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Question on 1903 Springfields

cabnetman
I have two 1903 Springfields that have been sporterized. Both are beautiful guns but one is just magnificent. The first one is a Remington with a serial number in the 3 million ranges, not a problem. The other one is a Rock Island with a serial # 279xxx. That gun is absolutely beautiful and I have hunted with it and shot it a lot. However I have been reading about the problems with the Rock Island low serial numbers and I can no longer shoot that gun without flinching.

Question: I would like to swap the stock, trigger (Timney), bolt, and magazine and trigger guard on the R.I. and put them on the Remington stock and put the Remington hardware on the other stock. Problem is that both barrels have been turned and cut down behind the original front sight. Both are just different enough that the barrels don't fit in the opposite stocks. How difficult would it be to swap the barrels on the chambers and can it be done?
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  • cabnetman
    I have two 1903 Springfields that have been sporterized. Both are beautiful guns but one is just magnificent. The first one is a Remington with a serial number in the 3 million ranges, not a problem. The other one is a Rock Island with a serial # 279xxx. That gun is absolutely beautiful and I have hunted with it and shot it a lot. However I have been reading about the problems with the Rock Island low serial numbers and I can no longer shoot that gun without flinching.

    Question: I would like to swap the stock, trigger (Timney), bolt, and magazine and trigger guard on the R.I. and put them on the Remington stock and put the Remington hardware on the other stock. Problem is that both barrels have been turned and cut down behind the original front sight. Both are just different enough that the barrels don't fit in the opposite stocks. How difficult would it be to swap the barrels on the chambers and can it be done?
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Shouldn't be a big deal swapping barrels however I think you are right at the "ok" range on the RI s/n. I can't remember if it's 250,000 or 280,000.



    Thanks Spider!
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  • Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by Horse Plains Drifter
    Shouldn't be a big deal swapping barrels however I think you are right at the "ok" range on the RI s/n. I can't remember if it's 250,000 or 280,000.


    286,506 for Rock Island 03's.
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  • MP
    Before you do anything I would suggest that you post a picture of the RI sporter. I would hate to see you possibly destroy a valuable rifle.
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  • nmyers
    This is a job for a gunsmith, & he won't know how difficult it is until he gets everything apart & attempts reassembly. The barrel has to index to the receiver, & the chamber has to headspace with the new bolt. Any problems, & he has to correct them. He may also have to work on the stock inletting.

    Do you really want to get $200-300 into work on a rifle that may not be worth much more than that?

    Neal
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  • cabnetman
    quote:Before you do anything I would suggest that you post a picture of the RI sporter. I would hate to see you possibly destroy a valuable rifle.Here are some pictures of my Rock Island serial #297xxx.


    [img]<a href="http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/cabnetman/?action=view&current=RockIsland_3.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/cabnetman/RockIsland_3.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]
    [img]<a href="http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/cabnetman/?action=view&current=RockIsland_2.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/cabnetman/RockIsland_2.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]
    [img]<a href="http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/cabnetman/?action=view&current=RockIsland_4.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/cabnetman/RockIsland_4.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]
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  • cabnetman
    quote:Shouldn't be a big deal swapping barrels however I think you are right at the "ok" range on the RI s/n. I can't remember if it's 250,000 or 280,000.
    I've never seen any exact number on these receivers. As far as I can tell, it's around 280xxx to 285xxx. I'm awfully close to that 280xxx. You would think that someone would have the exact serial number that the problem started and ended with.
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  • cussedemgun
    cabnetman,

    The most complete study of strength & durability for the Springfield rifle is published in "Hatcher's Notebook" by Julian S. Hatcher, Major General, U.S.A. retired. The report & info you require begins on page 219.

    Go to www.bookfinder.com & you can purchase a copy for your library.

    Jim

    P.S. Spider has it right, but surely you will feel beter if you do your own research.
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  • MP
    I shoot low-number 1903's both RI & SA but if it makes you uncomfortable switch out the receivers, no value will be lost.
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