Gibbs 1903A4 clone

kevwat

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Duncan, BC
Anybody know anything about the new 1903A4 sniper clones that Gibbs is selling down south, it looks like they have gone to some extent on reproducing much of it including the scope. i saw the advertisement in the latest surplus magazine and they retail for $995. I'm more curious than anything.
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The Gibbs M1903A4 is built using original Remington-made World War II M1903A3 actions and turned-down bolts, which Gibbs obtained large quantities of when it purchase the rifle division of Parker-Hale in the 1990's. Gibbs then utilizes new-made 4-groove barrels made identical to the originals. Each receiver is carefully drilled and tapped using replicas of the original "Redfield" rings and mounts and an exact copy of the M73B1 scope, used on the 1st model M1903A4's. Each barreled action has the original military parkerized finish with polished blue stock furniture, again, identical to the originals.

The stocks are new-made "C" configuration with a linseed oil finish and have replica cartouches similar to the originals.

Each gun comes with a replica of the M1907 U.S. issued leather sling and OD Green canvas carrying case. The result is a firearm that comes out of the box in brand-new condition, ready for shooting, display, reenacting and field use....

Quoted from The gibb site. Pure BS...........................................

My experience,....The sling offered is a Chinese repro....... The leather one pictured is a Chinese repro as well....
 
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Hey, this is almost exactly what I'm looking for.

Any dealers looking to bring some of these up?
 
Pre-bubba'd milsurps. My god.

I don't know if I'd go as far to say that, the only original parts are the receivers and bolts and they were never part of a original rifle anyways.

Would the non-bubba option be to let them sit and collect dust in a warehouse somewhere?
 
Its ironic that the 03A3 bolts that were altered for the Midland 2100 series of sporting rifles are now being used to set up military pattern rifles.
Should be good shooters. I know my 03A4 clone made up on a bubba'd, sported 03A3 is. I used a bolt from a scrapped Midland.
Given the bubbery that Gibbs has done over the years, this one isn't bad.
 
Its ironic that the 03A3 bolts that were altered for the Midland 2100 series of sporting rifles are now being used to set up military pattern rifles.
Should be good shooters. I know my 03A4 clone made up on a bubba'd, sported 03A3 is. I used a bolt from a scrapped Midland.
Given the bubbery that Gibbs has done over the years, this one isn't bad.

I can agree, it's not really a bubba, but a resurrection, perhaps some redemption by Gibbs.
 
"...identical to the originals..." Original barrels are 2 grooved. Remington stopped making 4 groove barrels when the '03A3 was approved and put into production. Not that it matters.
Getting the scope sighted in properly can be a nightmare. Windage is adjusted with the rear ring. Loosen the screw on one side and tighten the other. Not impossible though.
 
I would be very interested to hear from anyone who may end up getting their hands on one. one of the threads i read did state the the stocks were walnut stained hardwood, i dont think it really matters what they put on for furniture, it looks good and if you really wanted the walnut there are so many companies making repro stocks that it could easily be swapped out.
 
Gibbs 1903-A4 Clone

I would buy one if I am around long enough. Might as well buy a Springfield Sniper Clone than buy a cobbled up one being passed off as an original.
After reading the following information about the Mosin-Nagant Sniper I am skeptical of their authenticity.

In the book The Mosin-Nagant Rifle, by Terence W. Lapin, 4th Edition, Published by North Cape Publications Inc.

On page 147 there is a Caution:
A huge number of surplus Mosin-Nagants and Mosin-Nagant parts have been imported into Western Nations, especially the United States, since the collapse of the Soviet empire on late 1991. Among these items are a few genuine, Soviet-fabricated sniper rifles; however, most M1891/30 rifles advertised as sniper models have been cobbled together by dealers from common rifles and authentic soviet-made snayperskaya bolt handles, scopes, and scope mounts. At this writing, parts or fully assembled "sniper" rifles can be purchased for comparatively reasonable prices. I mention this in order to warn the prospective snayperskaya buyer that his purchase will almost certainly be a postwar reproduction assembled in the United States by the importer or dealer, even if all parts are from the same arsenal and in the same condition of wear. When considering a purchase, remove the scope from the mount and pay particular attention to the screws used to attach the mount to the receiver, see Figure 4-5. The two main screws are held in place by lock screws, which were professionally applied. A sloppy job strongly suggest a non-Soviet assembly.
 
I seem to remember them also making a run of No5 Enfields and a Ishy No2 rifles as well, all remade with chromed barrels and other features, and (I think) in .45-70.

Kind of a rich man's bubba.
 
The Weaver 330 scope - and I presume the repro. used on these rifles - is internally adjustable for windage and elevation, just like most any other scope. The opposing clamp screws which secure the rear ring operate in the same manner as the opposing screws used by Redfield/Leupold/Burris on current production bases and rings. Centre the scopes internal windage adjustment, then use the opposing screws to get a reasonable windage zero. Fine tune with the scope's windage adjustment. The scope's internal adjustment doesn't get used up zeroing.
Original A4s may have used milled rather than stamped trigger guard assemblies.
 
Modern made Lee Enfields, and Snider Enfields for over a grand! Now this.

I dunno; a genuine .308 (not 7.62mm) Lee-En for under $900 CAD doesn't sound half-bad...:D

I seem to remember them also making a run of No5 Enfields and a Ishy No2 rifles as well,

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all remade with chromed barrels and other features, and (I think) in .45-70.

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Kind of a rich man's bubba.

Yep, but no longer made, so I feel "safe" posting the "intact" URL :p :

http://www.gibbsrifle.com/sport_speciality.html
 
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