Gibbs 45-70 Lee Enfield conversion?

[louthepou]

Hi folks,

I may have the possibility of acquiring a Gibbs conversion; never heard about this peculiar commercial take on the No4 action before today. Anybody knows anything about these creatures?

I did find something on the Gibbs website, but anyone here actually owns, or has shot, with one before?

h ttp://www.gibbsrifle.com/sport_speciality_.html

 

[W.R.Buchanan]

I know they don't make them any more, and they are a desirable gun. They usually show up at the SHOT Show in Vegas next month so I'll ask them why they don't still make the guns.

Randy

 

[spooksar]

JR Gunsmith in Tomslake BCwill do a conversion

 

[broncoo]

The fella in tomslake charges about 700 plus everything. I did one out of a #3, shoots great accurate etc. You do need a magazine though as the factory one will not feed reliably

 

[mkrnel]

They were known as a - Gibbs Arms Frontier & Summit 45/70 rifle and were also made on SMLE actions as well, actually I think more were made on SMLE actions than No.4 ones. Gibbs were known for trying to turn a quick buck and these rifles are very common in the US (same as their fake Jungle carbines made up from SMLE and No.4 rifles) and are nothing special and usually work well but some have feeding issues that may need attention before using as a dangerous game rifle! They are often listed on Armslist and Gunbroker for around $300-400 US, here is pictures of one of them -

 

[sunray]

This help? Cobble together out of parts, as I recall.
.chuckhawks.com/gibbs_summit.htm

 

[spooksar]

The fella in tomslake charges about 700 plus everything. I did one out of a #3, shoots great accurate etc. You do need a magazine though as the factory one will not feed reliably

I think John now has magazines, he borrowed mine for a couple of years till he found some one to make them. About $100 a piece

 

[louthepou]

Many thanks guys, this is most helpful.

Mkrnel, thanks for the details!

I think I'll pass on this fellow's offer. It's based on a No1Mk3. An interesting commercial conversion, for sure, but a bit too pricey for what I'm willing to spend at the moment.

Lou