[KC]

I saw an ad for these rifles. They are .357 pump guns, made by IMI, and the offering price was $175. Does anyone have experience with one of these things? (I poked around through the archives, but didnt find anything relavent.)

[fmjcafe]

Thats sounds pretty cheap for a Timberwolf. Are you sure it wasn`t one of the kits that were being offered recently?

[KC]

Yes, it was in unassembled/kit form.

[waynzwld]

I got one. It is fairly accurate and lots of fun. One fine plinker rifle. On par with the 357 lever rifles, no recoil to speak of, not loud. Kind of like having a 22LR on steroids!
Sure makes you eat up a lot of .357 ammo.

[mainmech48]

With due respect, read the fine print. Those "kits" are missing several small parts, pins, springs, etc., for which there is no commercial source. The missing part(s) will have to first be identified, then the requisite replacements fabricated. While you could get some idea of what was missing and a general idea of what it looked like from the "exploded" drawing in the manual's parts list (IF they provide one), precise dimensions and materials specs would require the skills of a first-rate gunsmith familiar with the design to work out, IMHO. YMMV. Pins and springs are one thing; "minor" parts open another can of worms entirely.

Depending upon what exactly is missing in the particular "kit" you happen to get, you could end up with a relative bargain or a project that'll end up costing much more than a fully functional original in very good condition would've. You pays your dollar and you takes your chances; it's a pure crap-shoot.

These are extremely nice little carbines. Slick, handy, and accurate with some unique attributes that make them a truly great "woods loafing" and small game gun. They're also a very viable choice for home defense. I wouldn't trade mine for diamonds.

Just remember: TANSTAAFL. If it'd been economically feasible to make and install the necessary parts in order to sell them as NIB carbines, someone would be doing it. The liability issues probably have a good deal to do with that, but it if it was as simple a matter as the ad would have you believe to put one of these kits into safe working order we'd be seeing more of them around at the shows, etc.