Gibbs 1903

[pennys dad]

Hi

I have thinking about getting a Gibbs 1903 A4, has anyone fired one? What experience have you had, was it worth the cash?

[mrlonewolf]

Decent repros, using the same good old parts.

Good for what it is and overall nicely done (flack jacket on).

IMHO, put more dough into action and get the real McCoy (flack jacket off).

[0321jarhead]

Decent repros, using the same good old parts.

Good for what it is and overall nicely done (flack jacket on).

IMHO, put more dough into action and get the real McCoy (flack jacket off).

I agree. That way you will have more pride in a 100% real military grade rifle. "Gibbs" are nice and so is "Miltech" but, you can't go wrong with an original. http://www.miltecharms.com/rifles.htm

[pro-nra]

IMO repro no matter how outstanding of a job is by the end of the day is still a repro AKA fake. You don't have to get an authentic A4 to have a pride on a rifle. Get you a nice 03-A3 and shoot your local military matches.

[gunboat]

This issue reminds me of the days when old C&B Colts were still somewhat affordable. Scoundels were making rare models out of standard models.
Gibbs weapons are disclosed fakes but will the next buyer know this ?

[0321jarhead]

Not to sound rude or funny but, some of the episodes on the TV show "Pawn Stars" a guy brings in an old rifle that he believes is an original. The a professional comes in and tells him its a replica. Bummer! So, if ya buy from a repro company rifle and you have it on your will that when you die, your grandson doesn't know its a fake and tries to pawn it. You know the rest of the story. IMO, I would get an original.

[pennys dad]

Ok, I have one 03A3 remmington very mint original and I shoot it.
I picked up a Nat Ord 03 that I need to replace the receiver on.
So I was looking for an easy way to get an 03A4, but I guess I should just get one the hard way.

[0321jarhead]

The hard way? They are out there.

[brianinca]

If you're buying a rifle to shoot, the Gibbs is a great option. They have consistently pleased the people that own them. Glad someone is taking advantage of the new CMP sniper class.

No one that knows the least little bit about 03-A4's would ever have a second's confusion - the 03-A3 receiver is pretty obvious!!

I have two match prepped Garands, they aren't USGI NM rifles, they're just MY rifles. I will rebarrel and rebed them again as needed. I'm not using up an old collectible NM rifle, I'm using a rifle as a rifle.

How is shooting an old original 03-A4 until it's toast "better" than shooting a repro?

Regards,
Brian in CA

[rojocorsa]

Good question, Brian.

I agree with the sentiment.

[Mutant]

Good question, Brian.

I agree with the sentiment.

Ditto.


Does a 194x rebuild, with a new barrel then, constitute a 1903 reproduction?

[0321jarhead]

Does a new bayonet blade with original wood grips constitute a reproduction?

[Geologyjohn]

re: bayonet.
Its simply a reproduction bayonet with original grips added.

[rojocorsa]

Let's settle this once and for all----


Are you here to take pictures and talk about the rifle, or are you here to shoot the rifle?


Personally, above all I am always there to shoot.

[emcon5]

You guys saying "get a real one" where do you propose he do that? There are a grand total on "none" on Gunbroker and Gunsamerica at the moment.

I have an acquaintance who sold one at auction for over $5000, so yeah they are out there, if you wait a long time, and have a big pile of money to spend.

With this in mind, I would take the Gibbs in a heartbeat. I buy rifles to shoot, and real 1903A4s are valuable enough that I wouldn't want to.