new guy could use some help SC 03

[Kirk]

Is there an S stamped on bottom of magazine well, under where the floor plate sits? (indicates Springfield Armory mfg)

Yes, there should be a pin in the hole. If it is missing, make one from a wire brad or perhaps a clothes hanger. As mentioned above, with a USGI trigger installed, the rifle can be fired by pushing the trigger forward. This was a design/manufacturing defect in early M1903 trigger guards, ca. 1905. This was corrected in newly made TGs by shortening the slot.

[rimfire]

It is a great looking rifle and has substantial value. I would have the head space checked for safety but I would bet it's good. It would be a great rifle to experiment for accuracy at 600 yards. If head space is good, it would be suitable for commercial ammo. You have a fine rifle. I'm envious.

[ave8er]

I took it to the range today and I was able to resist the temptation to shoot it. I put it on the sand bags so I could try and get some sight pictures. I wish I had a snap cap I would have liked to have dry fired it to get a feel for the trigger. I don't know that my old eyes are up to a 600 yard shot with these sights. The shrouded front sight basicly looks like a circle with a verticle line through the middle of it. What should I be looking for as a sight picture. I obviously cant do a 6:00 hold.

---------- Post added at 08:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------

It is a great looking rifle and has substantial value. I would have the head space checked for safety but I would bet it's good. It would be a great rifle to experiment for accuracy at 600 yards. If head space is good, it would be suitable for commercial ammo. You have a fine rifle. I'm envious.

Thank you! Not bad for a parts gun.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Hi ave8er,

The sight protector was intended to be removed for shooting. It is was just designed to keep the front sight blade from being bent while in transit and it's not intended to be a hood. Try it without the protector in place and your picture should improve greatly. I think the A3 sights are some of the best around and my favorite milsurp of all to shoot.

Just pull the protector upward and it slides off. It takes a good tug, or take your thumb and push upward from the base of the protector to get it to break loose. I leave them off of my shooters because installing and removing them removes the finish from the barrel.

There's a few people who say they leave them on to shoot, but they were not intended to be left on. Most often when they're in place there's only a small gap between the top of your sight blade and the protector. You saw today how bad the picture is with it in place.

I use a six o'clock hold and it works well for me, even with old eyes.

~ Harlan

[ave8er]

Harlan,

You are the man! I pulled the hood off. It has not been of since I don't know.....ever! That is a much nicer sight picture. That blade is thin! I am anxious to get the head space checked so I can shoot this baby. Then I will be ready to get some dies and some brass and get some loads worked up for this "parts gun" Thanks again for all the help and information.

Paul

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Happy to help, Paul. I think we all did the same thing the first time we tried to look down the barrel of an A3 that had a sight protector on it. (?????)

Your head space will most likely be fine and you're good to go. Good idea to check it though.

I love shooting my A3's better than anything I have, and I bet you will too. Unless the barrel is bad they're accurate as about any rifle around. With no gas system to worry about like a garand you can shoot about any 30-06 ammo. They make outstanding hunting rifles too.

Looking forward to a range report. Most guys at the range will oooh and ahhh when they see and and won't call it a 'parts gun'
(Especially after they see your target)