[HeyGhost]

I've been searching high and low and I'm just not finding a definitive answer to my question about 1903 scope bases and mounts.

I have a Remington 1903 that has been drilled and tapped and I am working on turning it into as close to an A4 clone as I can. I'm basically down to finding the right scope base at this point. I originally bought the S&K one but my A3 hand guard won't work with that unless I cut some of the wood off, so I figured since its already drilled and tapped maybe I should just go that route.

What I'm wondering is, will a scope base designed to be used on an A3 also work on my standard 1903? The measurement that seems to be the most relevant on sites selling the mounts is the center spread which I have measured to be 4.1" on mine. That seems to match what it is supposed to be, but I don't know if mine not having the A3 rear site dovetail base prohibits me from using an A3 base.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

 

[Instructor]

If I understand your question correctly, your '03 rear bridge of the receiver will have to be drilled and tapped and apparently yours is so believe Redfield offers a base for your rifle to fit a conventional scope base. Not having a dovetail as the A3 does for a "peep" sight would not think a base for the A3 would work on your '03 rear bridge. As for removing some wood on the hand guard that would be the simplest and not really any issue with the rifle. The rifle is a "clone" to start with and would just be a near clone by such mods.

 

[HeyGhost]

so believe Redfield offers a base for your rifle to fit a conventional scope base.

I will see if I can find the Redfield one you are talking about. I'd be interested to see how it looks.

As for removing some wood on the hand guard that would be the simplest and not really any issue with the rifle. The rifle is a "clone" to start with and would just be a near clone by such mods.

That was what I was going to do initially but then I got scared and talked myself out of it, mainly because if you can believe this, the A3 style hand guard that I found and purchased actually matches the rest of my stock better than the original one which I took off of the rifle. Maybe I am over thinking this and I should just cut the hand guard lip.

 

[andyh1956]

On my A4 the scope mount base slides OVER the MALE dovetail on the rear of the receiver & secures with a screw. Your 03 doesn't have this dovetail & I think the rear is rounded instead of flat so that base won't work for your rifle.
You prolly would need one like this, but I don't know if your screw holes will line up.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CCOP-Spring...569645&hash=item2a56191641:g:9aEAAOSwjVVVzQAR
I have a 1903 w/ a scope, but mine has a Weaver mount screwed to the side of the receiver M1C style.

 

[30calflash]

I'd really be surprised if the A3 base worked on a straight 03, lot less metal on the 03.

The one piece base used for A3's was the Redfield Jr mount base, one piece. The Sr mounts were two piece.

It may be worth checking with CMP rules ans they may want rifles to meet certain standards, your 03 may or may not work. Especially if tried with the S&K mount.

 

[HeyGhost]

On my A4 the scope mount base slides OVER the MALE dovetail on the rear of the receiver & secures with a screw. Your 03 doesn't have this dovetail & I think the rear is rounded instead of flat so that base won't work for your rifle.
You prolly would need one like this, but I don't know if your screw holes will line up.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CCOP-Spring...569645&hash=item2a56191641:g:9aEAAOSwjVVVzQAR
I have a 1903 w/ a scope, but mine has a Weaver mount screwed to the side of the receiver M1C style.

I saw this mount as well, but like you pointed out we don't know what the bolt spacing is like on it.

 

[HeyGhost]

I'd really be surprised if the A3 base worked on a straight 03, lot less metal on the 03.

The one piece base used for A3's was the Redfield Jr mount base, one piece. The Sr mounts were two piece.

It may be worth checking with CMP rules ans they may want rifles to meet certain standards, your 03 may or may not work. Especially if tried with the S&K mount.

Yeah, that was my concern as far as using a true A4 mount. The S&K mount I have will work just fine, I was just trying to avoid having to trim the hand guard. The only other option I saw was the EGW picatinny style mount which sort of ruins the traditional look, not to mention its made of aluminum.

 

[m1a_scoutguy]

I have this mount on my 1903A3. Looks and seems to be just fine. Mine is NOT the 20MOA mount but I figured I was not going to need that anyways. I did buy the more expensive STEEL mount just because I wanted close to the same material as the receiver. Here ya go. Its not the traditional mount but then my rifle was a parts rifle anyways so no real wreaking havoc on a historical piece !
http://www.egwguns.com/hd-rifle-scope-mounts/hd-springfield-m1903-picatinny-rail-scope-mount-20-moa/

I can't seem to find the Steel one,RNGR4 LOL I don't know what I was reading or looking at but I NOW see you mention the EGW mount ! Sorry about that,,LOL

 

[HeyGhost]

I have this mount on my 1903A3. Looks and seems to be just fine. Mine is NOT the 20MOA mount but I figured I was not going to need that anyways. I did buy the more expensive STEEL mount just because I wanted close to the same material as the receiver. Here ya go. Its not the traditional mount but then my rifle was a parts rifle anyways so no real wreaking havoc on a historical piece !
http://www.egwguns.com/hd-rifle-scope-mounts/hd-springfield-m1903-picatinny-rail-scope-mount-20-moa/

I can't seem to find the Steel one,RNGR4 LOL I don't know what I was reading or looking at but I NOW see you mention the EGW mount ! Sorry about that,,LOL

No problem. Thanks for the input.

 

[andyh1956]

Hey! I just remembered that my 1903A4 is built from a Rock Island 1903 receiver! (Brain Fart!!!) It uses a Redfield JR type base & it is apart right now! I can get my stuff up & measure the hole spacing for you & if it matches VOILA!
Keep you posted!

 

[HeyGhost]

Hey! I just remembered that my 1903A4 is built from a Rock Island 1903 receiver! (Brain Fart!!!) It uses a Redfield JR type base & it is apart right now! I can get my stuff up & measure the hole spacing for you & if it matches VOILA!
Keep you posted!

Oh wow, yeah that would be very helpful! Thanks!

 

[andyh1956]

OK here you go!
This is a Redfield JR steel base w/ three screw holes.
Base is marked w/ "S" on the bottom
Two holes in front, one in rear
Base is 5.325" long
Front & rear screw holes are 4.950" apart
Front screw holes are .861" apart
Measurements are approx taken with a dial caliper
Hope this helps!

 

[mcv]

A 1903a3 scope base will NOT fit a 1903(a1). I built an a4 clone on a 1903 reciever using a steel redfield base. I had to weld the original base screw holes closed and re-drill the base to match the existing holes in the reciever.

 

[andyh1956]

A 1903a3 scope base will NOT fit a 1903(a1). I built an a4 clone on a 1903 reciever using a steel redfield base. I had to weld the original base screw holes closed and re-drill the base to match the existing holes in the reciever.

Yep that's what we just said!
You got the same rifle I got!BANANA1
Well not xactly, mine's got a scant stock.
Yours is Pretty!

 

[mcv]

thanks andyh1956...I went back to a lyman side mount apeture and front globe sights for more of a national match look on the 1903. I found a 1903a3 and built it into an a4 clone.

 

[HeyGhost]

Ok, so I got one of these CCOP reproductions of the A4 mount but made specifically for the standard 1903 and it actually lines up perfectly with the holes that were drilled and tapped into this receiver. The only problem is that the position of these holes will put the mount just a little too far forward and cause it to get in the way of the hand guard ring. So I currently have the idea of cutting the top center of the hand guard ring enough to allow the mount to pass through it a little, which will still leave enough of it there to retain the hand guard itself. We'll see how this works out...

 

[andyh1956]

Is there enough of the base in front of the front hole to shorten just the base?

 

[HeyGhost]

Is there enough of the base in front of the front hole to shorten just the base?

I believe so. I'll double check...

 

[M14vrp]

HeyGhost PM sent to you.

 

[Earthquake]

I bought a lot of scope bases online awhile back and there were 2 sets of Redfield bases in it but they use the old style "Frontier" rings, they have a small dovetail that kinda looks like a 3/8" .22 style ring but with a ridge down the middle with a notch for the screw. One set is for the 03 the other is for 03-A3/A4,
the screw spacing on the 03 rings is about .410" [front] and .860" [rear], the A3/A4 spacing is about .490" [front] and in the middle of the dovetail on the rear.

Casey