Someone suggested I take them up for a Mauser (German made, Yugo captures) but i've never heard of them and when I tried googling them I only got a handful of hits but a lot of them bad. Is RTI to be avoided or is this just the few guys that got a bad batcher making noise?
Is Royal Tiger Imports legit?
- Thread starter The Exile
- Start date
- Status
They have been around for years and advertised in the old Shotgun News and its replacement name Firearms Talk. At one time, I believe that the company was associated with IO, Inc. which manufactured firearms in NC before reorganization and before IO's move to Florida. https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?163397-I-O-and-Royal-Tiger-Imports
Have no idea about the current ownership.
I, personally, have never ordered from them.
Have no idea about the current ownership.
I, personally, have never ordered from them.
Last edited:
I took a gander at their webpages, prices seem a bit high to me absent pictures of actual condition. If you are a gunbroker member (registered with them), you can do a search for completed auctions and it will give you some pricing data and pictures of the actual rifle shown. Simpsons, for example, has a Radom Mauser (Polish made) for $799 with exhaustive pictures. https://simpsonltd.com/long-guns/mauser/ Simpsons is a reputable firm. Checkpoint Charlies is another reputable firm, https://www.checkpointcharlies.com/ecommerce/ as is JG Sales in AZ https://www.jgsales.com/
In Gun Digest, the actual magazine, there was also a firm PacknPostal in Mass that relies on physical ads and phone sales for most of their business. They have a minor online store, https://www.packandpostalcenter.com/store.html#/ which is for their non-FFL sales (antiques and accessories). Their inventory varies quite a bit with a most of their sales are single items. Never bought from them as a lot of their stuff was sold by the time I called as they generally price stuff to move--might be worth a call when they reopen. Joe Salter is an example, https://www.joesalter.com/. of a fully priced seller of firearms for collectors. Like most of the true collector sellers, you will see exhaustive pictures of the item--never dealt with him either as I buy my firearms for shooting, not collecting per se.
brunowbe
Member
My understanding is that as an importer they are good to go (they were the only one to ever import Polish Beryl Archers as far as I know and were legit as a seller then),as a manufacturer (IO), they are trash.
I'm also after a shooter and not a safe queen or display piece, I'll follow up on some of those links when things open up again.
MosinT53Hunter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2016
- Messages
- 1,040
Centerfire Systems has some interesting shooter Yugo Mausers right now, decent prices.
IT-Gunner
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2020
- Messages
- 2
I just got 2 rifles from them, a M24/47 and a La Coruna M43. The M24/47 was in very good condition and I was pleased with it for $379. The La Coruna for $400, however, was a total piece of crap with thumbtacks all over the buttstock, missing rear sling swivel, non-functioning safety, pretty much a smooth bore, loose barrel - I mean it turned in my hand loose, crooked sights and broken threads in the receiver. Their customer service is abysmal, not even a "we're sorry we took your money and sent you a total POS", no RMA, just a "you can ship it back at your expense" and we'll send you another POS because that's all we have in those. I ended up just keeping the M43, fixed the safety, changed out the barrel and got it fixed up for the most part. Oh, and I posted a review on their site for each rifle I purchased...gave the M24/47 5 stars, gave the M43 one star...I checked tonight and the 5 star review is still there but they removed the 1 star review (I posted another and will keep checking and reposting)...very questionable, if any, integrity and the absolute worst customer service.
Had I only gotten the M24/47, I'd think they were great. Had I only gotten the M43, I'd think they were crooks. Since I got both sides of the experience in the same purchase, all I can tell you is beware, don't buy anything with no reviews because they were probably all bad and removed, and hope you get something decent, because you're going to get stuck with whatever they decide to send you. And regardless of what's on their homepage, trust me, they don't give a rat's ass about customer satisfaction.
M24/47 as received - nice bore, good condition, nice crest.
La Coruna M43 as received:
After cleanup and barrel swap, still working on the stock:
Had I only gotten the M24/47, I'd think they were great. Had I only gotten the M43, I'd think they were crooks. Since I got both sides of the experience in the same purchase, all I can tell you is beware, don't buy anything with no reviews because they were probably all bad and removed, and hope you get something decent, because you're going to get stuck with whatever they decide to send you. And regardless of what's on their homepage, trust me, they don't give a rat's ass about customer satisfaction.
M24/47 as received - nice bore, good condition, nice crest.
La Coruna M43 as received:
After cleanup and barrel swap, still working on the stock:
Last edited:
Jesse Heywood
Member
They have been around for quite a while. Recently read an Firearm News article about their M1 Carbine imports. I have bought from them in the past and hope to do so in the future.
CapnMac
Member
Their website is abysmal--not even up to early 90s standards.
They are startlingly non specific about what they have. Ok, that's complicated when you have a warehouse with firearms stacked like cordwoord (which is how they were found in Ethiopia). But, really, one photo is beyond reach? When everyone and their brother has a cell phone with a camera?
The reports from sales very much mirror @IT-Gunner from above. If you get something good, it's generally very good. When bad, it's junk.
So, they have not sorted the wares beyond type, and apparently all of those are just in piles, and you get the one on the top.
Reports on the Carbines have been all over the place. To include non-functioning ones mixed in with gems.
They are startlingly non specific about what they have. Ok, that's complicated when you have a warehouse with firearms stacked like cordwoord (which is how they were found in Ethiopia). But, really, one photo is beyond reach? When everyone and their brother has a cell phone with a camera?
The reports from sales very much mirror @IT-Gunner from above. If you get something good, it's generally very good. When bad, it's junk.
So, they have not sorted the wares beyond type, and apparently all of those are just in piles, and you get the one on the top.
Reports on the Carbines have been all over the place. To include non-functioning ones mixed in with gems.
wiscoaster
Member
I'm a customer of Royal Tiger. My experience was not positive. I think the "story" behind the rifles is accurate. But their descriptions of what they have to offer from those discoveries are, well, shaded toward the optimistic side. If you're a bit of a gambler and consider a purchase from Royal Tiger as a kind of a roll of the dice and are prepared for anything, then I'd say to go for it. But know that what you get will NOT be accurately represented by what they picture and describe on the website.
As a side note, they seem to be having problems selling their inventory of M1 carbines. They've been emailing me with special offers for several weeks.
As a side note, they seem to be having problems selling their inventory of M1 carbines. They've been emailing me with special offers for several weeks.
wiscoaster
Member
Still IO. IO is the importer of record. It's their mark on my Carcano.
wiscoaster
Member
View attachment 951180
That's a hoot - I recognize those thumbtacks - they were decorating my Carcano, too. Must have been a "thing" for Ethiopian soldiers.
I'm not chancing it with any company with that scummy a return policy. Rather pay 600$ and know I'm getting a good rifle, and that the company will make it right if I get a lemon, then gamble 400
DocRock
member
The stuff they have brought in from Africa will be in pretty appalling condition.
wiscoaster
Member
As is, yes, but with plenty of elbow grease can be turned into a functioning (and fun) shooter. Not a collectible for sure, just a cheap shooter.
jobu07
Contributing Member
BLUF - there are better places to get a Mauser.
That said, they are hit or miss with some good stuff turning up and some tomato stakes showing up with the barrel or bolt handle poking out of the box. They are legit in the sense that you'll order a make and model of rifle and receive it. Shipping times used to be inexcusably poor. Packaging was a joke. They have improved both of those, though I will stop short of saying they have fixed them. I will concur with CapnMac, their website is absolute garbage.
Some of their prices are absurd. Alternatively, some prices are rather low for what you are getting, be it the roll marks you are seeking of the value of a bolt action rifle for $XX. The items I have received from them were as advertised. I didn't expect A+ condition equipment. But they cleaned up relatively nice and I am pleased. You can get inexpensive shooters from them and you can also grab hard to find items that are quite collectable from them. None of them will be in Very Good to Excellent condition, but you can certainly grab some items that you will have fun with and that will clean up to be nice serviceable guns.
You will definitely have to clean some "third world gunk" out of them, for sure. I guess it's all roll of the dice as to what came from the warehouses of Ethiopia.
That said, they are hit or miss with some good stuff turning up and some tomato stakes showing up with the barrel or bolt handle poking out of the box. They are legit in the sense that you'll order a make and model of rifle and receive it. Shipping times used to be inexcusably poor. Packaging was a joke. They have improved both of those, though I will stop short of saying they have fixed them. I will concur with CapnMac, their website is absolute garbage.
Some of their prices are absurd. Alternatively, some prices are rather low for what you are getting, be it the roll marks you are seeking of the value of a bolt action rifle for $XX. The items I have received from them were as advertised. I didn't expect A+ condition equipment. But they cleaned up relatively nice and I am pleased. You can get inexpensive shooters from them and you can also grab hard to find items that are quite collectable from them. None of them will be in Very Good to Excellent condition, but you can certainly grab some items that you will have fun with and that will clean up to be nice serviceable guns.
You will definitely have to clean some "third world gunk" out of them, for sure. I guess it's all roll of the dice as to what came from the warehouses of Ethiopia.
Last edited:
jobu07
Contributing Member
It seems their current technique to sell the remaining stock is to mark the price up several hundred dollars, repark a few parts, and throw some repro accessories in to complete the deal.
wiscoaster
Member
Ya, and word gets around. Seems like IO and their partner companies don't value their customers' opinions very highly. Too bad they so underrate loyalty, which depends on that opinion. It's a very strong part of business success.
SterlingBullet
Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 305
According to the Florida Division of Corporations, the director listed for Royal Tiger Imports and I.O., Inc. are the same person. Both companies are still active and are located at the same address in Melbourne, FL.
SterlingBullet
Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 305
Another thing to consider: the Better Business Bureau rates Royal Tiger Imports as a “B+“ and I.O., Inc. as an “F”. Not very encouraging.
wiscoaster
Member
Well, hey guys, lets file a few complaints about Royal Tiger and get them caught up with the parent company!! 
jlmwrite
Member
I recently bought one of the imported (re-imported?) M1 carbines after RT was featured in Firearms News. The price I paid is about the same as what I saw on the auction sites, and slightly lower than the one I spotted at my LGS earlier this year. I paid extra for the "very good to excellent", and what I received was "not bad to decent".
It was manufactured by Underwood with a serial number that places it as being from 1943. The stock came out of the box so grimy it was almost completely black, but isn't cracked or showing any repairs. After some careful attention to the wood, it looks like most decently cared for WWII era stocks. I was sad to see the rack number in sloppy fading white paint but that's now covered by a buttstock ammo pouch. I stripped 'er down completely and was happily surprised to find only a small amounts of surface rust and a goodly collection of Ethiopian dirt underneath everything. The barrel appears to be in good shape, the op rod not deformed, and the spring has plenty of life left.
After a complete cleaning and a good greasing, I put 150 rounds of the Korean era ammo through her with only 3 failures to go completely into battery. (Not enough grease? Weakened spring? The 1950s ammo?) I didn't take a pic of the target as I often do when shooting a new toy for the first time, but I did make a notation on a spare dope card that I ended up with 2.5" groups at 25 yards firing from the shoulder without support at my local indoor range.
Three complaints -- their website appears to not have changed in the past 15 years, the new/repro items are priced higher than most other website, but worst is the abysmal lack of communications from RT as evidenced by my three unanswered emails, two unanswered "contact us" forms and then 2 voicemails over a period of three weeks before I finally got a call back about my C&R license. To be fair, once that was cleared up I got a shipping notice the next day.
Bottom line is that I finally added an M1 Carbine to my militeria collection, so it ended well for me.
It was manufactured by Underwood with a serial number that places it as being from 1943. The stock came out of the box so grimy it was almost completely black, but isn't cracked or showing any repairs. After some careful attention to the wood, it looks like most decently cared for WWII era stocks. I was sad to see the rack number in sloppy fading white paint but that's now covered by a buttstock ammo pouch. I stripped 'er down completely and was happily surprised to find only a small amounts of surface rust and a goodly collection of Ethiopian dirt underneath everything. The barrel appears to be in good shape, the op rod not deformed, and the spring has plenty of life left.
After a complete cleaning and a good greasing, I put 150 rounds of the Korean era ammo through her with only 3 failures to go completely into battery. (Not enough grease? Weakened spring? The 1950s ammo?) I didn't take a pic of the target as I often do when shooting a new toy for the first time, but I did make a notation on a spare dope card that I ended up with 2.5" groups at 25 yards firing from the shoulder without support at my local indoor range.
Three complaints -- their website appears to not have changed in the past 15 years, the new/repro items are priced higher than most other website, but worst is the abysmal lack of communications from RT as evidenced by my three unanswered emails, two unanswered "contact us" forms and then 2 voicemails over a period of three weeks before I finally got a call back about my C&R license. To be fair, once that was cleared up I got a shipping notice the next day.
Bottom line is that I finally added an M1 Carbine to my militeria collection, so it ended well for me.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked