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.300 WSM on GMA
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It's been awhile since I've seen a post on a custom rifle (Mr. O'Connor's rifle notwithstanding) So I figured I'd share a pic or two (or 14) of the latest work from the bench. Built on an early production GMA. Smithson scope mounts. Engraving by Rachel Wells.



























 
Posts: 561 | Location: Weathersfield, VT | Registered: 22 January 2017Reply With Quote
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tu2
 
Posts: 18517 | Registered: 04 April 2005Reply With Quote
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Very nice!


Roger
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Posts: 2787 | Location: Washington (wetside) | Registered: 08 February 2005Reply With Quote
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clap
 
Posts: 458 | Location: South Africa | Registered: 28 April 2020Reply With Quote
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Super clean and sharp, very nice work!
 
Posts: 630 | Location: Australia | Registered: 01 February 2013Reply With Quote
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Beautiful work. Love the British influence.

Is Rachel Wells related to Frank Wells? Or maybe the late Fred Wells of Prescott?
 
Posts: 1014 | Location: Central California Coast | Registered: 05 May 2007Reply With Quote
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Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work. tu2



 
Posts: 1209 | Location: Satterlee Arms 1-605-584-2189 | Registered: 12 November 2005Reply With Quote
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Thank you all.

Jeffery: Rachel's the widow of the late Fred Wells in Prescott, AZ. I actually took several engraving classes from her about 10 years ago. Truly the salt of the earth type of woman. A little too kind, as even though I scored very high marks in her class, I wisely chose to stick with the gunmaking Smiler Last I heard she's still going strong in the shop everyday.
 
Posts: 561 | Location: Weathersfield, VT | Registered: 22 January 2017Reply With Quote
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Hi Stuart,
It was neat to see one of their early actions. I'm sure not many of these are left in action form. I inherited this project after ill health caused it to sit on another gunmaker's bench for quite some time. It had your three position on it with blackburn bottom metal and trigger. John's doing everything in house now down in Phoenix.
Thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by Timan:
Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work. tu2
 
Posts: 561 | Location: Weathersfield, VT | Registered: 22 January 2017Reply With Quote
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Wow!
 
Posts: 7763 | Location: Das heimat! | Registered: 10 October 2012Reply With Quote
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That's a thing of beauty!
Thanks for sharing with us Mr MNR.

Zeke
 
Posts: 2269 | Registered: 27 October 2011Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by MNR:
Thank you all.

Jeffery: Rachel's the widow of the late Fred Wells in Prescott, AZ. I actually took several engraving classes from her about 10 years ago. Truly the salt of the earth type of woman. A little too kind, as even though I scored very high marks in her class, I wisely chose to stick with the gunmaking Smiler Last I heard she's still going strong in the shop everyday.


Thanks for the background information. That shop (Prescott) was a Mecca. Long ago, early 80s I think, I took a trip to Prescott and stopped by the shop. Fred was not there at the time but his wife (didn't remember she was Rachel) was minding the store. Bought one of the first Kimber 22s from her there. There were many fascinating and tempting things to check out on the rifle rack. She was very nice to a late 20s guy with wide eyes for African rifles.
 
Posts: 1014 | Location: Central California Coast | Registered: 05 May 2007Reply With Quote
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looks great!
I'm sure feeding was fun. Big Grin


gunmaker
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James Anderson Metalsmith & Stockmaker
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Posts: 1827 | Location: Western South Dakota | Registered: 05 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Righteous Matt, lucky client
 
Posts: 510 | Registered: 07 June 2013Reply With Quote
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Thanks James! Ya, I'd like to murder whoever came up with those line of cartridges Smiler
quote:
Originally posted by gunmaker:
looks great!
I'm sure feeding was fun. Big Grin
 
Posts: 561 | Location: Weathersfield, VT | Registered: 22 January 2017Reply With Quote
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Beautiful! Thanks for showing us.
 
Posts: 422 | Location: MN | Registered: 11 May 2011Reply With Quote
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A rifle with a soul. Thanks for sharing. You are gifted, kudos.
 
Posts: 1015 | Location: Brooksville, FL. | Registered: 01 August 2007Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Timan:
Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work. tu2


Just out of curiosity, what, if any, are the distinguishing physical features that differentiate a Prescott action and a Phoenix action?


KJK
 
Posts: 676 | Location: MN | Registered: 11 December 2020Reply With Quote
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The lines of that rifle are perfection.
 
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That's a dandy!


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Posts: 7512 | Location: Victoria, Texas | Registered: 30 March 2003Reply With Quote
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Excellent work, Matthew. A true modern classic.


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
 
Posts: 13329 | Location: New England | Registered: 06 June 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Use Enough Gun
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In one of my favorite calibers! Big Grin I've literally killed scores of game with it. tu2
 
Posts: 18517 | Registered: 04 April 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Kolo-Pan:
quote:
Originally posted by Timan:
Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work. tu2


Just out of curiosity, what, if any, are the distinguishing physical features that differentiate a Prescott action and a Phoenix action?


Zoom in on left side of the action, it says Prescott AZ. That's one thing I picked up on.

Back in about '04 worked up a 1/2 dozen GMA k barreled actions for Westley Richards, obviously all
Prescott actions as the Phoenix move hadn't happened.
Neat little actions.
The one thing I found necessary to change so I could get a really good feed was the follower spring. I went to a Rem. 700 S/A spring, they have the proper tension figured out, the GMA follower springs I had where so ungodly thick and strong they were basically useless.



 
Posts: 1209 | Location: Satterlee Arms 1-605-584-2189 | Registered: 12 November 2005Reply With Quote
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Timan..good idea...I used to put them in he kitchen oven at 500... that worked well too

MNR: Very pretty rile!
 
Posts: 3435 | Location: Phone: (253) 535-0066 / (253) 230-5599, Address: PO Box 822 Spanaway WA 98387 | www.customgunandrifle.com | Registered: 16 April 2013Reply With Quote
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How sweet it is!


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Posts: 5086 | Location: Near Hershey PA | Registered: 12 October 2012Reply With Quote
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When you say Smithson mounts, did you machine the the GMA square bridges and get his rings? Or weld on his bases?

Sweet rifle. I really like the barrel contour. How is the front sling swivel attached? It has a tiny base.

Jeremy
 
Posts: 1480 | Location: Indiana | Registered: 28 January 2011Reply With Quote
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The Smithson rings are machined directly into the square bridges.
The front sling swivel is soldered on.
Thank you!
quote:
Originally posted by farbedo:
When you say Smithson mounts, did you machine the the GMA square bridges and get his rings? Or weld on his bases?

Sweet rifle. I really like the barrel contour. How is the front sling swivel attached? It has a tiny base.

Jeremy
 
Posts: 561 | Location: Weathersfield, VT | Registered: 22 January 2017Reply With Quote
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quote:
2005

Outstanding, beautiful !
 
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That is pure filth! shocker


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Posts: 1225 | Location: Gilbertsville, PA | Registered: 08 December 2005Reply With Quote
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Nice rifle!
Thanks for sharing.
 
Posts: 657 | Location: Western USA | Registered: 08 September 2018Reply With Quote
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Fabulous.


DRSS
 
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