drill receivers unsafe to build?

[lovemymilsurps]

there is some speculation as to 03a3 drill receivers are unsafe to build with, why?

i just bought a ton of surplus new parts and a SOG a3 drill receiver but now i'm being told they are not safe?

Information

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[Jim Tarleton]

Many, many rifles of all calibers have been built from drill rifle receivers without a single problem. I know of only one reported problem with same. I myself have converted several with zero problems. Many think that welding on a receiver automatically makes it weaker, but I have cut them in half and welded them back together with no problems, nor would I expect any. It all depends on how it is done. Shortening receivers was once a fairly common practice.

I suspect you will have no problems. Check headspace often if you are concerned. It is the weld on the front receiver ring that gives one pause for concern. A small tack weld on the bottom of the ring should have no detrimental effects.

Others may give you contrary advice. The choice is one you must make.

Jim

You might want an experienced smith to look at the receiver just in case. Since I haven't seen your receiver, it is difficult to judge accurately.

[irishsteve]

I agree with Jim about checking headspace every few hundred rounds.The rifle may be fine,but the check lets you know nothing is changing.There have been so many drill rifles put back in service that I wont buy an 03a3 from anyone who wont allow a take down before purchase.If Im paying real money im going to get a real rifle.

[lovemymilsurps]

i will take some photos of the receiver in question, check back in an hour if you guys can

[lovemymilsurps]

ok, here is where they welded the bbl to the receiver, notice the bare metal that is the weld, no to bad looking after i cleaned it up


interal


cut off cleaned up and blued, yeah its ugly


the raceway




all that i can really see being a problem it the structure of the steel is weak from high heat

[Chuckindenver]

shouldnt be a safety issue.
however, the steel on the receiver ring will be raised from the heat, it should be faced.
personally id send that one pack and ask for one with a cleaner cutoff area.
or better one thats not been hacked on.
that looks like hell.
A3,s are 2.5% nickle steel, and surface hardened, are DP rifles unsafe??well, i no longer work on them for customers, not from the safety factor, mostly from the scamming factor.
i had a man bring me a 1903A3 to my table at a show to ask what i thought of it.
told him it was a recevered drill rifle, and he asked how i knew?
im the one that recovered it, for a man that was said to be making himself cheap shooters.
it was being advertised as a standard A3 at 650.00..that was the last DP rifle i did for a customer..
i personally own a few recovered DP rifles, they shoot well, and look great, i dont plan on selling them, and just shoot them.
and some have some great history.
yet to have a DP A3 with headspace issues.

[lovemymilsurps]

shouldnt be a safety issue.
however, the steel on the receiver ring will be raised from the heat, it should be faced.
personally id send that one pack and ask for one with a cleaner cutoff area.
or better one thats not been hacked on.
that looks like hell.
A3,s are 2.5% nickle steel, and surface hardened, are DP rifles unsafe??well, i no longer work on them for customers, not from the safety factor, mostly from the scamming factor.
i had a man bring me a 1903A3 to my table at a show to ask what i thought of it.
told him it was a recevered drill rifle, and he asked how i knew?
im the one that recovered it, for a man that was said to be making himself cheap shooters.
it was being advertised as a standard A3 at 650.00..that was the last DP rifle i did for a customer..
i personally own a few recovered DP rifles, they shoot well, and look great, i dont plan on selling them, and just shoot them.
and some have some great history.
yet to have a DP A3 with headspace issues.

i've heard about quite a few guys restoring drill rifles. mine is basically surplus new, as every part other than the receiver i bought only because they were new. my barrel .005 short and needs to be reamed and once i have this done by a proffesional (lacking funds to do so) i won't worry about headspace as it will be corrected when the barrel is installed i just cant get the heat treatment problem out of my mind

[Jim Tarleton]

Get it out of your head. That weld looks fairly typical. If it worries you, buy a non-drill rifle receiver.

The picture is fuzzy, but it looks like someone butchered the cutoff area anyway.

Jim

[lovemymilsurps]

Get it out of your head. That weld looks fairly typical. If it worries you, buy a non-drill rifle receiver.

The picture is fuzzy, but it looks like someone butchered the cutoff area anyway.

Jim

yeah, the cut off area was a freaking cluster **** took 3 hours with a dremmel just to find it, not to mention 7 grinding wheels

[lovemymilsurps]

Get it out of your head. That weld looks fairly typical. If it worries you, buy a non-drill rifle receiver.

The picture is fuzzy, but it looks like someone butchered the cutoff area anyway.

Jim

i think i'll roll with it, if it blows up well.... nice knowing you guys lol