Hathcock was a great man. I read the books. He also got the publicity, but there were others that had a greater total of kills. Those guys are heroes too - Charles Mawhinney, Adelbert F. Waldron, and Eric England are three that I read about tonight. I know a few regular guys who came back home affected by that war too. I like to remember them all, in every war because they all excelled. Think of those average guys who died or got maimed to give others life and no one but God knows about it today.
saving pvt ryan rifle ?
- Thread starter rebs
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SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
I think you are right. No expert on them, but the rear sight is in the wrong position. My 1917 '03 originally had the rear sight in front of the receiver like that one. Later model A3 had the rear sight on the rear bridge. A4 was fitted with a scope mount and Unertal 8X scope, if I remember right.
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That's not an 03A3 in the photo sir...that is a 1903, which was the basis for the 1903A1 Marine sniper version used in the pacific. The 03A3 was a cheaper version made in haste for WWII and had the rear sight on the rear of the receiver. The 1903 had all fully machined parts, the 03A3 had several cheaper and faster to make stamped Sheetmetal parts. They were both good guns, but the 03 is more desirable.
Back in the mid 80's Hathcock lived right down the street from my sister in Va. Beach. He was kind enough to autograph a poster for me. At that time he could still get around and was into shark fishing.
A lot of folks don't know, I guess because his sniping adventures overshadowed everything else, that just before he left Vietnam he pulled a bunch of Marines out of a burning APC and nearly died of his wounds on a hospital ship.
He nearly died saving the lives of 10 or 11 Marines, running into a fire and dragging them out one at a time until the APC was clear and all they gave him was a silver star.
Nope, it was an 03A4. The Army sniper version of the 03A3. If you notice in the film the front sight was removed from the A4's for use as a sniper rifle.
An interesting fact about the 03's {any version used as a competition or sniper rifle}, they didn't have glass bedding yet and so to tighten the action into the stock for accuracy they used metal and paper "shims". Another interesting fact is that the 03's all had cut rifled barrels and shot very good.
The Marines, it seems, frequently get the "short end of the stick" when it comes to gear...they were given the old match guns from the 20's for their sniper rifles. 1903A1's that had been accurized, with a carefully head spaced bolt numbered to the receiver and stocks fitted with shims, star gauged barrels, triggers reworked, etc. While the Army got the new A4's with button rifled 2 groove barrels {a few still had cut rifled 4 groove barrels}.
The Marines selected the Unertl 8x scopes while the Army had those schitty little straight tube things {M84's???}. The Unertl, at the time, didn't have the external "return to battery" spring. It is said that many Marine snipers used to tie a piece of innertube rubber to the scope so they didn't have to pull it back into position. Unertl incorporated the spring just after WWII.
Having owned, shot and built several reproductions I have to say the Marines had the better weapon.
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Alexander-M
Gold $$ Contributor
That is an excellent website. Lots of detailed information on the subject firearms.
Thank you for sharing.
Alex
STOMP442
Gold $$ Contributor
In case anyone hasn't read it, this is a great book and probably the best $8 you will spend today.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OZ0NR6/?tag=accuratescom-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OZ0NR6/?tag=accuratescom-20
muleman69
USMC -1st marine Div. RVN
I would like to see a proper movie come out as I was TAD to the same camp right after Carlos hit the mine that morning. The camp was landing zone Baldy .USMC
One thing they did fix on the 03A3 was the rear sight. They had an aperture sight that made for better aiming. It did have stamped bottom metal and was war production so fit and finish wasn't as good but it was still good.
Herbert McBride lamented the sights of the 03 in his book "A Rifleman Went To War". He seemed to be more impressed with the Germans rifles. Many of them used sporting rifles and were very good snipers with them.
Herbert McBride lamented the sights of the 03 in his book "A Rifleman Went To War". He seemed to be more impressed with the Germans rifles. Many of them used sporting rifles and were very good snipers with them.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
The book that tells the Story of Carlos in RVN is titled "Marine Sniper" by Charles Henderson as told by Carlos Hathcock. A most excellent read, and if anyone here has not read it and has even the slightest interest in rifle accuracy, it is a "required read".
The story of this man is extraordinary to say the least; a true American Hero if there ever was one, and a rifleman of the First Order.
The story of this man is extraordinary to say the least; a true American Hero if there ever was one, and a rifleman of the First Order.
LarryDScott
Site $$ Sponsor
I have never been much on reading books, but I did borrow a copy of Carlos's first edition. When i started, I couldn't put it down.
I read the whole book in one night. The second edition wasn't
quiet as good, because it had parts of the first incorporated.
That took some of the suspense out of the story. I highly recommend both. LDS
STOMP442
Gold $$ Contributor
Yeah, the best part of the second book was that it had more pictures. Mostly it was just a re-telling of the first one.
True story-- the guy on cover isn't Carlos Hathcock. I'd need to dig to chase down the source, but I thought that was funny.
I don't think a movie on Carlos will come out any time soon with all the Lefties in Hollywood who sympathized with the NVA and VC.
STOMP442
Gold $$ Contributor
American Sniper, Lone Survivor or Saving Private Ryan didn't really fit their narrative either. Stranger things have happened, but rest assured if it ever did get made I'm sure there would be some sort of gay love scene or cross-dressing Klinger type character thrown in to appease the progressive agenda and ruin the movie for the rest of us.
I don't think the Left sympathized with the Nazis and hesitate to sympathize with Saddam or radical Moslems (but you never know!).
JEFFPPC
Gold $$ Contributor
I think your very naive at best. Carlos was an under appreciated hero like so many others. The mentioned books should be required book reports for all high achool graduates........at least those who can read.
I met Gy Sgt. Hathcock at the Shot Show years ago. He was in a wheel chair then. I spoke to him and even though his body was in bad shape you could see he still had sharp eyes and a sharp mind. Still have his business card, just wish he had come back after lunch for an autographed picture
.
.What are you writing about? I am not saying that Carlos does not deserve a movie or TV series but I am saying that it is highly unlikely. (BTW, I have his book signed by him during a gunshow)
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