gibbs o3a4

[Sunray]

"...reheated them..." You can't re-heat treat a receiver. When steel is heat treated, the surfaces warp. It's highly unlikely Gibbs is heat treating for a replica(says in the ad its a replica). They're just using parts to build replicas. 1903A4's didn't have 4 groove rifleing either. At least mine doesn't.

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[JGaynor]

"...reheated them..." You can't re-heat treat a receiver. When steel is heat treated, the surfaces warp. It's highly unlikely Gibbs is heat treating for a replica(says in the ad its a replica). They're just using parts to build replicas. 1903A4's didn't have 4 groove rifleing either. At least mine doesn't.

Four groove barrels were used primarily in the early M1903A4's. Overall it appears that about 30% (give or take) used 4 groove barrels and the rest including virtually all of the "z's" and 4.99n,nnn series used 2 groove barrels.

Some exceptions will be noted.

Regards,

Jim

[Fick_2141]

I had the oprotunity to handle one of these 03A4 repros and speak directly to Val from Gibbs rifle Co.
These 03A4's are not recycled drill rifles. They are made from G.I. 03A3 recivers in good working order. For the money you get a pefectly functioning very accurate (new barrel) scoped 03A3 with new wood in a configuaration that is faithfull to an original A4. The little 4x scope is cheesey though, but for the price it is neglegable. They are shootable, enjoyable replicas that in no way could be passed off as an original A4.
The one I handled was to become a trophy rifle for the CMP 3 gun 900 pt. agregate at the Eastern Games. I sure would have liked to win it, but I came up a bit short falling off the pace shooting my P17 Eddistone in the last leg.
Without a windage adj. I was holding off to the right 5 MOA, but still posted a 267/300 to come in 6th overall. David Thompson was in the hunt lurking behind Sean Lighton, CWO3 Pete Burns USMC, Doug Armstrong, and myself comming into the last leg of the 900 ag. Thompson came on strong and passed all of us in the last match. It was a real horse race, and very exciting to be in the running for once. The 3 gun agg is a very competitve event with some of the best shooters in the country, with a prise worthy of their efforts.
Congrats to Mr. Thompson. He shot a hell of a match.

[Chuckindenver]

id like to see one, not that i dont belive you, but.
they dont show a left side close up of the receiver, thats suspect for me.
from a company that sells recovered drill rifle receivers on the same website.
also,
the comment that the A4,s didnt come with 4 groove barrels...???

the majority of the A4 production used 4 groove barrels, only late in production did the use the 2 groove barrels, unless its a replacement barrel

[Chuckindenver]

i just spoke to someone who has purchased one of these,
his comment.
nice looking rifle, even though its a recovered drill rifle.
said he is still happy, though the scope was cheesy.
so.
maybe they use both.

[Calif-Steve]

The way I hear it, they are recovered Drill Rifles. Certainly not advertised as such.

[jak]

What is cheesey about the scope? flimsy ? made cheap ?

[goo]

in any case, good bad or otherwise, they will probably hold their value.we will probably see them on gunbroker or auctionarms starting around $2000.00 in the near future.
...
my fake o3a1..
...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/...c96915.jpg?v=0


...
gibbs rifle ad,
...
1903-A4 Sniper Rifle

[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.