Gibbs Rifle Co. 1903A4 Springfield Sniper Reproduction: Problems, Solutions & Scope Warning!

This is not a review of this rifle but an explanation of a problem mine had, the solution and a warning about the HI-Lux Malcolm scope.
Here is the link to the .020 shim:
www.gunpartscor...
The .015 shim is here:
www.gunpartscor...
You can find info on all the Leatherwood / Hi-Lux vintage repro scopes here:
hi-luxoptics.co...

[@reinaldogarcia9734]

Thanks for the video, I also own a Gibbs 1903A4. Saved me from ruining the scope, didn't know about the 32 click limit. It was most definitely not sighted in from the factory, took a couple of tries at the range to get it right.

[@specops56]

I'm glad I was able to help! That's why I did the video. Once sighted in these things are tack drivers.

[@michaelshubr4084]

Thank you very much for the heads up, and detailed explanation!

[@specops56]

I'm glad I could be of help!

[@jonwithnoh7]

great video, specops56 , I guess people have to realize is , Hilux made a reproduction of a Weaver scope from technology of 70+ years ago. Not optically centered reticule. Good to know, and I am intrigued by the Giibbs 1903a4 rifle

[@specops56]

I can't recommend this scope for the reasons stated in the video. The low power and minimal adjustment range can be a problem. I only have it because that's what came on the rifle. If you want the look I would go with one of the Hi-Lux USMC replica scopes. They're more expensive and you'll need a different base but they should be much more usable. Otherwise, I'd just get a good sporting scope since the rifle is already sporterized. Thanks for watching and I hope this helps!

[@vince38curious2]

bobross07 +specops56 I have the Jame River rifles repro of the same rifle Also with the hilux scope and after heaps of emails and internet running around I found out from Leaupold after send detailed photo's of my scope rings and base That Leaupold Standard rings DO FIT the base on the 1903a4 reprodutions from both companies.. So if you want to upgrade to a 1 inch or larger diameter scope all you need is a set of Leaupold STANDARD rings to suit your scope of choice.

[@hiwayman64]

+specops56 im glad I watch you're video I just got a Gibb's and have not got to shoot it yet but will keep it in mind when I do thank's

[@specops56]

+hiwayman64 I'm glad you found it helpful! That was my intention. Good luck with yours. Mine was a lot of fun to shoot.

[@TheMinutemanArmory]

Just did this test on mine. Both knobs took 63 clicks to get them to stop going clockwise. It was way off. I definitely would have damaged the scope thinking I had adjustment in downward elevation and rightward windage.

[@specops56]

I'm glad I could help. That was my purpose in doing this video.

[@tbuchanan0000]

I just saw your video as I have just purchased the Gibbs rifle. Your video was very helpful. I've searched Numrich for the Shims, but I don't see any for the 1903 A4. I've also searched for the USMC repro scope you mentioned that would be better, but all I can find is one for the Model 70. Can you include the link to Numrich for the shims and be more specific on which repro scope you feel would be a better fit? Many thanks!

[@specops56]

Thanks! I've added the links in the description box. The USMC scopes are quite expensive but my eyes need more magnification than the included one has. If your eyesight is good than you may not need to spend the money.

[@tbuchanan0000]

specops56 Nope, my 53 year old eyes need all the magnification I can get! :)

[@georgiabigfoot]

excellent, detailed analysis of an issue, thanks for posting.

[@billhowell7153]

First off, great video. Thanks for putting this on youtube. I recently received my Gibbs 1903a4 and found their "mechanical center" was very similar to yours on the windage. It was 52 clicks counter clockwise. My rifle however, has a little more of an elevation problem. It's shooting almost 4' high at 100 yards. Any idea how many shims it's going to take to compensate for this?

[@specops56]

bill howell Thanks. I'm glad you found it useful. You can get the real military shims from Gun Parts Corp. which is where I got mine. They come in .015 and .020" thicknesses. Mine took the .015. I suspect yours will need the .020 thickness. The .020 is the maximum thickness that should be used according to the original military technical manual. I think I still have the .020 shim I didn't use. PM me your address and if I can find it I'll put it in an envelope and mail it to you. No charge.

[@billhowell7153]

specops56 Thanks for the offer. I figured I would need the max so I ordered it with a few other items from that site. They have a lot of interesting things there.

[@specops56]

bill howell No sweat. Always glad to help someone whenever I can.

[@brianlee6849]

Beautiful rifle I have been thinking about buying one. Did you get it all worked out? Once you got the rifle zero how did it shoot? I'm actually thinking about building a match version and just shooting it with the aperture sights. I think M1 garand sights on a 1903 would be the ultimate classic even though they were never offered. Thank you for sharing

[@specops56]

It shot better than me! The low power of the optic was the limiting factor. My eyes need a bit more magnification these days.

[@brianlee6849]

@@specops56 Cool. I don't think Gibbs builds anymore? I need to find a good one I think Fulton armory would probably build a good 1903

[@specops56]

I don't think you'll go wrong with Fulton!

[@brianlee6849]

@@specops56 yes with my research it seems like everybody kind of puts them at the top of the list . Most people say that they're the best but they're also expensive. But you get what you pay for and I like quality. Thanks

[@specops56]

Thank you. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@MADMAX353]

Outstanding limited review...thanks for the info.

[@specops56]

Thanks. I wanted to help others avoid the same surprises I had.

[@TheMlf]

Wow. What a good looking rifle. If only the price was a bit lower :( But I feel that i'll own one, One day!

[@lisar3006]

Did you also replace the trigger guard screws with a longer set of screws so they are flush with the receiver

[@specops56]

lisar3006 No, as I had no problems with them. I sold this rifle a few months after the videos to pay some medical bills. I hated to let it go but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I hope you found the video useful!

[@lisar3006]

I did since I did not know about the scope stops and you may have saved me a problem with your video. Hate to hear you had to sell you 1903A4. I too have had to sell things I have had for years to pay co-pays and other medical bill.

[@YuanMizzle]

Any chance you recall the group sizes it was capable of with the match ammo? And this may sound stupid... but those knobs are exposed and don't lock... correct? Worried that a person could bump the knobs and change the zero without realizing it...

[@specops56]

I never got around to shooting it with match ammo. IRC, military ball was around 2.5 - 3.5 moa 5 shot groups. It most certainly would have tightened those up with a higher power scope and better eyes behind the scope. You are correct about the knobs but they were not that easy to move with just a casual bump.

[@PARR53]

specops56 most of been not so great a day. 2.5-3.5 MOA AK47 numbers with irons. For a sniper rifle those are flat unacceptable numbers even with ball rounds. That would of been unacceptable by military standards in the 40s too.

[@specops56]

Yep, price was a bit steep but still a lot cheaper than an original.

[@tbuchanan0000]

Which of the hi-lux do you recommend that will fit the Gibbs?

[@specops56]

I would go with the Wm. Malcolm 8x USMC. It has the most magnification of the vintage scopes. There are 3 downsides of this to consider scope to consider. It's the most expensive. You will need a gunsmith to install it as the front mount attaches to the barrel. It is historically correct for the Vietnam era but not for WW2 if that's important to you. Historically accurate scope options are very limited for this rifle. If you don't care about that part then I'd suggest having a quality modern scope and mount installed. Hope this helps.

[@macrizzle9378]

I have the exact same problem with my gibbs! 5 inches high at maximum adjustment! I've never shimmed a scope before. would this be difficult for me to do?

[@specops56]

Not hard at all. I bought the proper shim from Numrich. Follow the manual to remove the scope from the base. Remove the screws from the front base. Place the shim on the receiver ring (it will be obvious how it fits) and replace the base. Make sure the shim is properly aligned before you loctite and tighten the screws. Replace the scope. I would suggest that you then recenter the reticle in the scope. I used the .020 shim. That should get you where you need to be.

[@macrizzle9378]

I went out and tried again and it's shooting 3 feet high at 100 yards! can that be fixed with shims?

[@specops56]

Seth McCravy If it went from 5 inches high to 3 feet then something else besides shims is going on. Was that with the same ammo and scope setting as the 5 inch high group? If so, check to make sure all your mount and ring screws are tight. Otherwise I'd suggest you contact Gibbs. Hope you get it sorted out.

[@macrizzle9378]

Yeah I'm sorry, I was mistaken. That first group was only at 35 yds, I took it home took the scope off and made sure it was centered and took it back and tried at 100 yds and it was consistently about 3ft high

[@ephrammaker3153]

Thank you. Great info.

[@specops56]

I'm very glad you found it useful!

[@pwrplnt75]

That is a great rifle!

[@ColdWarWarriors]

Must be disapointing buying a new rifle like this and have it perform so badly

[@specops56]

Yes it was. However, it performed very well after I fixed the problem.

[@olskool3967]

still makes me ill.....

[@specops56]

Sorry. I'll try to limit it's usage.

[@olskool3967]

the word "man cave" makes me want to puke!

[@specops56]

I use the term in a somewhat humorous and sarcastic vein.

[@blcouch]

So puke already

[@scottthompson5855]

Your comment is pathetic on multiple levels...

[@JuniorWarrior4Christ]

Stop drinking bud light …