03-A3 Tang Screw Length?

[Merc]

The tang screw on my Remington 03-A3 is a little short. It leaves a space in the threaded hole behind the cocking piece knob of about 1/4" and only engages maybe 5 or 6 full threads. The screw measures 1 9/16" in length from tip to tip. Seems like it should be 1/4" longer and be closer to 1 13/16" in length from tip to tip. Was there a difference in length between tang screws for 03-A3s and M1903s?

[danco101]

I believe it was just a production shortcut to just drill out and thread the holes on A3 receivers as opposed to the short hole on the 03 that did not go clear thru the receiver. One less machine operation to hasten production.

[Merc]

Thanks. Looks odd but I didn't have another 03-A3 to compare.

[Kragrifle]

1903A3 tang screws are longer than earlier 1903 (and even Krag) tang screws. Finding the correct screw should be easy.

[milboltnut]

I would keep it flush.

[Cosine26]

According to the DCM price list of 1 July 1967, the screw, guard rear P/N 5305-612-8414-B003, is interchangeable on the M1903 and the 03A3 and that makes sense. The M1903 had "blind" holes on both the front and rear trigger guard screw holes. On the 03A3 , the decision was made to drill them all the way through to expedite manufacture. To preclude the necessity of manufacturing and packaging and stocking two different screws, the 03A3 used the same screw as the M1903 but left some threaded hole unfiled. What many people did was, to install the guard screw, measure the distance to the top of the screw from the top of the receiver and, using a second guard screw, cut off enough screw from the second screw to create a 'plug' to fill the hole. Cut a screwdriver slot in the bottom of the plug and screw the 'plug, into the receiver-just insure that the guard screw did not bottom on the plug when the action is installed in the stock.. On the M1903 receiver, the front and rear guard screw hole in the receiver were 'blind" holes, on the 03A3 bot holes were drilled all the way through. On a barreled 03A3 action, you can see the barrel threads through the front guard screw hole.
FWIW

[Merc]

According to the DCM price list of 1 July 1967, the screw, guard rear P/N 5305-612-8414-B003, is interchangeable on the M1903 and the 03A3 and that makes sense. The M1903 had "blind" holes on both the front and rear trigger guard screw holes. On the 03A3 , the decision was made to drill them all the way through to expedite manufacture. To preclude the necessity of manufacturing and packaging and stocking two different screws, the 03A3 used the same screw as the M1903 but left some threaded hole unfiled. What many people did was, to install the guard screw, measure the distance to the top of the screw from the top of the receiver and, using a second guard screw, cut off enough screw from the second screw to create a 'plug' to fill the hole. Cut a screwdriver slot in the bottom of the plug and screw the 'plug, into the receiver-just insure that the guard screw did not bottom on the plug when the action is installed in the stock.. On the M1903 receiver, the front and rear guard screw hole in the receiver were 'blind" holes, on the 03A3 bot holes were drilled all the way through. On a barreled 03A3 action, you can see the barrel threads through the front guard screw hole.
FWIW

Thanks for the explanation. I'll probably just leave it like it is since that's how it came from the factory.

[Kragrifle]

That is incorrect.39875

[Kragrifle]

One additional point. Be careful not to assemble a Krag or 1903 with the longer screw! In doing so the screw will tighten up into the blind hole in the receiver, but not properly secure the action in the stock, thus leaving some "slop" in the fit. This can damage the wood in the receiver area when the rifle is fired !

[dave]

The two screws were the same length as 03's, made by all makers of 03A3's. At one time an after market screw was sold that filled the hole on the A3. But the A3 did not always have full threads all the way thru the hole, near the top. So the after market screw were made so the top was faintly threaded. I remember them well cause I purchased a half dozen of the A3's from DCM back then. NRA membership was all that was required and I had several co-workers who did not want a rifle so I offered them couple bucks xtra to get one.
The front hole on the A3 was/is still a blind hole.
On of them was a new S.C. with a 4 groove barrel