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.
Tons of people want old west style guns. Part of the reason it is viable for companies to make modern repros of 1880s and earlier guns is simply due to the fact the quantity of those firearms produced were relatively low (limitations of technology etc.) and the condition the originals tend to be in is fairly poor. Coupled with the fact that since the condition is crap and the price is high very few people can reasonably afford to shoot a original.
A C96 Mauser was a very expensive firearm to produce, now it would be even worse. A better option might be that Spanish 'copy' which was simplified as it is very similar (I believe it had the name Astra 700 or something of that nature) appearance wise but would be easier to make. In regards to the Webley in .38 special, your really starting to push the limits of that design with that caliber. Generally speaking most people are more interested in swing out cylinders, and generally prefer it to be .357 so they can choose between .38 or .357.
Another thing I just remembered there are companies making M1 Carbine repros and such and they tend not to sell to well as most people are willing to buy a original rather than take a repro.
I'd think it would be inordinately expensive to reproduce.
You only have to strip a C96 down to see what a complex and expensive pistol it would be to reproduce ... Some really serious machining and hand fitting required!
Talking about C96's, I remember my first attempt at putting one back together (we've all been there), a mate of mine bought one about 25 years ago and took it apart to see what made it tick ... 4 fruitless hours later he came round to my house to consult my " Small Arms of the World" Bible, and between us we figured it out.
Thank God for a good solid reference library .. especially in the days before the internet was there to help!
The other ones that fired from a closed bolt were a pain compared to a real one...I guess once you've been spoiled by a real one you're spoiled...
Originally Posted by mrclark303
Some really serious machining and hand fitting required!
That was what I was picturing, the whole mechanism in hand after being lifted out of the body. That would be another thing...so, they'd have to simplify that too.
I think that one of the most interesting classic reproductions was the Navy Arms N.J. production of fifty Henry rifles chambered in 44 Henry rim fire around 1976. They even had 44 Henry rim fire
cartridges manufactured in South America for use in these rifles. Many of these rifles were engraved too. Later Navy Arms went to Uberti in Italy to continue manufacture of the Henry in 44-40
caliber which requires a longer carrier block.
I got curious after posting here a few days ago and did more digging... the HMG STG44s have still yet to ship. Initially I thought they were too much for what would really be a novelty for me, then I started to talk myself into it with the idea of seeing what initial reviews were, but these delays would have me nervous if I had laid down $1800 for one. Anyone here order one? The idea of getting one in 7.92 Kurz (which a local shop does in fact stock) and a conversion kit to "normal" caliber for bulk shooting intrigued me.
Originally Posted by Colonel Enfield
Carbine repros and such and they tend not to sell to well as most people are willing to buy a original rather than take a repro.
PM
