Here is a letter that I wrote to Guns & Ammo. Sometimes they print my letter. I just want readers to get it right and not be confused about the magazine cutoff.

I read every article I find written by Garry James and really enjoy them. In the November 2012 issue of Guns & Ammo, he made error regarding the magazine cutoff operation on a 1903 Springfield rifle. Garry says ..."there was a cutoff that-when in the up position-allowed the gun to be fired as a single shot. With the cutoff in the down position, cartridges could be chambered from the integral box magazine..." This information is not correct.

My 1903 Springfield rifles have a magazine cutoff that works just the opposite of what Garry has written. Thanks for an informative article. All the best....
Gil

My magazine arrived yesterday. Just now opened it. What, I can't find your letter?!? Didn't they print it?

I wrote them once regarding a .270 WSM G&A Reloads and they didn't print mine either. You were kinder than me. The load recipes were annemic. I told them they should have titled it "the .270 WSM comes up short".

Since it appears that the original article was published in the November 2012 issue, it will probably be several months until the letter is published...if at all. Most magazines' lead-time is at least 3 months with all articles and content "put to bed" a minimum of 30 days prior to issue.

And my 1903 Springfield operates the same as Gil's.

Good catch. Most folks do not know how the 1903 Springfield operates. I will look for your letter. Take care...
Joe

I have "fixed' several "broken" 03A3's that guys brought out to the range that would not feed from the magazine....:)


Ah for the days when carefully aimed shots were important and wasting ammo was frowned upon.