1903 safety swap

HAMMER1DOWN · March 14, 2014, 11:16 PM

Hi everyone. Lets start off by stating that I am not a certified gunsmith but I dabble in it quite often and am decent enough at tinkering with the inner workings of firearms. Now to the question. A co worker asked me to change the safety on his original Springfield 1903 so that he can use a scope. What Kind of options do I have for the swap? I did a little looking around and seen whole trigger groups that are installable with a remington style safety. Any others that I can show him so he has a wider variety?
Thanks a bunch,
Hammer

10-96 · March 15, 2014, 06:30 AM

Just for the aesthetics, I like the looks of the low-slung replacement of the original. http://www.amazon.com/Springfield-19.../dp/B005DRV4F0. Those tend to look "right" no matter how the rifle may be sporterized.

Edit- both options will require fitting or wood and trigger guard altering- you probably already knew this, but I highly doubt anyone would be lucky enough to find either option a straight across swap-out.

Another edit- your friend can't be talked out of altering an original 1903? I know- another can of worms. What can I say? I'm one of the purists.

PetahW · March 15, 2014, 09:35 AM

.

The Numrich Arms Lo-Scope Safety ($16 - http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/543640.htm ) doesn't require any fiddling with inletting/trigger group, since it's a direct replacement for the issue safety.

"IF" it should need fitting (many just drop-in & work safely), the fitting is eazy-peazy.

.

James K · March 16, 2014, 05:22 PM

I have installed those low scope safeties on M1903's as well as on different varieties of Mausers and they usually are a "drop in" with no fitting required, unlike the Timney and other trigger replacements, which usually require some fitting. Of course, the low scope safety does nothing to improve the trigger pull, which will be just as good or bad as it ever was.

Jim

10-96 · March 17, 2014, 04:17 AM

Well that certainly sends me into head scratching episodes. I've only put in 2- on on a 95 action and one on a 03. The 95 was too long and too thick in the initial engagement are, and the one for the 03 was just too long in the shaft area. Guess it was just my luck of the draw when ordering.

James K · March 17, 2014, 03:54 PM

Or maybe the quality of the parts has declined, always a possibility.

Jim

HAMMER1DOWN · March 31, 2014, 08:32 PM

I just ordered the Timney trigger and safety replacement for the guys 1903 by his request. I will have the link below, has anyone installed one and what tools and what kind of time frame am I looking at for the instal?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/580...ProductFinding

**44 AMP** · April 1, 2014, 02:12 AM

The Mauser is a snap, the 03 has that little detent that is something of a PITA. Not real bad though.

March 14, 2014, 11:16 PM	#1
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	1903 safety swap Hi everyone. Lets start off by stating that I am not a certified gunsmith but I dabble in it quite often and am decent enough at tinkering with the inner workings of firearms. Now to the question. A co worker asked me to change the safety on his original Springfield 1903 so that he can use a scope. What Kind of options do I have for the swap? I did a little looking around and seen whole trigger groups that are installable with a remington style safety. Any others that I can show him so he has a wider variety? Thanks a bunch, Hammer __________________ "Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights" -Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-

March 15, 2014, 06:30 AM	#2
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Just for the aesthetics, I like the looks of the low-slung replacement of the original. http://www.amazon.com/Springfield-19.../dp/B005DRV4F0. Those tend to look "right" no matter how the rifle may be sporterized. Edit- both options will require fitting or wood and trigger guard altering- you probably already knew this, but I highly doubt anyone would be lucky enough to find either option a straight across swap-out. Another edit- your friend can't be talked out of altering an original 1903? I know- another can of worms. What can I say? I'm one of the purists. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two. Last edited by 10-96; March 15, 2014 at 07:24 AM.

March 17, 2014, 04:17 AM	#5
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Well that certainly sends me into head scratching episodes. I've only put in 2- on on a 95 action and one on a 03. The 95 was too long and too thick in the initial engagement are, and the one for the 03 was just too long in the shaft area. Guess it was just my luck of the draw when ordering. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 31, 2014, 08:32 PM	#7
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	I just ordered the Timney trigger and safety replacement for the guys 1903 by his request. I will have the link below, has anyone installed one and what tools and what kind of time frame am I looking at for the instal? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/580...ProductFinding __________________ "Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights" -Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-

April 1, 2014, 02:12 AM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	The Mauser is a snap, the 03 has that little detent that is something of a PITA. Not real bad though. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 15, 2014, 09:35 AM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. The Numrich Arms Lo-Scope Safety ($16 - http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/543640.htm ) doesn't require any fiddling with inletting/trigger group, since it's a direct replacement for the issue safety. "IF" it should need fitting (many just drop-in & work safely), the fitting is eazy-peazy. .

March 16, 2014, 05:22 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have installed those low scope safeties on M1903's as well as on different varieties of Mausers and they usually are a "drop in" with no fitting required, unlike the Timney and other trigger replacements, which usually require some fitting. Of course, the low scope safety does nothing to improve the trigger pull, which will be just as good or bad as it ever was. Jim

March 17, 2014, 03:54 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Or maybe the quality of the parts has declined, always a possibility. Jim