NOT QUITE A No4T or an L42 but…………..

[Roger Payne]

There certainly does seem to be a lot of interest in AI rifles. Due to similar interest in the PH M85 Badger started a separate sub-forum for it, so might it not be worth doing the same for AI rifles, or even broadening the PH forum to include the AI's as well? Just a thought......

[S12A]

that would be a great idea Roger!

earlier in the thread there was talk of the SR98 having an Aussie made barrel, this was true for a period of time barrels were supplied by Maddco in QLD.

[CINDERS]

Here is what I find most perplexing with the whole shamozzle of these weapons systems - we the general public are never able to acquire things like these and if we do are in the minority or very well connected with the grape vine.
There will never be the day the public will ever come near to owning current military hardware and its subsequent sighting systems including up to the latest IR and NV systems and with what they have themselves what threat are we.
Whilst my .308 APRS REM - 700 G prefix (The last one they did before going to Stiller actions) will never be in the league of what is in this thread it still can shoot .5 moa when I get my stuff together.
It saddens me to think AI do not clone a L96 but there may be a reason I would love to be able to afford an M-40, M-82, Rem-40x or an L-42 as it is a piece of history and would sure make a range day more interesting.
As a postscript one of my friends does own a bonafide Rem M-40 all present and correct from the Vietnam conflict and despite my 12k offer refused to sell it to me he also has a PMII S & B scope that has the military reticule in it apparently according to him he was lucky to get exported from Germany at least that is the story.
Wish I could own what is on this thread but our laws (sorry Badger) here just suck and from what I can tell the new harmonization laws are going to make it worse for any one else trying to own any type of fire arm.
Nice weapons systems guys very nice thanks for making me drool badly.....................

[brent65]

As a postscript one of my friends does own a bonafide Rem M-40 all present and correct from the Vietnam conflict and despite my 12k offer refused to sell it to me

Why would he part with something that if genuine would fetch upward of 25K US for 12 K Aus. ?

PS. You can own these in the eastern states Cinders, Safari firearms had two L96's for sale a few years back when they were still in Belmore, from memory Gary was asking 6k each complete with transit chest and all of the kit.

[breakeyp]

There were only 13 imported into the USA back in the late 1980's or early 1990's I think. They came in through Gunsite in Arizona and how they managed to get them approved is beyond me. The same holds true for the 10 Australian SR98, (AW), rifles that were imported to AI's pre bankruptcy HQ in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the late 1990's. There are only 12 L96 rifles here now as I exported one back to England! They are not legal to import being military issue and since they aren't 50 years old, not even eligible for addition to the C&R list. I know there are a few that have come to the USA through military channels but getting one here by normal commercial channels would be quite a feat.

Brian, Gunsite told me one was exported by them to Switzerland. So there are two less in the USA.

[CINDERS]

Brent 65 I made that offer some 10 years ago for that M-40 when the price seemed fair still if you want expensive GI had a pair of 600NE Holland and Hollands consecutives for the low price of $450,000.oo US now that is a bit beyond my pocket as much as I love the English doubles............

[brent65]

now that's some serious coin, the last documented M40 I seen sold for 38k US and that would have been 3-4 yrs ago still well outside my merge finacial capacity

[Surpmil]

The L96 can't have been so bad that it wouldn't have been better off in war reserves than scrapped. Wars have a funny way of beginning before everyone is ready.