1903 Springfield build 5th rd pop out issues

[Baltimoreed]

Has anyone in the forum had the 5th rd pop out when ejecting the 4th rds mty brass on their 03? Happened to me a couple of times yesterday when test firing my 1903 school rifle build. I swapped the milled follower for another that I had and put a shim under the mag spring to eliminate the wiggle where it slides in the baseplate. With mty brass it seems to work ok but Ill shoot it this week for real. What causes this? A weak spring or the follower?

[butlersrangers]

Any chance the 'milled follower' is for the U.S. model of 1917 (Enfield)?

Look for an 'eagle head' inspection stamp.

[Baltimoreed]

Dont see any proof marks or stamps.

[butlersrangers]

I took some quick pictures of the follower on my 1935 vintage, 1903 Springfield.

(Possibly has the rear of your follower been beveled to allow the bolt to close on an empty magazine)?

[Baltimoreed]

With the swapped out follower and shim between the spring and floorplate it seems to be fixed. One of those gun things where a few thou more or less between parts makes a big difference. Thx.