Springfield `1903

I wish my 03A3 had been on my lap when this video came out, but I had handed it off to a gunsmith to be converted to an A4, I can't wait to get it back so I can start hunting down the glass and rings

I've been regularly shooting the 03 since high school when I weighed in at 120 pounds wet, close to typical WWI troop weight. The 30-06 was manageable with experience, but you sure felt it after 60 rounds or so on the range. Forty-five years and 80 pounds later (and of course more natural padding) I really don't notice it except when firing prone. However in the heat of battle you'd never feel the recoil anyway.....too much other sensor input. While I'd probably shoot better with the M1917 owing to it's aperture sights, I'm with Mae on taking the 03

Richard Anderson

Great video! Enjoyed this one the most so far.... because I viewed it with my ‘03 on my lap. Fun to have it “in hand” for the the specs. Air service rifle very interesting. Great work

Greg Bastian

Considering the last auction I could find had one at $35,000... It's going to be a doozy.

C&Rsenal

@ Mae, regarding your comment about .30-'06 recoil: your observation of the round "maybe being too much of a good thing" took me back to the 1st time I ever shot a 1903 Springfield. My dad hesitated, but 9 y.o. me pleaded to be allowed my chance, so off the bench, I fired it & got knocked @ss over teakettle [the old Fish Cyn range in Azusa had these funky swing-away seats, so the rifle stayed on the bench, I rotated 90 degrees & fell over backwards; I wish there had been video cameras back then, because I'm certain the footage would have looked like something out of an old Keystone Kops reel...] Good times! X-D

Bruce Brodnax

I consider it a travesty that we do not celebrate the good Roosevelt's birthday as a national holiday. Hey, we have [had] holidays for the birthdays of the best president of the 18th and 19th centuries [Washington & Lincoln, respectively; conflated into one "President's Day" by Reagan because two days off in the same short month was impacting the economy, but I can remember when they each got their own day observed], why not one for the best president of the 20th century? And wrt his comment on the unsuitability of the rod bayonet, who's the last sitting president *you* heard of sparring w/ the Marine guards in the Rose Garden to see how the new service rifle handled? Huh? Huh?!? That's what I'm *SAYIN'*... Yeah, buddy, Teddy kicks the ass *AND* the elephant of any other prez of the last century! Follow me in celebrating October 27th as our newest national holiday! Go TED! Just say "NO!" to rod bayonets! :-D

Bruce Brodnax

I see a potential role for the air service as a pdw, to be stored on vehicles of various kinds (like trains, cars, small boats), for non fighting personnel travelling in a war zone. They would not have ammo on themselves, if the vehicle stops, and having 25 in the gun would make some sense.

Another filler video with some obscure firearm, pass. ;-)

Polaxymer

I want to buy the Air Service when you're done with it.

Aaron Smith

BOLO!!!!

Aaron Smith

USA USA

Alright! Pismo Beach and all the clams you can eat.

Ethereal

Most awesomer.

TAOFLEDERMAUS

Queued up for viewing tonight. Thanks for all your great work!

Cods