I picked up a very nice Howa a few months back in a pawnshop for $450. So nice in fact, it looks like it's unissued. Thai crest and M2 stock that looks like birch, kind of light in color, rather fat in comparison to earlier ones. Machine finish is better than GI. T2 barrel band and no bayonet lug (removed). It shoots as well or better than any of my other 10 USGI carbines. It has become my "shooter" so maybe I'll leave the other USGI ones alone.... BTW, the rear sight is exactly like the one in macgunner01's pictures.