Low Number Springfield M1903 Safer to Shoot?

[knightraider89]

I recently purchased this early (175xxx) Springfield 1903 at a local gun show. Pictures- Springfield M1903 - Imgur I have read the Joseph Lyon article on Hatcher's research on the instability of early 1903 receivers. The particular rifle that I purchased has the drilled "Hatcher Holes" and seems to have gone through a Parkerizing of the receiver. Would these two factors have increased the durability of the receiver and enable it to be fired safely? Any information regarding the stamps would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Two definite trains of thought on these rifles are...

1, all the guns that were going to blow up did and it's a non issue...

2, low numbers aren't safe and are waiting patiently to fracture.

Thing is, if it breaks...it doesn't slowly crack or give you a warning. It shatters like glass. Pics are available...I personally wouldn't shoot one that early, and nothing in clear conscience below about 8XX XXX...opinions may vary...

By the way, welcome to the neighborhood...

[Fred G.]

Low number receivers can't handle escaping gas well. It only takes a blown head or pierced primer for tragedy to result. Until then, the rifle can be quite sound and will have no issues. The shooter will simply be shouldering the rifle when it instantly becomes a pipe bomb.

[RCS]

I have some early four digit serial numbereds that I bought from the CMP auction a few years ago, the finish is quite nice on all three. I bought a chamber adopter that I can use either 32 ACP, 32 S&W and 32 S&W Long. I did fire some nice targets with both the 32 ACP and 32 S&W Short and I am going to try the 32 S&W Long.

Some of my early 1903 rifles are really in nice condition with all the early parts and I do not plan on shooting anything out of these rifles as they are (in my opinion) collector rifles.

If you want to shoot the Model 1903, there are more than enough high number rifles around or you can find a 1903A3Attachment 58660

[browningautorifle]

Love the script numbers on those early guns, they look like artwork.

[Chuckindenver]

issues..
how well a action handles a simple case head failure..
SHT actions dont really survive them very well.

[Neal Myers]

When the problems with the SHT receivers was discovered, various methods to increase the safety were attempted; none worked.

Unless you are a subsistence hunter whose family will starve over the winter if you don't hunt with your new 03, it's not worth taking a chance. Take your lumps, & buy a rifle that you are certain is safe.

Neal

[RCS]

When shooting the 32 ACP in my 1903 rifles kind of reminds what the Pederson (Cal 30 Automatic pistol model of 1918) cartridge must have felt like ! just can not understand why the US Army thought that they had such a remarkable weapon that would revolutionize trench warfare. Just difficult to imagine attacking a position with a weapon using a improved 32 ACP cartridge that might not even penetrate a German helmet ! At least the French bought the Winchester Model 1907 (and a few Model 1910) semi auto rifles in 351 WSL for trench raids but they later copied the Pederson cartridge for their semi auto pistols.

[browningautorifle]

I think the idea was volume of fire...

[RCS]

Pederson Quiz: Name two other military rifles that were also converted to use the Pederson device ?