The rifle’s ability to shoot predictably at this sort of distance sets it apart from other rifles of its era. Delivering my first iron sight hit at 1,040 yards is a feeling I will never forget. Shots from 200 all the way out to 1,040 yards were made easy by the fantastic sight system. After firing it, I can only describe it as surgical precision. I found that the adjustable notch sight offered good target visibility, even at great range. It’s hard to believe that the rifle is as old as it is when you shoot it. The Springfield M1903 impressed me with its accuracy and excellent sights.
It offers a simple notch in the “down” position and peephole and elevation adjustable notch sights in the “up” position. Picking it up I immediately noticed its interesting rear sight.
Next, I shot the Springfield M1903 rifle in 30-06, America’s rifle from the World War I era and beyond. I believe that the gun is capable of better accuracy out to greater distance, but the sights will have to change in order to get there. Several shots at 500 yards came very close to the target but didn’t hit. Making a precise adjustment on the 1873’s sights was somewhat difficult. The sliding elevation notch does not hold its position when moved up, so the shooter has to be very careful it doesn’t shift during adjustment, an issue I experienced a couple of times. Unfortunately, on the Trapdoor model I own, this is done by moving the sliding elevation notch and locking it in by tightening a small flathead screw on the front of the sight. Now it was time to adjust the sight upwards. Recoil on the 1873 Trapdoor is stout, but the weight and size of the gun help to keep it manageable. Black Hills flat-point lead rounds we were launching absolutely rocked the steel target at that distance. With the sight set all the way at the bottom of the “ladder”, it took some slight Kentucky windage to begin landing shots at the 200. I then flipped up the adjustable sight to make the transition out to 200 yards. Despite the busy nature of the sights in the flipped-down position, I was able to hit a steel gong at 100 yards several times. The sight picture in this position is not ideal as there is a lot going on between the front and rear sights of the gun. I used only the folded down v-notch rear sight to make a torso hit. I began with a preliminary zero on a small paper IPSC target at 100 yards. Reloading the Trapdoor is not difficult, but it does require some time and concentration. The gun sports the classic look of that era, with a hammer on the side and a whopping 32.5” barrel. In fact, to someone unfamiliar with trapdoor conversion rifles, it’s entirely understandable how they might mistake it for a musket. This rifle is about as close to a musket as it gets while still making use of smokeless cartridges. I started with a reproduction 1873 Trapdoor in. This was a great way to learn about each of the rifles, and to see how their designs reflected the eras from which they came. Over the course of a day, in chronological order, I walked these rifles as far out on the 1,040-yard range as I could. The Springfield Armory name has been on a wide range of impressive and capable firearms over the years.ĭuring a trip to visit my good friend and fellow writer Frank Melloni at a shooting club in Pennsylvania, I had the pleasure of getting to experience long-range marksmanship with each of these historic rifles. The tradition of the M14 has been carried on by today’s Springfield Armory in Geneseo, Illinois, with its M1A semi-auto rifle. The 1873 Springfield Trapdoor, the Springfield M1903, The M1 Garand and the M14 are all rifles that served major roles for the United States in wars and conflicts over the years. Over the arsenal’s long life, it has been involved in the production of several legendary American rifles. It would go on to serve the country during the Civil War and both World Wars, to name just a few. The original Springfield Armory was founded in the late 1770’s to house the weapons and ammunition of America’s fledgling army during the Revolutionary War.
The Springfield Armory name carries with it a long and storied history.
0 kommentar(er)
