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Thread: Can't zero a Smith Corona 03A3

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  1. #1
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    Can't zero a Smith Corona 03A3

    Hello,
    I have a Smith Corona 1903a3 rifle. I am by no means an expert on firearms however I have a friend who is ex military and an enthusiast and identified it for me. My father gave me this rifle when I was 18 and it holds sentimental value although over the years(way before the internet)I could never get it sighted in. I thought it was just my in experience but my friend took it to the range with me and could not zero it either and said there may be an issue.
    I shoot other rifles and despite my in experience I actually shoot pretty good. Anyway The rifle hits about 2 clicks low and to the right and we are out of adjustment on the sight. The group is tight(2inches IIRC ??)
    According to my friend the wood has been "sporterized".
    Any ideas ? Should I just take it to a gunsmith ? I was gonna sell it but I really like the gun.
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    What letter designation is on the front sight blade? My 03A3's have A blades which work fine for 100 yard shooting. I assume you are shooting at 100? Can you post a picture of the rear sight taken from the rear? You are correct, your rifle has been sporterized as far as the stock goes. Looks from your pictures like it is an original military S stock cut down at the front along with the hand guard. I can't tell from your pictures what sight is on the front nor if the barrel has been cut down. Pictures in that area would help.

    Kurt

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    Thread Starter
    Here are some more pics hopefully better.

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    Looks like the barrel is the original SC barrel. Your rear elevation setting us at the bottom and you should move it up a notch at least. Should slide up with thumb pressure and lock in the notch from spring pressure. You should move the wind age one or two notches left. That should put you right on. This is assuming the sight is now set for the low and right in your original post. If you've moved it since then we need to know that.

    Kurt

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    Legacy Member Allen Humphrey's Avatar
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    Start by checking to see if your stock is pushing on the barrel significantly. The full military stock typically only touches the barrel at the very tip of the stock. I'd suspect that your barrel is effectively free floating, but check anyway.

    Your "A" blade is the tallest, so a "B" will bring you up about 1.8" from current position. That would fix your elevation presuming your stock isn't driving the barrel around.

    Again presuming the stock isn't pushing the barrel L or R, you may need to drift the entire rear sight to center up the adjustment. There is a sticky on this forum that shows how the sight comes off.

    Finally, the following link gives some tips on using the sights. Using the Sights of the Model 03-A3.pdf - Google Drive

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    Legacy Member WarPig1976's Avatar
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    If your hitting low/right, from you pictures you need to bring your elevation up to match the ammo your shooting. Come left with the peep.

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    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
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    looking at the pictures..
    your barrel is out of index, and someone has tried to bend the sight blade to compensate for this,.
    indexing the barrel is the only real fix for your issue.
    iv done this repair many many times..
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  10. Thank You to Chuckindenver For This Useful Post:


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    Thought the same thing but always hard to tell with pictures and inherent distortion. Looking at the rear sight it would appear there is plenty of windage in the correct direction and the same with the aperture. That front blade does look askew and the rear sight assembly is a bit set off to the left side. Who knows what's all been done and by whom with the gun. Mixed parts for sure on the bolt. I'm not doubting your assessment, just seeing a mixed picture here.

    Kurt

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    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
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    my assessment is correct...
    i see this alot.. even on guns with the original barrels .
    under and over indexed..
    i fix 2 or 3 a month.. has been more common now with the closet gunsmiths buying tools off the net and not having enough umph to get the barrel tight enough,
    the flooded market of Gibbs junk, with the receiver face out of spec from welding, and a new barrel is the most common deal.
    however.
    this rifle just needs the barrel removed. threads cleaned, and installed correctly... and a new front sight blade installed..
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

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    As Chuck says, adjusting sights will never fix an out of index condition. It will at a given range, but when you change ranges the condition returns. You have to find TDC for correct zeroing.
    Regards, Jim

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