It seems the endless debate regarding the use of non firing Indian made repros has not faded.
I know enough about firearms to know not to drill a touch hole in a repro made in one of many backroom shops in India. ( in fact I know much more). Let's set the stage by referring to these as modern non firing repros as the distributor does and not compare to originals as this is a non issue.
I have read claims without any documentation support of materials used, quality of manufacture, testing, gauging etc.
I will use the website that claims steel tubing is the barrel material. hey use a now defunct identifier number. Their liability waiver says volumes.
No MPI, LPI or piezo pressure gauges used to produce these bad boys. In fact I have read many times the locks require some serious work to get them to function similar to originals.
Still I see the idea that drilling a vent hole magically converts these wall hangers into functioning and safe firearms. No proof markings, no makers marks, nothing.
How can 1/16" hole have the power to convert lead into gold?
What is constantly said is the lower price and affordability makes all safety precautions fly out the window and is a good reason to drill. The hole makes these instantly worth much more and on par with real firearms? Can I have the same thing for less than 1/3 the price?
Home proofed barrels is the next step after the hole. People that have no idea what is involved, to magically proof their repros into a highly crafted tool.
If I sound sarcastic, I have meant to.
So far no one has given credible answers that prove these repros are ok to shoot.
Some say barrels are made of axle steel, axles are solid not tubular. Actual steel designations do not list these types of steels as barrel steels. And don't use the poor argument that originals were iron because they did fail too. We now have good standards because people don't want to be injured pulling the trigger, ever.
Modern firearms must meet minimum standards for safety, reliability etc, and all these things are not allowed in this particular limitation of liability statement, other distributors mileage may vary.:
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall ACCESS HERITAGE Inc. be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special consequential damages, to property or life, whatsoever arising out of or connected with the use or misuse of its products or advice. Furthermore, ACCESS HERITAGE Inc. accepts no liability whatsoever for the safety, reliability, durability and performance of any of our companies' products and are accepted by the customer on an "As-is" basis. The customer assumes responsibility for the actions of their government entities (ex. Customs) and ACCESS HERITAGE Inc. is held accountable for the delay or seizure of goods by said entities.
Or, is it just me and I should ignore all the red flags, drill that vent hole and ram a ball down the spout? Other have done so without issue! We don't know how or where exactly these repros are made but the claims some make would have to be based on this knowledge?? Or not?
I cannot find similar liability statements from Winchester, Colt, Perdersoli etc.....
"no liability whatsoever for the safety, reliability, durability and performance of any of our companies' products"
Will this post create a firestorm of musketry?
I can say this as a gunsmith, that anyone saying take it to a gunsmith to drill the vent hole and this will make the repro serviceable, is not giving you good advice. In my opinion a gunsmith worth his salt would never drill a non firing reproduction if he even cares for his clients.
I would like to hear opposition to my argument based on fact, not here-say or because I shot a million balls through it and i'm still kicking.
I know many like these repros and stand by them, nothing wrong with enthusiasm for firearms, real ones or wall hangers if they remain as intended.
I know enough about firearms to know not to drill a touch hole in a repro made in one of many backroom shops in India. ( in fact I know much more). Let's set the stage by referring to these as modern non firing repros as the distributor does and not compare to originals as this is a non issue.
I have read claims without any documentation support of materials used, quality of manufacture, testing, gauging etc.
I will use the website that claims steel tubing is the barrel material. hey use a now defunct identifier number. Their liability waiver says volumes.
No MPI, LPI or piezo pressure gauges used to produce these bad boys. In fact I have read many times the locks require some serious work to get them to function similar to originals.
Still I see the idea that drilling a vent hole magically converts these wall hangers into functioning and safe firearms. No proof markings, no makers marks, nothing.
How can 1/16" hole have the power to convert lead into gold?
What is constantly said is the lower price and affordability makes all safety precautions fly out the window and is a good reason to drill. The hole makes these instantly worth much more and on par with real firearms? Can I have the same thing for less than 1/3 the price?
Home proofed barrels is the next step after the hole. People that have no idea what is involved, to magically proof their repros into a highly crafted tool.
If I sound sarcastic, I have meant to.
So far no one has given credible answers that prove these repros are ok to shoot.
Some say barrels are made of axle steel, axles are solid not tubular. Actual steel designations do not list these types of steels as barrel steels. And don't use the poor argument that originals were iron because they did fail too. We now have good standards because people don't want to be injured pulling the trigger, ever.
Modern firearms must meet minimum standards for safety, reliability etc, and all these things are not allowed in this particular limitation of liability statement, other distributors mileage may vary.:
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall ACCESS HERITAGE Inc. be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special consequential damages, to property or life, whatsoever arising out of or connected with the use or misuse of its products or advice. Furthermore, ACCESS HERITAGE Inc. accepts no liability whatsoever for the safety, reliability, durability and performance of any of our companies' products and are accepted by the customer on an "As-is" basis. The customer assumes responsibility for the actions of their government entities (ex. Customs) and ACCESS HERITAGE Inc. is held accountable for the delay or seizure of goods by said entities.
Or, is it just me and I should ignore all the red flags, drill that vent hole and ram a ball down the spout? Other have done so without issue! We don't know how or where exactly these repros are made but the claims some make would have to be based on this knowledge?? Or not?
I cannot find similar liability statements from Winchester, Colt, Perdersoli etc.....
"no liability whatsoever for the safety, reliability, durability and performance of any of our companies' products"
Will this post create a firestorm of musketry?
I can say this as a gunsmith, that anyone saying take it to a gunsmith to drill the vent hole and this will make the repro serviceable, is not giving you good advice. In my opinion a gunsmith worth his salt would never drill a non firing reproduction if he even cares for his clients.
I would like to hear opposition to my argument based on fact, not here-say or because I shot a million balls through it and i'm still kicking.
I know many like these repros and stand by them, nothing wrong with enthusiasm for firearms, real ones or wall hangers if they remain as intended.