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Posted: 8/11/2006 6:34:43 AM EDT
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I just saw on their website that they are sold out of the high numbered 1903 Springfields and are not taking any new orders. Crap and I was just going to place my order for one today..waited a few days too long. 
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This is NOT CORRECT!!! There are many references on the web about this. Julian Hatcher investigated this back in the 1910's. Here is a halfway decent write up - m1903.com/03rcvrfail/ I have heard of people that shoot reduced power loads out of 'low number' rifles - I consider them foolish, not to mention people that shoot M2 ball loads - no offence meant personally. There are so many 'high number' guns out there there is no reason to roll the dice. My vision isn't worth it. The article lists some risk factors for the low number guns - so you can decide for yourself. |
A "low Number" reciever will not explode if you shoot it. Remember, they passed the same overpressure proof test as all the rest, 1 68K PSI load and 5 "standard" 52K PSI loads. The danger come from what happens if it does let go. The SHT reciever will shatter while the DHT and NS reciever will warp. Hatcher is a good read but also look at the causes of the failures. A clogged bore and shooting 8mm ammo will cause most firearms to fail. It was also a common practice to lube the cartridges for smoother rapid fire. Nothing like a little oil in the chamber to heat things up. There are over 1 million SHT recievers that went thru 2 world wars and the brush fires before, between and after. They served well. All that being said, I won't shoot nor recommend shooting a SHT M1903. It's kind of like driving a 73 Pinto. I don't plan on getting rear-ended but the guy behind me might have other plans. I don't plan on shooting a grossly over-pressure round but if someone was asleep at the powder switch in the factory, the higher the safety margin the better. |
 The above quote highlighted in red is the best, and most true, statement I've heard all year!
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| I have a Springfield '03 in the 621000 range that has a 7-42 dated barrel that is in fantastic shape. Does it seem feasible that the military would refurbish the rifle if there was a serious danger? I have shot the rifle before with surplus M2 ball and it is a great shooter. I would hate to have to stick in the back of the gun safe for good. I had been told that some of the receivers in that vintage which is around 1917 were recalled and re heat treated to prevent the fracturing that they talked about in that article. After reading this thread I see that there are varying opinions on this subject. Is she safe to shoot or should she be retired permanently? Also, the bolt was electropenciled to match the receiver. Is there any significance to this? cmp gun? |
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