Springfield Model 1903

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Assisting a neighbor in installing a Model 1903A3 Rifle into a Model 1903 Stock. It doesn't fit ! The portion between the breech and rear of the barrel doesn't fit ? Before we proceed further we stopped. I thought that the stocks were the same except for the hand guard ?
Suggestions/Opinions ?
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[Cyrano]

Not much help, but when the 03-A3 came along, its stocks were cut for both the 03-A3 and the '03. The '03 had the sight mounting band around the barrel, and the 03-A3 stock was inlet for that. Can't understand why the reverse; an 03-A3 wouldn't fit in an '03 stock.

 

[Faulkner]

It should fit.

 

[DWalt]

Why would someone want to do that?

 

[R.A. Rifleman]

The A3 has a clip/ring that slips over the action and holds down the rear of the longer handguard. Earlier stocks might not be inlet for that clip. Is that what is hitting?

 

[2152hq]

03 fits into 03A3 stock,,but the 03A3 doesn't fit into the 03 stock.

The handguard ring on the 03A3 as RA points out and I think the recoil lug on the 03A3 is slightly larger than the 03.
Both these will keep an 03A3 action from dropping into an 03 stock.