Golden state arms 1943 standard info?

Hey guys, just picked up a GSA 1943 standard in 303. Well it's in layaway not technically mine yet. But like most rifles there are so many variations and so many things to look for. So I'm here for some knowledge. I know that the gun has England stamped on the side of it. Had Santa Fe arms on the barrel and magazine. Has a double peep rear sight. No pics yet but I'll get some soon when it's in my hands. But any info or things to look for would be mighty helpful. It was cheap enough that I know I didn't go wrong. But still would like to know more about it or even some links to websites that'll point me in the right direction. Anything would help and be appreciated. Thanks

A few pics would be invaluable. Sounds like a sporterized #4 rifle in .303 that was imported by Sana Fe arms, they did that enough. The double rear peep was the simplified battle sight and was the normal. Likely and English made model...lots of people made them. Lots of them were made.

I've read a little bit on the company since the first post. pretty much they aren't collectable as a military type rifle. My main concern was rather these were junk remakes of a classic rifle or military rifles made into more civilian type shooters. which after some more digging and reading I now know. ill post some pics of it once its in my hands.

they are not military collectibles , they were surplus rifles sported [albeit professionally] to sell to the public at a profit , some new stuff added and these have found a cult following of their own , including some collectors that decided they needed an example for their collection , as what they are - they are very nice , but they will never be a collectible military service enfield rifle , not necessarily a waste of money for someone who wants a really nice sporter to hunt with or shoot ,

Heres some pics of the receiver. ive circled where the markings are, and other than the santa fe stamp on the barrel, what you see are the only markings on it. theres a 4/5 on the magazine plate, "England" with the serial # under it, and a 2 on the bolt lug im assuming all the original marks were ground off. I just wanna make sure if this started life as a no. 4 mk 1,2,3?????, or even if its a no. 4, which im pretty sure it is. I know zero about enfield rifles. this is my first

I think if we looked closer at this one we'll find it started as a #4 rifle. Bog standard as Peter would say.

Just a little bit of advice from my experience.

I just recently sold off a GSA jungle carbine. The rifle began life as a 1944 BSA (M47C). GSA got hold of it, cut the barrel and refitted a No 5 flash-hider/front sight. The barrel was a beautiful 5 groove with a mirror finish. Original No 5 stock with a re-shaped No 4 fore end. The rifle was in immaculate condition, and looked to have been fired very little. I soon found out why.

When at the range, I found I could not hit the 100 yard target. Moved it to 50 yards, and found it was shooting three feet over the top of the target, and about 18" left. When GSA cut and re-fitted the flash hider, I doubt it was accuracy tested. It was still wearing a No 4 micrometer rear sight, and the change in barrel length (shortened) drastically altered the zero.

I ordered a used No 5 rear sight form Gun Parts. That helped quite a bit. I have a collection of front sights blades, and installed a -.03 blade, drifted as far right as possible. I Finally got it to shoot in the black at 100 yards. My guess is when GSA added the No. 5 front sight, it was most likely leaning slightly left, causing the far left of center grouping.

To summarize, if yours shoots badly, don't be discouraged. It can be remedied with some know how. At least in my case, I could remedy it. I have seen many GSA rifles in various guises. The ones I have seen always seemed to have immaculate barrels. My guess is, they shot so poorly due to GSA modification, they were quickly sold off.

Mine shot good (2-3/4 inch groups @ 100) with 1962 POF surplus 303. Sold it to make room for other goodies. Bought it for $200, sold it for $200. It was a fun shooter, so I hope you are able to enjoy it.

Arnold

Can't see it all but the rifle looks like it started its life as a bog standard No4 Mk1. Closer photos will tell the brethren exactly where it was made. But it looks like the local butcher (that's the UK equivalent word as bubba.....) has been let loose on the rear of the fore-end and sanded it to within an inch of its life. The trouble with your accuracy could be - if the fore-end is cut short or not fitted properly, that the barrel is whipping around like a bulldogs balls as the bullet it passing up the bore.

Hi. As the others have said you have a WW2 era No4 Mk1 rifle. However (discounting the rare Trials rifles made in small quantities at Enfield), there were five different factories that made them during the wartime period; three in the UK & two in North America. In the UK there were two government set up ordnance factories; one at Maltby in Yorkshire, & one at Fazakerley which is a suburb of Liverpool. The third contractor was BSA who were independent contractors & who set up a factory near Birmingham to make rifles like yours. The two factories in North America were the Savage Arms Corp., in the US & the Canadian government factory at Long Branch in Ontario Canada. Your rifle could have been made by any one of those facilities, but judging by the 'look' of the receiver, & the fact that it is a Mk1 rather than a Mk1* it is most likely to have been made in England by either BSA or Fazakerley. If the original manufacturer's markings have been linished off we might still be able to figure out who made the rifle from the serial number (unless it was renumbered when sporterised, of course).

Hope this helps a little.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

the barrel is whipping around like a bulldogs balls

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:rofl:

Well guys I sure do appreciate the input and advice so far. I strictly wanted this as a a fun shooter more than anything. It was cheep, so not bad for my first enfield. However I'm hoping it shoots better than the one smle addict had. If it doesn't shoot well then I know who to ask for suggestions to correct it. Like an idiot I didn't write down the serial# when I stopped by to take the pics, but ill have it home soon and will update you guys on it. They didn't look original though. Probly re-serialized like Roger brought up.

Modded 5 shot mag I see, were they done as some sort of law our Semi auto rifles are only allowed a 5 shot mag when you can get a semi auto rifle licensed in West Aus, wonder how you see the front sight or the target with a Bulldogs conjoolies bouncing around from the previous round. :dancingbanana:

And SMLE addict I used the Indian POF 303 Mk VII ammo for a while and thought I was firing a black powder weapon Click --------- Bang ! then all the confetti came out the front was crud 1967 vintage but kept the boys at the range laughing and the markers guessing!!!! :confused:

Pull the bullets and stuff the cordite in a new case with a good primer. Reseat and the rounds are right as rain. I can't find anymore POF but when I do I'll buy it for the mk7 bullet and the smell of cordite..;)

The 5 round mags were done as an attempt to make the rifle carry a bit better. They do sort of too...although I've had guys looking for the 5's specifically, I still think they want the tens...that's what they were designed with.

GSA/Santa Fe Arms had the five round magazines manufactured new. The are marked "Made in Japan". They are sought after by guys using sporterized LE's for hunting.