Rebarreling a springfield 1903

[tbonesmith]

Hi, I'm rebarreling a 1903, with a slightly modified 1903 a3 barrel, and was wondering if the rear sight collar on the 1903 is soft soldered in place, and removable with a butane torch, or is another approach required?
Thanks

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[Claven2]

I'm not sure myself, but several members know 1903's well and should answer you shortly.

[sdh1911]

Pinned and soldered, but, no need to remove it. I use blocks with the detail just forawrd of the rear sight and have never had an issue, the headspace if anything on a new barrel will need a very slight chamber cut to set it correctly, but, very rare-SDH

[tbonesmith]

Thanks, I've managed to get it off by driving out the cross pin, heating it and driving the collar forward that pin was filed to the profile of the collar and I just couldn't find it. Any tips on suggested bedding set up?

[Chuckindenver]

the 1903 rear sight base is pressed on and retained with a pin, left to right, and also has a pin at the rear for index, its very tough to remove without destroying it,
its not like the Mausers.
im in the middle of making a tool that will pull it, and re install it.
however.
the 1903 base will not fit on a 1903A3 barrel with modification of the barrel.
i also have a tool that makes installing the base very easy, and keeps you from damaging the base,

[Jim K]

The M1903 fixed rear sight base is not soldered, only pinned, but they were a press fit and are usually hard to remove. A M1903A3 barrel has to be turned down to accept a M1903 FRSB.

If installing a new milsurp M1903 barrel, note that the draw line (witness mark) on the barrel is covered by the FRSB but the "shelf" on the base is used the same way to line up with the receiver mark.

JIm

[Chuckindenver]

if you look close, the line on the sight base, lines up with the witness mark on the barrel.
line those up and your ready to go, try and avoid using a 1903A3 barrel on a 1903, its just cheesy.
if your going to do it, do it right.

[Jim K]

M1903 barrels are hard to come by, while M1903A3 barrels are still around. But since many 03A3 barrels look like they were turned with a dull hatchet, I recommend re-finishing them to match the original 03 barrel.

The 03A3 barrel has its witness mark visible, so I suggest turning it to the right size for the FRSB, then installing the barrel, then the 03 FRSB, then drill the cross pin hole.* If the barrel is new, it will be short chambered, and must be reamed to get the proper headspace.

*Watch that part; you need a very stiff starter drill to begin with.

Jim

[Chuckindenver]

you can turn a 700.00 rifle into a 500.00 rifle with an A3 barrel.
03 barrels arent that tough to find. just spend some time looking.
they just look cheesy on a 1903, i wont istall them anymore, by the time you spend 150.00 for an A3 barrel, pay 100.00 to have it turned down to match a rear sight base, spend another 50.00 to have the base installed right.
have the barrel finished to match the receiver, youll have well over 300.00 in a rifle that still has a 1903A3 barrel stuck on the end.
when if you just look, find a 1942 to 44 1903 replacement barrel, made by HS, SA, or Sedgley, for around 200.00 with a sight base already attached, then pay a gunsmith 75.00 to install, headspace, and testfire, your in it less, takes less time, and is a real 1903 barrel.
i have a few WW2 replacement 1903 barrels id sell, and install them as well, and have it done in less then 2 weeks with shipping time...

[Chuckindenver]

took me a total of 3 min,s but i found no less the 6 variations of 1903 barrels for sale, from 1914 to 1942 dates, from 75.00 opening bid and up. on GB..
they are pretty easy to find. all you have to do is look.