Remington Model 1903 30-06 info

[42chevy]

My dad gave me a rifle that I am unsure of how it works or any info other than it was made in 1942. The serial number is 31214xx and it says Remington Model 1903 and has a P close to the muzzle. Dad gave it to me a few years ago and he can't tell me anything about it . It has a scope and a stock way different than any pictures I can find online. The bolt is complicated to me, I had to take it apart to get it to not hang up going forward and am unsure of how that works. I have it moving very smooth now but am unsure of how to properly operate the rear spring loaded part. I am used to handguns and lever action rifles and this thing stumps me and my friend. Any help on info of any kind?

 

[42chevy]

The one with the 22 pump is a Winchester Model 61 that was my dad's and the Model 94 was for my high school graduation from my dad. I am curious for any info there is, the '06 is in good mechanical condition

 

[mark44spec]

You have a nicely sporterized 1903 springfield rifle. To learn more about it you could try youtube there is alot of good stuff there.

 

[Cleveland48]

I agree I would love to have an 03 like that. Looks like the work was done nicely.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

 

[42chevy]

It is very nice. I have never carried it but this fall it will be my elk rifle I think. My brother got a Remington pump 30-06 that is very nice, I hope he will start hunting again

 

[Cyrano]

That rifle was a US Model 1903 rifle made by Remington at the start of WW II. It has been sporterized. It was designed to hold the bolt open when the last shot was fired, to get the attantion of the shooter in combat. The magazine follower was square at the rear end and came up in the path of the bolt, holding it back. Most sporters have had the back of the follower ground at an angle so they don't hold the bolt back.

Thre's an 'on/off' switch on the left side of the receiver. 'On' let the rounds feed from the magazine; 'off' meant they would not feed from the magazine and the rifle could be fired single shot. The middle position, as you probably found out, is used to take the bolt out of the rifle for cleaning the barrel from the breech end.

That thing you had your thumb on in one picture is the safety. It only works when the rifle is cocked and the firing pin is at the rear. All the way over to the left is 'fire'; the upright position blocks the trigger but the bolt will still open. This is handy for unloading the magazine by working the bolt. You can also unscrew the firing pin etc, from the bolt body a lot easier with the safety in this positon. All the way over to the left both blocks the trigger and prevents the bolt from opening. As a military rifle, it was not designed for a scope, and the scope will probably interfere with the operation of the safety.

 

[42chevy]

Thank you very much. This rifle is much cooler than I thought at first, I like the military connection

 

[2152hq]

The safety looks like an aftermarket 'low 'scope safety' probably added at the time the rifle was sporterized from it's military configuration.
The military safety works as Cyrano explained,,and a 'scope is right in the way of it.

The 'low scope safety' was a simple aftermarket part that replaced the military safety and allowed the safety to work w/a scope in place.
Buehler, Williams, Timney, Pacific and others all made low scope safetys for just about every model of military rifle around. Yours might be marked with a mfg marking

They function differently from the military unit in that they flip up from the right side to about the 1 oclock position to place the rifle at SAFE. Then press down on the thumb piece,,it'll click down to about the 5 oclock position. At that point the rifle is in the FIRE position.

The bolt handle is also altered from it's military form,,again to allow the scope to be mounted. If left undone, the bolt handle would hit the scope tube upon opening the action.

The handle was/is sometimes forged to a concave curve to give clearance. Sometimes a new handle is welded onto the bolt body after the original is cut off.
Looks like who ever did the work may have opted to just cut some clearance in the original handle sweep and angle for the scope. Not unusual either.

These Remington 1903's made during WW2 have always been considered kind of a 'why bother to put the work into them' type of rifle by the custom rifle builders. Yes the early Springfield '03s hold the snob appeal and they are quality built rifles. A few mfg short cuts on the WW2 guns, more tool marks, maybe looser specs, ect.
But they are fine rifles and will do everything needed in the field.

Check and make sure the scope mts and rings are secure. Check the front and back guard screws and make sure they are tight.
A check of the headspace wouldn't be a bad idea if you have access to it. If not, carefully inspect the fired cases for backed out primers, ect.
Other than that take it out and have fun with it.

 

[42chevy]

Thanks for the help! I can't wait to shoot it now

 

[jdlii]

42Chevy,

Nice rifle. The Remington 1903 rifles were, if memory serves me well, designated "1903A1". Springfield Armory had switched over to making the M1 Garand but, the Marine Corps still wanted 03's.

The machinery was moved to Remington to make the 1903A1 rifles. Most of them were issued with the "C" type stock with the full pistol grip. The quality of the Remington 03's was outstanding and they are very accurate. A friend of mine has one that was obtained through the CMP and will G.I. ball ammo at 100 yards, it will shoot minute of angle with iron sights.

The work that was done on your rile to sporterize it looks great. That rifle will take care of all of you hunting needs. Enjoy!

 

[42chevy]

Thanks. I thought it might be special beyond the emotional connection. I am going to sight it in soon, I can't wait to elk hunt with it now.

 

[30-30remchester]

The 1903 Springfield action was one of the best ever built. Yours has the milled trigger bow and floorplate. Later 1903's had stamped steel floorplate which are far less desirable. Few commercial actions can even come close to the hand built action that is your 1903.

 

[jdlii]

The "03" rifles with stamped steel floor plates were the 1903A3 rifles. There were all manufactured in WWII and were essentially a redesigned rifle to replace as many of the milled and machined steel parts of the 03 with stamped parts.

The rear sight was totally redesigned and moved to the rear receiver bridge. The rifling used in the barrels was also changed from 4 to 2 groove. The accuracy of the rifles was not affected by this change and the 03A3's are, based on my experience, great shooters as well.

 

[42chevy]

Thanks all! I feel very fortunate to own this piece of history and will treat it right but will use it. I guess treating a gun right to me means to shoot it, keep it clean and oiled and in safe operating condition.

 

[model70hunter]

I've owned 4 or 5 over the years, they are great shooters.

 

[42chevy]

I finally figured out how to operate the rifle. It shoots very well, I know what I am hunting elk with this fall if I get a tag. Thanks for all the help!