Informational post on Gibbs 1903 a4

[Calif-Steve]

I have heard Gibbs has a pile of '03 (not A4!) bolts out of England from Parker-Hale. This was 20(?) years back. I'd guess the bolts cost a quarter? Maybe. Also hear the Italian barrels are NOT cheap. Gibbs is paying real money as they are coming via a 3rd party. Italian wood isn't cheap either. Scopes out of China most likely cheap. Factor in labor and Gibbs can't be making any real money on these things. They make an interesting toy, so good luck to all.

[Neal Myers]

Maybe Chuck can answer this: Is a drill rifle safe to shoot?

Neal

[Jim Tarleton]

I have built numerous sporter rifles from drill rifle receivers including calibers 22-250, 257 Roberts Imp, 243, 30-06, 7mm, 8mm, and 270 Win. Not one has developed any issues where safety is concerned, and I do push the envelope in the 22-250 and the 257 Rob Imp. After hundreds of rounds, no change in headspace in any of them.

My father was a professional welder (nuclear industry), and I am less than professional although I have been welding for over forty years (professional welders can do amazing things I cannot). I fail to see how the small tack welds I have seen can change the heat treatment of the receiver, particularly when the weld is made with the barrel attached (huge heat sink). People unfamiliar with the nature of welding and heat treatments are more likely to have unfounded fears, in my opinion. I for one, do not.

No one I know, including me, is going to make any guarantees due to liability issues in a litigious society. Evidently, Gibbs is willing to make that leap in faith. I seriously doubt they would do so unless they have extreme confidence in the safety of the rifles.

The choice is one the buyer must make, just as firing LN 03's is a matter of choice. I also think waiting for a LN 03 to fail is like waiting for a huge asteroid to hit the earth.

Jim

[Calif-Steve]

"waiting for a huge asteroid to hit the earth." I saw that movie Friday night. I'm a believer.

[Jim Tarleton]

I believe one will eventually hit, but not in my lifetime, which is the point of the comment.

Jim

[Chuckindenver]

Maybe Chuck can answer this: Is a drill rifle safe to shoot?

Neal

Hi Neal,
i was going to stay out of this post do to my opinion on Gibbs rifles...
however..
are recovered drill rifles safe???hmmmm...
lets straighten this out..ok.
the 1903A3 recovered drill rifles that didnt get welded by Rosey the welder seem ok, iv done more then a few, and my personal shooter is such a rifle.
things to look for, deep welds, and real hot spots. warped rear bridge..
pour workmanship when cutting the welds, and cleaning up those areas is an issue, seems anyone with a dremil tool can be a pro..
its been my experiance that the heat from having the barrel welded to the reciever ring, raises up that edge, and it must be surfaced, or a new barrel will be pretty tough to install,
again, the quality of craftmanship in this area will surly effect accuracy.
iv seen a nice uneven gap between the barrel and reciever face,,not good.
forcing the barrel to index will likely bend, or break the reciever, and you may not see untill its too late.
all that being said, if someone takes the time, and uses a lightly welded rifle, and checks for all the above issues, i dont see an issue with safety over any other 1903A3 with factory type loads, hand loads? your on your own.
recovered 1903 drill rifles...DHT..use caution..watch for cracks and heat damage as well. and use the above guidelines...
SHT???are you nuts?? not only no, but HELL NO..
Nickle steel RIA and SA...same as the Remington 03,s and A3,s..
all this being said...im on record saying that you should NOT make any 1903 or A3 thats been modified for Drill use, into a live rifle...and if you do,,please use the basic common since that most humans now a days seem to be lacking.
ok...
thats out of the way.. i really dont have an issue with someone recovering and selling a drill rifle...however..i have an issue with anyone, private or commecial selling one without telling future buyers and owners EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE.. not side stepping the truth, and putting in soft hello kitty words... THEY WERE WELDED SHUT, WITH A 4 INCH STEEL ROD DRIVIN INTO THE CHAMBER SO THEY WOULDNT BE FIRED. and the gov says they should not be made to fire.. if anyone asks.,.thats what should be said..
dont sugar coat it..tell it like it is..most guys wont care, and will take it for what it is..some guys will walk away from them...and thats ok.
these were being advertised as old salute rifles,, they were never used for salute teams, ever,, they were used by the ROTC Rifle drill teams, some were used very hard, tossed in the air, drug through the rocks and dirt by highschool aged kids, painted silver, white, and gold..some chrome plated for honor guards..
many were in such pour shape and the stocks broken off, that they were sold for 40.00 by the CMP as barreled actions...{i ended up with 40 of those}
some had bent barrels.,a couple had parts broken off , like the bolt handle ect..
all the rifles Gibbs ended up were the last bunch the bottom of the barrel so to speak, well after all of us had picked through them and they were sold in bulk at a one time buy to old western scrounger.. cuz the CMP didnt want to deal with them anymore, and so on.. so take that for what its worth.