03A4 Original Bolt vs. 03A3 Reciever - should A4 Bolt close in unmodified A3 reciver?
Trying to put together the parts to make a faux A4, using an 03A3 reciever. Bought a "maybe" replica A4 bolt - which fit and worked well overall but would not close completely in the A3 reciever when mounted in a genuine A4 stock.
All the "gurus" online told me that an 03A4 sniper bolt would close fine in an unmodified 03A3 reciever, even though, for some reason, all Real 03A4s have a definite notch cut down into the reciever for the bolt root that 03A3s (and 03s) do not have.
So I found a "real" 03A4 bolt to try and, guess what? It won't close completely in the unnotched, stock 03A3 reciever, either. It is close, and the trigger drops the firing pin - and it is probably even safe - but it does not look right compared to a normal, non-scoped 03/03A3.
Those of you with both - could you switch bolts, check and chime in here? It needs to be a verified original M1903A4 Sniper rifle bolt, and do make sure if it does not close all the way that it is not interferance with the stock cut, but actually stopping the bolt root on the top surface of the reciever directly behind the reciver bridge and that is keeping it from turning all the way down into lock. You might have to remove or at least loosen the stock to be 100% sure it is not the bolt handle touching the stock.
All the world wants to know - is the bolt handle notch cut into every 03A4 a functional necessity for full lockup? Or just an extra, unneeded step taken during wartime?? CC
PS - If it is shown to needed, everyone making faux 03A4s should know that - and specs provided from an original A4 reciever to make an accurate milling cut. CC
