I've developed an interest in M1903 based vintage target rifles. There is one in a shop locally. It is a "high number" SA receiver, heavy aftermarket barrel in .03/06, international style stock. Just took a quick look and did not check the headspace.

I had one immediate concern: The bolt safety lug is bearing on it's shoulder in the receiver. I'm just a trigger puller, and not a rifle mechanic but what I've read says that by design there should be clearance between the bolt safety lug and the shoulder. If there is no clearance then the single safety lug is taking the bolt thrust rather than the two locking lugs. This is a safety problem.

Questions are:

(1) What are possible causes? - bolt and receiver set back due to heavy loads? Too much bolt lug polishing? Bolt swapping...etc?

(2) Is it fixable by swapping bolts?

I'm thinking if just the bolt locking lugs were set back due to heavy loads, swapping bolts might work.

If the receiver shoulders were set back or polished excessively, it is not fixable.

Opinions will be appreciated.

Regards

JIm