Question.

[Captcurt]

I have a chance to get some Chinese Type 53 carbines in 7.62x54R. Do you think that there is a demand. I would think that they should sell with all of the Mosin fanatics out there.

What is your take?

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I think you're going to need to clarify what you mean. The only question I see is "is there a demand?" Yes, of course there is a demand. Are you wanting to resell them, wondering if you can make a profit? Are you afraid if you miss out, you won't be able to find more? I'm just a little confused about what you're trying to get at.

 

[aka108]

I owned about 6 or 7 Mosins at one time. Sold them all as I just got tired of cleaning up after shooting corrosive ammo. One of those rifles was the one mfg. in China. It was the most accurate of all with the exception of the model 39. I took all of them down to my gunsmith at one time to put in his for sale rack. Told him the Chinese made was one of the very best as was some Chinese made 7.62x54 ammo. The Chinese was the last one to sell and he finally talked one customer into buying a can of the Chinese ammo which the customer was reluctant to purchase. That customer came in the next day and bought the remaining 3 cans. Now the Chinese build a lot of crappy stuff (visit any big box store) but they can also build some very good stuff to. If the 53's you are looking are in decent condition and priced right you should be able to sell them and receive a decent return.

 

[Mencius]

Yeah, the price is what matters. Just to kinda illustrate, I am sure you could sell them all for $1. You could probably sell them all for $10. At $1000 I doubt you could sell any. If you can price them right I am sure you could sell them all.

I am not trying to be rude or anything, just the price matters.

 

[Red Tornado]

If you're an individual, you'll have to pay transfer/dealer profit and probably wont' be able to sell them for more. If you're C&R, that's illegal. If you're FFL01 are you selling locally on online? If locally, you should know your market. If online, check out gunbroker and see what they have been selling for. Not listing, but actually selling. Compare that to your cost. Make decision.

FWIW, aka108 had the only good, accurate one I've heard about. The one I had was tragically inaccurate and rough. They're unrefined copies of Mosins that sell for less than an M44.
Good luck,
RT

 

[Captcurt]

I have a ffl 01 and sell mostly online . These guns would need to sell around $150+. I will hit a few gunshows with a few and see how they sell. If they go well I will order more.

Thanks guys.

 

[ShadowsEye]

I have a ffl 01 and sell mostly online . These guns would need to sell around $150+. I will hit a few gunshows with a few and see how they sell. If they go well I will order more.

Thanks guys.

I'm sure others see it differently, but at that price point it's hard to justify paying the $20 ffl transfer fee. I bought my Mosin at a big box store locally for $99, could have ordered the same rifle online for $119 and then paid to transfer it. Down that low, margins are awfully thin.

 

[Red Tornado]

Margins are thin, but that's true of all online gun sales, I guess. With the normal quality of the T53's, I'd be really worried about getting stuck with them in your place. Unless you can get them really cheaply, and are willing to hold on to them if necessary....it may be a little risky. Your market is probably going to be mostly C&R holders, and if someone (SOG, CIA, J&G, etc.) have them for less, you could get stuck.
Good luck,
RT