Basically, if any danger exists it is so small as to be inconsequential. I daresay one stands a much higher risk of catastrophe befalling him by getting in his car and driving on I-95. How many of us regularly fire Krags and not bat an eye? Now there is an accident waiting to happen if there ever was one, but we (including myself) fire them with impunity. The early '03 was essentially the same steel formula but in a much better designed action. I have never understood the attitude toward low # Springfields.
I wonder how many words in print have been devoted to hashing over this old rhubarb during the last 90 years? If the Ordnance Dept. had never brought it to light we would have blithely gone along as if nothing were wrong and all was right with the world.
JMO.