1903 Vs: 1903a3

[Ash]

You couldn't do it easily without drilling the reciever. Perhaps someone makes an peep sight for the standard sight like they do with Mosins. As it stands, I would keep an 03 just the way it is (or trade it to a fellow who has an A3 but wants an 03).

Ash

 

[Mk VII]

some commercial sights using the existing fixed base were made 'back in the day'. Most were open types, as a peep will still be too far from the eye for optical correctness.

 

[AH-1]

Today, 10:28 AM #25
Vern Humphrey
Senior Member



Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Deep in the Ozarks
Posts: 2,410 Quote:
I guess after 20+ in the army and teaching basic marksmanship I like the fine sight picture but it just isn't for everyone.




When I joined the Army in '62, I trained on the M1 -- with it's great rear aperture sight and fat front sight. And my Advanced Infantry Training company was the LAST one to train with the M1.

So you GOTTA be older than I am!


nope vern, you have me by about 10 years.the 03 I shot was my dads from a kid until I joined up(with a green card).first issue was a M16 without the fwd assit or a cleaning kit.aim small, miss small.
pete
AH-1

 

[Vern Humphrey]

nope vern, you have me by about 10 years.the 03 I shot was my dads from a kid until I joined up(with a green card).first issue was a M16 without the fwd assit or a cleaning kit.aim small, miss small.
pete

Some years ago, I took a young captain to a rifle match at a civilian club, where he drew a club M1 to shoot. He was quite impressed by it. I showed him how to strip it, and remarked, "Of course in my day, only real men were allowed to enlist."

 

[AH-1]

looks like you made the cut and retired,so you can't be that bad.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Used me up in 22 years and put me on the shelf.

I called up on 9/11 -- and every day for a week after that, and they won't call me back.

 

[AH-1]

20 years 10 months and 6 days not that I was counting.grunt then cobra's.they don't want me either as the aircraft I worked on are in museums .

 

[Vern Humphrey]

20 years 10 months and 6 days not that I was counting.grunt then cobra's.they don't want me either as the aircraft I worked on are in museums

We'd show them young whipper-snappers a thing or two!

 

[AH-1]

god bless the soliders out there today in harms way.they are doing one hell of a job...
pete

 

[cracked butt]

You couldn't do it easily without drilling the reciever. Perhaps someone makes an peep sight for the standard sight like they do with Mosins

If you get creative, a better sight can be added to the 03A3.

I've seen a websight where a guy took a spare 03A3 rear sight, removed the sight part, and cut the 'ears' off the base then either drilled/tapped the sight base and mounted a Lyman peep sight to it. In a pinch, the modified sight base can be drifted off and the original sight could be put back on.

 

[pdh]

This thread popped up at a good time for me.

I have a 1903....worked over by Roland Beaver and a 1903a3.

Both are great shooting rifles.

I shoot the 1903 way better with the leaf sight up and using the peep on it.. than with the leaf down and using the notched open sights.

My 1093...with the leaf up and using the peep...fired a 3 shot group at 200yd measuring 2.427"....using remington 150gr factory ammo.

At 100yds...the 03 can group around an inch with the same ammo...when I do my part.

With the leaf sight down....I canNot get the good groups that I can get with the peeps...sights to hard to see for me....just shoot better with peeps.

The 03a3....never shot it at 200yd...but at 100yd...she shoots around inch to 1/12 inches.....love the sights on it.

Great guns..........Fun to shoot....

 

[Gabe]

Does the switch to a fixed floorplate in the A3 present any tactical disadvantage?

 

[Trebor]

Does the switch to a fixed floorplate in the A3 present any tactical disadvantage?

Why would it? Loading was always done through the top with strippers.

In fact, I'd think the fixed floorplate would be advantageous in that it would be unable to accidently open and dump the rounds out like a spring loaded floorplate.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Does the switch to a fixed floorplate in the A3 present any tactical disadvantage?

Just the other way around. Occasionally the removable floorplate would pop open. As a result, in the 1920s, all floorplates were ordered pinned -- thus making them just as fixed as the later 03A3 floorplates.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

in the 1920s, all floorplates were ordered pinned

Thanks, Vern. I thought those brass pins were only on the "Greek" '03's.

Regards.