Originally Posted By: JDM396
Again, it's really not a secret that there's a ton of "clones" out there that work as well and sometimes... better... than the original. In the sense that some would probably argue the semantics of some definitions of clones all day long. Point is that several platforms copied previous ones and expanded on the previous, in which this gun isn't an exact clone of a Sig either, there are some differences.
And there are many that don't. They are taking an original, proven design, and are manufacturing it cheaper, by whatever means necessary. Be it on cheaper, slower, less accurate machinery. Lesser quality materials. Cheaper, less skilled labor. Or most likely all of the above. Some clones aren't bad in spite of all of these shortcomings. Others are. It's pretty much luck of the draw.
You might get a IAC Hawk that runs as well as a Remington 870. It's more roughly machined, and more crudely finished. And God only knows what the material is, or where it came from. That's because it costs half as much. If the gun requires parts, there is a good chance you won't be able to get them from the importer. If you can, it could take weeks, or even months. If it's a Chinese clone like the IAC Hawk, good luck all together. There may or may not be enough dimensional changes that allow some Remington parts to fit. Or at the least have a gunsmith try to fit them. None of this is desirable. It's a total PITA. But it's what you get with many cheap, imported clones. As you said, they're not exact, and there are differences. Many times they're just enough to cause problems. If all the Planets are properly aligned on the day it was made, perhaps you'll get lucky. Who knows.
As I said, all of this is a C#RP shoot, nothing more. In a handgun clone, original magazines may fit, or they might not. Or again, they'll require modification in order to work. Magazines from the manufacturer may not be obtainable. If the importer folds up shop as many do after just a couple of years, once again, good luck. Now, if you think all of this nonsense is worth the few bucks you're going to save on these type of guns, then by all means go for it. For many like myself, It's not worth the risk, because the reward just isn't there. I'll save money elsewhere.
I don't like to roll the dice with firearms. And that's exactly what you're doing with a great many of these cheap, imported clones. They, like everything else that appears to be a bargain, are cheaper for a reason. I'm not saying the original can't or won't have a problem. They can. All machines can break. But when they do it's usually faster, easier, and cheaper to rectify the problem, if the product is made here, and not overseas.
Again, it's really not a secret that there's a ton of "clones" out there that work as well and sometimes... better... than the original. In the sense that some would probably argue the semantics of some definitions of clones all day long. Point is that several platforms copied previous ones and expanded on the previous, in which this gun isn't an exact clone of a Sig either, there are some differences.
And there are many that don't. They are taking an original, proven design, and are manufacturing it cheaper, by whatever means necessary. Be it on cheaper, slower, less accurate machinery. Lesser quality materials. Cheaper, less skilled labor. Or most likely all of the above. Some clones aren't bad in spite of all of these shortcomings. Others are. It's pretty much luck of the draw.
You might get a IAC Hawk that runs as well as a Remington 870. It's more roughly machined, and more crudely finished. And God only knows what the material is, or where it came from. That's because it costs half as much. If the gun requires parts, there is a good chance you won't be able to get them from the importer. If you can, it could take weeks, or even months. If it's a Chinese clone like the IAC Hawk, good luck all together. There may or may not be enough dimensional changes that allow some Remington parts to fit. Or at the least have a gunsmith try to fit them. None of this is desirable. It's a total PITA. But it's what you get with many cheap, imported clones. As you said, they're not exact, and there are differences. Many times they're just enough to cause problems. If all the Planets are properly aligned on the day it was made, perhaps you'll get lucky. Who knows.
As I said, all of this is a C#RP shoot, nothing more. In a handgun clone, original magazines may fit, or they might not. Or again, they'll require modification in order to work. Magazines from the manufacturer may not be obtainable. If the importer folds up shop as many do after just a couple of years, once again, good luck. Now, if you think all of this nonsense is worth the few bucks you're going to save on these type of guns, then by all means go for it. For many like myself, It's not worth the risk, because the reward just isn't there. I'll save money elsewhere.
I don't like to roll the dice with firearms. And that's exactly what you're doing with a great many of these cheap, imported clones. They, like everything else that appears to be a bargain, are cheaper for a reason. I'm not saying the original can't or won't have a problem. They can. All machines can break. But when they do it's usually faster, easier, and cheaper to rectify the problem, if the product is made here, and not overseas.
