[Happytrgrfingr]

I have noticed that this rifle has a hole on the left side of the receiver. Is this a gas release port or something else?

 

[rando]

Any pics of reciever. I have two O3A3,s and dont know what you mean by hole in the reciever.

 

[Oxford]

I have noticed that this rifle has a hole on the left side of the receiver. Is this a gas release port or something else?

Attached below is my 03A3. I see a hole at the rear of the receiver on the right side. Is that the one you are talking about?

 

[Tha Dave]

Is it a round hole or a oval? The Pedersen device had to eject its empties somehow and what you are looking at may be the ejection port cut into a 03

 

[Oxford]

Here's the other side of my 03A3.

 

[ChaZam]

The hole on the left side near the front of the receiver is to vent gases in the event of a case head separation, or similar failures. (visible in Oxford's photo in post #3 )

 

[Happytrgrfingr]

Attached below is my 03A3. I see a hole at the rear of the receiver on the right side. Is that the one you are talking about?

Yes

The hole on the left side near the front of the receiver is to vent gases in the event of a case head separation, or similar failures. (visible in Oxford's photo in post #3 )

Thank you. I just wanted to make sure it is supposed to be there.

 

[ChaZam]

Yes


Thank you. I just wanted to make sure it is supposed to be there.

Lots of rifles are vented with a similar hole including Mausers, Enfields, Arisakas, etc. Even modern firearms like my Weatherby Vanguard.

 

[M14man]

I have noticed that this rifle has a hole on the left side of the receiver. Is this a gas release port or something else?

Yes, that's right. It is normal on all late M1903's and all A'3s.
Called a "Hatcher hole". Late made 03's had them, and some refurbished 03's that did not have them had them added when refurbished.

 

[Capt.Hotpants]

That's a Hatcher hole. As m14man has pointed out. Gen. Julian Hatcher came up with the idea. In the event of a cartridge failing in the gun the gas would blow out that hole and relieve pressure. This was found on low number rifles and high number rifles. Some think they work, some think they kind of work, and some think they don't do anything at all in a major failure. I think that in the event of a major failure I would rather have the hole than not have it.

 

[TheJoker]

....and remember Smith Corona only made the Model of 1903A3!

I guess since I've seen yours, I'll show you mine.

 

[Kodiak32]

Nice Looking 03a3's posted.

 

[Purdy]

Is it a round hole or a oval? The Pedersen device had to eject its empties somehow and what you are looking at may be the ejection port cut into a 03

The Pederson device was never used with the 03A3s

 

[PAPA G]

Is it a round hole or a oval? The Pedersen device had to eject its empties somehow and what you are looking at may be the ejection port cut into a 03

the Pederson slot on the 1903 MK I.

when the Pederson device was withdrawn from service it was decided to leave the ejection port as is, since it did not interfere with normal operation.

the 03a3 has no such slot for any reason.

 

[Tha Dave]

Good to go I stand corrected.


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