Informational post on Gibbs 1903 a4

[jdmcomp]

Yeah, I know, farb. However, I wanted to shoot a 1903a4 and I would not nor could not afford an original. I do shoot a lot of replicas and save my originals for future collectors. So we got that out of the way. (see my periscope rifle post in the Enfields section for other replicas)

The scope mounted on the rifle was broken from the start. Gibbs folk sent me a new one and a shipping label for the old one. Good folk. The owners manual and all reviews of the rifle point out that the Asian contractor got the windage and elevation backwards. However the new scope does not have that problem. And with much luck, after mounting it, I needed only a couple of clicks each way to meet my laser boresighter. Too cold to shoot right now so range will have to wait. BTW the old scope was shiny blue and the new dull blue.

Overall the rifle is what you would expect. Needed a bit of touching up here and there and tightening of all screws (all were very loose). Action binds a bit on the extractor but that is to be corrected soon. New stock which was not fitted as should be. Except for the bolt, all parts got parking. Like a late war rebuild. I find rubbing lanolin into the park helps darken it somewhat as the oil ages. I cannot see the serial number but Gibbs assures me that it is under the scope mount. The actions are drill rifle salvage. Like all rifles of this ilk, that is assembled by the mad beavers, cleaning out of all the debris of the assembly shop is the first action and takes care of a lot of problems.

Accessories such as sling and carry case are typical cheap Asian copies and mostly show and no go. Gibbs should change this. Further, the rifles sent out for review by gun writers seem to be better made and have more details then mine, such as the stock cartouches (check out the review in Surplus Firearms Magazine). I do not think the writers are dishonest, but they do like the special deals they get from the companies they review.

Overall, this would be a great rifle for re-enactors to use and save the originals for collectors. Also a great rifle for shooters who want the experience and can share it with fellow shooters without worrying about a pristine safe queen.

As a PS, let me say that I see two groups of collectors, one the Canfield types who only want unissued/unshoot perfect examples the other, like me, that see the honest scars of use as a badge of honor to be respected. In either case, providing the experience of shooting these heros of history is also important. (So many military I know have never experienced the fun of the recoil of a 30'06 straight stock 03 in the rapid fire of a DCM match.)

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