[Sarge39]

What is the difference between front sight protectors for the 1903 model and the 03A3 model? Are they interchangable between the different rifles?

 

[dfariswheel]

As I recall, they fit both rifles.
Since the sights and barrels are essentially the same, the military didn't want to have to supply two different lousy sight protectors.

 

[Tennboy]

Gun Parts Corp has 'em....

....for $5.65.

 

[Rick the Librarian2]

At that price they are almost certainly reproductions. Some of the reproductions are poorly made or don't fit well.

 

[SWEDE1983]

had one on my 1903A3. could barely see the top of the front sight post when sighting in on my target. the concept on having one is a fine idea, but it just wasnt functional, so i took it off. As we all know, with any rifle you have to be careful not to bump the front sight, but with this rifle you have to be extra careful especially since that blade is so thin.

 

[HowdyDoody]

I think the covers were intended to protect the front sight and were never intended to be left on when the rifle is in use.

Jim

 

[Jungles]

I think the covers were intended to protect the front sight and were never intended to be left on when the rifle is in use.

Jim

That's correct, although many people - myself included - have and do leave them on anyway. There's often just enough clearance to still use the front sight.

One solution, assuming you can find one, is to get one of the Marine Corps front sight protectors. They were designed for use with the USMC sights, and therefore have a larger hood with gives a lot more clearance with the standard front sight.

 

[SWEDE1983]

USMC sights? wasnt aware there were different types. How are they different? Any idea where can one get one of these MC front sight protectors? I'd like to do something historically correct if possible to protect the sights.

 

[Jungles]

A member just posted pictures of the USMC sights and sight protector in another thread. Basically, the USMC sights used a different elevation slide, with a larger rear aprature sight, along with a wider and slightly higher front sight blade. The USMC front sight protector looks similar to the standard ones, but larger, and does a bit better job of centering the front sight blade.

I've had mine for years. Not sure where you'd find an original one these days.

 

[Tennboy]

At that price they are almost certainly reproductions.

Maybe so, Rick, but the photo accompanying the item on their web site shows a well-worn specimen.

 

[Rick the Librarian2]

If they are original, at that price, they're a bargain. At less than $6, I'd like to hear what shows up. Most protectors sell in the $15-25 range. Unless GPC fell into a whole barrel of them I'd like to see them, first. GPC sometimes has the reputation of using foreign-made reproductions, deserved or otherwise.

If anyone orders one, I'd sure like to see what shows up.

 

[Homer2]

I leave mine on my '03's, but not on my 03a3. With the 03a3, it crowds the sight picture, but works well with the 03 since it becomes easier to pick up the front sight and acquire the target easier.

 

[Tennboy]

If they are original, at that price, they're a bargain. At less than $6, I'd like to hear what shows up. Most protectors sell in the $15-25 range. Unless GPC fell into a whole barrel of them I'd like to see them, first. GPC sometimes has the reputation of using foreign-made reproductions, deserved or otherwise.

If anyone orders one, I'd sure like to see what shows up.

Less than $6 does sound pretty cheap, now that I think about it. Nothing original in GI parts is cheap anymore.

 

[Billofthenorth2]

I had to take them off mine too since they interfere with sighting. Too bad. You'd think someone would come up with a protector like that on the VZ24, ears that don't block the sight picture. Since they are easily removeable they wouldn't effect collectibility.