Any thoughts on the Indian made P1853 Enfields?

[zimmerstutzen]

The gun in the proof picture has really thin barrel walls for the bore size. There is also no evidence of powder fouling on the bore interior. Do they use smokeless? It also appears that the barrel was turned down even thinner from the touch ole forward. How in the world do you line a lock up against the spot where the barrel has different diameters as in that photo. A flat edge primer pan couldn't even fit tight against the touch hole. (The touch hole is right at the edge of the wedding band)

That barrel, no matter where made, does not appear that it was ever intended to be fired.

I have purchased some parts from M. Sikligar in Udapur, India. They advertise that all their guns have been tested in accordance with Indian Government standards. Whether that is true, I can't verify. I can say that the two Indian guns (from a different manufacturer) that I do have are stamped as required for finished firearms.

It would appear that some Indian manufacturers have vastly different quality standards, just like the variances between American makers.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

In addition, we have all seen internet pictures of American made guns with ruptured barrels. Guess American guns are junk? Don't buy American they might blow up some day.

There is a large number of junk muzzleoaders out there. I won't shoot most Belgian muzzleloading long guns made in the 1960's. Some of the early Spanish guns are likewise very suspect. as well as some of the Japanese products, like the Tower pistol with the three piece barrel.

 

[satx78247]

AGREED 100%. = Double-barreled shotguns (both ML & breech-loading) are built to various standards of quality in India, Pakistan & other nearby nations. ====> Some is JUNQUE (That's that "fancy French" junk.), some is "just OK" and some is REALLY nice quality.
(When I was stationed in SE Asia, years & years ago, I saw some shotguns made by individual gunsmiths "on private commission" for "well-to-do individuals" that exhibited the same quality as fine English guns, including heavy engraving & gold inlays.)

That said, I would NOT buy ANY south Asian-made shotgun, of any sort, that I had NOT personally/carefully examined.
(Btw, I saw a "line by line" copy of a DARNE PREMIER-grade DB, that could only be determined to NOT be by that French maker by reading the printing on the central rib.)

yours, satx

 

[Rifleman1776]

Perhaps not now. The ones I know of were double barrel shotguns sold back in the 1970 ' s and 1980's.

Depending on memory only, the only Navy Arms imports were from Italy and Spain that I know of. But, I did follow the market and trends quite closely at the time.

 

[Rifleman1776]

The 1962 law specifically permits exports so the wiki statement that exports are prohibited is false and misleading on its face.
The problem exporting to the us, is that the exporter must show a license to import from the country of destination. If you ever examined the Indian made guns sold by Navy Arms you would find makers name serial number date of manufacture and proof mark.

Zim, the debatable quality/safety issue aside, there have been many documentaries and articles about the slave and near-slave labor in India and the horrid working conditions there. I will not knowingly purchase any item made in India. atriot:

 

[wulf]

The vent hole looks to be almost at the bottom
of the barrel...might be that the plug was un-
screwed?
Wulf

 

[thatoneguy82]

Got my musket to be trade gun, so far I've done the following: remove the rear sight, file the breech to octagon and filed two wedding bands, and test fired it. I followed the directions in "Recreating the Muzzleloading Shotgun" and fired a double powder (160gr) under one .570 ball, then a standard load (80gr) under two balls. The only problem was that the flash channel in the nipple is huge and under the 160gr load it blew some fowling out, under the 80gr load it still blew a hole through the cap but no blow back.



Having done this I am going to look it over closely and if no issues manifest then I'm going to trust it next to my head.

 

[Grandpa Ron]

If you want high dollar quality you buy a high dollar gun.

This discussion has been going on for years.

For decades people have been turning their noses up at CVA, Traditions and hundreds of other Italian, Spanish and other foreign makes.

They are too clubby, the parts are cheap, they will not last, they have no resale value etc. etc.

All this is true but they have also provided thousands of hours of pleasure to many shooters, who will never shoot enough to want or buy another gun.

I have a couple of $100.00 wonders for my grandkids; cap lock half stocks with set triggers that will serve them for years.

Now it appears it is the Indian imports turn. As with any firearm it is best to examine the piece. Does the flint spark, does the touch hole line up, is the trigger pull to heavy, is the nipple in align with the hammer face. These are the same questions that were asked of all imports.

Some will buy them and outgrow them, others will find them suited to their needs.

Again you get what you pay for but not every one needs a $1000.00 fly rod to enjoy fishing.