Is there demand in the market?

[noddaz]

Is there demand in the market for retro rifles? I know that some are out there (Like a Garand and M1 Carbine) but the prices are astronomical. (To me anyway) What if Mauser made a retro K98 for under a $1000? Or if Remington as a Hail Mary made a SMLE for under $1000. Is there a market?

 

[budman93]

I dont think they could build them for that. If they were to build good quality copies they would almost certainly cost more than a real k98 or lee enfield.

 

[Docster]

If there were a market there'd almost certainly be entrepreneurs exploring them.

 

[Doctor_M]

A lot of the value in classic C&Rs is the historical value... reproductions don't usually command similar prices.

 

[Art3]

Smith and Wesson tried it with a reintroduction of the M1917 ( I think the new model number was 22). If it had been a success, I would think there would be more of them out there (and one in my safe). Colt did a limited run of 1911's (Not A1's...the WWI type). I bought a Colt 1911 made in 1918 for a lot less than the "new" ones are going for, now that they are out of production.

I would love to see something like this (I wonder if real collectors would agree?), but I doubt there is money in it. Too much machining and not enough demand.

 

[Doco Overboard]

No I wouldn't think so, too much labor/cost involved.

 

[CodeWarrior1241]

Could a controlled feed full caliber rifle be made for under $1k today?

 

[budman93]

Could a controlled feed full caliber rifle be made for under $1k today?

Something the quality of a 1903 or a k98? Not a chance.

 

[135sohc]

Could a controlled feed full caliber rifle be made for under $1k today?

Ruger Scout rifle.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Springfield Armory sold their reproduction of the M1 Garand back in the '80s...and it was a fine rifle. If it had sold in enough numbers it would probably still be in production. There's been plenty of companies that have sold new M1 Carbines with limited success. Back in the '50s there a couple of repops of the 1903A3 rifle made but were of questionable quality compared to the real deal.

Basically...the tooling costs to build new versions of such classic rifles would probably be excessive compared to expected sales of a product that would always be worth less than the originals which are already widely available. I don't think the orange would be worth the squeeze.

 

[BlueFin]

Quite a few AKMs are.

 

[budman93]

Ruger Scout rifle.

You can build a nice rifle but if you're trying to reproduce a vintage rifle with full length stocks and all the extra barrel bands and butt plates and other parts to reproduce something like a 1903 or k98, not a chance. They would cost more than a real one currently does if they were the same quality.

 

[Threeband]

Meanwhile, there are enough of the real thing to meet demand. If originals weren't available, yet demand were still high enough to cover production costs, then they would be made.


But you say "retro rifles," and seem to limit it to Mausers and Lee Enfields. There are plenty of retro rifles on the market: reproductions of the Henry rifle, the Winchester 1873, of Sharps rifles. Even Brown Bess muskets. Quality reproductions are not cheap, but where there is a market, capitalism will provide.

 

[135sohc]

You can build a nice rifle but if you're trying to reproduce a vintage rifle with full length stocks and all the extra barrel bands and butt plates and other parts to reproduce something like a 1903 or k98, not a chance. They would cost more than a real one if they were the same quality.

I agree

Looking back I overshot the context of the question with regard to a retro rifle reproduction, but going back to the question "controlled feed for under $1k" and Ruger does deliver on that. Now being a Ruger, other than the bolt and barrel everything else metal wise is going to be cast construction of course.

 

[Biggfoot44]

The Mark X ( Serbia) and Santa Barbara ( Spain ) actions are reasonably faithful M98 Mauser actions .

 

[Doctor_M]

Chiapa did recently make an M1 carbine in 9mm... not sure how well it sold.

 

[Pinecone]

Chiapa did recently make an M1 carbine in 9mm... not sure how well it sold.

It WAS a Chiappa.

They also made it in .22 LR.

There are currently produced M1 Carbines in .30 Carbine.

 

[hosspower]

Still on their site.
https://www.chiappafirearms.com/product.php?id=202

 

[135sohc]

Still on their site.
https://www.chiappafirearms.com/product.php?id=202

Must resist temptation to buy one

 

[budman93]

Chiapa did recently make an M1 carbine in 9mm... not sure how well it sold.

I looked at one of the ones in .22 once. It felt like a cheap toy compared to a real one. Lots of polymer and aluminum.