Bubba'd M1903 Receiver - Safe?

bluemike807

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Below is a photo of a sporterized M1903 receiver that Im considering buying as a project gun. Its obviously been drilled badly - Im not familiar with that action - would this have rendered it dangerous to use? I can't see if it would have penetrated the chamber or not. Opinions?

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Well it's a Remington receiver which is fabricated from very strong alloy steels. I would want to examine it closely before making a call on safety. It's tough to see in the pic, but there needs to be some clearance between the safety lug behind the extractor and the front face of the rear receiver bridge. If the safety lug is bearing on the receiver bridge it will take up the recoil from the locking lugs at the front of the bolt which is an unsafe condition.

I've owned quite a few 03s, incl several Remingtons. I wouldn't have expected it, but I once found one with a cracked receiver ring. Assuming the headspace is OK, it would probably be safe to shoot. The drilling and tapping process, even though badly done, should not have rendered the receiver unsafe. The Remington 03s are known for their surface hardness and most often must be spot annealed before being drilled and tapped. The only way to absolutely determine safety would be to fire several rounds by "remote control" with the rifle secured in a rubber tire and a long cord on the trigger.

Quite apart from safety, the pi$$-poor attempt at drilling and tapping has ruined the appearance of this rifle. I wouldn't bother with it other than as a parts source. Quel dommage, as the French say.
 
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As purple suggested, drilling Remington receivers can be a bit of an adventure. I'd be concerned that bubba might have done a bit more annealing than necessary. And as you suggest, who knows how deep the holes are over the chamber? Do wwhat you can to determine how deep the two front holes are.
Do check the third lug, which should not be making contact.
Let's assume it has been fired since this misery occurred. Obviously didn't fail. You could certainly test fire it remotely.
What sort of project were you planning? Hopefully nothing that would involve much money.
I used a sported 03A3 to make an A4 clone. Bubba had been drilling on mine, as well, but nothing like this. I was able to install a bridge mount in spite of bubba's best efforts. Certainly isn't pretty with the scope base off.
 
Considering the poor quality of the (ugh) "workmanship", it would be reasonable to assume that the person who made those alterations was unaware of their impact on the safety and function of the receiver.

I would, for the sake of my face, hands and life, consider it unsafe until otherwise proven by a qualified gunsmith. Alternatively, you could remote fire it but there will remain the real possibility that you'll get to watch the money you spent explode into few dozen pieces.

I'd say just don't bother with it at all.
 
I would like to see the gunsmith who would give you a written, clean bill of health, to shoot it.
 
Apart from the horrible drilling, how is the rest of the rifle?
Also, check the serial number, low number springfields heat treatment was poor, check that out.
 
1. Remington didn't build any 'low-numbered' Springfields. A low-numbered Springfield is below 800,000 if a Springfield, 285,000 if a Rock Island. Remington numbers were supposed to start at 3 million.

2. Remington receivers were very tough.

3. What I see wrong is doubtless enough to scare a purist into cardiac arrest BUT if you are careful and have a rough idea how to use a set of taps and have some plug screws and know how to use a set of needle files.... there is nothing there that can't be undone.

Of course, it will NEVER satisfy a purist, but it just might turn into a nice rifle.

OR you can always ship it to me. I'll be VERY happy to dispose of it for you!

(I already have needle files, taps and plug screws!)
 
If you want to find a nicer one that hasn't been bubba'd put a WTB ad in the EE. I put the post up last week and I should be receiving mine this week.
 
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