When the USA started drafting men by the hundreds of thousands the training system was just overwhelmed. There was both a shortage of cadre and experience officers with firearms training. The most common cause of action failures during these times was bore obstructions. Although there was a rash of model 1917 action failures at the same time these are now overlooked. All the 1917 action failures were attributed to bore obstructions. A.L. Woodworth (Not Hatcher) did the actual hands-on investigation at Springfield Armory of the 1903’s wrote a report for “Army Ordnance” “The Bursting of Rifles in Service” . Which was reprinted, later in The American Rifleman of December, 1929. In regard to the 1917’s blowing up I would suggest you read “The Price of Carelessness” by S. Trask Arms and the Man May 4, 1918.
I can supply both articles via-email if needed.
