I just bought my first Krag rifle and I have no clue why I waited for so long to get one.  It's an 1894 and some MORON put an aluminum scope mount on it and chopped the barrel/forend and pulled off the sights but it has a good bore and I want to make this a shooter and now start saving up for an unaltered one.  I've heard an 03a3 sight will fit and fulton Armory has a front sight base with post for $10.95.  My barrel is 21 3/16" or 22 1/8" depending on which side of the front receiver ring you measure to.  So how hard is it to put this sight on and are there any tricks/tips I should do to make sure it's done "right".  Thanks guys and I'm sure this is the first of many questions.  Thanks!
CodyM
Colorado

I have not heard of an adaptation like this but I suppose it is possible.  I don't see how the A3 rear sight can go directly on the receiver since it has a split bridge.  If the scope mount sits over the center of the receiver, perhaps a dove tail for the A3 sight base can be miiled into it.  Depending how high the aperture winds up above the bore will determine how high a front sight you need.

Cody:  I am sure you mean fitting a 1903 or 03-A3 'banded' front sight base and blade on your Krag.  The inside diameter of the '03 sights is smaller than the outside diameter of the shortened Krag barrel.  It is necessary to bore through the '03 base or turn-down the diameter of the muzzle end of the Krag barrel in order to fit the '03 sight on the Krag.  The top of the barrel is then 'notched' so that a cross pin holds the sight base in place on the barrel.  I believe gunsmiths use to turn-down the barrel creating a step.  The '03 sight was then slipped on and pinned into place.  The 'step down' in the barrel diameter was slight and not noticeable, once the front sight was slipped into place.  Although not "original", this sight arrangement was a practical way to provide a front sight on a sporterized Krag.  (The proper way to measure barrel length is to insert a cleaning rod in the muzzle until it comes to rest against the closed bolt.  Mark the rod, remove it and measure.  This is your barrel length).

CodyM:  Although not an '03 or '03-A3 sight base, this banded front sight was installed on a Krag Sporter, that I have, in a similar fashion used with the '03 & '03-A3 sights.  (I believe my Krag has a recycled Model 30 Remington sight).  Please note the Krag barrel appears to 'step-down' and there is a second pin, almost invisible, holding the banded sight in place.

---

So is this the best way to go about putting a front sight on a krag made for shooting?  I only have 175 dollars in it and the bore and metal under the wood is VERY good.  The metal that was exposed on top of the action is the only part that has any patina/rust but the gun doesn't have a pit in it.  The stock has a 2" crack that extends from the middle of the butt plate forward but the wood isn't separated.  It's an 1894 model serial #141XX.  Should I be thinking original front sight or could a patient hobbyist with files/dremmel with a sanding drum remove enough metal from the inside of the front sight band to make it fit if it was heated up?  Or is there some other path I should be persuing?  Thanks guys I do appreciate the help

CodyM wrote on May 18^th, 2012 at 3:09am:

. . . could a patient hobbyist with files/dremmel with a sanding drum remove enough metal from the inside of the front sight band to make it fit if it was heated up?

Yes.

CodyM:  The '03-A3 sight is an inexpensive and practical solution for your front sight problem.  The inside diameter of the '03-A3 base will be around .625".  The outside diameter of your shortened Krag barrel is probably around .655", a difference of .030" or the thickness of a Credit Card.  (Take a short piece of 1/2" Dowel Rod, slotted at one end to hold patches or strips of Emery Cloth, and "chuck" the other end in a Drill Motor).  By inserting and working this shaft with emery cloth, back and forth, you should be able to remove enough metal from the inside of the '03-A3 sight-band to allow it to slip onto your Krag barrel.  Another option, especially if your barrel muzzle needs to be re-crowned, is to have a Machinist or Gunsmith 'chuck-up' your barrel on a lathe (action stripped but attached) and re-crown the barrel and machine a step on the barrel so that the '03-A3 sight can be driven on.  You need a slight notch across the top of the barrel to accommodate the cross-pin that holds the '03 sight band in place.  (If you need a cross-pin, make one from an appropriate size Finish Nail).  I'd like to see pictures of your Krag and its 'ugly' aluminum scope mount.  What are you going to use for a Rear Sight?

I cringe every time I see someone refer to "03A3" parts.  Cody recognized the hack job done by the bozo who shortened the rifle and put on the aluminum scope mount.  But in advising the use of 03A3 parts, are we not encouraging more of the same?

Yes, there are still a lot of 03A3 parts available and they are cheap.  But we should all remember that the reason for the 03A3 and all its parts was 1942-1945 mass production, with almost no attempt at quality control of any part except bolts and receivers and a lot of slop in tolerances for everything else. 

One of the reasons I love my Krags is that they are precision-made pieces of machinery, tangible pieces from a time long gone when men could be justifiably proud of their work and their products.  When we put 03A3 parts on a Krag or on a "real" 1903, it makes me think we have lost sight of that.

There are parts available for the original 1903, both Springfield and some Rock Island production, made to the same tolerances used for the Krag, probably made with the same machinery and probably made by some of the same men.  There are also good quality aftermarket or salvage front sight bands.  It does not take too much searching to come up with one.

If someone marketed a precision-moulded composite (plastic) stock and hand-guard for a Krag carbine, guaranteed to fit and with simulated wood grain and inspector's marks, would you buy one?

Yes, I would buy a quality plastic Krag stock and hand-guard to use on a 'beater' or 'shooter' that has been already ruined by scope mount holes in the receiver, barrel shortened with replacement or no front sight, or dove-tail filed into barrel.  Cody wants to build a 'shooter' for the range at little expense, while he saves to buy a collectible.  Nothing has been suggested that ruins something rare or collectable.  'Stepping the barrel' to put on '03-A3 sight would also allow it to accept a more collectable (and expensive) 1903 sight.  I'm answering the question.  No Bozo here!

---

reincarnated:  I bet my 'scant' stock, Remington made, 1903-A3 will probably out shoot any Krag or 1903 Springfield you own.  I use to detest the 1903-A3.  Now I respect them!

If I knew how to post pics I would.  I have some JPEGS from a digital phone but that's it.  I am scanning gun broker for an original Krag sight.  I know the 1892 is cheaper but I'm leaning towards an 1898/1899/1901 since they are click adjustable for windage.  I don't really want to push this gun.  I'm getting ready to order some cast lead bullets to see if this rifle likes .310/.311/.312 etc and once I find that out I'm going to order a mold from   (You need to Login and use Alox lube with 2400 (hopefully) if everything goes to plan.  I'll keep you posted. :)

CodyM:  There is no 1899 sight (maybe you meant 1896?).  On a 'Sporter', I like the 1902 sight.  It is rugged, (less confusing than the 1898 with its 3 sight notches), has nice windage adjustment, most have a swing up 'peep', and it is the most common and least expensive.

---

Agreed.  I have 1902s on both of my Krags.  Much easier to adjust for windage and elevation than the 1901! 

On the subject of bullets, have your barrel slugged.  Don't shoot .310 or larger if your barrel slugs at .308.  If your barrel is worn or dark, you might consider shooting jacketed bullets... especially if this is to be a fun shooter/beater.