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M1903 Springfield
Model: M1903 SpringfieldFormally known as the United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903, the Springfield is a design over a century old that continues to see some use today. The rifle was first designed in 1902 and after a debacle with a lawsuit from Mauser saw service in 1903. It was the primary service arm of the American soldiers throughout World War I and saw usage all the way up until 1957, when it was officially retired from service. Even after this it was limited use as a sniper rifle in the early stages of Vietnam. It still remains popular as a civilian firearm, drill rifle, and historical collector's piece.
The M1903 has been through several design variations over its history. The original M1903 was chambered in.30-03 and only saw three years of service before the 1906 revision switched to .30-06, and the original rifle and ammo are extremely difficult to find. The M1903A1 had a pistol grip stock rather than a straight stock, while the A3 was simplified for manufacture during World War II and included an aperture rear sight similar to the M1 Garand that had replaced it as the main service rifle. The A4 was a dedicated sniping variant with a scope mount for a 2.2x Weaver scope and a more defined pistol grip in the stock. There was a run of several thousand Bushmaster carbines with extremely short barrels made for easier use in Panama, but they were only used as a training rifle and the majority were dumped into the ocean after the war.
| Specifications: | |
| Weight: | 8.67lb (3.9kg) depending on wood density |
| Length: | 43.9in (1,115mm) |
| Barrel Length: | 24in (610mm) |
| Cartridge: | .30-03 Springfield (very rare old model) .30-06 Springfield |
| Action: | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle Velocity: | 2700 ft/s (823 m/s). |
| Effective Range: | 500 m (547 yd) (with iron sights) 800+ m (875 yd) (with optics) |
| Feed System: | Internal box magazine. 5 |
| Sights: | Barleycorn front, flip-up rear (aperture rear on A3). |
Where to find
As with a number of old bolt-action designs, the M1903 is an enduring design that is still popular among civilian shooters and hunters. Depending on the variant's particular rarity the price can be as low as $400 and as high as $3000.
Complexity
The M1903 was designed as a soldier's rifle in a time when bolt-actions reigned, and it's a very strong, accurate weapon that can handle the dirt and mud of trench warfare.
Controls
- Safety: Located on the rear of the bolt. Turn left for FIRE, right for SAFE.
- Bolt handle: Located on the right side of the receiver.
- Magazine cutoff: Located on the left side of the bolt. When pushed down, the rifle does not load from the magazine and loads single rounds.
Loading
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety to the left to activate it.
- Pull the bolt handle up and pull it back to expose the magazine.
- If loading with a stripper clip, place the clip into the clip guide at the rear of the receiver and push the rounds into the magazine with your thumb. Remove the clip. If loading single rounds, push them down into the magazine one by one until it is full.
- Pushing the rounds in the magazine down with your thumb, take a single round and push it into the chamber.
- Push the bolt handle forward and down to close and lock it.
- Cannot be done.
Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Pull the bolt handle up and pull it back to expose the magazine.
- If loading with a stripper clip, place the clip into the clip guide at the rear of the receiver and push the rounds into the magazine with your thumb. Remove the clip. If loading single rounds, push them down into the magazine one by one until it is full.
- Pushing the rounds in the magazine down with your thumb, push the bolt handle forward until it rides over the top cartridge. Close and lock the bolt handle.
Unloading
How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety to the left to activate it.
- Push in the floor plate catch and pull it to the rear to unlock the floor plate. Open the floor plate and let the rounds spill out of the magazine.
- Pull the bolt handle back and examine the chamber for any ammunition.
- Close and lock the bolt handle.
- Pull the trigger.
Field Stripping
How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Unload the weapon as described above.
- Push the magazine cutoff to the center notch and raise the bolt handle. Turn the safety so it is vertical and pull the bolt out the rear.
- Press the sleeve lock on top of the bolt in with your thumb and unscrew the sleeve from the bolt.
- Pull the cocking piece back and turn the safety to the left. Pull the firing pin sleeve back and hold it back while removing the striker. Remove the firing pin sleeve and mainspring.
- Pull the firing pin out of its sleeve.
- Turn the extractor to the right and force it forward off the bolt.
- Push the floor plate catch with a punch or bullet and pull it to the rear to unlock the floor plate. Raise the rear of the magazine spring to clear its lug and remove it and the magazine follower.
chitoryu12 |
Latest page update: made by chitoryu12
, Mar 17 2011, 5:59 PM EDT
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Keyword tags:
1903
firearm
gun
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m1903
rifle
sniper
springfield
united states
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