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    New to forum - new 1903A3

    Hello All,

    After lusting a few years for a SC 1903A3, pick-up one at a recent gun show. In pretty good shape, definitely has been used. I know I probably way over paid for the rifle, but it was my first historic firearm purchase. I shot the rifle last weekend and it really was very accurate at 100yds. However, I do have a couple of questions/disappointments that I wanted to get feedback on.

    1) the front site and housing are definitely canted to the left. I removed the housing pin, but could not remove it. I know it is keyed, and I was trying to knock it straight off. I was wondering if I should try heat? Also, I'm hoping if I get it off I will be able to center it better. Worst come to worse, I guess I could bend the front sight blade to center it. My rear site was almost all the way to the left.

    2) I went to check the barrel alignment marks and clean the gun, and I found that the barrel was bedded into the stock (probably why it shot so good). Barrel was stuck in the stock, and I could not separate the barrel and stock with reasonable force or without possibly damaging the stock. On one hand I am definitely bummed that the stock was modified and is not "original;", but on the other hand the rifle shoots well. So I guess my point is, has anyone had the same situation and what did you do?

    Thanks!!!
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Welcome to milsurps;

    Well if whoever bedded the rifle may not have put release agent on the metal that was going to contact the epoxy then your action may be permanently bonded to the stock of which I do not think there is a cure apart from destroying the stock to get the action out then your faced with all the bedding compound stuck to the action, not a good position to be in I feel. I hope you get a fix for your rifles ailments, there are some very smart, talented & experienced people here.
    Last edited by CINDERS; 03-30-2018 at 01:00 PM.

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    The front sight may be soft soldered to the barrel, Brno used that method for one...and WW2 K98s are done that way too...
    Regards, Jim

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    good pictures would help
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

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    Thread Starter
    Well, spent some more time with the rifle and I was able to get the action free of the stock. I didn't remove it all the way, but could tell it wasn't glued in. (What a relief).

    I also heated up the front sight and pounded on it with a rubber mallet, and I got that off too. I cleaned up everything and it all looked how it was supposed to. It seems that my barrel must not be indexed perfectly. I read that that is a common problem(?)

    I guess I could try to bend the front sight blade if it really bothers me.

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    1903A3 Rear Sight Question

    Hey guys, I'm new to the group! I have a Remington 1903A3 that was given to me by a WWII Marine. Its dated 1942. The only problem is that the previous owner removed the rear sight and placed a rail for a scope mount. I know, I know, it killed me!! Anyway, my question is, is there anyway to install/place the rear sight back on the rifle? From the looks of it, it looks like the rear sight was cut smooth off. Crazy, I know!!! Thanks guys!

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    Index the barrel....fix it correctly. Don't bend the front sight. Find someone with a barrel vise and action wrench. You can see how much the index marks are off when you get the action out of the stock.

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    Quote Originally Posted by dr751 View Post
    I read that that is a common problem(?)
    It's a common problem to guys that don't know how to index a sight... You could just send your disassembled rifle to Chuckindenver and let him sort it and send it back. It's what he does.
    Regards, Jim

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