M1903 Springfield

U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903
TypeBolt-action rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service
  • 1903–1936 (as the standard U.S. service rifle)
  • 1936–1970s (as a U.S. Army sniper rifle)[1]
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
Designed1903 (1903)
Manufacturer
Unit cost$41.35 (1938),[2] equal to $895 now
Produced1903 (1903)–1949 (1949)
No. built3,004,079[3]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass8.7 lb (3.9 kg)
Length43.2 in (1,100 mm)
Barrel length24 in (610 mm)

Cartridge
ActionBolt action
Rate of fireUser dependent; usually 15 to 30 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)
Effective firing range100–300 yd (91–274 m)[4]
Maximum firing range5,500 yd (5,000 m) with .30 M1 ball cartridge
Feed system5- or 25-round (air service variant) internal box magazine fed with 5-round stripper clips
Sights
  • Flip-up rear sight graduated to 2,700 yd (2,500 m), blade post-type front sight
  • M1903A3: Aperture rear sight, blade type front sight.
Blade typeBayonet
M1903 Springfield with loading clips

The M1903 Springfield, officially the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903, is an American five-round magazine-fed, bolt-action service repeating rifle, used primarily during the first half of the 20th century.

The M1903 was first used in combat during the Philippine–American War,[5] and it was officially adopted by the United States as the standard infantry rifle on 19 June 1903, where it saw service in World War I, and was replaced by the faster-firing semi-automatic eight-round M1 Garand starting in 1936. However, the M1903 remained in service as a standard issue infantry rifle during World War II, since the U.S. entered the war without sufficient M1 rifles to arm all troops. It also remained in service as a sniper rifle during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It remains popular as a civilian firearm, historical collector's piece, a competitive shooting rifle, and as a military drill rifle.

  1. ^ "The 1903 Springfield Rifle – Warfare History Network". 18 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Second Deficiency Appropriation Bill for 1939". 1939.
  3. ^ "Springfield Armory US Model 1903 rifle serial number ranges". Bowers Firearms. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Operation Requirements for An Infantry Hand Weapon" (PDF). Operations Research Office.
  5. ^ Thompson 2013, p. 38.