Gibbs 1903a4-got One

[Chuckindenver]

all the gibbs wanna be sniper rifles are recovered drill rifles, the finish they use is not a phosphate coating, likely a form of dura coat or something along that line, they did this to cover the weld marks,
i have no issue with a recovered drill rifle, only the fact that they cover it up, and miss lead buyers of these rifles. and use poor quality materials to build them..
my past experiances with the company and people the own {gibbs} isnt a good one....navy arms, old western scrounger, and a few other names has been used..
all owned or controled by the same company in one form or another.
yea know,,,if they would just say what the thing is and be honest...they would do better, then to try an hide or side line the truth...

[mike radford]

I traded for one as much out of curiousity as anything. It was new, complete with the stuff, case and unfired. It looks very nice.

The bolt is very rough. The magazine feed poorly. Trigger pull is pretty smooth. Scope optics are fair but the reticule covers over an inch thick at 100 yds and I can see waves in it, i.e., not linear. The scope adjusters are located at about 100 degress apart vs 90??

Shot the rifle yesterday off a bench rest at 100 yds using M2 ball. After bore sighting via eyeball and checking everything for tighness the first shot was one inch high and one and a half inches right(I average less than 3 inches off point of aim on bolt action guns with this type sighting). Wow I thought, this may be OK. Next shot hits 12 inches away!! What the sh&%? Checked everything. Tried another and hit not near either shot. Many shots and just no group of 5 shots better than 8 or 10 inches(so bad why measure). I brought an old Tasco 4X in Redfield rings I carry for my two real A4's and another replica that someone put together because a real M73b1 is not exactly precision optics and I like to see what the rifle can do when I can actually see something on the target less than 4 inches in size.

The first few shots were close and the 5 shot group more like 4 inches. I fired another and the group was 1.375 inches, more like my real A4's with match ammo.

Next I try match ammo and the bolt won't close. I try another match round to rule out a defective round but same results. I am assuming this means head space is too tight but in any event I gave up and let it cool before I hit it with Knock out foam.

Pretty discouraging overall but I am sure I can make it shoot. Sounds like it needs a gun smith first. Any thoughts on why the m2 chambered fine but not the US military match?

I have a 330S but I hate the post reticule. Maybe a commercial Alaskan, or just use the Tacso for the range and leave the junk Chinese scope on it while it is not in use.

[saddler]

Tedijr, a couple of minior points.

The Gibbs replica scope is a copy of the Weaver 330C or M73B1. The M73 was actually the militarized version of the Lyman Alaskan. It was planned for use on the M1903A4 but due to prodction difficulties none were delivered in time for A4 production. Some became available in time for issue with the M1-C in 1945.

M73B1 WAS the code of the military Weaver 330C
The Lyman Alaskan scopes were given the codes M81 & M82 - depending on the reticle style of that particular model scope.

I make covers for all the above, plus a few more besides!!

[JGaynor]

M73B1 WAS the code of the military Weaver 330C
The Lyman Alaskan scopes were given the codes M81 & M82 - depending on the reticle style of that particular model scope.

I make covers for all the above, plus a few more besides!!

Two scopes were initially approved for the M1903A4. The Lyman Alaskan (M73) and the Weaver 330C (M73B1). The scope specification was written broadly enough that both the Lyman and the Weaver could qualify. Due to difficulty obtaining the lenses from Bausch and Lomb no M73's were delivered in time for A4 production. Few M73's were issued as M73's. In early 45 the rubber eye shield and sliding steel sunshade were approved modifications to the M73. Most of the early M73's had their markings defaced and were electropenciled or etched M81. Yet another scope, the M73B2, was made in france by OPL and test ed experimentally in the ETO.

The Alaskan as either the M73, M81 or M82 began to appear in late 44 and early 45 and were used primarily on M1C's.

Regards,
Jim

[ballistic]

Amazing. I have arranged the purchase of 9 of these rifles in the last year, all with Criterion barrels. The wood quality is on par with after market replacement stocks, actually quite nice but not original. The scopes all "track" from 300 to 600 yards and back. The crosshairs are fine, but need to be used as iron sights at 600 (six o'clock hold). I have cleaned the 600 yard target a number of times in practice when I was on the wind with Hornady 168 amax. None of us ever had a feeding problem.
My concern is the recoil thing. Lighter to the point of more recoil? My Gibbs weighs 4oz less than my original A4. Never weighed them until I read this.
Something stinks here. I agree you need to seel it soon.