22lrfan got me scared... Low number 1903

Was emailing marty the other day about my 1903 and he done got me scared.

He said the early ones (<800,000 serial) had some issues and some blew up causing injury to the shooter. He mustve thought he scared me so he sent me an article about it. In that article the author said it was actually a low number Of rifles that that had issues (around 110 per million) and none tested that failed were made in 05 which is apparently when mine was made.

Marty then suggested i use low pressure reloads in the rifle instead of factory ammo. Just kinda burst my bubble cause we got cans of milsurp and id love to run some thru this rifle. Sigh... Maybe i will and just wear a face shield. :O

I'd shoot it if you want. If the barrel date does not match you know it has worn out at least one barrel. Most of the ones in civilian hands that blow up I've seen are from double charges when someone tries to use a low power load.

Example: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=422

The ones that blew up in military service where the cause was known was from bad brass made during WWI, bore obstructions, and wrong ammo (8mm!!!).


All low numbered rifles were subjected to a 70,000 psi proof load called a blue pill, 20k over 50k SAMMI standard, when manufactured and when a new barrel was installed. That's what the circled P on a stock means and the P on the barrel.

In the end the Army said to replace them when they came in for overhaul. (note they did not pull them from service)

Navy and Marines kept them. Navy didn't transition to Garands until after WWII for shipboard use and the Marines fought the early battles of WWII with low numbers.

Griffin & Howe and others turned many into beautiful sporters.

Some historians have said the real reason for the suggestion that the national arsenal was unsafe and needed replacement was Springfield Armory had little work, and having to replace to replace a million or so rifles would give them something to do.

Marty i should have done the poll but with a "let marty shoot it" option. Haha. I dont think im too worried. I wear safety glasses when shooting anyway and if push came to shove i think i could make it without a digit.

Thanks philip. This is a sporter and she is pretty minus the cracked stock.

That stock looks too good to trash, contact the stock doc, he can fix anything and is reasonably priced. Email him good photo's of how it's broken.

Rick Borecky
2261 Ridge Rd
Hinckley,Oh 44233
rborecky@mindspring.com

... Or sell that piece of junk low number with a broke stock to me

Pretty sure its military barrel. It has the keeper grooves at muzzle that dad says were used to locate front sight.

Thanks philip. Gonna see what we can do to save it. I will give him a shout as well.

The born on date was just behind the front sight grooves 03A3, or spline, 1903.

They may have buffed them off when they blued it.