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Thank you for the kind words, and more videos are on the way.

You lucky, lucky man. The Gods of vintage military arms have smiled upon you! Treat that old girl right.

@occasionalmarksman4865 I will! She's a bit scratched, and definitely shows her age, but she's complete and still beautiful.. I paid $500 for it from a shop that specializes in sporterizing rifles. I saved her from Damnation. I could not save some of the vintage Henry's though... I was too late... They have an original Rolling Block in amazing condition that I have on standby so I can save it too

@@HorseWthNoName IF and only IF you have a skilled gunsmith with experience working on older rifles in your area. Ask his opinion about hot blueing the lady. The rifle left the factory over a century ago sporting a deep gloss blue, and the metal will drink up a hot blueing again. This and gently scrub a century of hand sweat off the stock, and she'll look awesome.

@@occasionalmarksman4865 that's an amazing idea.. I'll look around southeast Wyoming and see if there's a shop that's capable of doing that without damaging the rifle. Is there anything specific you would recommend for cleaning the wooden stock? I haven't owned a rifle this old prior to buying this 1891 Mauser, and I want to treat her right...

@@HorseWthNoName For cleaning the stock, it depends. Old military service rifles have seen different levels of use and abuse. When I purchased my Arg 91, the stock had been shellacked. For some reason, in the 1950s-1960s, everyone was glopping shellac on rifle stocks. I used Citristrip paint and varnish remover and a soft rubber scrapper to get that goo off and then a minimum amount of water, wood soap and a soft scrub bright pad to get the remaining surface dirt off. Rubbed with a damp towel, then a dry one. LIGHT, LIGHT sanding to remove raised grain. Then finger rubbed a dozen coats of boiled linseed oil onto the stock for a new finish. I'm a Histrion, not a firearms restoration expert by any means, but I've used this method on three rifles so far and the results are excellent, as the condition of the rifle in this video shows. There are stock refinish "how to" videos by gunsmiths and wood restoration experts on the web full of good info, lots of good info to be had there.

That would be a good call; thanks for the comment.

Hi Dennis, you are correct, 100 yards it was. At about 0:50 the range and ammo type is flashed on the screen.

The cat's meow is right; I believe that's precisely what Paul Mauser himself called the rifle.

Hi there, I do not have that problem. The scope on this rifle hasn't shaken loose by recoil....yet. But don't be too upset. Scope mounts loosening up under recoil or being bumped about is a problem that's been around since the first optics were mounted on rifles back in the age of black powder. Check with Hi Lux, I'm sure they'd have a suggestion to tighten your mount up. Good Luck!

My original a4 has some little spring shims between the mount and the receiver. Maybe theyre there to keep tension.

Que bien... Ese tango es un dolor

That is a very interesting detail; thank you for sharing.

Gracias! @@occasionalmarksman4865

Thank you for the comment, Eddie. I know the production quality could be better, this being my first video effort, but I'm glad you enjoyed it!

How does it shot for you? Any problems with it?

@@occasionalmarksman4865 I shot it maybe in 2014 or 15…maybe 5 rounds and remember it had some heavy recoil but I always take a few guns to the range for familiarization purposes but time constraints probably didn’t allow for much beyond that. Haven’t really had the time to follow up since but am re-interested in exploring it again.

@@AlexJay3211 Take her out for a play date at the range when you can. It is a challenging and fun snipper rifle at 200 yards and beyond. Enjoy the day!

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

I was always an iron sight fan for playing around on the range, as to I alway though iron sights more challenging. But this girl shown me the alluring secret world of vintage scoped weapons and it is addicting!

Thanks for the comment Buck, I'm planning to haul the cameras back to the range for a prone shooting with the 03-A4 and see if the group loosens up or stays just as tight.

Hi John, Thanks for the comment. The use of AP ammo by Snipers/Marksman is intriguing. Do you know a source of reference, a book, a website, or such? Actual primary source material by/about US Army snipers/marksmen of WW2 is pretty spartan; I enjoy reading all I can find. I know some people don't have fate in S&B Ammo, and I'm sure they have justified reasons. But S&B 30-06 and 303 Brit flies pretty straight for me.

@@occasionalmarksman4865You’re very welcome, and thank you for the content. My info comes from my father in-law who is an avid WWII military arms “historian,” shot w the AMU at Benning, his father was in WWII… he has countless old books talking about it and other facets of match ammunition, and was a dear friend with “Hook,” a founding father of the Army’s sniper program who (served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam) and unfortunately passed a few years ago. I have a M1A1 they assembled years ago; I can’t do it Justice!

I think I would enjoy browsing your father in-laws library! Good Luck with the M1A1, another one of my favorite rifles.

It is a well-made, fun shooting pistol. Thanks for the comment!

Thanks for the suggestion, the old girl is working smoothly, but perhaps others might try your helpful fix.

I don’t think/know if these clones are being produced by any manufacturer at this time. If you search online gun stores, every once in a while, a new-in-box 03-A4 clone pops up. You can find them for sale on firearm auction sites in used condition. Sometimes gently used, other times...not so gently. They are still out there, you’ll just have to search a bit. Good Luck and let me know if you find one!

Hi Dave, I agree the quilty of these rifles is impressive. Before I had the chance to inspect and shoot one, the idea of a "reconditioned" 03-A4 wasn't appealing to me. But I've now drank the Cool-Aid and am entirely on board; Veronica.....my A4 is currently one of my favorite rifles.

There is a company remaking them??? I just bought a '44 a4 for 175.

More than I told my wife it cost, but less than I expected to pay.

@@occasionalmarksman4865 Can I get a number? us armament is charging 2500 for one of these bad boys. So I wanna know pleaseeee

That price is not to much over what I paid. But, you have to remember, I don't think this clones are being produced anymore, every year there going to be less of them in "New in Box" condition in circulation. Its a market supply and demand game, if vintage sniper shooting become more popular the price will go up, if the sport falls out of favor, the prices will drop. I understand your dilemma, 2.5K is a lot of money to spend on bang stick. You could always watch "gunsamerica" and other such sites in hopes of finding a gently use one in an auction for a lower price.

Thank you, these milspec is just straight up fun. Everyone that fires this pistol is all giggles and grins; and as you noted, the gun is reliable and malfunction free.

New unfinished military stocks and handguards are available from several sources, as well as the hardware that you might be missing, such as a nose cap and sling swivels. If you're looking for an indoor project to do during the coming winter, I bet your Smith Corona would appreciate being restored to its original configuration.

Hello Slinger, Thanks for the kind words and the info on Rock Ridge and Gibbs connection. My rifle too has RRMW EPHRATA PA. 30-06 tamped on the bottom, just behind the muzzle. It would be interesting to get a James River and Rock Ridge together for comparison.

"Land, I hear their not making it anymore" Will Rogers 1932

Glad you enjoyed it