ChiCom Type 53

[TurtlePhish]

I know that these are a very close copy of the Russian M44 with only very minor cosmetic differences.

Are they built to the same quality as the Russian rifles?
If not, what's different about them? Just curious, as I've found several places selling them for $150 a piece while M44s fetch over $200, usually closer to $275.

 

[Powerglide]

The current crop is barely very good. Probably NRA VG but that's not much really.They are quality shooters and when new, very good guns. Chinese finishes were not always that great but like the Russians, just expediant although I have seen beautiful examples of both.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Okay cool, thanks. That's pretty much all I was wondering about.

 

[Powerglide]

Oh, for your question. The differences aren't much, if any.Wood may be different or some parts could be stamped. Basically though, you can ask any Nam vet and they'll say they shoot pretty darn good.

 

[dirtyjim]

I picked up mine when omega had them for $39.
It was rough buy like most 53's it has a very good trigger

 

[The Sarge]

I have bought three in the past 2 weeks. From SOG. $149.
All three in VG condition and are accurate and reliable. We use all of our Milsurps for visitors hog hunting. So they get abused.
Here is one I got last week from SOG. Sorry for the pictures. I suck at picture taking and it is early in the morning here

 

[.45Guy]

A friend of mine just ordered a couple. I must say I was amazed at the condition of the metal, the furniture not so much. Not really terrible, but it was rough. All in all, not too shaBBY for something that came out of Albania.

 

[The Sarge]

I do not wish to speak out of school here...but most of the "inventory" of these you are seeing for sale today, have been here before 1996. Large quantities were bought and stored here in the USofA knowing/hoping the price would go up. So they sat on them.
T-53's get a bad rap IMHO. They are excellent little carbines. Shoot cheap surplus ammo. @ $149 I fail to see the risk here.

 

[JustinJ]

The word "Chinese" is no longer sufficient so a new one had to be invented, apparently.

 

[MtnCreek]

The word "Chinese" is no longer sufficient so a new one had to be invented, apparently.

Squash and Gourd… ‘Squash’ is used to more accurately describe a squash, rather than just calling it a gourd.

 

[carbine85]

I have picked up a real nice Russian M44 & M38. All the Chinese rifles I see around here always seem to have something undesirable about them. I find them with a dark bore, or damaged crowns, or deep pitting on the outside or the stocks are a mess. The Chinese guns are suppose to be well manufactured, they just don't appear to be cared for or refurbished like the Russians.

 

[JustinJ]

Is my Colt "AmerCap"? A better term for China would be ChiQuasiCom.

 

[Sgt.Murtaugh]

OP, are you a Phish phan?

 

[caribou]

The Chinese were using their Type 53's in Korea while the Russian ones were being refurrbed, the SKS and AK series were the then New russian rifles.

China, in the 50's, recived thousands of Soviet M-44's, more parts, and the machinery to build their own, so you can actually have a type 53 made in USSR or built with Soviet parts.
the Chinese manufacture tecniques may have been a bit different, but they did build solid reliable rifles, and parts interchangability is no problem.

 

[nathan]

Both my M 44 s are Yugo s with the TRZ stamped in the buttstock right side. Both are 1946 , they were like new condition wrapped in wax paper from Coles in 2003. I got them for $69 a piece. The good days long gone. ANd oh the bores are mint and has the Izhevsk markings. Sweet shooter and a blaster at the range.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Wow, thanks for the many responses, everyone

I've got a real Russian 1947 M44 anyway, so it was really just a curiosity thing... seems like those Type 53s are unrecognized treasures for their price point and capabilities.

Sgt. Murtaugh, you could say that. I picked it up from a great English teacher sophomore year.

 

[zhyla]

The only Type 53 I've seen in person was fantastic. From what I've read they were built every bit as well as the Russian model. But they saw an amazing amount of use and it shows.