AIA No.4 Mk 4 as my first rifle? I have concerns...

mustang979

mustang979

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I learnt how to shoot on the old lee enfield mk4 (rechambered in .22) back when I was little. As such, the Mk4 has a special place in my heart. When I learned about the AIA Mk4 my heart skipped a beat, It seemed to good to be true.

The same good looks
The same action
A more common caliber

WOHOO :dancingbanana:

Then I started to look into it more.

Marstar seems just about sold out of every additional part I might want.
There seems to be doubts/concerns that AIA is even still making parts

I doubt anyone can give me the reassurance I might feel I need, but stupid things like the cheek piece are definitely things I will want for this rifle if I want to shoot it with a scope. Is it worth taking the gamble? Or should I just suck it up and get an old enfield Mk4?

Opinions appreciated...
 
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mustang979 said:
I learnt how to shoot on the old lee enfield mk4 (rechambered in .22) back when I was little. As such, the Mk4 has a special place in my heart. When I learned about the AIA Mk4 my heart skipped a beat, It seemed to good to be true.

The same good looks
The same action
A more common caliber

WOHOO :dancingbanana:

Then I started to look into it more.

Marstar seems just about sold out of every additional part I might want.
There seems to be doubts/concerns that AIA is even still making parts

I doubt anyone can give me the reassurance I might feel I need, but stupid things like the cheek piece are definitely things I will want for this rifle if I want to shoot it with a scope. Is it worth taking the gamble? Or should I just suck it up and get an old enfield Mk4?

Opinions appreciated...
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Since the rifle is a bolt action, the likelihood of any of the parts failing is low. You are unlikely to shoot it enough to hurt it. They're well made rifles.
 
If you're buying a new AIA rifle from Marstar, it will come with all of the spare parts.

The scope mounts, extra mag, sight adjusting tool, cheek pad etc are all part of the package.

Very good rifles by the way and very well built.

One other thing, it's doubtful that any more will be imported into Canada. AIA is a small company and easily sells everything they produce in Australia. If you miss this opportunity for one of these fine and accurate rifles, that will be all she wrote.
 
bearhunter said:
If you're buying a new AIA rifle from Marstar, it will come with all of the spare parts.

The scope mounts, extra mag, sight adjusting tool, cheek pad etc are all part of the package.

Very good rifles by the way and very well built.

One other thing, it's doubtful that any more will be imported into Canada. AIA is a small company and easily sells everything they produce in Australia. If you miss this opportunity for one of these fine and accurate rifles, that will be all she wrote.
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Where do you see that the cheek pad is included? I don't see that (and honestly it is the part that I would want so I could scope it)
 
I am delighted with my AIA Lee Enfield, in every way it is a fine rifle, and a good deal from Marstar.

The only thing I am concerned about is a spare magazine. They are going to be the one part that could get damaged easily and hard to replace. Marstar provide you with two, but so far they have not received any spares for sale. AIA never replied to my requests for information; and John at Marstar does not know when extra magazines will be available.

M-14 mags may work in a pinch, but might need some tweaking for feeding in the bolt action.
 
mustang979 said:
Where do you see that the cheek pad is included? I don't see that (and honestly it is the part that I would want so I could scope it)
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It may not say it, but I believe they all come with one. You just need to use your own mounting screws to attach it. Also, I remember Marstar pulled the spare parts that they had for sale so they could use them if warranty work was needed. I really doubt that you'd ever need any extra parts from normal use. I've owned three and they are great rifles. Go for it!
 
"Special Introductory Offer: receive an accessory pack containing a spare ten round magazine, ordnance steel weaver scope rail, and zip-up padded carry case - a $175.00 value FREE with the purchase of any AIA M10 rifle! Introductory offer valid only for a limited time: limited quantities available. This offer is in addition to the magazine and sight tool already included with the rifle."

No riser.

It's been said already - they're likely not coming into Canada again... But they DO come up on the EE. REALLY nice fit and finish and they shoot fairly well. These things are built like a tank - I'm not sure what you're planning to do with it, but if you break something on an AIA you were probably trying to break it. The magazines are like the rest of the rifle, tough and well made. Remember this is not a .22 - You'll wear out your thumb and wallet loading the two that come with the rifle before you wear out the mag lips or the release catch. I'm not a huge fan of parkerized finishes but it's what they do *shrug*.

I bought mine two summers ago and put about 200 rnds on it when there was still a supply of SA 7.62 available. I didn't like it enough to have an $800 SMLE knock-off chambered for a cartridge I can't get any more and I don't re-load .308. So I sent it down the road. I bought a (new)M48 BO and an R/C k98 for the same $$$ and am much more comfortable with the purchase.

Just an opinion, but If you want an Enfield, I would recommend looking at Tradeex or P&S for one of the latest batch of No.4's. "Special Select" grade for $400.00. A little love and elbow grease and you're good to go. The $400.00 you didn't spend will buy you a nice re-loading set up or enough factory .303 to keep you entertained until you loose interest and move on to your next rifle.

=P

Either way, good luck.


.
 
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They do NOT come with a riser.

If you really want to have a cheek riser, you can order one in from Numrich in the states, they have a originals and reproductions, but they are walnut and will not match. The only thing I can see you needing to order along the lines of backup parts are the extractor and spring just in case you break one trying to get out a stubborn case. I'm not implying that this is an issue with thins rifle at all, it happens to all rifles but I'd hate to not have a spare extractor on hand.
 
aric84 said:
They do NOT come with a riser.

If you really want to have a cheek riser, you can order one in from Numrich in the states, they have a originals and reproductions, but they are walnut and will not match. The only thing I can see you needing to order along the lines of backup parts are the extractor and spring just in case you break one trying to get out a stubborn case. I'm not implying that this is an issue with thins rifle at all, it happens to all rifles but I'd hate to not have a spare extractor on hand.
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Thank you for confirming this. I was looking over the pics of yours in hopes it would confirm that it did come with the cheek rest. May I ask how you find the the cheek weld with the included scope and what appear to be very tall rings? To me it looks like it might be very high (and why I'd want the cheek rest).

I'll look into Numrich, Maybe I can get a reproduction and paint it in a way that would work...
 
mustang979 said:
Thank you for confirming this. I was looking over the pics of yours in hopes it would confirm that it did come with the cheek rest. May I ask how you find the the cheek weld with the included scope and what appear to be very tall rings? To me it looks like it might be very high (and why I'd want the cheek rest).

I'll look into Numrich, Maybe I can get a reproduction and paint it in a way that would work...
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Numrich had brand new cheekrests made by AIA last time I looked. Just looked now, they've changed their website and it is totally unworkable...:(

Worthless really.

Did anyone ask Johnone if the AIA's still have a cheekrest with them? They did before.
 
Deltasilver said:
Just an opinion, but If you want an Enfield, I would recommend looking at Tradeex or P&S for one of the latest batch of No.4's. "Special Select" grade for $400.00. A little love and elbow grease and you're good to go. The $400.00 you didn't spend will buy you a nice re-loading set up or enough factory .303 to keep you entertained until you loose interest and move on to your next rifle.

=P

Either way, good luck..
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What is P & S i do not see a link to them, are they a sponsor?
 
Appologies Max - P&S Militaria. VERY nice people, and their product is terrific. x2 R/C Mauser, x1 K31, x1 M38, x2 91/30 from them in the last couple years.

Poster "JP" is the man @ P&S.

Honestly, I have no idea if they're a sponsor or not.
 
cantom said:
Did anyone ask Johnone if the AIA's still have a cheekrest with them? They did before.
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I emailed Marstar (during their lunch break), I got a response back in under 2 hours. No cheek rests included (which aric84 kindly confirmed as he purchased one of these recently), and presently on back order.

God bless fast responses/customer service!
 
Admittedly all three of mine were purchased second hand but they all had the cheek riser. Perhaps the original buyer bought it on top of their purchase of the rifle, unless they used to come with one and have since ran out. At any rate, I'm sure someone would part with one. I suggest you post a WTB in the EE.

Also there was a small operation in Canada turning out newly made risers, I don't have their contact info anymore though. I think Timberlord knows who they are. I believe they were all dark walnut, but perhaps they could make one out of beech or something that would match the AIA better.
 
Vimy Ridge said:
Admittedly all three of mine were purchased second hand but they all had the cheek riser. Perhaps the original buyer bought it on top of their purchase of the rifle, unless they used to come with one and have since ran out. At any rate, I'm sure someone would part with one. I suggest you post a WTB in the EE.

Also there was a small operation in Canada turning out newly made risers, I don't have their contact info anymore though. I think Timberlord knows who they are. I believe they were all dark walnut, but perhaps they could make one out of beech or something that would match the AIA better.
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I know of a gent in Calgary who makes repro cheekrests, not sure if he has any or not but I have his contact info. They're copied from a Canadian T rifle and are nicer than the AIA item...I've had both. One issue of course is that the AIA wood is teak, this is walnut.

Actually, here's a pic of one of his that I still have. They all need to be fitted btw, they are not drop on.


cheekrest001Large.jpg


cheekrest002Large.jpg


cheekrest003Large.jpg
 
Joe Laroche (laroche leathers) in Aylmer Que. makes a leather lace up cheek rest similar to the one the USMC used on their Garands, and I have one for my AIA works well and no screws needed.
 
Thanks for the info guys. This greatly helps deal with my fears of not getting the riser at the time of purchase (a stupid concern, I know).

DATAM, any chance you have a pic of the leather riser or a link to where I could see one (Does Yan possibly have a website?)
 
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