Why doesn't anyone produce new historic military firearms?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Put quite simply the economics do not work when you can buy a tack driving Ruger American 30-06 for $450 and a pretty nice original 03A3 for $750.
The cost of the current reproductions previously noted would indicate to me that a milspec 03A3 for example would be so high no one would pay with no military pedigree or chance to appreciate in value.
It does seem the cost/benefit equation is balanced to the point that replacement barrels are coming to market. Perhaps in time it could be profitable for
complete rifles. The example of the reproduction Ford Mustangs comes to mind.

[Aragorn243]

Economics is a big problem. Can't talk Savage into bringing back the 99 because of economics and that's a rifle that was in continuous production for 80+ years.

[CINDERS]

I read a few posts on AIA interesting they classed it as not a faithful repro of a No.4 perhaps to copy the action/rifle faithfully would have entailed far more machining which would have bumped up the price I watched the vid on "Franken Rifle" interesting comments about the AIA at least they had a go perhaps they will be collectible given the small No.s produced just do not try and get spare parts for them apparently....

[enfield303t]

I read a few posts on AIA interesting they classed it as not a faithful repro of a No.4 perhaps to copy the action/rifle faithfully would have entailed far more machining which would have bumped up the price I watched the vid on "Franken Rifle" interesting comments about the AIA at least they had a go perhaps they will be collectible given the small No.s produced just do not try and get spare parts for them apparently....

Here in Canada AIA rifles seem to be in demand and usually don't last long when offered for sale. Parts are a issue and the only thing that might break would be a extractor and I have a good friend that could make me one. I have a spares kit for a 7.62X39 thanks to AIA and find they are pretty good overall. All three of mine are now Safe Queens like so many guns I own. Magazines for the .308's sell for 200.00 ++ as they are 10 rounds and fit a M14 or Norinco 305. It allows you to use it being a gray area in our gun laws.

[RCS]

I always wanted a S&W 44 caliber Russian revolver. The originals in nice condition are very expensive and you really would not want to shoot them (even with black powder)

About fifteen years ago I bought the Uberti copy of the S&W 44 cal Russian contract revolver for $740.00 Even the top rib is marked in Russian like the originals but the
Uberti copy is really a combination of the last two Russian contract models. I like it
and the 44 Russian cartridge is very easy to reload and can be very accurate. At last check of the gun auctions, these used Uberti Russians were selling for around $950.00 now

[Salt Flat]

I would always choose an original arm over any kind of replica if possible. It is the idea that the firearm is part of history. Most originals were built to high quality specs that are hard to duplicate. I suppose if you are purely a shooter you wouldn't care about the history but then why not just buy the new Ruger? Think about some of the M1 Carbine replicas and the Federal Ordnance 03a3's--ugh! (Uberti is one of the few quality replica makers and I do like RCS's Russian---nice!) IMHO Salt Flat

[mrclark303]

I would always choose an original arm over any kind of replica if possible. It is the idea that the firearm is part of history. Most originals were built to high quality specs that are hard to duplicate. I suppose if you are purely a shooter you wouldn't care about the history but then why not just buy the new Ruger? Think about some of the M1 Carbine replicas and the Federal Ordnance 03a3's--ugh! (Uberti is one of the few quality replica makers and I do like RCS's Russian---nice!) IMHO Salt Flat

I would agree, I guess that's why we are members of Milsurps..

Though I would agree reproduction firearms have their place, they arn't for me.

A certain UK Firearms dealer was selling "new" SMLE'S a few years back, based on NOS WW2 dispersal action bodies and bolts, built up with new barrels and woodwork.

No history, sanitised and really not terribly well finished (At least the examples I have seen).

[Colonel Enfield]

For a lot of arms it's not economically worthwhile because there's still plenty of originals about at affordable prices - but for others, such as the Mauser C96 9mm pistol or the Webley Mk IV .38 revolver - I'm genuinely surprised Norinco or Uberti aren't making reproductions of them (with the Webley chambered for .38 Special).

I mean, it's apparently economically viable for Uberti to make a repro of a Colt Percussion Conversion centrefire pistol (how many people realistically want one of those?) but making a Webley Mk IV in .38 Special is apparently not worth it for anyone.

[browningautorifle]

the Mauser C96 9mm pistol

I'd think it would be inordinately expensive to reproduce.

[Vincent]

There is a company that sells newly made replicas of some historic military firearms, just not the ones you are looking for. Uberti (Benelli USA) Quality Replica Guns of the Old West | Uberti

One might think if Uberti can sell their products, it stands to reason that they could produce other guns in the same price range.

How about a new semi-auto Thompson? Auto-Ordnance Auto-Ordnance | Original manufacturer of the world famous