Springfield 03 low serial number ?

[Pony Express]

Hello folks,
I have recently inherited a springfield 1903 mark I. I have heard that some low serial numbered 1903's are dangerous because of poor heat treatment of the receivers. How "low" does this go? The serial number is 11908XX, if that helps. It has been sporterized and shows handling marks, so I believe it is safe to shoot but I want to double check with other folks here on the forum.

Thanks everybody, and happy shooting

 

[Slim Pickens]

Springfield Armory made some process changes in the forging shop around 1918; generally any receivers after 800,000 are considered "safe". That includes all of the Mark 1 rifles.

You might want to read Hatchers Notebook for the whole story. It is an interesting book with a lot of ballistic trivia.

Also, you might want to look at the trigger and magazine cut-off to see if it has the original Mark 1 parts.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

http://www.thecmp.org/m1903.htm

 

[GIJOEL]

While 800,000 and up is the "safe zone" I shoot my 266XXX 1903a1 regularly with lower pressure loads that my cousin cooked up for whitetail. The big problem with old guns is the new ammo. The 1903 was supposed to fire the 30cal of 1906, the original load was 150gr fmj at 2750 fps or so. Getting ammo that "matches" the velocity of the original round means that your buying 180gr ammo and firing a round with more pressure. That said, your rifle is not in the "danger zone" so modern ammo shouldn't be an issue.

 

[GRIZ22]

The big problem with old guns is the new ammo.

I believe the problem with the low serial numbered 03s came to light in the 1920s. that's hardly "new ammo". I know there are many who shoot the low numbered Springfields with no problems. I wouldn't be one of them

 

[GIJOEL]

I was speaking more to the idea of using the original sights on old guns, and the wear and tear. I suppose I ought to have phrased it differently.

 

[Sunray]

"...came to light in the 1920s..." 1917.
Randon receivers taken off the production line would shatter when smacked with a hammer. Tests with a pyrometer showed that the old experienced heat treating guys, who did it by eye, were off by up to 300 degrees(too high) on a bright sunny day. The steel was being burned. The cartridge cases proved to be soft as well.
A Springfield with that S/N is fine.