Springfield 03

[Johm D M]

I have bought a sporterized springfield 03 [High Number] with iron sights. It needs to be drilled and tapped for a scope mount but what about the safety? Is there a drop in kit to use or can one try to shorten the old existing one . This has been done reasonably well and is a good shooter but my eyes are not what they were 35 years ago. Gianni 

[gunnut69]

There are several companies that make safety conversions and kits available to alter for a low mounted scope. Some require little more than disassembly of the striker assembly others require machine work to the cocking piece. There are even triggers available that have side mounted safeties already on board.. Check them out at Brownells on the web. Installation of most is fairly straight forward in the 03.. I assume you know the bolt will have to be altered to clear a low mount scope. They can be bent but I much prefer cutting the old one off and welding on a newly made one. It allows the shape I prefer and a bit longer handle which is important to easy bolt operation.  Good luck on this great old rifle..

[ScoutMan]

Gunnut gave you good advice.

Here is another option. If you suscribe to the Scout concept (as I do), a rib for the Ruger # 1 can be mounted on the barrel forward of the receiver.  The barrel is thick enough so that no midification needs to be made to the rib. Then a scout scope can be mounted. This solves both the safety problem and the bolt problem.

The downside, is that it adds about a pound or more to the weight of an already heavy rifle. With the scope mounted you are about at 9 lbs.