USMC M1903 Is Chambering!!

[paratrpr]

Went to a smith this morning he disassembled the bolt, played with the extractor, used commercial ammo and the round seated snugly. The extractor was not allowing the base of the case to sit properly , resulting in the round being pushed into the chamber at an angle that prevented proper seating. Also, HXP cases will not seat at all, staying away from that ammo in the '03.

Thanks to everyone who rang in, I got a lot of important information and quite an education. You guys are the best. Happy Memorial Day "Airborne All The Way And Then Some!"

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Wolley]

I would still be concerned that it won't chamber the Greek. It should.

[paratrpr]

should chamber Greek, roger that, taking it to another smith this week and see about squaring away that chamber, maybe just a shave will allow that USGI brass to seat...

[Bob S]

... but did that "gunsmith" check it with gauges?

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[edlmann]

... but did that "gunsmith" check it with gauges?

Wouldn't that require the gunsmith to actually own a set of gauges?

Getting harder and harder to find these days.

[Jim Tarleton]

That was cold, Ed. Unfortunately, it was also true.

I needed a part for one of my rifles, and a local told me about a smith in this area who had been working on guns for years. I went to see the man. He had no shop, no tools to speak of, no lathe or milling machine, no nothing. He told me he had been a gunsmith for near 50 years. He didn't have the part, and had no clue as to what I wanted. If you live in my area, I suspect you know instantly of whom I speak.

Jim

[Rick the Librarian]

Gee...using Jim's definition of his gunsmith "friend" (working on guns for nearly 50 years and don't know what I'm doing), that makes ME a gunsmith, too!!

[paratrpr]

Smith had gauges... old school guy, knows his stuff, one of a dying breed for sure.

[Emri]

Wouldn't that require the gunsmith to actually own a set of gauges?

Getting harder and harder to find these days.

We don't need no stinking guages!

We do everything by feel and eyeball, didn't you know that?

FWIW,

Emri

[Jim K]

I have responded to many posts about "I want to be a gunsmith", and am continually appalled by the folks who think all they need is an FFL, a screwdriver and a file. Some are machinists or mechanics who don't realize that gunsmithing involves more than lathe work or knowing transmissions. Others are just totally ignorant; they once tightened a buttplate screw and think they are ready to get into what they think is a lucrative business.

I think the area of least knowledge, aside from the actual work, is in running a business. They don't know anything about books, profit and loss, record keeping, zoning, business licenses, fed/state/local business laws, etc. Some will say outright that they don't give a hoot about that stuff, an attitude that can earn a "go to jail free" card.

Jim