AIM M44 Came

[Grendl]

I received my M44 from Aim a week after I ordered it. Wideners has had my order for a month, nothing.

She's a beauty but I'm a little disappointed that the importer decided the original matching serial numbers were not adequate. This number

Matches the bolt, buttplate, and magazine bottom plate (force matched by stamp, not electro pencil)

However they added this monstrosity in addition to the laser engraved nonsense similar to this from someone else's M38 (sorry failed to photograph mine.)



She's also deeply import marked under the muzzle "I.O.INC, MONROE NC"

Nothing on the stock but a random "M". Barrel is not counterbored and rifling looks clean. She doesn't look like she's ever been shot.

Update: Wideners just sent an email saying they'd cancel my order if they didn't receive my `03 by Friday. Sent it again. They acknowledged receipt.

[-hanko]

It's better than I'd expect from an IO gun.

-hanko

[joefrank64k]

Yeah, not bad at all! Congrats!

[1-M-42]

There was a thread on the Swiss Rifle forum about hiding the import mark, consisted of mixing J-B weld and coloring to match. According to the thread you are not altering the import mark, just hiding it. Not sure of the details, might be worth it to look it up.

[Milsurp Collector]

She's a beauty but I'm a little disappointed that the importer decided the original matching serial numbers were not adequate.

It wasn't the importer's decision. As of 1/30/2002 BATFE requires conspicuous markings.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/importation-verification/firearms-verification-overview.html

[spb_la]

The markings in the bottom picture are Russian. "ГИС" stands for "Государственная Испытательная Станция" - " State Testing Station"a regulatory agency that is responsible for testing of firearms. Stamp is technically required for export purposes.
The other one - "ВП" - is Molot's stamp and stands for "Vyatskije Polyany". Not sure what 12 is about...

[Grendl]

The markings in the bottom picture are Russian. "ГИС" stands for "Государственная Испытательная Станция" - " State Testing Station"a regulatory agency that is responsible for testing of firearms. Stamp is technically required for export purposes.
The other one - "ВП" - is Molot's stamp and stands for "Vyatskije Polyany". Not sure what 12 is about...

Sorry, the last picture is not from my rifle, nor is it from an M44 - my M44 has similar markings on the rear left of the receiver but I failed to photograph them. If anyone cares, I'll try to remember to photograph those as well tonight.

[Lurch762]

Granted import stamps suck but those on your rifle look great compared to those hideous dot matrix billboards on a lot of Mosin Nagants. BTW, nice rifle.

[Milsurp Collector]

There was a thread on the Swiss Rifle forum about hiding the import mark, consisted of mixing J-B weld and coloring to match. According to the thread you are not altering the import mark, just hiding it. Not sure of the details, might be worth it to look it up.

I asked the BATFE about removing the importer's markings. They said it is not illegal to remove importer's markings except for the serial number. The importer's serial number marking can't be removed or altered.

[m1a1driver]

just rub in a little cold blue paste. worked on mine, it doesnt make it disappear but blends it in a LOT better.

[Crusader]

Yep, AIM are good persons. I've never bought anything from them that I wasn't happy with.