Question re AIA M10 No 4 mk IV origin

[Dimitri]

Ever since they were talked about on CGN and they became avalible to the Canadian shooting public I've been wondering to get one or not. I'd really like a 308Win version of the No.4 rifles so these did seem like the best opinion. But a little while ago since the talk on CGN I came to my senses about getting one. For many reasons, cost was a big factor not because of its 800$ price tag. But because for 800$ I'd buy one without question the moment I had enough in the bank if it was made in Australia, Canada or the US but I wouldn't buy one made in Vietnam or China etc for that much especially when I can buy a Norinco M14 type rifle for half that. As well as a few other things like missing bayonet lugs and stripper clip guides making it for me not a clone of the No.4 but a sporter rifle. Sort of like calling a Win M70 (or any other Claw Feed Mauser type action) a K98k if you dressed it in the right wood it just isnt the same.

As for the issues in Quality Control at whatever factory in Vietnam is making them, only one good way to test that to buy a gun and feed it a few proof loads, I'd start with the standard 70,000PSI and see how many of them it can take before failing. Or you could get it tested for its composition and the like if you had a much bigger budget. But that would be less fun anyways!

Dimitri

[stencollector]

We recently gave away a no4mk4 as a doorprize for the Battle of the Bulge shooting match here in Shilo. I had a chance to observe the rifle up close, and there were a few minor cosmetic weak points that I found. The rear sling swivel screws in to the buttstock did not seat fully in to the tapered holes of the swivel base. Also , the front sling swivel looked a little amatureish where the loop was welded to the swivel piece. It certainly was not up to the LongBranch standard of finish. Grind marks over the weld were very evident.
Small points, sure, but on a $800 rifle, I would have expected a level of workmanship equal to the mass produced wartime rifles.
Can't say as I'm too keen on the allen head bolts holding the front sight base in either. The whole front sight base looks a little square for my liking.
I can be a hard man to please. Personally, I would take a DCRA converion LB Enfield with a Sterling mag for about the same money.

[gunguy56]

I bought an AIA M10A2 a couple years ago. It was imported by Tristar. I paid $600 US at retail. I subsequently tracked down the designer of this rifle-Bruce Gentner. His email is: brucegentner@optusnet.com.au . The AIA M10A2 was in 7.62x39, and used AK mags. The rifle would not feed until I shortened the stock AK mag spring. Now it feeds OK. The rifle is really well made, no surplus parts. The teak stock is nice. Overall, I'd give it a 9 out of 10. Accuracy with WOLF 122gn HP ammo is 2-3" at 100 yards from the bench with scope. WOLF 154gn SP ammo was 1-2". Great hunting carbine, although a bit heavy. From email correspondence with Mr. Gentner, he admitted the teak stocks were, in fact, made in Vietnam. He wouldn't specify where the metal was made though. It's my guess that it is Vietnam-maybe a plant set up with help from their commie buddies from Red China. Gentner did say that AIA had problems with Tristar and he had to sever the relationship. I'm guessing that the country-of-origin was an issue too. Very few were imported. If the new Marstar imported .308 AIA's are made as well as my AIA M10A2, I'd say get one if you can. Doubt if any of us in the USA are going to see any, though.....

[Cantom]

I bought an AIA M10A2 a couple years ago. It was imported by Tristar. I paid $600 US at retail. I subsequently tracked down the designer of this rifle-Bruce Gentner. His email is: brucegentner@optusnet.com.au . The AIA M10A2 was in 7.62x39, and used AK mags. The rifle would not feed until I shortened the stock AK mag spring. Now it feeds OK. The rifle is really well made, no surplus parts. The teak stock is nice. Overall, I'd give it a 9 out of 10. Accuracy with WOLF 122gn HP ammo is 2-3" at 100 yards from the bench with scope. WOLF 154gn SP ammo was 1-2". Great hunting carbine, although a bit heavy. From email correspondence with Mr. Gentner, he admitted the teak stocks were, in fact, made in Vietnam. He wouldn't specify where the metal was made though. It's my guess that it is Vietnam-maybe a plant set up with help from their commie buddies from Red China. Gentner did say that AIA had problems with Tristar and he had to sever the relationship. I'm guessing that the country-of-origin was an issue too. Very few were imported. If the new Marstar imported .308 AIA's are made as well as my AIA M10A2, I'd say get one if you can. Doubt if any of us in the USA are going to see any, though.....

I've already sent him an email and suspect I won't be the only one...thanks for adding something new on this.

[bearhunter]

Cantom, I have the Match model rifle, I really like it. There don't seem to be any safety concerns with it at all. No set back on the lugs or receiver guides.
Steve brings up some very pertinent questions.
If these rifles hadn't been used for many years by many Aussies, I would probably not have bought the rifle.
As I said, I do own one, I'm not telling you to buy one either, but mine is a real jewel. No regrets.
These rifles will probably not be available for much longer. I think that once their gone, that's it.
They aren't cheap and are not within reach of a lot of people. I think that these will be the last lee enfields produced and may just be the best of them. Bearhunter

[caper]

I recently bought a longbranch one at CGN as my first rifle, looking foreward to getting my paws on it. Steve makes some good points but his conspiracy theory website seemed a little too much for me to swallow. I'm new to the shooting scene but it seemed to me AIA just wanted its transition to a new market to go as smooth as possible and it backfired on them. (the dismal reports I have read about the 7.62x39 platform probably didn't help either) No big mystery there. I suspect that the .308 will do well and eventually the market will accept it for what it is, another good rifle.
As for liability, what do you think would happen if a norinco M14 blew up in someones face? Far more likely in my opinion, but hasn't dissuaded too many shooters.

[Cantom]

I recently bought a longbranch one at CGN as my first rifle, looking foreward to getting my paws on it. Steve makes some good points but his conspiracy theory website seemed a little too much for me to swallow. I'm new to the shooting scene but it seemed to me AIA just wanted its transition to a new market to go as smooth as possible and it backfired on them. (the dismal reports I have read about the 7.62x39 platform probably didn't help either) No big mystery there. I suspect that the .308 will do well and eventually the market will accept it for what it is, another good rifle.
As for liability, what do you think would happen if a norinco M14 blew up in someones face? Far more likely in my opinion, but hasn't dissuaded too many shooters.

That conspiracy theory thing was WAY overblown. I found it less than fair personally.

[AUSSIE]

Love these guns dudes!! Never seen one fail to feed, fire, extract or eject ever!! You all been conned if you think these things aren't reliable!! No probs more for us Aussies to keep!! YeeeHaaaa!!!!

[Claven2]

How are the 7.62x39 versions holding up in Oz? We still haven;t got them yet here in Canada, but I suspect it's more from our government's paperwork requirements than a supplier issue.

[Stevo]

Given the way the prices of Lee-Enfields keep sky-rocketing in Canada, I think the AIA rifles will start to look more and more attractive to shooters.

The "why would I spend $800 when I can get a real LE for $400" arguement is starting to lose it's relevance.

That reminds me, I need to get out and shoot mine. Definitely need to try it out to 500m this year.