tiriaq said:
V1 - Go back and read Johnone's post #43 in this thread. He is very defensive about where these rifles are made, although he did not actually claim Australian manufacture. That's why I thanked him for his reassurance, and made the comments about Australian manufacture.
I, too, had seen the Gunboards thread, when reports about these rifles first surfaced, prior to the rifles becoming available in Canada.
Perhaps current production is being done in its entirety in Australia. There is no evidence that this is now the case, but it is certainly possible. It is also possible that the rifles are being assembled in Australia from parts made elsewhere. This practice is so widespread in all industries everywhere that it is standard procedure.
It doesn't really matter where the rifles are made as far as quality is concerned. Obviously there can be serious cost advantages to having work done in one country as opposed to another.
These comments from gunboard...
<Hi jean
I spoke to the Aussie dist about them and apart from not being very helpfull he confirmed that they are made in the peoples republic of vietnam. >
<To all commentators on the M10 AIA sereis of rifles, thankyou.
I personally know the promoter of these firearms here in Aus., and will be conveying the various comments to him.
The Rifles were originally promoted here in Aus. and Made at Lithgow under commercial contract as prototypes some 10 years ago. But problems with both metal casting quality and political problems forced the project into SE Asia.
The Good guns found in Australia are either original SAF Lithgow assembled ones, using a lot of original No.4 minor parts; Some ( several 100s) of the SEA made ones are actually fitted with M134 (minigun)barrels salvaged NEW in Wrapping in Indochina.
Most users in Australia (Military rifle, NRAA) reckon they are good to excellent in 7,62x51 and 5,56x45. The 7,62x39 is good with handloads and brass cases, but fair to poor with steel-cased Military Loads, or the "commercial" loads which pass for Military.
As to the Import and export problems, that is between the Australian A-G and Customs ministries, and the US State Department, and a hold over from the Gun-banning Clinton years.
As for In-USA sales and service...that is a US problem.
I will certainly be consulting with the person concerned, (when he returns from his overseas Business trip) as to the problems in this matter.
BTW-Disclaimer- I am in NO way financially nor otherwise connected with AIA or any of its associated persons or entities...except as a satisfied Customer of its products and as a Supplier of Tooling and Jigs for its "repro-Stock" project (T38 and T99).>
<They're definitely not made in Australia... the only factory-level gunmaker in the entire country (AFAIK) is the ADI plant at Lithgow, and they certainly aren't cranking out .308 calibre replicas of the No 4 Mk I rifle... >
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...would seem to indicate that these rifles are being made in Vietnam. It's an interesting saga...I am partial to the No 4 Mk 4 myself...brand new, good looking, heavy duty Enfield clone firing .308...they're reputed to be pretty accurate. The 7.62X39mm models seem to suffer from a pretty poor reputation reliability wise...if I was distributing them I'd make sure that has been 100% rectified.
Lots of things are made in Vietnam, including many of the bicycles on the world market. It doesn't mean they are junk by any means. I am very interested in hearing people's impressions of these rifles who actually have one to handle and shoot...they have been around for years in Australia, nothing new there.
One question: If the rifle is being made by third world labour, why is it priced at first world Australian labour prices? Look at the price of the Chinese SKS for example?
Also, original British/Canadian/Australian Lee Enfield rifles of various marks were manufactured to Milspec in government contracted factories, proof tested by competent military armourers etc etc. Who is doing the QC inspection on these rifles? Who's proof testing them, ensuring the metallurgy/heat treatment/headspace are all up to full 100% quality standards, at least as safe, accurate and durable as the original rifles? Are spare parts available? What sort of manufacturer support is offered and available? If AIA is one hard to find guy in Australia and there are no offices or plant...and it seems that Lithgow is not involved...
These are the questions I'd want answered before deciding to buy one. I am not trying to put these rifles down or their dealers, I am a potential customer 100%. I have faith in Marstar and Wolverine so please don't be upset Johnone.
Perhaps the Australian distributor misinformed the Canadian dealers as to country of manufacture? It seems that's what happened with Tristar in the US. The issue seems to somewhat shrouded in murk...I had previously heard these were Vietnamese made. Full disclosure works very well for me and probably others. Many are intrigued by these rifles...