quote:

Originally posted by SIG4EVA:
Are Milsurp's a Sickness?

The short answer is YES

At one time I had the sickness with Mauser’s ... not as bad as some, I had 17 at one time, then an Enfield snuck in, then a few Swiss 1911 carbineS and others ... but then I started shooting Service Rifle matches and the AR reigned supreme ... now I’m down to just a couple millie’s.

Thank you guys for NOT helping my sickness. Rogue, from the last CMP report, that have 12 1903's and 12 1903a3's so I hope they are still there when I go down. It's for a business trip so I won't be able to go until Friday. I'll take a look at the 1917's if they aren't too much. I really want to round out the American WWII collection. BAR is next I guess, lol.

quote:

Originally posted by SIG4EVA:
I'll take a look at the 1917's if they aren't too much. I really want to round out the American WWII collection.

Then, good news! The US continued to use the M1917 as a "substitute standard" through WW2.

Although most of their M1917s were sent as aid to the British, Canadians, Filipinos, the Free French, and the Chinese, the US Army did retain a decent number, which saw some very limited use in theater with second-line logistics, Military Police, signals, and artillery troops, especially during early operations in North Africa. They also saw wider use stateside during training, and with groups like facility guards, POW camp guards, and Coast Guard beach patrols.

Also, if WW2 use is what you're after, then you may want to look at a M1903 instead of a M1903A3. The M1903 was used widely during the early stages of the war, since sufficient Garands weren't available yet. (And the USMC didn't officially adopt the Garand until mid-1942 anyway, initially preferring to retain their M1903s.)

By the time the M1903A3 became available starting in early 1943, Garands were widely available, and M1903A3s only saw limited use, usually with second line troops or as a dedicated rifle grenade launcher with front line troops.

Very nice. I always check the CMP site - just in case something nice turns up.

I'd like to offer some advice too, if what Scuba Steve Sig posted on page 1 doesn't put you in the poor house... . You can do the homework on these...US Marked Winchester 52s and other US Marked Winchester and Remington .22 Long Rifle targets. You've simply got to have a 1922 M2.. . Have you ever shouldered a 12 pound Harrington and Richardson US M12 .22? There are a host of service practice target rifles. No matter the model number or maker, you need that Springfield M2. Trust me on this.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by Herkdriver:
You know that you have to get a 1917 as well, right? I mean, it shoots the same ammo as well...

And is a better overall rifle than the M1903/M1903A3 to boot, IMO.

Do you mind the cock-on-close of the M1917? It feels so British. Guess you get used to it.

No, I don't mind it. In fact, I slightly prefer it.

And actually, cock-on-close actions should technically feel so German... The original pre-98 Mauser actions were that way, and were introduced several years before the Lee-Metford (predecessor to the Lee-Enfield) came out. But it has certainly become most associated with the British, though cock-on-closing actions also continued in use on the bolt rifles of other nations like Sweden and Japan as well (whose rifles were based on pre-98 Mauser designs).

I own eight different milsurps with this style of cock-on-close action, all of which are either British or are based on British designs:

British:
Pattern 14
No. 1 Mk. III
No. 1 Mk. III
No. 4 Mk. 1
No. 5 Mk. 1


Based on British design:
US Model 1917
Indian Ishapore 2A
Indian Ishapore 2A1

I want to thank Rogue for the wealth of information and help in picking up these last two rifles. I went to CMP this Friday and brought home a beautiful Smith Corona 1903A3. Super bright bore and strong rifling.

Great rifle. The M2 I posted of is the same rifle but made in .22 Long Rifle. Enjoy that beauty.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
The M2 I posted of is the same rifle but made in .22 Long Rifle.

Kinda, sorta, not really.

The Springfield M1922 and its later M1 and M2 variants were designed to mimic the overall handling of the M1903 rifle for training purposes. But they're not simply M1903s chambered in .22




You may be thinking of the earlier M1903 Hoffer-Thompson gallery rifle, which was a M1903 adapted at Springfield Armory to .22 Short. It was literally a M1903 with a special .22 caliber barrel with enlarged chamber installed. All the other parts were standard M1903, including the receiver, and they used finicky subcaliber adapters in roughly .30-06 size to allow for loading and firing .22s Short rounds. These were not generally well liked, were only made for a few years, and were later withdrawn from service when the better purpose-built .22 caliber M1922s became available.

David Lee, those M2 trainers are going for double what my 1903a3 cost, lol. I'll stick with my father's Winchester 190 and grandpa's Winchester 67A.

I just had both my match Garands re-arsenaled.

I pick them up on Saturday and the photos that was sent to me are stunning.

Perfect headspace, timing, crowns and triggers.

I should be able to continue giving gnats vasectomies at 250 meters.

Mars - who did you have do the work on your Garands?

Thank you Rogue as I never knew of that gallery rifle. I am not confused of the 1922 M2. Simply pointing out the lineage of the M2 and its being a genuine US rifle. I have a friend who owns 2 of the rifles. He has a whole bag of original magazines for them. I cant imagine as those mags showing wear are sold @ $150.00 and up each.