1903A3 Questions

Back in the early 1970,s I bought a Remington 1903A3 from a coworker. It had a sport stock, but appeared unfired.
It was bought as a back up deer rifle for my model 70, but that occasion never happened.

That said-it is ser#382104x
It has a 6-43 barrel date. Passes bullet test.
It was all parked. Everything, barrel, reciever, buttplate, trigger guard.
The bolt handle was in the white, and bent/ground to accomodate a scope (I think).
No rear sight or front blade. Front blade mounts were there (was drilled and tapped for scope).
There is a single punch mark under the ser#

I am putting back to original (parts from Numrich and CMP) for my local gun clubs military shoots.

I know that it may have little historical value, but it should be a good "shooter", and a lot of fun
next to my SA M1.

A couple of questions I had...

Does the single punch mark indicate an arsenal rebuild?

It seems the front blade I got from Numrich might be too high. I can't get the
front sight cover/shroud down without hitting the top of sight blade.

I have not shot this gun yet.

How do you use stripper clips in the 03A3? The stripper clips I have are just a hair too big
and will not go down in the magazine well. I've heard you cannot use strippers on 03A3s.

I purchased an aftermarket rear sight from Numrich. It seems okay, but it is spring loaded
front to rear with a bit of slop. Is there anyway to get rid of the slop?

What is your favorite ammo for the 03A3? I have lots of Greek HYP and Federal commercial loads (150-180gr).

I know you 03A3 gurus will get me straightend out.

Any and all info really greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks in advance...

brande

I think typically the punch mark was intended to indicate rebuilds, but I have seen totally original Remington 03-A3's with the punch mark.

I am not familiar with Numrich's sight blade, but they may have given you a little extra metal to file down to zero. The 03-A3 sight blade was taller than the 1903 sight blade, and the sight protector just clears the 03-A3 blade. It was not intended to be left on for shooting.

Correct stripper clips should work. Are you sure you have the right clips?

Can't help you with the Numrich rear sight. An original shouldn't be that hard to find.

Punch marks were made on the receiver, barrel (middle of flaming shell), and on the bolt handle, after the rifle was proof fired.

Barrel should be original.

How do you use stripper clips in the 03A3? The stripper clips I have are just a hair too big
and will not go down in the magazine well. I've heard you cannot use strippers on 03A3s.

The clips you have may be Swedish or German which are wider.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brande

A couple of questions I had...

Does the single punch mark indicate an arsenal rebuild?

It seems the front blade I got from Numrich might be too high. I can't get the
front sight cover/shroud down without hitting the top of sight blade.

I have not shot this gun yet.

How do you use stripper clips in the 03A3? The stripper clips I have are just a hair too big
and will not go down in the magazine well. I've heard you cannot use strippers on 03A3s.

I purchased an aftermarket rear sight from Numrich. It seems okay, but it is spring loaded
front to rear with a bit of slop. Is there anyway to get rid of the slop?

What is your favorite ammo for the 03A3? I have lots of Greek HYP and Federal commercial loads (150-180gr).

I know you 03A3 gurus will get me straightend out.

Any and all info really greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks in advance...

brande

---

(1) No.

(2) (a) Set the Magazine Cutoff to the ON position, (b) Pull the bolt back, (c) Insert the stripper clip into the receiver slots, (d) Strip cartridges into the magazine. If the stripper clip you have won't fit, then perhaps it is not a Springfield stripper clip.

(3) Since you have an aftermarket rear sight instead of an original, more information is needed before advice can be rendered about removing slop.

(4) I'll let others advise you on ammuntion recommendations.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

J.B.

Brande,

I have shot CMP Greek HXP dated '72 and '69 Lake City in two '03's and two Garands. Ran flawlessly. Accuracy was very good but I need more practice.

Good luck,

Lancebear

Stripper clips were not designed to go down "into" the magazine well. They were designed to go into the guide and stop and you use your thumb to push the rounds down into the magazine thus "stripping" them from the clip. The clip is then pulled and the round chambered with the closing of the bolt.

known issues with Greek surplus ammo in some bolt guns, it is was made for M1 garand rifles, some 03,s will not let the bolt close or close tight with Greek ammo.

These clips work well and will hold up, get the .308 version. The originals were disposable. CreedmoorParts...

Are you sure you have the cutoff switch in the right position to use the strippers? When first got my 1903A3 I was baffled by the stripper clips my buddy gave me to use. They wuldn't go down past the bolt head.....? So I called him and asked if he gaveme the right strippers because I couldn'y get them in unless I movd the bolt almost out, but then the bolt wants to fall out? Well he explained the full upward position and now my strippers work fine!