1903a3 Headspace Problems

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mikew24	1903a3 Headspace Problems	Lead	[-]
Posts: 23 (05/10/08 09:41 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Hi everybody. Several months ago I bought a 1903a3 off gunbroker for not much money (about $300). It appears to be a refurbed drill rifle (there looks to be a ground off weld on the cut-off). The gun looks in good condition, and cleaned up well. The problem is it closes on a field gauge. What is the best way to safely fix this headspace problem affordably? Thanks in advance, mikew24
Highpower		#1	[-]
Posts: 897 (05/10/08 10:11 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	mikew24 wrote: What is the best way to safely fix this headspace problem affordably? In all honesty, the best way would be to hang the rifle on a wall as a display - or sell/trade it for another rifle that hasn't been welded on. The integrity of a drill rifle receiver is questionable at best I'm afraid. Especially when we don't have it in front of us to be able to examine it...... In the case of a known good receiver however, the best way would be to re-barrel the rifle IMHO. But I'm pretty particular when it comes to putting a rifle together..... --------------------------- He who lives by the sword, should go out and get a really nice sword.
BobM14		#2	[-]
Posts: 402 (05/10/08 11:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I am definately in agreement with Highpower along the lines that returning a drill rifle to service is a no-no. This is true for several reasons that I have elaborated on to great extent here in past posts. Instead of rehashing all of that, I will include a link to a brief explanation of some concerns from the CMP. http://www.odcmp.org/202/drill_inc.asp To actually address the question, although I believe it would be a mistake to "fix" it, you may have to rebarrel it, as Highpower pointed out. Or, if it is very close to gauging properly, you may be able to switch bolt bodies and bring it into spec. Changing bolt bodies can have an effect on the headspacing. Might make it worse, might make it better. If you can borrow a bolt or two from a friend, you could check it out. But again, if the rifle was a drill rifle, it is junk. There may be other reasons why it was made into a drill rifle causing potential serious problems above and beyond, and in addition to, the effects from welding to the receiver. Armed Infidel
mikew24		#3	[-]
Posts: 24 (05/11/08 09:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Am I correct in assuming that it was a drill rifle because of the weld on the cut-off? Thanks, mikew24
BobM14		#4	[-]
Posts: 403 (05/11/08 10:59 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	That is a characteristic of a drill rifle. Armed Infidel
Highpower		#5	[-]
Posts: 899 (05/11/08 02:25 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Remove the action from the stock and check for another weld or discolored area between the barrel and receiver, on the underside of the action..... --------------------------- He who lives by the sword, should go out and get a really nice sword.