Springfield 1903 vs 1917 Enfield

BattleRifleG3 · 12-01-2004, 12:58 AM

Do you have a preference? Any reason why? For some reason I tend to like the 1917s better. Not just appearance, but also that they were probably the more common rifle used in WWI as opposed to the more popularized 1903 used since then that hadn't hit sufficient production to supply the US army on its own.

whirlwind · 12-01-2004, 01:31 AM

i like the 1917's rear sight better

PAPA G · 12-01-2004, 01:41 AM

i like them both.

Oxford · 12-01-2004, 09:49 AM

I like the 03 for both historical and physical reasons. But again...I haven't shot the 1917. That must be a fine gun, too. For sure, having used my 03A3 for deer hunting I can verify that it's an effective tool. :nod: :right:

spicybeefjerky · 12-01-2004, 07:19 PM

no windage on the '17 and i just cant have that...but then again neither does the nagant and i love it...personal preferance i suppose

Oxford · 12-01-2004, 09:28 PM

My preference is always what I have available. Just gotta make that one shot in the right spot and they all work. :nod:

Gyrene · 12-02-2004, 12:17 AM

I have a full set of both the 1903/A3 and the M1917 (I even have a P-14) and I really like them, ALL. Of course the M1917, and P-14 suffer from the need to use "Kentucky Windage" if you are needing to move your hits left or right.

The first centerfire rifle I ever shot was the $15.95 M1917 Remington including 5,000 rounds of AP, that my dad bought right at the end of WWII. It knocked me around, but didn't scare me. My mom remembered that my dad bought it for about $15.00 in early 1946, and sold it for $15.00 in 1976, I had no idea the rifle was for sale, or it would have been mine, and my mom would have had a lot more than $15.00!

Oxford · 12-02-2004, 12:20 AM

Interesting story Gyrene! :nod:

spicybeefjerky · 12-04-2004, 11:11 PM

i wonder if those who voted for the '03 for historical reasons know that the 17 was used far more during the war than any other rifle..i vote physical because of that darn windage

NRAJOE · 12-04-2004, 11:41 PM

Wowza!

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/Vie...?Item=26478004

View Poll Results: Which do you prefer and why?
I prefer the 1903 for historical reasons	5	38.46%
I prefer the 1917 for historical reasons	1	7.69%
I prefer the 1903 for physical reasons	4	30.77%
I prefer the 1917 for physical reasons	5	38.46%
I can't decide between the two which Ilike better.	1	7.69%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

12-01-2004, 12:58 AM	#1
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Springfield 1903 vs 1917 Enfield Do you have a preference? Any reason why? For some reason I tend to like the 1917s better. Not just appearance, but also that they were probably the more common rifle used in WWI as opposed to the more popularized 1903 used since then that hadn't hit sufficient production to supply the US army on its own. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

12-01-2004, 01:31 AM	#2
whirlwind Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oklahoma Posts: 3,737 Images: 1	i like the 1917's rear sight better __________________ De oppresso liber !

12-01-2004, 09:49 AM	#4
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,022 Blog Entries: 4	I like the 03 for both historical and physical reasons. But again...I haven't shot the 1917. That must be a fine gun, too. For sure, having used my 03A3 for deer hunting I can verify that it's an effective tool. :nod: :right: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

12-01-2004, 09:28 PM	#6
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,022 Blog Entries: 4	My preference is always what I have available. Just gotta make that one shot in the right spot and they all work. :nod: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

12-01-2004, 01:41 AM	#3
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12	i like them both.

12-01-2004, 07:19 PM	#5
spicybeefjerky Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 155	no windage on the '17 and i just cant have that...but then again neither does the nagant and i love it...personal preferance i suppose

12-02-2004, 12:17 AM	#7
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886	I have a full set of both the 1903/A3 and the M1917 (I even have a P-14) and I really like them, ALL. Of course the M1917, and P-14 suffer from the need to use "Kentucky Windage" if you are needing to move your hits left or right. The first centerfire rifle I ever shot was the $15.95 M1917 Remington including 5,000 rounds of AP, that my dad bought right at the end of WWII. It knocked me around, but didn't scare me. My mom remembered that my dad bought it for about $15.00 in early 1946, and sold it for $15.00 in 1976, I had no idea the rifle was for sale, or it would have been mine, and my mom would have had a lot more than $15.00!

12-02-2004, 12:20 AM	#8
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,022 Blog Entries: 4	Interesting story Gyrene! :nod: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

12-04-2004, 11:11 PM	#9
spicybeefjerky Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 155	i wonder if those who voted for the '03 for historical reasons know that the 17 was used far more during the war than any other rifle..i vote physical because of that darn windage

12-04-2004, 11:41 PM	#10
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,043 Images: 3	Wowza! http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/Vie...?Item=26478004 __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany