Building an 03A4gery

[BrianNV]

Since my previous post confirmed that my bolt is an A4 bolt, then the question becomes, do I build it out as an A4 clone or just get another A3 bolt and rebuilt it to factory specs?

My original intention was to build a high-power style target rifle with globe sites for cast bullet shooting. But now I am having second thoughts. It appears to be an unissued receiver, I hand picked the 1903 bottom metal and the A4 bolt for a target rifle.

D&T the receiver would hurt the value, but is it worth more making it original vs cloning an A4?

Btw, I already have a Smith-Corona A3 built in late 1942. Barrel dated 11-42
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[chuckindenver]

value?
ok lets go over that
i sell my match grade A4 replicas for 1700.00
a nice original A3 might fetch 1,000 to the right guy.
a parts gun built up.. close to 750.00
i get asked why i drill and tap rifles... and thats the answer.

i would sell that bolt on Ebay.. it will pay for most of the work on the replica.

[BrianNV]

Thank you Chuck, I saw on your Web page that you sell the Criterion barrels, what is your take on them? Worth the 190 or should I just save up or sell the bolt for something like a kreiger or better barrel?

[cplnorton]

Now this is just me. But if you sell the bolt, your receiver, and trigger housing. You would have enough to buy a complete A3 or a already faked A4. I've seen some A4 forgery's for about the same price as A3's out there. And at the most, if you added just a little bit of cash to the pot, you could get some really nice rifles out.

Most rifles are worth more in parts, than they are together. And just looking at what you have, I think you would be far better off selling everything and buying a completed rifle. It would be cheaper that way and then you wouldn't even have to mess with finding parts.

[chuckindenver]

hard to beat the Criterion barrels.. match grade spec.. i wouldnt sell them unless they are first rate.
you wont gain anything other then an empty wallet with a Kreiger barrel.

[bnew]

Chuck, What is your website?
Thank, Bill

[chuckindenver]

http://criterionbarrels.com/media/warpath_vintage_llc

[Sunray]

"...I would sell that bolt on E-Bay..." And give money to the people who want to close your business.
An '03A4 is more than just a bolt. And a fake '03A4 is still a fake '03A4. A custom built target rifle will always be a custom built target rifle.