1903a3 bolt compared to 1903A4 sniper bolt

[rugersworld]

"...or just put it in a vise, grind with an angle grider, heat it with a torch and beat it with a large hammer..."

Reminds me of the forging blocks I have seen in the past for re-working straight mauser bolt handles.

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[ABPOS]

or just put it in a vise, grind with an angle grider, heat it with a torch and beat it with a large hammer right? lol...hey after all, anyone can do it..
just had to toss that in. guys think its an easy task.
thats what numrich does..they grind em, heat em, and beat em..and send em to you..and yea, they work great...NOT.

I bought one of those, and that's what it looks like. I had no idea.



OP, can we get a pic of your rifle???????? I would love to see it. I wanted to do this to mine, and still do, but I never got around to it, as I wasn't sure how to do this too. Plus, you then have to make a cut out in the stock. I bought a scant stock, but it's USGI and I don't think I want to ruin it. I think buying a commercial C stock would probably be the way to go. But I don't really have extra money right now. Maybe some day. I would like to figure out how to do it properly if I ever do get the money to though. But there are a lot of things I'd "LIKE" to do. Hehhehehe What mount did you use? That's another thing, I'm not going to drill and tap my receiver of course, and now I don't really see those S&K mounts for sale any longer. Hmmmmm.....

[Col. Colt]

I just picked up a genuine 03A4 stock, well used but solid (SA cartouche in a box on the left side of the stock, serif "P" in a circle on pistol grip - no other markings), and have an A4 bolt that looks correct and very much like your pictures in the mail. But although he had owned if for a number of years as a spare, complete bolt for his personal 03A4 the seller said he could not find any markings on it, and thus sold it as a possible repro. Finish and wear looks close to new. Is it possible that a correct A4 bolt body got out of the factory without markings? (I'm mounting an S&K scope mount setup just to test accuracy on a 1903 rather than relying on old eyes! Originality is not absolutely necessary - not cutting up the original rifle or stock is.)

In looking at the bolt pictures he posted, I noticed that his 03A4 rifle had what appeared to be a slight cutout in the reciever metal, directly beneath the bolt handle, and in line with the stock cut out. Were the issue M1903A4 recievers themselves relieved for the bolt handle? Is this necessary or useful? CC

[JGaynor]

I just picked up a genuine 03A4 stock, well used but solid (SA cartouche in a box on the left side of the stock, serif "P" in a circle on pistol grip - no other markings), and have an A4 bolt that looks correct and very much like your pictures in the mail. But although he had owned if for a number of years as a spare, complete bolt for his personal 03A4 the seller said he could not find any markings on it, and thus sold it as a possible repro. Finish and wear looks close to new. Is it possible that a correct A4 bolt body got out of the factory without markings? (I'm mounting an S&K scope mount setup just to test accuracy on a 1903 rather than relying on old eyes! Originality is not absolutely necessary - not cutting up the original rifle or stock is.)

In looking at the bolt pictures he posted, I noticed that his 03A4 rifle had what appeared to be a slight cutout in the reciever metal, directly beneath the bolt handle, and in line with the stock cut out. Were the issue M1903A4 recievers themselves relieved for the bolt handle? Is this necessary or useful? CC

M1903A4's do have a slight relief cut in the receiver just under the root of the bolt handle.

Original bolts have a blue black oxide finish and are marked with an "R" stamp on the underside of the bolt handle root.
The machine marks on Remington Bolt sleeves also have a very distinctive pattern.
Naturally if a rifle had been refinished and many many A4's were at some point some of the identying details may be obscured.

Regards,
Jim

[Mike D]

In looking at the bolt pictures he posted, I noticed that his 03A4 rifle had what appeared to be a slight cutout in the reciever metal, directly beneath the bolt handle, and in line with the stock cut out. Were the issue M1903A4 recievers themselves relieved for the bolt handle? Is this necessary or useful? CC

I have an original A4 bolt in my clone (A3 receiver). Although the bolt does seem to close all the way, headspace is fine, I can see where the sharp edge of the receiver has made a small mark on the underside of the handle. So I guess the relief is necessary. I plan on taking a file to mine.

Mike

[Col. Colt]

I would note that real Original 03A4s also have a small notch in the receiver at the bolt root to allow the bolt to seat/close all the way, in addition to the notch in the 03A4 stock.

Chuck can do you a great job and is trusted by many here - CMP and others do similar work (sometimes at greater expense) and once in a while a real 03A4 bolt shows up on eBay or at a local gunshow. Good Luck with the rifle. CC

[ABPOS]

CMON you guys, do a brother a favor and post some pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JGaynor]

CMON you guys, do a brother a favor and post some pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a link to a current auction. A4 receiver converted to A3 drill rifle bu the notch is still there.
Civilian Marksmanship Program - Promoting firearms safety training!

[ABPOS]

That hurts to look at.

[JGaynor]

That hurts to look at.

Heres a bunch more not drill rifles this time :

Civilian Marksmanship Program - Promoting firearms safety training!