If ou check out the photos on Marstar's Facebook page, you will see that the sample gun they show is a typical Factory 306. It looks like the PLA is shipping Marstar their guns from the same depot that sent guns recently to Tradex and North Sylva.
In other words, Marstar is not going to be a game-changer on this new Chinese military SKS import. Other dealers are already at the $189 price point - some are even lower - with the Factory 625 and 306 guns.
What may prove more interesting is if the 70,000 African ones are more varied.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised. With Marstar's relationship with the Chinese Norinco group, I'd have thought John would ensure they'd at least get guns from a different depot or arsenal so that they are selling a somewhat different product than everyone else.
As for difference between military and commercial, the easiest tells are:
Military production rifles have:
1) triangle factory code stamps on the receiver.
2) Serial numbered stock (unless it's restocked).
3) No english anywhere on the rifle, especially not the calibre or the word "norinco".
4) On some guns, there will be Chinese Characters spelling "type 56", but not on all of them. For example, Factory 306 has the characters, factory 625 does not, but both are military issue SKS rifles.
And before someone mentions it, whether the gun is pinned or threaded makes no difference. Neither does the number of stamped parts. Chinese military guns have all types of prats depending on factory and year of manufacture.
