India Made Firearms

[Rock Home Isle]

There have been lots of recent discussions on India Made Muskets…I’ve never done a pol before…so let’s see how it goes.

pol closes in 12 days.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I've already bought the second one.

Since I do historical reenactment of the French and Indian War, I needed a Long Land Pattern King's Musket. In the normal inventory of production guns, there was the Pedersoli 2nd model, a short land pattern. Used market 1st models were not showing up. I did use a Pedersoli 2nd model as an acceptable substitute even if not correct. Then I found a 1st model musket on a trade blanket for a reasonable cost and almost immediately found a buyer for the 2nd model. Some polishing of the internal parts and the Loyalist 1st model was as reliable as the Pedersoli Bess. The Loyalist musket is heavier, but closer to being correct for the F&I and has proven reliable with blank rounds and live cartridges.

When I had the opportunity to buy an artillary carbine by Loyalist, I bought that too even though it was a 20 gauge, not a 16 gauge.

 

[FlinterNick]

The poll should include a question about purchasing arms of other manufacturers.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

The poll should include a question about purchasing arms of other manufacturers.

Elaborate…

 

[FlinterNick]

Elaborate…

If you would purchase a gun by a non indian made manufacturer?

 

[dave951]

If you would purchase a gun by a non indian made manufacturer?

That depends. I've handled several Indian made guns. Q/C wasn't good. Handle some originals and choose your comfort level. There are always those who will drive a Yugo.

 

[FlinterNick]

That depends. I've handled several Indian made guns. Q/C wasn't good. Handle some originals and choose your comfort level. There are always those who will drive a Yugo.

I’ve only handled one that I enjoyed using, it was a 1728 charleville by loyalist arms.

However it did weigh a whooping 13 lbs which is almost double the weight of an original 1728, originals weighed around 7-8lbs. A lot weight was in the barrel and forestock. Ironically the rammer was very undersized around 1/8, should have been tapered more up to 5/16 at the tip.

The lock was ok, but chunky and when i removed it there were a lot of gashes and scratches on the internals, indicating it wasn’t hardened correctly.

But i thought it was a nice musket, rosewood stock had some very nice figure to it, would I buy it…? No, just too too big.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

It’s interesting to see the poling data develop.

 

[Kansas Jake]

One missed option is “I don’t have an Indian made musket but might consider one.”

I fall into this category.

 

[springfield art]

I’ve only handled one that I enjoyed using, it was a 1728 charleville by loyalist arms.

However it did weigh a whooping 13 lbs which is almost double the weight of an original 1728, originals weighed around 7-8lbs. A lot weight was in the barrel and forestock. Ironically the rammer was very undersized around 1/8, should have been tapered more up to 5/16 at the tip.

The lock was ok, but chunky and when i removed it there were a lot of gashes and scratches on the internals, indicating it wasn’t hardened correctly.

But i thought it was a nice musket, rosewood stock had some very nice figure to it, would I buy it…? No, just too too big.

Holy mackerel! Thirteen pounds? No way for me!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

One missed option is “I don’t have an Indian made musket but might consider one.”

I fall into this category.

That option is 2nd from the bottom, and currently has 5 votes…

 

[Rock Home Isle]

For those who truly dislike India Made guns…Why?

 

[Fitzhugh Williams]

For those who truly dislike India Made guns…Why?

The barrels. Most other issues can be fixed, but once the oversized barrels have been inletted, nothing can be done.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

The barrels. Most other issues can be fixed, but once the oversized barrels have been inletted, nothing can be done.

That is the most honest & astute observation I have read concerning a dislike of India Made Firearms.

 

[Texas Gil]

Purchased a English Trade gun from Loyalist 15 years ago. Love this gun. I would buy another but very happy with what I have .

 

[Adneg]

For those who truly dislike India Made guns…Why?

Had one …. No spare parts, had to get a spring fitted for $175, an Italian or siler spring is $20-40 drop in. Never again.

Stock chipped and cracked almost every time I used it. I ended up have someone epoxy coat it, $150 job.

Sent the lock to log cabin shop to have tuned and hardened, parts were grinding, they sent it back with a no work can be done invoice.

In the end the gun has cost me more than it’s initial purchase price.

 

[mignot]

I have at least one from each major importer, and I even imported some on my own once. All of them are functioning firearms, but the finishing does vary depending upon the importer. In my opinion, loyalist arms is the best. Veteran arms also does a pretty good job. I am least satisfied with Middlesex and Discriminating General. These are cosmetic issues however, not functioning issues. They shoot just fine.

 

[Surfinator58]

I have four from military heritage one Miroku and one pedersoli the poll needs to include....... I have India derangement syndrome

 

[toot]

face it they rely fill a VOID!! it isn't goanna change.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Had one …. No spare parts, had to get a spring fitted for $175, an Italian or siler spring is $20-40 drop in. Never again.

You do have a point about lack of manufactured spares, but...
An Italian main spring for a Bess is currently $82.50 plus shipping. An Italian Bess frizzen spring is $62.70, plus shipping, IF either of them are in stock.

LD