M1903A3 Stamped Trigger Guard Questions….

I was helping out a buddy with a '03A3 that had no stock fore tip pressure.

We were thinking about shimming the rear of the receiver and at the same time replacing his stamped trigger guard with a NOS USGI stamped trigger guard since the one on the rifle had some real ugly staking marks around the screw wells.

We ran into a situation while fit checking the bare barreled receiver and his new trigger guard.

The old trigger guard fitted with no gap at the front trigger guard screw boss, but had a 1/16" gap at the magazine well front and tilts toward the rear handguard screw bushing.

The new trigger guard fits with no gaps at the front trigger guard screw boss, the magazine well and the rear trigger guard screw bushing.

We measured the front trigger guard screw boss on both trigger guards, and the new trigger guard boss is 1/16" shorter than the old one.

So we decided to try the new trigger guard without shimming the rear of the receiver to see if the stock fore tip pressure improved….
We ended up with around 5 lbs fore tip pressure without shimming!

Both trigger guards are circle Remington stamped and there is no evidence of grinding or metal removal from the bosses, no distortions, etc.

Now we have some questions:
1) Is there supposed to be a gap between the magazine well lip and the receiver when you fit a trigger guard to a bare barreled receiver? or no gap.

2) What were the tolerances on the '03A3 trigger guard bosses.

3) Were '03A3 trigger guards select fitted at original manufacturing.

We believe that my buddy's rifle was fitted with a defectively manufactured trigger guard, but we want to make sure about which trigger guard fit is correct.

D. :cheers:

I do not see that anyone has responded to your questions. I too, have the same questions as you and am hoping someone will enlighten you (and me).

with stamped parts, it varies.
try another guard, assemble with the bolt removed, make sure the follower works easy.

Thanks chuck,

What about milled trigger guards?

milled guard in a 1903A3 is workable, you have to use all 1903 parts, follower and spring.

I think the old trigger guard is the correct fit. Don't think the trigger guard magazine well should bottom on the receiver

With the receiver and guard out of the stock, along with the
rear screw spacer, does the mag well touch the receiver?
Mine has a small gap, but I have a 1903 with the cast guard.

When they are assembled in the stock, does the receiver
rock fore and aft when you push and pull the barrel?
If the receiver is tight, then, no problems, but if it moves,
you will need to bed the receiver and guard.

Your accuracy should also improve if you bed the receiver.
But I would free float the barrel, and not worry about
fore end pressure.

You could experiment after bedding with fore end pressure
with strips of playing cards to build up the tip of the stock
to increase the pressure, and shooting for accuracy.
When I tried to add fore end pressure, my accuracy dropped
off, so I stayed with the free floated barrel.

Merry Christmas! and enjoy your rifle!