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What serial numbers on the M1903 were unsafe?

smile_for_me7465
I've been looking for an M1903 for awhile and every time I find one the owner tells me how it was one of the earlier models and that they are unsafe to shoot. I think I finally found one, but I don't know what serial numbers to stay away from.
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • Spider7115
    Springfield below 800,000 and Rock Island below 285,507.
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  • ShootingAgain
    Much more than you wanted to know:

    http://m1903.com/03rcvrfail/

    I saw somewhere that the straight handled bolts could be an issue too.
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  • givette
    Transition to [safe to use bolts] occured just prior to the adoption of the bolt that had the slight rearward angle to the handle.

    So, and in general, the straight bolt handles are all regarded as having questionable steel quality.

    If you are looking at a M1903 that is marked 'Remington', then all have been made with high-quality modern (read: safe) ordnance steel.

    All rifles marked as '03-A3' will be of modern steels, also. Best, Joe
    EDIT
    Transition to double heat-treated steels occured in accordance with the SerNo's listed in the prior post, however..

    Somewhere in the low million numbered rifles, the steel formula was completely changed to high-nickel steel. I don't remember the number, but if someone else is reading this, and can verify the number, please do so, as it would help. Thanks..

    Best again, Joe
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  • jonk
    The range referenced by Spider would be it- but as for which numbers exactly are unsafe, no one knows. Some of those early number springfields are just fine. Others got overcooked and are brittle. Unfortunately the only way to find out is to cut the receiver apart and have a metallurgist analyze it.

    Practicality would say that with no failures reported in years and the fact that the US military used them through world war two, then gave many out as lend lease, the bad ones have all let loose. Additionally, ALMOST all of them that blew were due to improper ammo or bore obstructions. But why risk it?
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  • gunnut505
    According to Hatchers Notebook, Springfield rcvrs below 800,000 & Rock Island rcvrs below 285,507 had the old heat treatment; BUT the last recvr made by Rock Island in 1918 was #380,000 even though there was a report of a failure of rcvr # 445,136 in May 1919.

    There's so much more info about this phenomenon, including why the rcvr failed, wrong ammo, and injury results that I simply can't type fast enough to get it all in here.
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