Collecting and Shooting the U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle

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Magazine Cutoff

When the '03 rifle was designed, the U.S. Army still saw the magazine as a reserve for cartridges. The soldier or doughboy needed to load ammo one round at a time and only use the magazine when needed or ordered by an officer. The magazine cutoff switch located on the left of the receiver turns the magazine on or off. The magazine cutoff switch when place in the middle position allows for the bolt to be removed from the rifle. With the magazine cutoff switch in the on position, the bolt pulls back far enough to clear the magazine follower and will engage and load a cartridge from the magazine.

With the magazine cutoff switch in the off position, the bolt when pulled back no longer clears the magazine follower and thus will not load a cartridge from the magazine. This allows the shooter to drop cartridges into the path of the bolt, one at a time.

Sights

To adjust windage (left or right) turn the windage knob (as shown in rear sights fig 1). Each graduation marking equals 4 minute of angle at 100 yards.

The 1903 has one of the most accommodating rear sights found on any early 20th century battle rifle. Imagine a sight being produced for a rifle with no less than 5 sight notches and apertures (3 adjustable and 2 set for specific distances).

To adjust for elevation loosen the elevation knob on the right and then slide the aperture up or down (as shown in rear sights figure 2).

Rear Sight Figure 2 shows a type 4 sight leaf with graduations from 100 to 2825 yards. The 1903 had seven different leaf types (ranging in max graduated distance from 2000 to 2825). The leaf's left side scale ranges from 200 to 2820 while the right side scale ranges from 100 to 2825.

Part	Name	Range Used
a	Top "U" Notch	2850 yards
b	"U" Notch	1400 to 2750 yards
c	Battle Sight Notch	400 to 530 yards
d	Bottom Sight Notch	100 to 2450 yards
e	Peep Sight	100 to 2350 yards
f	Windage Scale	Eleven per side (each marking equals 4 minute of angle at 100 yards)

To use the rear sight's adjustable notches or apertures the sight leaf is lifted as shown in Rear Sight Figure 3.

The 1903 battle sight is set at 400, 530, or 547 yards (depending on sight type and cartridge used). The battle sight was used for the following: A soldier using the battle sight could hit a man between 100 and 400, 530, or 547 yards (depending on sight type and cartridge used).

Safety

The '03 safety is fairly simple to operate. It has two positions, Safe or Ready. As show in safety figure 1, the lever is turned to the left for ready (ready to fire).

As show in safety figure 2, the lever is turned to the right for safe (safe from fire). This locks the bolt in the receiver.

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