A few tricks I've learned with my '03 that I thought I'd share. Also, I now have a contact email for the channel. MilsurpGarage@gmail.com Happy Holidays and see you all in 2022. PEACE!
I am 71 years old and been shooting my 1903 since I bought it off my uncle in 1969. Those are all very good tricks that you used to get an extra round in without having feeding issues. Thanks for sharing.
The '03 was DESIGNED to feed individual rounds with the cuttoff on. The extractor is specifically shaped to allow it. Troops were trained to hold the contents of the magazine in reserve and fire single shots on command. Now, that changed with the tactics, but the capability remained.
Neat! Had a 1903A34 groove that I foolishly sold some years ago (my sons have never let me forget that). I preferred to keep my Kar 98 Mauser made by Obendorf because (1) front sight was more robust and easier to see and (2) Mauser had better bolt safeguard for FP failure (I know this is extraordinarily rare). However, one of my sons now has the Mauser, so the whining has decreased by half...
There are still quite a few nice 1903 examples that come through gun shows, shops, and gunbroker. Treat yourself and keep it in the closet when they come over!
Yes, it’s designed to DO it but not a great continuous operational procedure. A car is designed to do 0-60 in the shortest time possible but repeatedly doing that is considered beating on it…..and a great way to get to know your mechanic. Wear is what makes machines mortal.
@@MilsurpGarage the mag "on-off" lever was there for a purpose. however, I doubt very seriously that our troops in the trenches ever used that function but I also doubt it was because of wear. It was a stupid idea to a man trying to stay alive.
The '03 was designed in an era when troops loaded single rounds and fired on command, holding the magazine in reserve until needed. The "on" position of the cutoff was specifically to allow this. Same as the Krag. Same, for that matter, as the SMLE No 1 Mk III. The extractor is designed for both single round and magazine loading. Sure, by WW1, nobody was loading single rounds and firing on command any more, like in "Zulu", but the extractor was designed to allow it.
First rifle i ever owned got it when i was 11yrs old, im 37yrs old now and a custom rifle builder and 1000yd benchrest shooter. I shot my 03 so much i wore out the original 2groove remington barrel made in 1944 it had. So i got a new old stock 4groove made in April 1943 wrapped in cosmoline and fit it to the reciever. I have it in a Tiger maple stock, timney trigger, fit an egw heavy duty steel pic rail to it and a meopta meopro 6-18×50mm milldot with tall turrets. I load berger 185gr juggernauts for it and shoot it out to 1200yds for fun. Also have a good tune with sierra 155gr palma match kings. Both with H4350
I’m certain that single loading without the controlled feed bends the extractor and forces it to snap over the rim. That definitely stresses it more and wears it more. It is certainly made top do that but it stresses it more.....very robust rifle though...it will take a lot to break anything.
Yep that's the way to get the 6th round in an 03....you know that you can actually put 6 rounds in the magazine of a 1917 Enfield....right... enjoy your videos Shoe
I cant figure out how to take the bolt out.. Normally,, you bring the bolt back while depressing the trigger and the bolt will slide out of the gun.. But mine wont for some odd reason.. Is there something different with these.???
I've owned an 03 for around 36 years, and have put six rounds in by dropping one in the tube, literally thousands of times, and haven't damaged the extractor yet. Nice trick, but totally unneeded imo.
A lot of people have said in response to this video that snapping the extractor over the rim hasn’t damaged theirs, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a kindler or gentler way. The suspension of your car is made to soak up bumps, but you still try to avoid them.
@@MilsurpGarage Your car door is made to open and close but maybe you should enter through the sunroof just in case your doors are not really up to being opened and closed.
Not really a valid analogy since the sunroof isn’t made for you to enter and exit the car through. A better analogy would be that the car door will still close if you slam it really hard, but to protect it you try to close it gently.
@@nathanadrian7797 Definitely an age old debate but after careful study of Mausers controlled feed action I believe that regularly snapping the extractor over rims should be avoided as it promotes wear and tear. But of course, with your rifle follow your procedure. Just offering my advice and an alternative method, that all.
@@michaelmatthews2759 interesting. I was told by someone else in the comments on another thread that it will still take the stripper clips just have to find the right spot.
Improved heat treatment started at SN 285,507. I'm in the 287,000's. I use the M1 Garand specific ammo rom PPU.....if it's good for the Garand it will be fine for the 1903. You reminded me that it hasn't been out for a while.....thanks!
@@MilsurpGarage I don't know...I have four 1903's and always avoided a purchase where the SN was below 1 million. It does look like it's in amazing condition. The Parkerizing is perfect. I bought one A3 before I knew about the "drill rifle welding" warning where they weld the cut off lever to the receiver. I had sent the gun to CMP for re-barreling and some other things and the head armorer called me and told me about the weld. I asked him flat out if he would do the work on it and shoot it and he said no, there are plenty of other rifles out there that are safe. Our conversation turned to the 1 million and lower rifles and he said the exact same thing.
@@gtc1961The rifle in the video is a Rock Island so the serial number range for improved heat treatment is different than a Springfield Armory which was probably what your source there was referring too. I’ve been doing this for a while……. That being said, you should (as well as everyone else) certainly follow whatever parameters you feel are necessary for your own personal safety. I’m certainly not trying to convince you of anything. Just relaying facts on this particular rifle.
Absolutely incorrect information! The rifle was designed with a magazine cutoff for a reason, so it could be single loaded with a full magazine by using the magazine cut off and simply placing a round in the chamber and then closing the bolt!