem. Sure the real Smiths will input.

Love to play hooky,

LB

My 03 is all milled, no 03a3 parts. I checked the alinment of the magwell/magazine/floor plate and all look good so I wonder if its a spring thing?

Phil,

Maybe get a new spring from Billricca.com, if he doesn't have one Popperts does, and it might be an M1917 spring but it will work. Bill is a member here and only sells G.I. parts. Get a new spring, that would be the best first thing to do. Cheap part. Got any photos of your rifle?

LB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lancebear

Phil,

Get a new spring, that would be the best first thing to do. Cheap part. Got any photos of your rifle?

LB

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Second that, and one other thing, I noticed on my 1903s, one of the followers is slightly different from the other. No pics on hand, but it might be something to look at. But generally, a weak spring is what causes last round feed problems.

A regular front sight hood will fit and cover your new front sight. I have the sight set also from Mr. Bentz. The only advantage to the USMC front sight cover is that it provides a larger aperture than the standard cover which interferes less while shooting with the cover on. At the price I've seen on legit USMC covers (and repros too, for that matter), your reasoning for getting one must be more sound than I am capable of mustering.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...RONTSIGHTS.jpg

I have a camara and a soon too be 17yo daughter that knows everything, has time for everyone else, BUT DAD. So having said that I am a computer picture posting retard,:madsmile: I have given up on pictures.

I have gone over the rifle and I think its just the spring, and its only on the #5th round from the magazine it not that it won't feed, its that #5 is very stiff, the first 4 go smooth as silk.

My ammo was reloads, but I used a small base die, so again I don't see a problem there as the first 4 run just like a turd thru a goose.