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M1903 Springfield facts for kids

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M1903 Springfield
1903 Springfield Rifle.jpg
Type Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service
  • 1903–1936 (as the standard U.S. service rifle)
  • 1936–1970s (as a U.S. Army sniper rifle)
Used by See Users
Wars
Production history
Designed 1903 (1903)
Manufacturer
Unit cost $41.35 (1938), equal to $860 now
Produced 1903 (1903)–1949 (1949)
No. built 3,004,079
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Mass 8.7 lb (3.9 kg)
Length 43.2 in (1,100 mm)
Barrel length 24 in (610 mm)

Cartridge
  • .30-03 Springfield
  • .30-06 Springfield
Action Bolt action
Rate of fire User dependent; usually 15 to 30 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity 2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)
Effective firing range 100–300 yd (91–274 m)
Maximum firing range 5,500 yd (5,000 m) with .30 M1 ball cartridge
Feed system 5-round stripper clip, 25-round (air service variant) internal box magazine
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 type Bayonet

The M1903 Springfield, officially the United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903, 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, and it was officially adopted by the United States as the standard infantry rifle on June 19, 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.

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