Chinese type 56 imports at Classic

[carls sks]

i  am thinking about getting one. i know going in that its a crap-shoot. the only quetion is which  option (hand select $25, numbers matching $20, both or neither) to do and why. i am leaning towards numbers matching. just want to keep the cost down (i'm cheap). with shipping and tax considered in that . i do respect everyone's here advice and thanks for all opinions. 

[Bubbazinetti]

I think you have to ask yourself;are you going to collect it?,shoot it?,customize it for a certain purpose?Resell it?Family heirloom?

[carls sks]

I think you have to ask yourself;are you going to collect it?,shoot it?,customize it for a certain purpose?Resell it?Family heirloom?

well i have two blade types(ghost & sino-soviet), i want a spike type to go along with them. so, collect would be major purpose. thanks Bubba.

[Direct Connection]

They went up 20 bucks in the last couple weeks at classic. They were 299.00. Haven't checked prices but I think Atlantic Firearms had some too.

[echo83]

I think I would go numbers matching and leave it at that. I think the hand select is a little bit of a racket.

There always seems to be some sort of "add on" when you're ready to purchase. When I was purchasing mine, they had three options; "hand select" "numbers matching" and "guaranteed milled trigger group" as opposed to the default stamped trigger group. They did say that in terms of performance, there didn't seem to be a difference between milled and stamped.

I chose milled, (+$25.00) and didn't go with hand select.

Based on their photos, the most recent batch looks to be in better condition as far as wear and bluing. The stocks are as beat up or better than previous offerings.

Atlantic had them for $379.00, but they're sold out.

[Justin Hell]

I went with numbers matching, skipped hand select....some selects looked worse than mine...and mine was 100% matching....ugly as sin, but matching.  The select option can even get an Albanian replacement stock, generally ugly.  The thing is, they don't check gas tubes or pistons, likely not sight leaves....and they don't guarantee the stock even.  Its a total crap shoot, lots of folks who just ordered without upcharges got matching ones...some of them are even nice.    Mismatched major parts might be worth paying to avoid though....which was what I opted for, and kind of got lucky with the minor parts matching too....

I bet that didn't help one bit did it?

[Direct Connection]

I went with numbers matching, skipped hand select....some selects looked worse than mine...and mine was 100% matching....ugly as sin, but matching.  The select option can even get an Albanian replacement stock, generally ugly.  The thing is, they don't check gas tubes or pistons, likely not sight leaves....and they don't guarantee the stock even.  Its a total crap shoot, lots of folks who just ordered without upcharges got matching ones...some of them are even nice.    Mismatched major parts might be worth paying to avoid though....which was what I opted for, and kind of got lucky with the minor parts matching too....

I bet that didn't help one bit did it?

That was Funny : ) ... Weather one likes Classic or not, It is a option. Last time I bought one it was a ugly Chi - Com 299.00 special from AIM. non returnable no guarantees it would even shoot and I got a all matching except the stock very nice shooter that was right below 400.00 with all fees tax ship. I just love it. It had the wrong side sling swivel. Here is about at worst example you could expect on a low grade choice of selection 

[Bubbazinetti]

I would just be happy that they are coming into the country at all.

[Direct Connection]

So true. Id be buying allot more if I didnt have my police trade in Glock addiction.

[Bubbazinetti]

I'm like that with SigSauers.Useta live near the factory.

[Phosphorus32]

I'll place another vote for matching but not the hand-select  I really don't know what they select for or how they do it, but I haven't been impressed with those that are hand-select vs. luck of the draw.

[High Noon]

I did both hand select and # matching, but thought about doing only one or none.  Most seem to be matching #s from what I have seen, so it might not really be needed.  The hand select is probably better in the beginning when they just got in a new shipment.  Now...might not make a huge difference now.  I did it with the idea I'd only get two and hopefully they would be pretty nice.  I'm satisfied with them, as they are used 50+ year old rifles.

Might be best now, just to do the base $299 and save the money.    Just keep your expectations low. 

[carls sks]

pulled the trigger, did matching numbers only (which was more important to me anyway). keeps the OTD price under $400 (including tax, shipping). will try doing pics after it comes.  thanks for all the replies.

[Larry D.]

I really don't know what they select for or how they do it, but I haven't been impressed with those that are hand-select vs. luck of the draw.

They have the process listed as:
"We do offer a hand select in which we will pick the best of 10 from any particular group. Now remember, the more rifles that sell, and the more hand selects are drawn from the lot, the lower the standard for the hand-select will be even though it will still be the best of 10. As such, the early bird gets the worm, so to speak on the best of the hand selects."

I read it as:
"We sorta look at the top layer and take a WAG at what Cletus Leroy JR thinks might be the best because we ain't gonna sort 'em, and we sure as Hell ain't ain't gonna clean anything off of them to see."

[Direct Connection]

pulled the trigger, did matching numbers only (which was more important to me anyway). keeps the OTD price under $400 (including tax, shipping). will try doing pics after it comes.  thanks for all the replies.

Good Job Carl. All matching for under 400 out the door is really a good deal these days. 

[Bubbazinetti]

Amazing how when you look back to the earlier import years the actual distributor cost was $35 with the accessories!

[astronut]

Amazing how when you look back to the earlier import years the actual distributor cost was $35 with the accessories!

Yeah, and back in the mid '90s, my friends where buying them for around $89 each. 

[Larry D.]

The first one out here were $29.99, no accessories.

That would be late 80's I think. Maybe very early 90's.

[Bubbazinetti]

And that was for a nice one.

[High Noon]

I really don't know what they select for or how they do it, but I haven't been impressed with those that are hand-select vs. luck of the draw. 

They have the process listed as:
"We do offer a hand select in which we will pick the best of 10 from any particular group. Now remember, the more rifles that sell, and the more hand selects are drawn from the lot, the lower the standard for the hand-select will be even though it will still be the best of 10. As such, the early bird gets the worm, so to speak on the best of the hand selects."

I read it as:
"We sorta look at the top layer and take a WAG at what Cletus Leroy JR thinks might be the best because we ain't gonna sort 'em, and we sure as Hell ain't ain't gonna clean anything off of them to see."
[/quote]

Sounds about right.  I know they don't/can't take a lot of time to inspect each one for every order.  As you mentioned they are covered in cosmoline, so it's probably just quickly looking each lot of ten.