Rifleman Q&A: M1903 Arsenal Repairs?

by
posted on March 25, 2022
M1903 bolt-action springfield rifle right side wood metal steel gun

Q. Upon cleaning up a Rock Island Model 1903 rifle recently acquired from the CMP, I discovered a repaired handguard. A long crack in the guard was repaired by lacing it together with wood strips inlet into the handguard. Was this stock work cheaper than replacing the handguard?

wood gun rifle parts stock repair CMP M1903 bolt-action

A. The repair on the handguard on your CMP ’03 rifle indicates that it was returned from Greece and then sold via the Civilian Marksmanship Program. There were all manner of modifications and repairs done on these rifle while they were under Greek control. I do not recall seeing this style of handguard repair on any of the CMP or U.S.-issue ’03 rifles, but it was almost certainly done due to a shortage of replacement handguards in Greece. The typical U.S. military procedure for a broken handguard would have been replacement of the component and not the sort of repair evidenced on the handguard in question.

—Bruce N. Canfield


This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the June 2005 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, "Questions & Answers" was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Angus Laidlaw, Evan P. Marshall, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, A.W.F. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John W. Treakle.

To subscribe to the magazine, visit the NRA membership page here and select American Rifleman as your member magazine.

Latest

KelTec PR57
KelTec PR57

KelTec’s PR57: Thinking Outside The (Detachable) Box

KelTec has brought the stripper clip back with the thoroughly unconventional PR57—a carry pistol with an uncommon chambering, an unusual action and no box magazine.

The Armed Citizen® June 9, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

More Western States Opening Large Shooting Ranges

A number of states in the western U.S. have opened or are planning to open large, versatile ranges to serve the growing need for publicly accessible shooting spaces.

Preview: Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster

More than just a fresh look made using handcrafted leather, the Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster has been redesigned to accommodate extra ammunition in addition to a concealed firearm.

New For 2025: Rost Martin RM1S & RM1C Comped

Two new models joined the Rost Martin handgun lineup in 2025, one with subcompact dimensions and another with a built-in compensator that promises to reduce recoil substantially.

CMP Resumes M1911 Pistol Sales

As of January 2025, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) had resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911/M1911A1 pistols to qualified U.S. citizens.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.