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Jiminvirginia
09-16-2016, 06:08
Am I right that "low numbered" Rock Island made 1903's do not have the same safety issues as low number Springfields? Saw a nice looking RI in a local gun store. Tag said "low number not to shoot". Serial #about 890,000ish. I think the price was 450.00. I don't want the rifle, just curious.
PeteDavis
09-16-2016, 06:48
That would be a Springfield number and well safe to shoot.

The cutoff for RI actions is under 285,507. Some below that may have been held back for the transition to double heat treatment.
Jiminvirginia
09-16-2016, 06:51
That would be a Springfield number and well safe to shoot.

The cutoff for RI actions is under 285,507. Some below that may have been held back for the transition to double heat treatment.

I may be wrong on the serial # then. I guarantee the receiver said Rock Island. Perhaps I missed a 2 in front of an 8?
PhillipM
09-16-2016, 11:22
Hatcher said there were some SHT receivers found after the change to DHT and they were put in production. Hmmm?
Rick the Librarian
09-17-2016, 07:04
Rock Island low numbered receivers were 285,506 and below. The highest verified Rock Island receiver was 430,742.
Jiminvirginia
09-17-2016, 07:41
There must have been a 2 before the 8 that i did not notice. The receiver externally was well worn and I did not look at it that closely. Likely the rifle is in the low number range.
Fred
09-18-2016, 09:13
Am I right that "low numbered" Rock Island made 1903's do not have the same safety issues as low number Springfields? Saw a nice looking RI in a local gun store. Tag said "low number not to shoot". Serial #about 890,000ish. I think the price was 450.00. I don't want the rifle, just curious.

A higher percentage of Rock Island 1903's in service were recorded as failing than did the percentage of Springfield Armory rifles.
Not more rifles, just a higher ratio of those in service.