gibbs o3a4

[ralfus]

I looked forward to seeing this rifle at the NRA Convention. I was NOT impressed.

The rifle looks fine on video, in a catalog or from 10 feet away. Holding one is a let-down unless you have never looked closely at a real A4.

The receiver is a former drill receiver. The weld clean up on the cut-off area was obvious. I asked the one person present at the booth (not much of a PR guy) if they were re-heat treated. He said "no, but I'm the guy that puts them together and none have blown up". He was pleasant, just not the "big sales pitch" type. However, Val Forgett said in this video that they are "rehardened" drill rifles and I cant explain Flick's being told a contradiction about the origin of the receivers. Something is fishy

The bolt handles look like poorly done and not quite finished sporter bolt handles. I know the A4 handles had some variations but there was a certain look and the sample repro wasn't close.

The scope base was clearly marked "Gibbs Rifle Co" (or similiar) right dab in the center over the loading/ejection port. This is uglier than the warning lable on Ruger barrels. It could have been smaller or more inconspicously placed. Like on the underside where you could not see it easily. I understand avoiding its use for fraud but this was too much.

The scope's eye relief felt like about 5 inches and was awkward. The "TELESCOPE M73 etc" was marked on the tube, in the usual area where the hand engraved serial numbers were to be found. The adjustment knob plate was plain and devoid of any lettering. The overall look of the scope contours and profiles was "cheap".

I have never owned an A4 so maybe some will consider me unqualified to comment. I had planned on putting together a repro with my National Ord 1903A3 and Weaver 330 and rings. I have looked at A4's for months and saved many pics and wanted to get the look "close" without going broke. I cancelled the project until I get a good recevier and turn the NatOrd into a paperweight. I had planned on getting the base from Gibbs but doubt it now unless they are dirt cheap.

Anybody have a drilled and tapped sportered receiver they want to sell?? The hole pattern is not as issue as I could plug and start over and cover it all up.

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