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    fabing a4 bolt

    hi guys, new to forum and 1903s. i found a bubba'd a3 with the action already drilled for a scope so its a great canidate for an a4 project. i,ve already found out the new style redfield scope base mounts do not fit the receivers correctly and need to be ground and polished to sit flat on the front of the receiver and to align the scope rings parallel to the bore. i'm a retired machinest and enjoy the challenge. the big problem is the bolt handle, like most builders have. is the correct way of bending the bolt handle , cut it off shape it and bend it as close as possible to an a4 shape, and then clean it up and polish it, then weld it back on the bolt ? i"ve read as much as possible here and other forums, where some say just bend as required to clear the m73 scope tube, but i have the equipment to try to duplicate it as close as i can, and enjoy doing my own machine work. i,ve never seen any real a4s at a gun show, so i can only go by pictures downloaded from the net. been looking forward to this project for some time. took a while to find a complete bubba'd a3. that was'nt sporterized. i'm sure i'll have more questions, and any help will be appriciated.
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    1903 A3 Springfield rifle bolt low bolt handle : Rifle Bolts at GunBroker.com
    Here is what I bought for mine(03a4). He also has bolt bodies for $14.00.AGB-1

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    1093a4 Sniper Bolt? Pictures of bolt.AGB-1

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    Quote Originally Posted by AGB-1 View Post
    1093a4 Sniper Bolt? Pictures of bolt.AGB-1
    Thanks for the pics, I bought a training bolt, and was able to form a pretty good clone of the a4 from your pics and what I was able to find on the Internet . I then cut it off and tig welded it to my bolt. I'm happy with it. Next is to finish reaming the chamber, my original barrel was all pitted, and the po gave me a new 2-44 gi barrel. What a pita to get the cheese cloth and cosmolineicon off, but worth the effort, nice patina and great barrel. Thanks again.

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    You should be aware that all legitimate A4's have a slight relief cut in the receiver rail just to the rear of the receiver bridge.
    So you need three things:
    1. Bent bolt.
    2. Relief cut in receiver. (see pic)
    3. Bolt handle Notch in the stock.

    The CMPicon custom shop will do #1 and #3 for $135. (on your rifle) + shipping.

    Regards,
    Jim
    Attachment 50702
    Last edited by JGaynor; 03-03-2014 at 07:39 PM.

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    Contributing Member AGB-1's Avatar
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    JGaynor,
    What was the purpose of the relief cut? Do the Gibbs clone A4 have it.Thanks,AGB-1

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    the gibbs rifle is NOT an A4..
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

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    Quote Originally Posted by AGB-1 View Post
    JGaynor,
    What was the purpose of the relief cut? Do the Gibbs clone A4 have it.Thanks,AGB-1
    AGB-1 I can only speculate that clearance cut in the receiver was thought necessary to ensure the root of the A4 bolt handle cleared the receiver. The topic came up a while back and I examined photographs of several dozen original A4 Receivers from all across the serial number ranges. They all had the cut.
    I honestly don't know if Gibbs (or Rock Ridge or whoever actually builds these things!) is bothering to reproduce the cut. The bolt is the most complicated and time consuming aspect of these conversions.

    Regards,
    Jim

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    Thanks for your reply.AGB-1

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