1903 barrel life and advice

[HonkofDeath]

Im new to older firearms and I picked up a 1903 online with a 3 day non-firing inspection period. Id like to shoot it occasionally and I would notice if it shot poorly. Ive attached 4 pictures for the barrel at throat, near throat, middle and end of barrel. I was hoping someone with more experience than me with these things could give me an opinion on if it is shot out.

I noticed the claw extractor on the bolt also pivots when I turn my hand. On a previous one I handled it had resistance and required your finger to move. Those are my only 2 concerns. Thanks in advance for whoever might know these things. Thanks.

 

[DHD]

This is a FWIW reply.

I have had 2 1903A3's with one being a Remington and the other a SC (still have the Remington) and they were the same but very different as far a barrels were concerned.

My still on the scene one has the 2 groove and while it still shoots very well, it's barrel would need to be replaced if I really wanted to see some accuracy improvement. I actually do have a 4 groove barrel around somewhere with a close enough date code, but it would not be original then (who really knows with these rifles unless it has a good provenance).

IMHO, in the pictures you posted that barrel may shoot decent, but there is a good amount of fire checking. You may be able to smooth it some but that has it's own problems (barrel life). As far as the extractor is concerned, there are still lots of replacements out there or you can tweak the one on the rifle. In other words, the extractor should not be a real issue.

You said 1903, so I will assume it is not a A3 (and by what appears to be a 4 groove barrel it should be). If it is in very good condition, all matching parts, good to you price, and you need an 03 (yes on the last one) I would consider it. But that barrel is not a long term part. Criterion replaces them with one of theirs for a not to bad priced barrel, but then it is not an original 1903 if that matters to you.

You probably already realize there is a whole 1903 1903A3 world out there. I dipped my toe into it some years back and realized at that time my wallet would not allow too much further study. My wallet is much more stable now, but my eyes no longer appreciate irons and I prefer 6mm bullets to 30cal bullets pushing my shoulder. I know just enough to know I don't know enough in other words.

 

[GetReal]

Oh, boy.

My short reply is this... decide if you want to keep the gun original, or get serious accuracy out of it.

I wanted to compete with my US Rifle M1 so I had Isaac McCaskill re- barrel it.

 

[gdbleb]

You are aware of the recommendation not to shoot very early older Springfield 1903s as the receivers were not hardened using modern techniques. There is a serial # threshold.

M1903/M1903A3 Rifle Information - Civilian Marksmanship Program

The U.S. M1903 and M1903A3 “Springfield” rifles military issue bolt action rifles, used during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

thecmp.org

If I understand you correctly the claw extractor is supposed to stay in a fixed position holding the cartridge as the bolt is rotated closed. The claw rides in a groove milled in the receiver to hold it in position. So it is supposed to rotate.

 

[243winxb]

claw extractor

i would make dummy rounds and check feeding and extracton.

The barrel looks ok for a high round count rifle. Expect 3" groups @100 yds, using the original sights. Close inspection of the muzzle crown is needed. It will shoot very high. Aim at belt buckel on enemy for bullet to strike chest area. Good out to 300 yards? If i remember correctly?

1903s were sold before 1968 in bargin basement stores. Cash and carry. Many to choose from @ $40.

The NRA had a magazine reprint on the 1903. Good reading, if one is available.

Mine shot jacketed ok. But barrel was rough for shooting cast bullets. New surplus barrels were $25 . Barrels came short chambered. Local smith headspace new barrel for $5.
The flip up sight worked very well with 173 gr cast. Killed paint cans out to 300 yards on the power line.

Got bored with it, sold it. Fun gun.

 

[243winxb]

the recommendation not to shoot very early older Springfield 1903s as the receivers were not hardened using modern techniques. There is a serial # threshold.

https://www.nramuseum.org/gun-info-research.aspx The Other 03 Springfield.

Mine was a do not shoot rifle. My thinking was, if it didnt blow up yet, its not going too. Shot a couple boxes of GI ammo & reloads. (Young & fearless in 1960s.)
Mostly the reason i fired lower pressure cast bullets. IMR 4895 did produce some good accuracy/velocity with 173 gr gas check bullets.

 

[Will Henry]

I have heard about the low numbered Springfields since I was a kid. I saw one article where the author said he had cracked the siderail on a low numbered receiver by simply whacking it with a screwdriver, He then repeated this on another one. I was intrigued. Now, as it happened, I had a couple of low numbered receivers in the drawer. One of them was pitted enough that I didn't figure to use it, so I whacked it with a BIG screwdriver, hard. It dented a bit, so I hit it again. More dents. I switched to a hammer and was able to bend it up pretty good. I then stuck the receiver ring in the vise and squashed it. It finally cracked on the right side. Now, this has no relationship to how the receiver will handle high pressure loads but it did cause me to wonder what was wrong with my receiver.
I've built some sporters on Springfields, though I don't think they are near as good as a Mauser for the purpose.
If I cared about originality. I would re-barrel and keep the old barrel in case I wanted to return it to original condition. I don't particularly care though, so I would just plan on re-barreling if it seemed necessary. WH

 

[243winxb]

I would re-barrel and keep the old barrel in case I wanted to return it to original condition.

I sold my 1903 rifle with both barrels. Original & New.

 

[JSH]

Having a couple myself, both original and having fed them a steady load of cast, both are as accurate as any new barrel rigs I have shot against.
As mentioned numerous times here, a bore scope is your gunsmiths best friend.
You made no mention of what you expect accuracy wise.
I highly suggest you go shoot it before making a judgment call on it. You may well be happy as is.
I have a Krag the bore looks terrible and is almost smooth. A very good shooter nonetheless the less.

I have to add, best accuracy I have gotten out of any of my milsurps first would be Finish Nagant, honestly a toss up between it and K31 Swiss, next would go to Swede, the rest of the lot falls in after that.

 

[HonkofDeath]

Thanks for the information everyone. I really appreciate it. I already have a 1907 dated 1903 that I got for the history not to shoot. So I definitely want one I can shoot.

This one is a Marine Corps (my background) high number 1903 I wanted due to its history and to shoot.

Its a pretty cool rifle. Has a MC contract scant stock stamped J. Rearsenaled during the interwar period with 1931 barrel. Has that green/slight yellow parkerization, Rockwell hardness punch mark near serial number, armorer stippled buttplate, numbered and wider front sight, enlarged peep sight, electropenciled nickel steel bolt (although different serial number on that), hatcher hole, and enlarged gas vent on bolt.

Im probably being a bit unrealistic hoping to find a marine corps rifle with a barrel that isn't shot out. I guess I might be willing to put a shooter barrel on it and keep the original as Will Henry and 243winxb were mentioning. I would notice change a thing on it otherwise.

 

[HonkofDeath]

You are aware of the recommendation not to shoot very early older Springfield 1903s as the receivers were not hardened using modern techniques. There is a serial # threshold.

M1903/M1903A3 Rifle Information - Civilian Marksmanship Program

The U.S. M1903 and M1903A3 “Springfield” rifles military issue bolt action rifles, used during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

thecmp.org

If I understand you correctly the claw extractor is supposed to stay in a fixed position holding the cartridge as the bolt is rotated closed. The claw rides in a groove milled in the receiver to hold it in position. So it is supposed to rotate.

On my low numbered one, with the bolt removed and in hand, I have to push with my finger to get the claw to rotate. With this one just by turning my hand it rotates to the side. With them both inserted in the rifle it even sounds different running the bolt. You hear a bit of chatter on this new one. Im new to this platform so I wasnt sure if that was to be expected or is a problem. Thanks