M1903A3 Springfield Rifle Review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- Fun Gun Reviews Presents: The Springfield M1903A3 U.S. Military Rifle Review. Adopted in 1905 and issued as the main battle rifle until 1937, but saw service throughout WWII and on into limited service in Vietnam.
Thanks for watching!
Just a point of note: that upper swivel is a stacking swivel for connecting 3 rifles together in a tripod, it is not for a sling.
I completely forgot about that until I read your post. I remember slightly doing that years ago for training with honor guard/color guard and basic drill training for JROTC. We had probably about 50 of these 1903's in lockup upstairs. Thanks for the comment.
I too was on the drill team, honor guard and color guard in military boarding school. That rifle is in stellar condition, in my opinion.
Hey Sootch. I am not saying this with certainty but I read that the front sling swivel on
milsurp rifles is not actually a sling swivel. It is actually a stacking swivel. That is why there
is an opening in it. Soldiers would use the opening on one rifle to connect two other rifles
when ordered to " Stack.....( wait for the command) ARMS ".
The swivel at the most forward position, just behind the barrel, was not meant for a sling. It is meant for stacking three rifles up, hence it is called the stacking swivel. The other two swivels are sling swivels.
Repeat after me... "em nineteen-oh-three ay-three" :o)
Thank you 😂😂😂😂😂
Yes, thank you from me as well. Half of the sling is inside out, as well.
So.... I'm sitting here, watching this video, telling myself, "self, I've never heard anyone call a 1903 - A3 this before." Glad you pointed this out. 🤣😂😅
Search I know that you made this video in 2011 and now it's almost 20/20 in one more hour. A friend of mine whose father had recently passed sold me one of these rifles. She didn't know what to do with it and she was offered $200. I told her hell no I'll give you 1500 even though I don't know anything about it. Even though it sporterized I can't find anything like it anywhere on the internet. But I cannot believe the Machining skills back in 1903. Absolutely meticulous and incredible. But when I go to gun dealers they fluctuate from $200 to 3000 to 5000. Personally I don't think any of them know what the hell they're looking at. God bless you and I hope you have a wonderful New Year.
I hate to say it and I know this video was from a few years back but this one is pretty rough. The "M103" every two secs really got me lol. Usually has awesome content but this one was pretty rough
@sootch00, that forward " sling point " is actually a stacking swivel.
A couple weeks ago, I read a bunch about the M1903 in an older American Rifleman issue I had laying around. It served capably for decades for both regular army and snipers.Thanks for showing this rifle.
That split ring just behind the bayonet mount is NOT for a sling it is what is called a stacking swivel. This enabled soldiers to stack their rifles together (with the butt on the ground) simply by interlocking their stacking swivels rather than laying them directly on the ground. The M-1 Garand had the same thing.
Nice Video. I myself have a Springfield 1903A1 and I am more than satisfied with this excellent rifle. Best regards from Germany!
I won the Scot trophy in the early sixties with a modified o3a3 . First round I shot a perfect score at 600 yards . Great rifle!
I have a 1943 production model of the same rifle. Magnificent shooter. I even managed to find the correct bayonet and scabbard. The only thing I've changed was to have a Marine Corps front sight blade installed which is taller and wider. It drops the overall long distance effective range by a couple hundred yards but greatly improves target acquisition, especially in low light conditions, and quick shooting.
You can also un-cock the bolt by holding the trigger in while closing the bolt handle. Extreme care must still be taken if there's a round chambered but there's no chance of the bolt slipping out of your fingers this way.
Or you could just grip the striker thats behind the bolt handle
That blade front sight looks like it has a bead on top. If so, it is not original.
The attachment up front is not for a shoulder strap. It is there so the soldiers could attach it to, two other rifles and stand all three in a tripod fashion.
Great review. There is alot of history in your hands.
You lost me as soon as you called it an M103a3. Sad. A M103 is a tank.
It might be a tank, you never know people are getting very clever these days. :D
lol
You mean m1903 Springfield
I've got an heirloom Springfield NRA Sporter made in march 1927. Star gauge match grade barrel, match trigger, Lyman peep sights, and a period offset Weaver 3x scope so the Lyman sights can still be used with the scope still attached.
As usual, great video!
i shot one of these and an M1 Garand a few weeks ago. its a beautiful weapon.
Now you made me want to go shoot my Garand.
The A3 is a great rifle, and the effect Cosmoline had on that finish is just great.
I inherited one of these rifles in really great condition. the barrel, bolt etc. were almost unused. I'm certain they were reconditioned back in early to mid 40's and must not have seen much action after. what a fun gun to shoot!
What a beauty that rifle is.
carried my dads 03 A3 in my patrol car for years to fill the void in dept issue armament. what a driver, good to see its not forgotten.
I love how you even mentioned Brazil. My wife, though she is American, her entire family on her side is Brazilian, and they were there, fighting their hearts out, as well as winning, along side American's and the Allies in many conflicts in Europe during WWII. They remembered with great fondness how much they absolutely loved that rifle in combat, and also continue to have such a deep respect for the US military, as well as made many great friends with US soldiers during that time. This video was a real treat to watch!
The snake has smoked, mate
Wildest narration I've ever heard.
This tops my list of "want to get" bolt action rifles. Nice video.
My father bought me one these when I 13-14 years old. I'm 24 now. Too this day this is one of the smoothest functioning rifles Ive ever owned. Great gun. Impressive for the time period for sure
For those wondering... you can easily get a front sight hood. They clip right on. You can still find original pre-WW2 units for under 15 bucks.
Fantastic old rifle . My only complaint is that the bolt isn't as smooth as most , but honestly , the accuracy on it is outstanding.
My 1903 is about the smoothest bolt gun I have ever shot. Funny how some people think a lever gun is faster but this gun will out-do any lever gun made.
Haha I got to say I was laughing every time I heard M103. It was like 10 times!
I have one of these that's fresh out of the packing crate.
It was made by Remington.
The early rifles didn't have heat treated receivers, the later models did.
When my grandfather ordered his upon his return from WW2 it came in a block of cosmoline... good times.
mine is a Santa Fe made A3 with a hooded front sight. love the accuracy of the 1903A3 best high school graduation present I could ever get lol. Happy shooting. :)
I’ve got a 1903A3 and 1903A4 with a Weaver Scope ( the scope was made in my city El Paso , Texas )
Beautiful weapons !!
MrDF, our soldiers and Marines did indeed use Springfield rifles during WWI against the Kaiser's forces, but they weren't M1903A3s - but simply M1903s. The A3 variant didn't come along until WWII. The M1903 contained no stamped metal parts; everything was forged or milled from solid steel; the M1903A3, on the other hand, made use of some stamped parts to save on costs, labor and time of manufacture.
Mine is a Smith Corona 03-A3 receiver November 1944 barrel HR 1944. Still shoots great
I remember having to take apart the bolt in JROTC back in high school on one of these bad boys (M1903A3).
Bought one 25 yrs ago and shot it yesterday for the first time. Super accurate, kicks like a 5,000lb mule. Needs a recoil pad bad. Can not imagine going to war with it. Very light weight.
Dude, thats not a M103?!?
It will absolutely handle pretty much any 30-06 round you can throw at it. Its a mauser style action with massive dual opposing locking lugs... actions don't come much stronger than that. The only thing you need to look out for is very early M1903's (rifles without the rear aperture sight). Within a certain range of production the actions might be brittle due to poor heat treating at the factory. Just to be safe most people say not to fire M1903's within that serial number range.
2500 yards, that I did not know, that is sick. Great rifle, I have had a couple over the years but not in as nice of shape as yours. Great review Don.
Awesome review of the 1903'. BTW, the used of the cartridge blocker was to allow the operator to mount a grenade cup to launch genade using a blank round. Boy i'd love to have one these in my collection
Incorrect, it was for single shot firing
Nice video...I'm working on getting one of these and an M1 Garand. Love these classic, historical rifles. Just have to dig up the 30-06 to shoot them!
My grandfather had one prior to WWI during the Mexican Campaign trying to kill/capture Pancho Villa on the border. His unit was called up to active duty during WWI and he was fighting the Germans. He was awarded 2 silver stars along with other medals. He never talked about his service, but my Dad told me that he was a Lt. and that he had many horses shot out from under him, but he continued to advance his men. He flew down from Pa in 1982 for our wedding, oxygen and all. He was my hero.
It's soooo much fun to fire one of these on a line with other rifles. Heads turn around and you can see guys going 'what the heck was that'??! I have an all original M1 version of the 1903 that is in excellent shape and so much fun to shoot. Great vid, and that rifle of yours is in beautiful shape.
Great rifle. I have a World War II M-1903 rebuild -- essentially an older case hardened '03 action that was rebarreled with a parkerized replacement High Standard barrel, older '03 barrel mounted rear sight, a stamped '03-A3 trigger guard and floor plate, older '03 barrel bands, front sight hood, butt plate and stock cap, replacement "scant" stock, Remington '03-A3 bolt, and a commercial M-1907 adjustable sling. I managed to locate a couple dozen original brass charger clips, M-1905 bayonet and scabbard, and a cotton canvas cartridge belt and harness.
Various parts of my rebuild could have seen service in the Philippine Insurrection, the 1916 Mexico Expedition, World War I, Haitian Insurgency, Nicaraguan Insurgency, and World War II.
Finally, it shoots great. My son and I recently shot it at the MWR range at Fort Jackson -- probably the first time the old Springfield had been back to a military post in 75 years.
I have one of the Remington 1903-A3 I think mine might be older but it has a different peep sight in the rear. Anyway I was under the impression that the 2 groove rifling made it only accurate enough up to 600 yards. I have never tested mine at that distance but it seems fairly accurate with iron sights!
Sweet rifle. I love the American arms that were manufactured around WWII. This rifle, the M1 Garand, and the M1 Carbine are on my gun bucket list. Thanks for the vid.
Probably the first high powered rifle I ever fire. My cousin had one back in the 70s when they sold for about 80 bucks...
That's about how much I paid for one in the mid 70's. Still hunt Elk with it.
Love the 1903 and 1903A3... Enjoyed the video!
@AntiBSGroup yeh . i love the feel of when you pull the bolt back, and you hear everything click into place . and just the fact that my great grandfather fought and lived using a Lee endfeild . i have the bayonet that he used too .104 years old now
That's a great video SOOCH! I LOVE my 03A3. It's got a 03A4 Leupold mount added to it, and a nice 10x scope, it'll drive nails. Good Job!
Yep I got one early WWII update, the m103 thing don't feel bad happens to the best of us.
Mine has a warn out magazine and was a part gun other than barrel and bolt, I still love it magnificent rifle.
As good for hunting as it was for war in the right hands deadly accurate out to a mile is the moto.
The M1903 was originally chambered in .30-03. It was a short lived round that fired a 220 grain round nose. They shortened the neck and replaced the 220 grain with a 150 grain bullet and reclassified it as .30-06.
gotta love the .30-06!
Those are still nice rifles, good review
The Magazine Cut-off is an artifact of an obsolete 19th century doctrine which advocated training riflemen to use their rifles primarily as single-shot weapons except in emergency close combat when he could access the rounds in the mag by flipping the magazine cut-off lever.
Just got me one of these as a rebuild from James River Armories.
How much did that cost if you don't mind me asking you
you right, but only up until 1906, the first varient of the rifle fired the 30.03,but in 1906 they were all rechambered to fire the new 30.06, which is what the1903 and 1903A3 shoot today
The magazine cutoff was designed so that a soldier could load the rifle with a single cartridge at a time while keeping a full magazine of 5 rounds. The cutoff doesn’t allow the bolt to strip cartridges out of the magazine. This would be handy for long range shooting where you’re loading slower. The cutoff could be turned off when the enemy was closer or you wanted to take more rapid shots.
We're talking about area suppression here, indirect fire, not about aimed shots. Doesn't matter how well trained you are, if your sight post appears to be several times wider than your target and you struggle to see it, you're going to have a hard time trying to hit it. Now obviously, if the target is big enough (I'm stressing big enough) and you're good enough you may as well pull a 25 long streak:)
The early 03's were made from plain old carbon steel. Some early rifles had brittle receivers due to improperly heat treatment (got too hot) and some receivers shattered. Around 1918 they were double heat treated. Keep in mind that some of these guns have seen many rounds with the original receiver and bolt so please be cautious. Pressures for modern ammo exced ammo for what this rifle was intenended for.
Johnnytastetest was right. The M1903 is almost a copy of the mauser G98. Mauser Werke brought suite and the US Gov had to pay 3000000 $ royalties to the Mauser Werke in Germany. Ironically the US Gov had to pay Money to Germany to use the Weapons in WW1 against German Soldiers ! GOD BLESS GERMANY AND LONG LIVE OUR REPUBLIC !
The action is the only thing that appears to taken right off the mauser, everything else, including its looks is taken from the Krag.
Well, it's precisely the action that is patented by Mauser
That is a gorgeous rifle my man!
it looks like a really smooth bolt!!!
Most of the parts on the 1903A3 were stamped. If there were machined parts used, they were left over from WWI production. Remington was commissioned just before we entered the war to produce these rifles, to supplement the lack of Garands amongst the troops, and were given the left-over tooling that was owned by the government to do so. Remington was the sole manufacturer of 1903A3s
my grandfather served in Guadalcanal and said he had to use the POS 1903A3(his words not mine) he called it that because the US Army came latter in the battle and they had the M1 Grande.
Steve McQueen portraying a sailor used an '03 Springfield in the "Sand Pebbles." He actually served in the USMC.
I used to toss this rifle around in boot camp. It was very well balanced. I could do the 16 count manual with it. It was in rather beaten an battered shape though. Never fired it.
Sootch00, Forget the Rem 700 for a moment. TONS of "sporterized" 1903A3's that are scoped. I picked up a tack driver with a Redfield 2x7 in NRA Very good. $225 out the door. I now have 3 of these for less that $1,000. Fantastic prepper rifle.
The front swivel is a stacking swivel, it's not for sling use. Units of soldiers would interlock these stacking swivels so their rifles could stand, in the manner of a tripod, and not be leaned or laid on the ground, and not fall. If you notice the swivel is open and not a closed loop. How in the world would you get a sling to stay attached properly using this as a swivel? Also, I'm not understanding why you are referring to this rifle as a M103a3 and intermittently calling it the M1903a3? It should correctly be referred to as the Rifle, cal .30 M1903a3. You can read this on the bridge of the receiver along with the manufacturers name. But all in all a good reportig on an excellent rifle, showing a fine example of the 03 from a time when yes, riflemen were riflemen. Semper Fi
bob garr That's what it is indeed. A Stacking Swivel. Not restricted to the 1903 either.
I like those sights. I wish they still made rifles like those.
I believe the official designation is "U.S. Rifle Caliber 30 M1903-A3" and was produced by Springfield, Remington, and Smith-Corona. After production ceased many surplus parts were sold to National Ordnance who produced their own receiver and built rifles for sale commercially. He said his was a Remington so I looked at my Remington and on the receiver is "U.S. Remington Model 03-A3."
I had a rifle exactly like that loved it and was accurate never did get to hunt with it great rifle I want one again . God Bless
If I'm not mistaken the reason why the rifle handles so well is that it's weight is equally balanced. Probably why they still use if for ceremonies where they do the fancy rifle spinning drills.
Stacking swivel is behind bayonet lug. Not a sling mount. Same as M-1 Garand.
03A3, we all know the rifle...because it is really cool. Thanks for posting.
Stefpote, re: "The fact that the sight has a knob going up to 2500 doesn't make your eye capable of seeing a human being that far, does it?" Back in the WWI & II eras, recruits trained on the 1903 were expected to shoot out as far as 1000 yards using only iron sights. Not all were that proficient, of course, but you'd be surprised how good some were. I can't remember his name, but one guy - back c. 1920 - had more than 25 straight bull's eyes at 1000 yds w/ iron sights only.
George Farr, 1921 Camp Perry service rifle matches, 1,000 yards - Farr, a civilian in his sixties, scored 71 straight bull's-eyes at 1,000 yards as a Sunday afternoon walk-on (including his first spotter), before darkness caused him to end his efforts. He'd never used the rifle or its govt.-issued ammo before that day. Pretty impressive. Today, his rifle is in the National Firearms Museum and there is a Farr Trophy awarded at Camp Perry.
The Marines on Guadalcanal used mostly Springfields; very few Garands made it into USMC units before that battle, which took place predominantly in 1942.
One of the many rifles left me by my grandfather. This 1903-a3 however had been “sport-eriZed cutting off the back of the stock and losing the top of the stock.
I ordered replacement stocks, and in the meantime restored the steel which was rusted with some bronze wool. Not a speck of rust was left and all the green and Black parkerizing was still beautifully in place.
After the new stock, and authentic but plate, and an authentic cleaning kit, It looks too good to shoot. But when I took it out for the first time I put a full clip within a 2 1/2 inch circle! 50 feet away! And I am not your best shot
It may sound strange, the only thing I wish you would do for me, it’s tell me where it’s been and what it’s done.
No offense taken, Sir! I AM German and I DO LOVE this goddam rifle! In fact, I also own a Remington 03-A3 since March 2011. They're extremely scarce, expensive, but highly regarded for rifle competition calling for vintage bolt-action military rifles.
Jacob, during the years after the Springfield was issued and well into the middle of the century and WWII, scopes on military rifles were only issued to snipers. Almost everyone used iron sights, even expert marksmen in the military. The M1903 was capable of going out past 1000 yards using iron sights, if the marksman was proficient-enough and had the necessary visual acuity. One competitor at Camp Perry in the 1920s scored more than 25 straight bull's-eyes at 1000 yds. w/ iron sights only.
@sootch00 I am German, and I do use it for deer! Great Rifle, love the bolt mechanism!
I learned something new! What the heck that open sling swivel is at the front of some rifles. A stacking stud!
@sootch00 Love the little "quarks" if you will with the using the wrong model number :) I tend to do similar stuff in my videos unknowingly too. It like your plan goes out the window when the buzzer goes off at the beginning of a stage in a shooting match. Keep up the good work!
@Jesses001 I agree. The M1903 is essentially a reverse-engineered Spanish Mauser and as such is beautifully made and highly accurate. The Lee-Enfield is more rugged and has a smoother action. The British proudly point out that by the height of WWII, a British Tommy could get off 30 accurate shots a minute, which is extremely impressive for a bolt action rifle firing stripper clips (especially considering that the British packed .303 in 5-rd clips for a 10-rd magazine).
I have restored my M1903A3. It is quite deadly on milk jugs at 100yards. My Dad loves to shoot it just as much as I do.
Beautiful rifle.. I have not run through the comment so i do not know if anyone has updated you..Stacking swivelis the loop by the bayonet lug. The switch or lever on the side is the magazine cut-offI. It keeps a full magazine on hand while indiviualy loading for Volley fire.
Love your videos
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It was very informative and I really liked seeing the 1903 in action. I hope to own an operational one myself one day! I look forward to your next video!
Beautiful rifle sir!
Man thats the one gum iv always wanted. They are sweet guns.
M1903A3 gonna hear that in my nightmares!!!!!!
What a joy to shoot! You got that right.
the 30.06 is a rimless cartridge, while the 7.62r like the .303 British, are rimmed cartridges. plus the dimensions of the cartridges themselves are vastly different. It's not hard to go to google images and compare the two.
i believe its a sporting stock. its just the under with no handguard. i have one thats the same way- no bands, just the pistol grip handle made of walnut. the whole top of the barrel is exposed. it also came with a redfield iron sight, looks like a scope could screw inside, but i just dont know enough to be sure!
Mauser sued Springfield and the USG and won his case - so there is a basis for your claim, but it is a great rifle in its own right and one of the most accurate bolt-action service rifles ever made.
Good review! Thanks for posting. Keep up the good work and keep sharing the knowledge!!!
I love the gun sootch00. I inherited a 1903 A3 Remington which s very similar and I love it. Not the gun I shoot every weekend but man is it a treat to fire ever once in a while!
Waynehn, by "this rifle," you mean an M1903 Springfield, right? If so, standard-issue government surplus 150-grain ball (FMJ) will do more than work at 200 yards. Soldiers issued the '03 were expected to shoot accurately - using only iron sights - out past 500 yards, and the very best could go out past 1000 yards (esp. using heavier loads). The M1903 is renown as one of the most-accurate bolt-action rifles ever made - a reputation it still carries today. A scope only makes it better.
Sighted in at 2500 yards? really? do you mean250 yards?
Thaaaat's what I was thinking. "When riflemen were riflemen"...
Nope: this was my grandfather's rifle. He served 5th Army, Italy 44-45: liberation of Rome, outflanking the Gothic Line, and beyond until the Germans surrendered. And he used the M1903 (not A3.) It's also the sniper's rifle in Saving Private Ryan. Overall it was used all the way up to the end of the Korean War.