Poyers' '03 Springfield Book

[Calif-Steve]

The USA equipped 2-3 Nationalist Divisions with the entire family of modern WWII weapons. They were flown around China as "firefighters" and plugs to be inserted into a critical battle. Actually worked, but the ChiComs slowly chewed them up and that was that. Funny thing the US Army Advisors who served with Chiang loved him and really wanted him to win. But, the US Army Advisors who served with Mao really loved him and really wanted him to win!

[JGaynor]

The past year I have grown quite fond of the old '03. I started out as a carbine fan, and then a brief stint with the M1. I still love 'em, and read about 'em, but the Springfield keeps calling me back. Maybe its the 40+ years of production and many variations, I don't know. Maybe I just like the way a bolt action .30-'06 feels on the shoulder when I squeeze the trigger.

Point is, between the info I find on this site and the web, the rifles I get my hands on at the shows, the ones I end up taking home , and the reference books I'm collecting, I'm absorbing all I can and would like to know what to be careful of.

Every time Poyers book is brought up, we are told to "be cautious" and "pay close attention" because of some apparent mistakes. Its even been called "trash". Why is it so bad? It HAS to be good for something, if at least, a mere list of different parts. Yeh, hes listed every difference as a "type" or "variation" and so on, which tends to get confusing, but I want to know what is just, "plain wrong". Is there really a perfect reference? I don't think so. Thats why newer editions are printed, right?

I haven't been haunting this forum very long, but I plan to. So, if some of you more "seasoned" '03 fans have a copy of Poyers' latest edition, or don't need a copy to do so, please clue me in on some of the more apparent "mistakes and falsehoods" so I can make notes for future reference. I'd really like to know. Thanks in advance, Mike D

Brophy's "03" book is now readable and and searchable on line at either Amazon or here:
The Springfield 1903 rifles: the ... - Google Books

I think most of would say you just can't have too much information.

One thing thats useful - when you're at a gunshow at the book guy's table and you see a volume that interests you go to the acknowledgements pages and see who the author has been talking to. Can mean a lot IMO.

Regards,

Jim

[Mike D]

I been reading Brophy for a few days. Ordered from Amazon, used. Cost delivered to my door - $44.00. Should have been the first book I bought.

[Rick the Librarian]

Brophy is still regarded by experts (which I am NOT) as the best book, overall on the M1903. It does have some drawbacks - the books is poorly arranged and the pictures could be better. Also, the information is a quarter of a century old and some is out of date. Still, an excellent book and you did well with the price!!

[Calif-Steve]

Rick is correct. We tend to live or die by Ltc Brophy. It is still the best going. I thought Campbell was all set to re-vise his last revision. Why is is so hard to get a single well done book on the market is a mystery to me. But, stick with Brophy.