M1903 sight good for target shooting?

[DMK]

Is the original sight on the M1903 Springfield any good for target shooting, when compared to other sights that are forward of the receiver (like the Mauser, the Mosin Nagant, K31, etc)? Why is the 1903 sight considered better?

I much prefer the rear mounted sights like on the Garand, No.4 Enfield and 1903A3, but that's not what I'm asking about.

 

[MikeH]

I find Mauser-style sights harder to use, especially in low-light situations. Taking the 6 o'clock hold is almost mandatory.

 

[Gator]

It is the best target sight ever put on a service rifle. There is an old saying: The Germans made a fine hunting rifle (Mauser 98), the Americans a fine target rifle (1903), and the British a fine combat rifle (Enfield).

 

[30Cal]

The 03 sight has some serious shortcomings, even on a target rifle. The battle sight (the notch when the ladder is folded down) is set for 549yds, and it was required to be used during rapidfire, so shooters held at the bottom of the target frame. The aperature (when the ladder is up) is tiny and set far forward so it's difficult in bright and low light conditions to get a good sight picture. Both windage and elevation can be adjusted, but there's no detents.

The 03A3 sight is a lot easier to shoot since the peep is larger and mounted on the back of the receiver. My only gripe is that the elevation changes in 50yd increments (about 2.5MoA per).

I love the looks of the M1903, but between the sight and the straight grip, it's a difficult rifle to shoot well.

 

[DMK]

I find Mauser-style sights harder to use, especially in low-light situations. Taking the 6 o'clock hold is almost mandatory.

I find that the case for me too. I find it hard to see the "post in notch" in bright light as well. That's why I'm wondering why the 1903 sight is considered better.

 

[DonP]

The '03 sight takes some getting used to, but once you figure out how to use that "Christmas Tree", it's a darned good sight for target shooting.

At our shoot a couple of weeks ago, with that ladder set at 200 yards, it was right in the black for most of us using it.

The "battle sight" was designed for a time when trench warfare and long distance shooting, and even the concept of volley fire at 2,800 yards were the norm.

But IMHO it's still a darn good shooter and much better than the Mauser notch sight.