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How's it going. Am new to the 1903's and havent found the answer to this one yet. My serial number is 17xxx which is below the safe level to shoot since the heat treated parts werent used until 18000. But the barrel has a date of 2-42 so the gun was safe to shoot at that point, right? There is a cartouche "C-SAA" which I believe to be San Antonio Arsenal. My question is, is the gun now safe to shoot having gone through the arsenal? and which parts were the ones that had to be replaced?
Your receiver was among of the first receivers made, in 1903. The improved forging method didn't start until nexrly fifteen years later, at approximately serial number 800,000. Yours was made with the old case-hardened method.
It is my understanding that all rifles going through overhaul, such as yours were proof-tested. The topic of whether to shoot or not shoot low numbered M1903s has been covered extensively on this forum and others. I believe a majority of '03 owners do not shoot low-numbered M1903s; but a number of people do. The only comments I would make is that low numbered M1903s were used, since WWII was considered a "war emergency"; casual shooting at the range does not (to me, anyway) qualify. I do not shoot my low-numbered M1903s. Plenty of other people whose opinions I respect, do.
I had a 1903,# 239097 from Springfield. It had a 1918 barrel and was perfect. I shot it without any knowledge of the impending catastrophy which never came. As Rick says we have discussed this to death here before. I'm not sure I would shoot that same rifle now if I still had it. It would be a shame to fracture your receiver and destroy a first year example just for yuks and chuckles. You can always buy a late 03 A3 for bangin without worry.
I got my first '03 20 years ago, mostly because we were issued them in USN bootcamp as drill rifles in the 60's (they were still fully functional rifles though) and I thought it would be cool to have one. It was a RIA low # (in the 173,XXX SN) with a Sedgley 2 45 bbls (no USMC stamp), a Rem 03A3 stock. CC replacement bolt w/C-SAA rebuild stamp. Being unaware of the low # receiver issue I shot a couple hundred rounds of milsurp/commercial 30-06 through it, no problems.
The problem for me developed after I started learning/reading about '03's and was made aware of the issues with low SN receivers/bolts. I got nervous shooting it and ended up getting a high # receiver shooter.
As Browningauto has said, the subject has been discussed to death, not only on this forum, but several others. I always thought that Bruce Canfield said it best - there is a "small, but present" chance of a problem. I know of a number of people who shoot low numbered rifles without a problem. I choose not to.
I have a 1906 reciever with 1918 barrel that gets shot about twice a year using a reduced load of 44.4 grains of H or IMR 4895. It gets 10 to 20 rounds put through it until the next time and I always inform the shooters near me of what I am about to do.
Well, I knew I would get some good answers, and sorry for the beginner question. Thanks Rick, didn't know that case hardened and forging were the differences between the receivers. I can remember that. Thanks also to BAR and FP for the personal history and additional info. I won't be taking this 03 to the range though, I can shoot targets with something a little more modern. Been reading tonight about the different stocks used. Early ones were straight cut and later ones curved down behind the trigger. Sound right?. Thanks again guys.
Virtually all service M1903s to WWII used "straight" grasping groove stocks. There were a few "sub-categories" within those stocks, like high wall, no- or one-bolt stocks. National Match rifles (as well as some "special" rifles) from the late 1920s to 1939 used Type C full pistol grip stocks. The "Scant", a semi-pistol grip stock, was introduced as a replacement during WWII. Remington and Smith-Corona used a straight, non-grasping groove stock for nearly all of production in 1941-43 (with the exception of the early Remington M1903s which used GG stocks).