M1903 Springfield to Restore *Update got all the parts :)*

[Bart212]

Arrived today, a 1903 Rock Island. Low number serial 140000. Came with an AV 3-19 Barrel. The stock was sporterized (needs to go). The receiver and all of the other metal still has around 80 - 90% finish. Has signs of use on the follower and on the internals of the receiver but the finish is really good, really smooth.

The barrel needs to go as the rear sight that's on it is rather crappy and the barrels headspace is too long and turns (hand tight) about 1/8" past where it should. (So watch the EE soon). Barrel is in good - very good condition with a bit of what looks like surface rust. Was told by the previous owner that the previous-previous owner took the original barrel off and threw this one on.

Some questions:

Which type of stock should I put on it scant or straight with or without handgroove?

Upper Band. With or without the stacking swivel built in?

Windage screw with bevel or without?

Barrel SA, RIA or RA?


Here's the pics.

Looks worse on camera that it really is.

 

[purple]

You have a 1909 vintage Rock Island low number, single heat treated receiver. In order to restore this one you would need to locate a 1909 dated RIA barrel, a RIA bolt, and an RIA stock with hand grooves and RIA cartouche and a matching handguard. It is unlikely that you would locate any of these components.

The upper band would incorporate the stacking swivel and screw. The windage screw would be the 'dished" style. If the barrel overturns by 1/8 inch when hand tight, it is unlikely that it could be fitted to another rifle. After restoring the rifle with a correctly headspaced barrel you are still faced with the decision as to whether or not to shoot it from a safety point of view. Most people opt not to shoot a low numbered receiver.

Apart from the low number issue, I'd be a bit leery about the receiver by reason of the barrel overturning to the extent that it does. There is a possibility that someone may have reduced the receiver face with the idea of getting a barrel to index properly. It would also be a good idea to check the receiver ring for a crack. To do this you can immerse it in a solvent that evaporates quickly. If there is a crack the solvent will remain and be apparent in the crack.

 

[Bart212]

Purple thanks for the reply, the Barrel is definatly going to get replaced. I was looking forward to not neccessarily restoring it to original but may be restore it with parts that would have been used during a re-arsenal.

Receiver seems great except the low number issue. I've read in Hatchers Notebook that the exploding receivers were mainly due to the headspace not being tight enough and gasses backflowing around the case and back into the receiver or something like that (I believe it was Hatchers?).

I was planning on using an SA barrel as after WWI Springfield was the place where they were re-arsenaled (from what I've read but correct me if I'm wrong). But I'll shoot for as many RIA parts as possible.

When it's all done I plan on shooting the heck out of it (with tight headspace). It seems like it's been fired plenty already from the amount of finish that's worn in the inside of the receiver, just wouln't dream of it with the barrel that I currently have.

Thanks again Purple.

 

[sunray]

"...mainly due to the headspace..." Nope. Nothing whatever to do with headpace. Has to do with the heat treating of the receiver. The very experienced guys who did the heat treating judged the heat of the steel by eye. Proved to be as much as 300 degrees hotter on bright sunny days than on cloudy days. The steel literally got burned and was brittle. Low numbered 1903's from either RIA or SA are not considered safe to shoot with any ammo.
"...Barrel is definitely going to get replaced..." It'll cost you a pile of money and still be considered unsafe to shoot.

 

[Bart212]

Well I've got all the parts here now (minus the lower band spring). The stock I got doesn't quite fit right but I'll make it work for now.

Does anyone know how I can get that little pin out of the Rear sight???

The barrel seems like it'll headspace pretty tight (used some redneck methods to line it up). All I need to know is how to take that little pin out and I can torque the barrel and check the headspace.

I ended up with 3 barrels in the end a nice new 2 groove A3 a 4 groove 03 and 6 groove A3.

 

[purple]

Which pin are you trying to remove? I'd be careful with "redneck methods" of tightening a barrel. You need a properly fitted receiver wrench and a barrel vice to do this-otherwise something is going to crash. The only way to check headspace is with a set of .30-06 headspace gauges. This must be done after the barrel is properly indexed into the vertical position. If excessive headspace is apparent this can sometimes be remedied by selectively installing a longer bolt.

Addendum. Installing the rear sight base/sleeve is a tricky job as it is easy to deform the sleeve at the front if you strike it directly. I'd make a hardwood "donut" to slide down the barrel and then tap on that-as closely to the barrel as possible. The rear sight base will not fit an 03A3 barrel w/o it being opened up or the barrel being turned down first. You can also heat the sight base to expand it as it is being driven on.