Springfield 1903 and stripper clips

[Guy]

I have a Springfield 1903 that belonged to my father. He made a sporter stock for it, but as far as I know he did not alter the rifle's action at all. When I load rounds one at a time, it gives flawless reliability. WHen I load it via stripper clips, the bolt will often fail to pick up a new round from the magazine when I cycle it. Any ideas on what could be causing this and how to correct it? Thanks.

[Kragman71]

Guy,
It's possible that you have not engaged the magazine access lever. It's on the left side of the receiver,and in the 'up' position(I think),the rifle will ony fire single rounds. In the 'down' position rounds can be fed from the magazine.
Frank

[bja105]

Guy,
It's possible that you have not engaged the magazine access lever. It's on the left side of the receiver,and in the 'up' position(I think),the rifle will ony fire single rounds. In the 'down' position rounds can be fed from the magazine.
Frank

Its the opposite.  Up, is 'On."  feeds from the magazine.   Down is "Off", feeds a single loaded round at a time.  Middle position is to remove the bolt.  If you forget it in the middle position, then work the action briskly, you get a bolt on the floor and a dumb look on your face.

[Guy]

Guy,
It's possible that you have not engaged the magazine access lever. It's on the left side of the receiver,and in the 'up' position(I think),the rifle will ony fire single rounds. In the 'down' position rounds can be fed from the magazine.
Frank

Its the opposite.  Up, is 'On."  feeds from the magazine.   Down is "Off", feeds a single loaded round at a time.

Aha! That makes sense. I've always wondered why it had that little switch. I don't have a user's manual and I'm about as mechanically inclined as a paramecium.

Middle position is to remove the bolt.  If you forget it in the middle position, then work the action briskly, you get a bolt on the floor and a dumb look on your face.

Actually, the last time I did that I nearly got a busted lip...

[koli]

I always make it a practice to get a manual for any new firearm I get.  You should be able to find something on-line.