750k - 800k

[Rick the Librarian]

As I understand it Springfield started to use the double heat-treatment in the 750,000 range rifles, but didn't totally switch over until the 780,000-790,000 range. In fact, a few SHT receivers apparently trickled over into the very early 800,000 range, as well.

As you said, this anthill has been kicked up before. As I've said many times before, I don't shoot LN M1903s but know several people who do. You can lower the odds by making sure your rifle is clean, function and that you use standard powered cartridges of good quality. I go along with Bruce Canfield that there is a "small but present" chance of a receiver letting go when something "bad" happens in the chamber.

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[DMark]

.... Springfield started to use the double heat-treatment in the 750,000 range rifles, but didn't totally switch over until the 780,000-790,000 range.....

Thanks Rick.

I'm tracking now and will catchup with everybody soon. I've been busy with Evil Black Rifles and what we use to call the GWOT which has caused my 1903 knowledge to slip a bit.

My concern was that in the past I had recommended to folks that 750-800k Springfields should be OK and that anything above 800k was always Good-To-Go.

Now I see that CMP Springfield matches require 810k and above to shoot and that caused me to post my question. Seems like a "lawyer" limit to me and not based on actual data from the past or recent research.

And Lancebear - - - Agree..., "Death To Badguys!"

[slamfire1]

None of the reference books has ever given an exact serial number transition. They have given a range.

I believe 800,000 was an easy number to remember, so that is what was and is used.

[DMark]

..... I believe 800,000 was an easy number to remember, so that is what was and is used.....

Agree that the 1927 Army board could have decided that the 800k and up SNs would be an easy number for all of the arms rooms to track. Besides, since there appeared to be no way to figure out which of the 50k rifles produced between 750-800k had been DHT, 800k and above would have been a safe vote for the board members.

Hey Gang - Found my copy of Hatcher’s Notebook!

I think the REAL problem was the hardness of the brass cartridge cases!

[slamfire1]

Hey Gang - Found my copy of Hatcher’s Notebook!

I think the REAL problem was the hardness of the brass cartridge cases!

No, what you read was corporate buck passing.

Springfield Armory denied it had a problem because the receivers broke after case head failures. Therefore they blamed the cartridges.

SA were following two established Government behaviors: Rule #2 Minimize Scandal. Rule #3 Take the path of least resistance.

However, blaming pot holes for why your axle fell off will only work so long. Either all roads everywhere have to be perfectly smooth (impossible) or you fix the axle problem.

That's what they did.