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A military unit took a low-number M1903 and handloaded ammo with increased charges until it finally blew apart. Enroute to the destruction, the bolt had to be knocked open with a mallet, and harder smacks with the mallet were needed later in the test. Bolt lugs were set forward several thousandths but the action held together until a case about half full of Bullseye pistol powder under a 172-gr. match bullet finally blew the barrel and action apart.
That said, one needs to check their M1903's number and compare it to the list of possibly bad ones. Not every one of them was bad, but enough were to be cautious for safety for the entire series.
Everyone not wearing seat belts in cars sometimes survives accidents. But those who do have better odds. I often wonder about those who don't and what their last thoughs were as they flew through the air after being ejected and enroute to their demise.
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