Feeding Problem RI Springfield 03

J

JerryM

New member
Yesterday I bought a RI high number 03 from a friend. Today I discovered that the first round does not stay in the magazine unless held in. The subsequent rounds all do ok. The last round then flies out when the next to last round is ejected.

What is the reason for this?
I haven't encountered this problem before.

Thanks,
Jerry
 
Next check the follower and the rails...

Has the follower been overpolished or filed to remove pits or rust? Try a different 03 follower.

Make sure the rails have not been modified (thats a hard one to fix if they have been).

How does the rifle feed?
 
Thanks.
I had a friend, a former gunsmith, look at it today. He measured the rails and they had not been changed. He put another follower in and it did the same thing. At your suggestion I asked him to put another magazine spring in it and see if that fixed it.

It is a puzzle to both of us.

I'll post the fix if we can fix it. Any other ideas will be appreciated.

Where is George Stringer? George, we need you.

Jerry
 
Wrong follower

03 and 03A3 rifles that have the incorrect follower or spring will do this. Replacing the incorrect part with another identical part will not solve the problem.

Try to get the different model follower and spring from the one you have to try. If all else fails, order one of each (follower and spring) from SARCO or Numrich or wherever.

Ledbetter
 
AFAIK, '03 and '03A3 followers are supposed to be interchangeable (though they are not identical) and I have not encountered any failures from mixing them. I would check out the magazine box (part of the trigger guard) and be sure it fits into the receiver properly when the guard screws are tightened. This is often a problem with the '03.

Jim
 
Thanks, George and all.

I'm going to be out of town for a week or so. I will give you feedback when I return.

Jerry
 
During the process of "swapping things around" it became evident that the problem is the magazine spring. It is not the same as the standard Springfield. I'm wondering of someone put a Mauser spring in it.

Now I just need to find a '03 magazine spring. I don't think that will be difficult.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Jerry
 
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