New to forum - new 1903A3

[dr751]

Hello All,

After lusting a few years for a SC 1903A3, pick-up one at a recent gun show. In pretty good shape, definitely has been used. I know I probably way over paid for the rifle, but it was my first historic firearm purchase. I shot the rifle last weekend and it really was very accurate at 100yds. However, I do have a couple of questions/disappointments that I wanted to get feedback on.

1) the front site and housing are definitely canted to the left. I removed the housing pin, but could not remove it. I know it is keyed, and I was trying to knock it straight off. I was wondering if I should try heat? Also, I'm hoping if I get it off I will be able to center it better. Worst come to worse, I guess I could bend the front sight blade to center it. My rear site was almost all the way to the left.

2) I went to check the barrel alignment marks and clean the gun, and I found that the barrel was bedded into the stock (probably why it shot so good). Barrel was stuck in the stock, and I could not separate the barrel and stock with reasonable force or without possibly damaging the stock. On one hand I am definitely bummed that the stock was modified and is not "original;", but on the other hand the rifle shoots well. So I guess my point is, has anyone had the same situation and what did you do?

Thanks!!!

Information

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[CINDERS]

Welcome to milsurps;

Well if whoever bedded the rifle may not have put release agent on the metal that was going to contact the epoxy then your action may be permanently bonded to the stock of which I do not think there is a cure apart from destroying the stock to get the action out then your faced with all the bedding compound stuck to the action, not a good position to be in I feel. I hope you get a fix for your rifles ailments, there are some very smart, talented & experienced people here.

[browningautorifle]

The front sight may be soft soldered to the barrel, Brno used that method for one...and WW2 K98s are done that way too...

[Chuckindenver]

good pictures would help

[dr751]

Well, spent some more time with the rifle and I was able to get the action free of the stock. I didn't remove it all the way, but could tell it wasn't glued in. (What a relief).

I also heated up the front sight and pounded on it with a rubber mallet, and I got that off too. I cleaned up everything and it all looked how it was supposed to. It seems that my barrel must not be indexed perfectly. I read that that is a common problem(?)

I guess I could try to bend the front sight blade if it really bothers me.

[RPM101]

Hey guys, I'm new to the group! I have a Remington 1903A3 that was given to me by a WWII Marine. Its dated 1942. The only problem is that the previous owner removed the rear sight and placed a rail for a scope mount. I know, I know, it killed me!! Anyway, my question is, is there anyway to install/place the rear sight back on the rifle? From the looks of it, it looks like the rear sight was cut smooth off. Crazy, I know!!! Thanks guys!

[m1903rifle]

Index the barrel....fix it correctly. Don't bend the front sight. Find someone with a barrel vise and action wrench. You can see how much the index marks are off when you get the action out of the stock.

[browningautorifle]

I read that that is a common problem(?)

It's a common problem to guys that don't know how to index a sight... You could just send your disassembled rifle to Chuckindenver and let him sort it and send it back. It's what he does.