M1903 Springfield

[jskeys]

I have a 03 Springfield made in 1906. Based on my research most of what I have found caution against shooting any 03 made before 1919. This is based on single heat treatment and risk of cracking the receiver, etc. I recently found an article written by Jim Dickson, on
December 21, 2023 in History, Guns & Parts, Military Weapons. He states "Between 1917 and 1929, there were 61 cases of receivers blowing up." Given that the Springfield Armory produced 1,005,091 and Rock Island 326,935 of these rifles up thru 1918 (when they were only single heat treated) it seems to me 61 reciever issues is extremely small number. Since this forum has a unique knowledge base of experts, I hope for advice and/or clairification on what I have found so far. Shoot or use as a wall hanger?

[browningautorifle]

You'll get the phone book on this subject. I'd say just decide for yourself. Anything could happen or not.

[bob q]

Many of the "blow up " were traced back to shooting the rifle with an obstructed bore , some with the cleaning rod in the bore , a few shooting 8mm in the rifle , the panic of war , some bad wartime made ammo . Also it did not seem to be much of a problem before the war and many were shot enough to need a rebarrel . Over all a smaller failure rate than many other military rifles . I have no problem shooting my 1905 , 1911 , and 1914 rifles .

[Sapper740]

There is an excellent article regarding '03 receiver failures here: Information On M1903 Receiver Failures .