How does one convert an A3 to A4 ????

[colreed]

I did a search and couldn't find what I need. Sorry if asked before.
Am thinking about converting my 1903A3 to an A4 and do not know the process. Was hoping there is a checklist, or set of instructions, that detail all that is needed to complete the process. Am thinking there should be a step-by-step somewhere on the web.

What I have on hand is:
1903A3 SN 4,133,xxx
Weaver model 330 scope
Redfield JR S-special scope mount base 511141
3/4" split JR/SR scope mount rings, std rear/front, low height

I have no knowledge of what is involved. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Chuckindenver]

you can never convert it to an A4.
you can spend a bunch of money making a 700.00 rifle into a 300.00 rifle.

[Mike D]

If you want a faux A4, most will suggest finding an action already drilled or a drill rifle receiver.

[Roy]

Chuck and Mike are right. However if you really want a faux A4 it is a interesting project. Its taken me years to gather the pieces for one here in New Zealand but I finally did it. I wouldent drill the receiver on a nice A3 unless its already been devalued already and unless you are going to make a military 'clone' ie with a M73B1 scope etc. it will never be worth that much. See if you can find just a reciever or a barreled action, rebarrel it if neccesary, new barrels arent hard to get.
The bolt is the hardest bit to get right, if you can spent the money on a original bolt, I wish I did. Or, make the cutout in the stock and have it look nice, Then find a good 'civilian made' bolt that fits the cut out, my one does not quite fit the cut out that I made since the bend in the bold is not quite enough and the bolt does not close, it will have to be re-bent a little. If I were to make a cutout to fit the bolt i'd have to cut halfway down the side of the stock.
Do you have top split rings redfield rings? they are the correct ones for a weaver 330 scope. A C-stock or a Scant stock is the correct stock to have.

Have fun!

[colreed]

Roy,
I appreciate all your good info. For some reason I thought all it took was to replace the bolt, stock, knock out the rear sight and install the scope mount, and voila, .....in business. I'm now reading 'drill the receiver'. I don't know what all that is about. (Much to learn). As for the bolt, if I procede, I think I best purchase the correct one. I don't need any more headaches.
Yes, I do have the redfield 3/4 split rings, and although not the 'totally correct' scope, I do have the 330 which will give it the 'look'.
Again, thanks, and any other advice would be most helpful.
Regards
Reed

[Chuckindenver]

how you gonna mount that base without holes?? 2 screws need 2 holes to hold it on...

[Promo]

Please, take at least a 03A3 system and not a M1903 which would be completely wrong for a 03A4 conversion.

[Chuckindenver]

right now im in the middle of such a travisty...
have a guy that contacted me through ebay on my replica sniper bolt ad, and asked if i can repair a real bolt that the handle came off...i said no way..something else is up.
told me on the phone that he has a real 1903A4 just like the one he had in Nam..ok...well, if thats the case, why would the bolt handle come off in your hand..
well....come to find out, he doesnt have a real A4, doesnt have a real A4 bolt...heck it aint even a 1903A3...its a 1903 that was sporterized poorly, and had a modified 1917 barrel installed, and now it wont work right...tell me this is safe??no...
then it turns into..i had a 1903A1 sniper, with a target scope ect...and i want to mount a 20 power Unertle on it with that redfield base....so i ask...ok, how you gonna do that?
just mount it on the rings.... no... no your not.

[colreed]

Well, having already admitting my lack of knowledge on this subject, I thought the base might just slip in to the slot where the rear sight was removed Got a lot to learn.

---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------

right now im in the middle of such a travisty...
have a guy that contacted me through ebay on my replica sniper bolt ad, and asked if i can repair a real bolt that the handle came off...i said no way..something else is up.
told me on the phone that he has a real 1903A4 just like the one he had in Nam..ok...well, if thats the case, why would the bolt handle come off in your hand..
well....come to find out, he doesnt have a real A4, doesnt have a real A4 bolt...heck it aint even a 1903A3...its a 1903 that was sporterized poorly, and had a modified 1917 barrel installed, and now it wont work right...tell me this is safe??no...
then it turns into..i had a 1903A1 sniper, with a target scope ect...and i want to mount a 20 power Unertle on it with that redfield base....so i ask...ok, how you gonna do that?
just mount it on the rings.... no... no your not.

What a story......LMAO. Hope the guy doesn't blow himself up

[JGaynor]

Attachment 31360

A4 receiver showing holes for mounting the scope base.

Although A4 rifles were marked 03-A3 they were not built from finished A3 rifles. A quantity of unhardened A3 receivers was diverted from the A3 contract for assembly into A4's. After the receivers were serial numbered and marked the rest of the A4 assembly was completed on a separate production line at the Remington plant.

Regards,

Jim