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5/27/2011 7:40:43 AM EDT
A friend of mine just got a Gibbs restoration M1903A3 rifle shipped to him.  He's trying to put the bolt in and wrote me that he "can't get the bolt to seat properly though. I've tried everything. Rotating parts, safety off/on, bolt release open/closed. Nothing works."  I'm not familiar with these rifles.  Is there a trick to the bolt insertion that he needs to know?
5/27/2011 9:25:52 AM EDT
[#1]
Try posting this in the Curios & Relics forum...
5/27/2011 9:37:08 AM EDT
[#2]
Thanks, but I've since found a 2-part video on YouTube discussing disassembly/reassembly that I've sent him the links for.  That should help him.
5/27/2011 5:43:00 PM EDT
[#3]
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).
5/28/2011 3:53:04 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).


This
5/28/2011 4:18:32 AM EDT
[#5]
Does your friend know that those are assembled from welded drill rifles?
5/28/2011 5:37:35 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).


This


Why is it that every time I flip from off to on and the bolt is open, the bolt falls out?  How many people did that kill in battle?  

Wait German man, please don't shoot, my bolt fell out while I was switching to my reserve ammo so I didn't have to pop another one in to shoot you.
6/1/2011 11:44:45 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).


This


Why is it that every time I flip from off to on and the bolt is open, the bolt falls out?  How many people did that kill in battle?  

Wait German man, please don't shoot, my bolt fell out while I was switching to my reserve ammo so I didn't have to pop another one in to shoot you.


Well, generally the cut-off wasn't even used. It'd just be left in the "on" position all the time.
Second, if you were switching it from off to on, you wouldn't even need to take the butt out of your shoulder, much less point the muzzle up. Without gravity's help, the bolt won't fall out
6/2/2011 7:02:42 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).


This


Why is it that every time I flip from off to on and the bolt is open, the bolt falls out?  How many people did that kill in battle?  

Wait German man, please don't shoot, my bolt fell out while I was switching to my reserve ammo so I didn't have to pop another one in to shoot you.


I"m thinking that wasn't an issue at all.  That device was mandated by stuffy has been generals concerned about soldiers wasting their ammo.  In practice it wasn't used so it was about as handy as your appendix.   If anything the Army wasted their time putting it on the rifle.  Waste of materials and machining time and we still got sued for copying the Mauser despite the change.  I'm actually suprised it was still on the 03A3 when Remington was streamlining production steps.

6/2/2011 7:12:07 AM EDT
[#9]
A lot of rifles that are shipped with the bolts removed are shipped with the bolts "decocked". You first have to "cock" the bolt before you are able to insert it into the rifle.
6/3/2011 9:08:51 AM EDT
[#10]
My buddy finally figured it out.  He had the selector switch in the wrong position.  And yes... he was aware that it was made from a demilled drill rifle.  I haven't heard of any of these Gibb's rifles blowing up, but I'll make sure I stand away from him when he shoots his.  .
6/3/2011 3:01:34 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).


This


Why is it that every time I flip from off to on and the bolt is open, the bolt falls out?  How many people did that kill in battle?  

Wait German man, please don't shoot, my bolt fell out while I was switching to my reserve ammo so I didn't have to pop another one in to shoot you.


Well, generally the cut-off wasn't even used. It'd just be left in the "on" position all the time.
Second, if you were switching it from off to on, you wouldn't even need to take the butt out of your shoulder, much less point the muzzle up. Without gravity's help, the bolt won't fall out


User error.    I won't tell you how many times I have done this than.    I'm left handed, so the back natually drops down when I have to take my hand off of the grip to flip the switch.
6/7/2011 3:29:01 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The magazine cut-off switch has to be in the neutral position (sticking straight out, instead of up or down).


This


Why is it that every time I flip from off to on and the bolt is open, the bolt falls out?  How many people did that kill in battle?  

Wait German man, please don't shoot, my bolt fell out while I was switching to my reserve ammo so I didn't have to pop another one in to shoot you.


Well, generally the cut-off wasn't even used. It'd just be left in the "on" position all the time.
Second, if you were switching it from off to on, you wouldn't even need to take the butt out of your shoulder, much less point the muzzle up. Without gravity's help, the bolt won't fall out


User error.    I won't tell you how many times I have done this than.    I'm left handed, so the back natually drops down when I have to take my hand off of the grip to flip the switch.


Just giving ya a hard time, mostly It does get easier with practice and experience, though.
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