03-A3 Bolt Play - The Firearms Forum

CountryGunsmith · 02-24-2003, 12:24 AM

choupique
Member
Posts: 1
(10/7/02 6:13:19 pm)
Reply | Edit | Del All bolt play
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just got a Smith-Corona 1903-A3 from CMP. Seems to have a considerable amount of bolt
play--maybe between 1/64 to 1/32 of an inch. Anyway, is enough to rattle the bolt back and forth
when it is closed. Is this excessive to the point of being unsafe? Should I have this rifle headspaced
by a gunsmith? I had heard that some of these Springfields had not had the final reaming done
because they had been rebuilt and never fired but I thought CMP did a max (no-go) headspacing
measurement (including a test firing) before shipping. Thanks in advance for help here--wt

warpig883
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 4959
(10/9/02 8:40:30 am)
Reply | Edit | Del
ezSupporter
Re: bolt play
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I think I would have it headspaced and checked over by a good gunsmith. If he says it is fine shoot away

It would be cheap insurance to make sure it is fine or not fine.

Xracer
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 2855
(10/9/02 8:51:21 am)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: bolt play
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Hi choupique....Welcome to TFF.

Yeah, have a smith check it out.....it may be OK, but why take the chance?

kdub01
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 1247
(10/9/02 3:56:48 pm)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: bolt play
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If you mean the play is back and forth, not side to side, yes - this means the lugs aren't in solid contact with the receiver ring. Definately get a 'smith to run some "go - nogo" and field gauges to check the headspacing. This could be a replacement bolt that never got inspected.
"Keep Off The Ridgeline"

02-24-2003, 12:24 AM	#1
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	03-A3 Bolt Play choupique Member Posts: 1 (10/7/02 6:13:19 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del All bolt play -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- just got a Smith-Corona 1903-A3 from CMP. Seems to have a considerable amount of bolt play--maybe between 1/64 to 1/32 of an inch. Anyway, is enough to rattle the bolt back and forth when it is closed. Is this excessive to the point of being unsafe? Should I have this rifle headspaced by a gunsmith? I had heard that some of these Springfields had not had the final reaming done because they had been rebuilt and never fired but I thought CMP did a max (no-go) headspacing measurement (including a test firing) before shipping. Thanks in advance for help here--wt warpig883 TFF Staff Posts: 4959 (10/9/02 8:40:30 am) Reply \| Edit \| Del ezSupporter Re: bolt play -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think I would have it headspaced and checked over by a good gunsmith. If he says it is fine shoot away It would be cheap insurance to make sure it is fine or not fine. Xracer TFF Senior Staff Posts: 2855 (10/9/02 8:51:21 am) Reply \| Edit \| Del Re: bolt play -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi choupique....Welcome to TFF. Yeah, have a smith check it out.....it may be OK, but why take the chance? kdub01 TFF Senior Staff Posts: 1247 (10/9/02 3:56:48 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del Re: bolt play -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you mean the play is back and forth, not side to side, yes - this means the lugs aren't in solid contact with the receiver ring. Definately get a 'smith to run some "go - nogo" and field gauges to check the headspacing. This could be a replacement bolt that never got inspected. "Keep Off The Ridgeline" -->