Iron Bridge Armory (IBA)XM3 build not clone correct
- Thread starter Jrb572
- Start date
Ah shit. I might have someone to fix it. I’ll have them fix the trigger when they have it. I don’t want to say who. I do not want IBA being a pain in the ass with them.
Sounds like the rifle is going to a shop anyways, so yeah. Have them look over the trigger. I’m only guessing. But its based on younger me messing with a walker trigger not knowing what i was doing. Best way to learn how it works is to fuck it up!
It sounds to me like you have zero primary extraction. The ramp on properly timed bolt handle on a 700 should hit the ramp on the receiver moving the bolt just slightly to the rear as you lift it up. This is mainly to break free the case from the chamber walls, but it also moves the bolt back far enough for the cocking piece to engage the trigger.
If you pull the bolt to the rear and shut it forcefully, does it remain cocked? If so, the trigger is set correctly, or at least safely. Primary extraction really isn't an issue on a 308 unless maybe you are running extremely hot hand loads or the chamber is garbage. Not ideal, but shouldn't cause any functional issues.
Has the XM-3 been out for 20 years? I thought it was 14 years; I have a 2011 Remington Defense brochure with its picture in it and I thought it was the first year for the XM-3. That's another reason I don't buy or hire clone builders, too expensive and too much headache. I'd clone it myself as close as I could if it was out of my ability then so be it, it's close enough. That way I'd know exactly what I am getting into.
Yes, the IBA XM3 has been around for about 19 years, or 20 years if you consider the planning stages before actually building the rifles in 2006. The problem is looking at the Remington brochure. Remington isn't the original manufacturer of the USMC XM3 sniper rifles, they were originally made by Iron Brigade Armory (IBA).
Sometime around 2011 (and possibly a year or 2 earlier), Remington decided to start making their version of the original IBA XM3. However, their version of the XM3 is quite different then the IBA XM3 that was made for the Marine Corps. So, if you're interested in military XM3's, then disregard anything that Remington has put out for literature and actual rifles.
TLDR: The IBA XM3 has been around for 19+ years.
The pic could have been better. Wouldn't it have been patent infringement? Did Remington get any contract for that? I have several Remington Defense brochures from that period, it seemed they tried to dominate the military/law enforcement market during that time. I always like the Remington Defense stuff.
Last edited:
We built several “XM3” rifles for police agencies in the Custom Shop. Non-USMC versions obviously but exact replicas with the exception of the Colorado Micro Precision NV mounts. Our NV mounts were still made by CMP but had a forward and rearward section of pic rail. We even did a few built as DBM’s. I have one of these and will post pics when I have time to dig it out of the safe. It’s one of the only Custom Shop Rifles I still own.
I will also say that the Custom Shop builds did not utilize the NF optic. We were at the mercy of what the LE agency wanted to run. More often times than not it was a Leupold MK4.
What are you talking about? Where did I say that the Remington version of the XM3 isn't real. I clearly told you exactly what these rifles are and aren't. There's quite a few XM3 threads on this forum and others, which contain a ton of information on these rifles. I highly suggest reading them if you'd like to learn more about them.
We've all seen the Remington advertising for their version of the XM3, this is not new information for us. Images of the Remington brochures have been posted many times, we're all aware of Remington's copy of an IBA XM3. And what Remington typically built as an "XM3" was usually quite different than the photos in their advertising (some rifles had detachable magazines, different muzzle devices, different scopes and mounts, etc.). Sometimes they were more or less a direct copy of the IBA XM3's that were used by the USMC, sometimes they were different rifles that appeared to just be "inspired" by the IBA XM3.
The ONLY true XM3's are the ones that were made by Iron Brigade Armory, whether for the Corps or for civilians. There is no patent infringement. What would there to be infringed upon? The XM3 was a collaboration between the US government (DARPA) and IBA. There's no patent or trademark on the XM3, and anyone is free to build an XM3 style rifle. Remington built an XM3 clone in the early 2010's, and IBA worked with DARPA to create the XM3 for the US military in 2005/6. It's literally that simple.
And no, Remington NEVER had a military contract XM3, all the USMC contract XM3's were made by IBA in 2006. Remington did have some law enforcement contracts for their version of the XM3, but that's completely different than the USMC military contract that IBA had.
Last edited:
Everything Ryan said in his message above is accurate! We were building “XM3” variants up until the fall of the company. Not many, but it was always a viable product!
We took in the Remington Custom shop shortly after Remington purchased Dakota Arms in 2009. If memory serves me correctly it was around June or so of that year.
So, you had never worked at the custom shop in Ilion NY? Does the new Remington have a custom shop? I notice the new Remington is not the same as the pre bankrupt Remington. I am trying to figure out what's on my rifle tag that says "R&D Rm 4th floor".
No, I was never in the NY facility. No, the new Remington does not have a Custom Shop or a Defense Department. The CEO at the time of bankruptcy who is still the current CEO never was a fan of the Custom Shop of the Defense division. I suspect that while he is in power there those divisions will never be brought back.
The R&D thing, is that on a box that your rifle was shipped in or physically on the rifle itself?
The R&D thing, is that on a box that your rifle was shipped in or physically on the rifle itself?
That is really too bad, I always thought their Remington Defense products were special. Is hard to find shop or gunsmith to service the Remington custom shop rifles now since most of the original people are gone or retired and their supplies and material are gone (such as my rifle has been bedded with "titanium bedding material", so they said? The R&D tag is on the case of rifle shipped in with the rifle's serial number. I can only speculate that that's where the rifle was built or was used for testing, who knows.
In my experience with the shutdown of the company, labels were put on every firearm as to its location for final inventory. Most likely, your rifle was located in the R&D division when inventories were being taken.
It could be that a new barrel supplier was being tested as well. That build is/was a pretty standard build for us.
Speaking on the Titanium bedding……. It absolutely sucks to work with and provides no added benefit over Marine-Tex or standard Devcon. You get a 15 min work time with it which equates to shitty looking bedding jobs more often times than not.
Not bashing your rifle, just speaking of personal experience with Titanium Devcon Bedding.
It could be that a new barrel supplier was being tested as well. That build is/was a pretty standard build for us.
Speaking on the Titanium bedding……. It absolutely sucks to work with and provides no added benefit over Marine-Tex or standard Devcon. You get a 15 min work time with it which equates to shitty looking bedding jobs more often times than not.
Not bashing your rifle, just speaking of personal experience with Titanium Devcon Bedding.
I have no idea what bedding is beneficial and what is not since I am not a gunsmith. I read about Remington used "titanium bedding" in their literature, and not even sure if mine has it. I do see some greenish color residual from whoever wiped off the excess around the action area. Whoever put it together saved all the bags from the items that he installed, Turner sling, Harris bipod, scope paper, Uncle Mikes sling swivels, all bits and pieces from the items, he put them in one big bag, then with a cut out of the "all in the same hole" paper target. I have not shot it; it needs a scope.
Keeping and sending all of the literature/item bags was part of our process. I still use that process to this day. I dont doubt that your rifle was bedded using the Titanium Devcon. I myself am a stickler for a perfect bedding job. It’s a good product but like I said it causes a builder to rush through a bedding job in my opinion. I have bedded hundreds of rifles and know, at least for me, that there are better products out there. Nonetheless, I’m sure your rifle is built well and will provide you with years of enjoyment.
I’m sorry I do t have more information for you on Ilion build products.
I’m sorry I do t have more information for you on Ilion build products.
IBA rifles, 308 win (top pic)and 300 win mag (lower pic)…never shot them…hopefully they shoot decent 
one day in the future. I was always under the impression IBA barreled actions were built at Hart? D.D.Ross scope bases and I had extra bipods laying around…sucks to hear about your builds….JAFR pictures
one day in the future. I was always under the impression IBA barreled actions were built at Hart? D.D.Ross scope bases and I had extra bipods laying around…sucks to hear about your builds….JAFR pictures
Did you guys in SD do any work on the MSR/PSR/PSR2 rifles or did those all go thru the factory/military/LE division at Remington in NY still?
One more question, I just notice that the Badger Ordnance base that they put on has the part# 1005-306-06, which uses the 6/48 screws, I know because I have the same one on my parts bin. So, why did Remington used 6/48 screws on this instead of 8/40 screws?
Much like everything, things change over time. I cannot answer as to why Ilion did that. When everything came to SD we went straight to 8-40’s.
Similar threads
