03 Springfield question

MMV.30 · December 14, 2012, 10:13 AM

How do you remove the bottom magazine cover on a Springfield model 1903? Serial number (635xxx) would date it around early 1917. Any help would be appreciated.

PetahW · December 14, 2012, 11:11 AM

They are designed the same as military Mauser BA rifles floorplates: depress the button inside the hole at the rear/central part of the floorplate and slide the floorplate forward (towards the muzzle) while holding the button depressed. (GI's used a bullet nose)

About 1/8" movement should be enough for the floorplate lugs to disengage with the bottom metal lugs, and drop out into your hand, along with the magazine spring & follower.

Re-assemble in reverse order. .

.

tahunua001 · December 14, 2012, 12:25 PM

petah nailed it. there is just a small circle cutout near the trigger guard with a latch inside, just poking a small screw driver, brass punch or bullet in there to disengage the latch anad pushing forward should free the whole thing.

now on the off chance that you have a 1903A3 then the floor plate is all one piece and you actually have to remove both of the action screws to remove it.

MMV.30 · December 15, 2012, 04:04 PM

Thanks Petah W and tahunua 001.

December 14, 2012, 10:13 AM	#1
MMV.30 Member Join Date: December 13, 2012 Posts: 39	03 Springfield question How do you remove the bottom magazine cover on a Springfield model 1903? Serial number (635xxx) would date it around early 1917. Any help would be appreciated.

December 14, 2012, 12:25 PM	#3
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 3,609	petah nailed it. there is just a small circle cutout near the trigger guard with a latch inside, just poking a small screw driver, brass punch or bullet in there to disengage the latch anad pushing forward should free the whole thing. now on the off chance that you have a 1903A3 then the floor plate is all one piece and you actually have to remove both of the action screws to remove it. __________________ all guns lost in a tragic smelting accident. I never said half the crap people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin Bean counters told me I couldn't fire a man for being in a wheelchair, did it anyway. Ramps are expensive.-Cave Johnson.

December 14, 2012, 11:11 AM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 3,280	They are designed the same as military Mauser BA rifles floorplates: depress the button inside the hole at the rear/central part of the floorplate and slide the floorplate forward (towards the muzzle) while holding the button depressed. (GI's used a bullet nose) About 1/8" movement should be enough for the floorplate lugs to disengage with the bottom metal lugs, and drop out into your hand, along with the magazine spring & follower. Re-assemble in reverse order. . .

December 15, 2012, 04:04 PM	#4
MMV.30 Member Join Date: December 13, 2012 Posts: 39	Thanks Petah W and tahunua 001.