Scope Holes in Front Locking Lug

[cycloneshooter]

For all you gunsmiths out there...

Sent a high numbered 1903 springfield action out for rebuild. Company said it is unsafe to use because the front drilled and tapped holes are 1/4" too far rearward. The wording they used is the previous gunsmith 'drilled the front locking lug". the recommend demilling and destroying the receiver because of it.

Has anybody heard of anything like this? I am not a gunsmith or an expert on this matter, but i am curious why a threaded hole would cause an action to be unsafe. Is this a pressure issue?

I am trying to learn something here. And if this is really a ruined part, I am going to have to find another action or method for completeing my project.

thanks for the info.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Definitely a major pressure issue if the smith drilled in the wrong spot like that and he should be the one picking up the tab for a replacement if you are the one who paid for the job and it was done improperly like you stated.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

possible...depends on where exactly it was drilled..

 

[Musket Man]

It sounds like the the hole is drilled to far back and is drilled into the lug and this gun smith feels the hole has weakened the lug and it is not safe now. If or when it would actually fail or not is hard to say but I expect they are telling you to destroy it to be on the safe side. The 4 bolt actions I just looked at (2 Win 70's, 1 rem 700, and a 1917 enfield) all have the rear front hole drilled just forward of the lug. Could you post pics of it?

 

[cycloneshooter]

I will definitely post a couple pictures once I get it back.

Whats the issue with the hole being in the locking lugs? Whats the problem that it causes?
I have been around guns a long time, and I cant say I have ever heard this being a problem.

The smith did say the holes were too far rearward, but i cant believe i have the only sporterized military action that has been altered in this manner.

 

[Musket Man]

The hole could weaken the lug and cause it to break and the gun could potentially blow up if it is drilled in the wrong place. Weather it would or not or what the chances are I dont know but it sounds like that is your gun smiths concern.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I will definitely post a couple pictures once I get it back.

Whats the issue with the hole being in the locking lugs? Whats the problem that it causes?
I have been around guns a long time, and I cant say I have ever heard this being a problem.

The smith did say the holes were too far rearward, but i cant believe i have the only sporterized military action that has been altered in this manner.

You must not realize the extreme pressures that occur when a round is ignited or you wouldn't keep asking why drilling there could be a problem. Any time you lessen the thickness of the steel in an area that is designed to withstand a certain maximum pressure you're asking for big problems. Drilling those holes improperly like that greatly increases the chance of a catastrophic failure and I would hope you don't want to risk life and limb over something like that. It may never happen or it could happen on the first round that is shot through it. You should be thankful you took it to a place that knows what they're doing and are telling you exactly what should be done to eliminate a potential rupture at those drill spots. Follow their advice, scrap it, and start over with the added cost going to the "professional" that drilled the holes incorrectly in the first place!