1903 Rifle #1
- Thread starter Ganderite
- Start date
It's interesting how the old vet who was issued with this M1903 declares his preference for the M1903 versus the M1917 Enfield, which was used more extensively by US troops in WW1 fighting than was the M1903.
The guy never actually used the rifle in combat, but is repeating an old soldier's tale.
I've owned and shot both types a lot and prefer the M1903 for handiness, smooth operating and accuracy on the range. But the M1903 sights really suck in the field and the M1917 aperture sights are much superior for picking up a target in marginal light conditions. This was the conclusion of the US Army which actually wanted to standardize on the M1917 after WW1, but decided against it due to the fact that there was no production base for the M1917 and because of pressures from the target shooters.
The M1917 sights are also much better protected from damage and the rifle has a more robust stock and handguard set which is an important consideration in the field.
I think the Brits got it right with the P14 which was quickly converted to the M1917 to satisfy US wartime needs.
The guy never actually used the rifle in combat, but is repeating an old soldier's tale.
I've owned and shot both types a lot and prefer the M1903 for handiness, smooth operating and accuracy on the range. But the M1903 sights really suck in the field and the M1917 aperture sights are much superior for picking up a target in marginal light conditions. This was the conclusion of the US Army which actually wanted to standardize on the M1917 after WW1, but decided against it due to the fact that there was no production base for the M1917 and because of pressures from the target shooters.
The M1917 sights are also much better protected from damage and the rifle has a more robust stock and handguard set which is an important consideration in the field.
I think the Brits got it right with the P14 which was quickly converted to the M1917 to satisfy US wartime needs.
