I wanted a Gibbs Repro A4, but....

[daveboy]

I had been wanting one of the Gibbs reproduction 03A4s for quite awhile now. I knew that I could not afford the real deal. Then, a deal on an awesome, actual A4 came along and I couldn't pass it up. I posted a few pics of this before, but I just now got it completed the way I want it and also fired it.

I cleaned the cosmoline off, installed a sorta correct scope, and put it in a new CMP stock. The scope I was able to find is the Weaver 330, which I know is what the early A4s came with. However, this one is the model with the screw adjustable adjustments and the post reticle. I have read conflicting opinions on whether this particular scope was issued with this rifle.

I had the CMP stock just sitting around and cut me a nice groove for the bolt and I think it looks pretty good. It might be kinda appropriate, because based on what the seller told me, this may have been a DCM rifle. I live near Anniston, AL, and the seller stated that the person he got it from said it "came from Anniston Army Base." The seller received this rifle from a neighbor who willed it to him over twenty years ago. The seller just recently fired it for the first time and decided that the recoil was too much for him.

As you can see by the target, it is a shooter. That is a .8" group at 100 yards from a rest. Not bad for a 70 year old rifle, 70 year old optics, and nearly 70 year old eyes.

Comments, opinions, criticisms please.

daveboy


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[daveboy]

The sweetest part is that I got a great deal on the rifle and scope. Only a few more dollars than what Gibbs wants for the repro.

A few more pics:
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[Darreld Walton]

Nice looking rifle! Your group is fairly typical of what I've got with similar rigs. If you get a chance, pull that 330 off sometime and mount a quality scope with more magnification, and see what your load will do! You don't have to leave it on there, but you might be surprised at the improvement you get on paper with a boost in magnification, and a better reticle.

[Fred]

Nice rifle! Great shooting also! From strictly a personal point of view, even though it wouldn't be historicly correct, I'd be inclined to replace all of the stamped funiture with milled furniture. I saw one put together like that 38 years ago by a guy I used to work with, Klyde Kerr. He used it in matches at the old Pioneer Gun Club around Kansas City, MO. That rifle looked first rate. I don't belive that it had an 03A4 receiver though. It was just an 03A3. Anyway, you've got a wonderful rifle and you certainly know how to hold your groups tight! Well done!!

[Allen Humphrey]

Superb looking rifle! Your photographs are first rate too. I'm betting you used a real camera with a tripod.

[daveboy]

Well, I could put on better optics, but I kinda like the retro scope. Not to mention that I am probably the biggest reason my groups aren't tighter. And, milled parts would probably look nicer, and a milled trigger guard might actually make it a better shooter, but see my first two sentences. And, yes, I have a REAL camera, but was not using a tripod. My other, less expensive hobby, is photography.

daveboy

[Fred]

Well, I wouldn't change a thing on it then Dave. It's a really desireble piece of American History! I don't think that an actual 1903A3 should be changed. It is what it is and that's just Alright! Yes sir, it's a Beautiful rifle!

[hammer6048]

Well done, have one of the Gibbs POS. Canned the scope and put on a K2.5. Even the second generation scope is NFG. If I were doing it again, would find a sporterized rifle and redo it for the Vintage Sniper match.

[Jim in Salt Lake]

The sporterized 1903 I bought for my sniper rifle repro came with a Weaver 330 like yours only with a cross hair reticle. Did you have yours refinished? It makes mine look like it was dragged down a mountain (it probably was!). Gorgeous rifle, beautiful stock, have fun!

[daveboy]

Thanks for all the comments. Hammer, I am sorry that you are not happy with your repro. From what I have read, it seems hit or miss with the Gibbs rifle. No, the scope was not refinished. It has some very minor scratches on it, but it is in great shape for a vintage scope. I got the stock "unfinished" from the CMP South and applied the stain and BLO myself. All total, I have less that $1400 and a few hours in this rifle including scope and stock. Glad that I held out for the real deal instead of repro, but I know that deals like this don't come along everyday. I have a new batch of ammo loaded up and am itching to get it back to the range.

daveboy