new old stock 1903a3 rebarreling question

[45B20]

milsurpmjt

‘Short Chamber’ The barrel is not fully chambered during manufacture, so that when fitted to a receiver, index marks lined up, the bolt will not close on a GO gage, so that the chamber can be deepened, slightly, until the bolt closes on the GO gage but not on the NO GO gage. This is so to allow for variations in wear and manufacturing tolerances of each individual receiver.

You can use a M1903 bolt in a M1903A3 and visa versa. Please obtain at least one headspace gage and use it. The amount of money you have been spending on 03s go ahead and get two, Brownells.

Regrettably, there are dealers who know how to fake many things, some of which is “original wrap/packaging”. Sarco has a spotty reputation, I gave up on them about 15-20 years ago. However I have been told that they are doing much better now and then, maybe not.

Let us give Sarco the benefit of the doubt, and maybe the manufacture screwed up and then some how your barrel made it thru factory inspection. It would still be out of US spects, If you go back to Sarco on this they can say, ‘we sent you a good barrel it must be the yours or the gunsmiths fault, anyway it is safe to shoot’. And it could be your receiver, did you or the gunsmith check it with a Field Test Bolt. Did he check for lug seat setback??? And it could be your bolt.

The rifle is safe to shoot, if the measurement of the headspace bothers you do as Calif-Steve says and try a new M1903A3 bolt, might help a bit. If not,, shoot the rifle.

Just mark it up to education.

45B20