1903 mark1.

Jabroni

Jabroni

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Ive had this 03 mark 1 for years..first rifle I bought once we moved here actually. Finally scored a correct cut off spindle for it, making it correct for mark 1 parts for the first time in god knows how long.

Never fired it myself until today. Used some loads I worked up for my M1, I unleashed the beast this morning..holy cow! She sure kicks like a mule! I wasnt expecting it to be terribly different than my M1, but wow.. 5rds down, and I moved on to 223. Heh. Definitely need to sight it in, but was hitting steel at 100. Those sights are crazy..front blade thin as a hair it seems.
 
Jabroni said:
Ive had this 03 mark 1 for years..first rifle I bought once we moved here actually. Finally scored a correct cut off spindle for it, making it correct for mark 1 parts for the first time in god knows how long.

Never fired it myself until today. Used some loads I worked up for my M1, I unleashed the beast this morning..holy cow! She sure kicks like a mule! I wasnt expecting it to be terribly different than my M1, but wow.. 5rds down, and I moved on to 223. Heh. Definitely need to sight it in, but was hitting steel at 100. Those sights are crazy..front blade thin as a hair it seems.
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You know we need photos of this fine weapon.
 
None of this has actually happened as there is no photo evidence posted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
While it won't be "correct" for your Mk1, you can obtain a USMC No.10 front sight on your rifle. It provides a much wider front sight post than the as-issued 1903 version as is much easier to pick up with. There was also a USMC No.10 rear sight slide for the 1903 rifle, which only had one large peep. The larger front sight post is not compatible with the standard 1903 sight cover.

Bill Bentz used to make reproduction front and rear USMC sights, but I'm not sure if he's still in the game or not.

USMC_cvr-1.jpg
 
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nbkky71 said:
While it won't be "correct" for your Mk1, you can obtain a USMC No.10 front sight on your rifle. It provides a much wider front sight post than the as-issued 1903 version as is much easier to pick up with. There was also a USMC No.10 rear sight slide for the 1903 rifle, which only had one large peep. The larger front sight post is not compatible with the standard 1903 sight cover.

Bill Bentz used to make reproduction front and rear USMC sights, but I'm not sure if he's still in the game or not.

USMC_cvr-1.jpg
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Might have to look into that.. the cover I have no is just a sedgley I picked up somewhere..
 
I bought mine quite a few years ago and I think I paid $50 for the set. It was money well spent as I was shooting a lot of CMP Springfield matches at the time. Picking up that tiny front blade in the rapids was a chore!

Be advised that the edge on Bill's front site is *SHARP* and will draw blood if you're not careful.

I never bothered with the USMC hood, but in hind sight it might have been a worthwhile purchase too
 
Jabroni said:
Ive had this 03 mark 1 for years..first rifle I bought once we moved here actually. Finally scored a correct cut off spindle for it, making it correct for mark 1 parts for the first time in god knows how long.

Never fired it myself until today. Used some loads I worked up for my M1, I unleashed the beast this morning..holy cow! She sure kicks like a mule! I wasnt expecting it to be terribly different than my M1, but wow.. 5rds down, and I moved on to 223. Heh. Definitely need to sight it in, but was hitting steel at 100. Those sights are crazy..front blade thin as a hair it seems.
Click to expand...

Nice 03! My father told a story of attending small arms school while in the USAAF in WW2. They spent the day at the range shooting 03s, perhaps 200 rds or so. His shoulder was so sore the next day even his uniform material was painful to touch the bruised skin. They then went to the trap range to shoot. He said he couldn't even hold the butt of the gun against his shoulder.
 
I have an ‘03 Mk I.

What I wouldn’t give for a Pederson device and some ammo....just to try it out.
 
I visited a mega collector who had several of them and the ammunition to shoot through them. He showed my group that was getting the grand tour a bullet hole in a heating duct in the room where the Pedersen went off on a ND from one of his buddies! The stuff this collector had was mind numbing in its scope and quantity.
 
I have never been a big fan of the front sight hood when shooting because it does put not the top of the front sight in the middle of the opening, and my eyes naturally seek the middle of the opening. That is a nice rifle. Enjoy it.
 
Charlie said:
I have never been a big fan of the front sight hood when shooting because it does put not the top of the front sight in the middle of the opening, and my eyes naturally seek the middle of the opening. That is a nice rifle. Enjoy it.
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My understanding is that the hood was to protect the blade in storage and handling and not for the range or the field. I haven't seen any WW2 pictures of the 03 or 03A3 in the field with a hood in place.
 
rufrdr said:
My understanding is that the hood was to protect the blade in storage and handling and not for the range or the field. I haven't seen any WW2 pictures of the 03 or 03A3 in the field with a hood in place.
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That was pretty much my understanding, but I have seen several people use one while shooting. I tried a few shots with one years ago and did not like it.
 
I have a 1903 MKI that someone tried to alter for hunting by removing front sight and grinding barrel down. Have the original stock, just need a barrel. The butcher never got far enough to drill the action, original barrel was dated 9-14. The stock has the cut for the Pederson.
 
Hate to say it, but I am tempted to put this one up for sale to fund something else I desire.. rather one of many things I desire.. (someone talk me out of it... or don't... )
 
Always had a soft spot for the 03'. Killed my first deer while in high school with a unmodified M1903 made by Remington in 12-41'. Kicks more than a M1 Garand because its a pound or two lighter depending on the density of wood.

CD
 
Glad no one talked Jabroni out of selling it. We met a couple of days ago and now she is mine. By the way, he is a really nice guy, but now, after reading this, I am not sure I want to shoot it (just kidding). I have always said that you gotta die of something... I guess that includes shoulder pain.
 
Group23 said:
Glad no one talked Jabroni out of selling it. We met a couple of days ago and now she is mine. By the way, he is a really nice guy, but now, after reading this, I am not sure I want to shoot it (just kidding). I have always said that you gotta die of something... I guess that includes shoulder pain.
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Let me know when you do fire it. You definitely know its there, and it makes me wonder how the dough boys did it day in and day out!
 
Jabroni said:
Let me know when you do fire it. You definitely know its there, and it makes me wonder how the dough boys did it day in and day out!
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Young bodies and thick wool uniforms! The average fire-fight was probably 20-30 rounds duration at a time anyway. Most time was spent either head down or advancing with a bayonet at the end of the rifle.
 
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