I just picked up an Eddystone M1917 to add to the collection and was able to shoot it Friday. I also have an RIA M1903 amongst other classics I was able to compare it to. But to compare same era rifles, I focused on WWI rifles. Both receivers were made in 1918, but the 03 barrel is a 41 manufacure while the m1917 was an original 1918. The M1917 is the only cock on close rifle I own, so it feels weird to me, but I shot the m1917 so much better than the 1903. The sights on the enfield are so much better in my opinion. I really struggle with the 1903 sights and it shows on target too. The experience of shooting them side by side reinforced the importance of the improvements made to the m1903a3. To be honest, the 1903 was the worst shooting rifle I shot between everything in the picture below. Granted everything else had a peep sight, but I couldn't get comfortable with the sight picture of the 03. I dont like the blade sights of the 03 rifles, it feels like there should be something there toprotect it. I love the classics and it's awesome to shoot the old school rifles every once in a while. TBH, for the money I'd take the M1917 over the M1903. Thoughts?