Third Party Press

AC44 K43 Labor of Love Gun, Is It Worth It?

fishermankw

fishermankw

Senior Member
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Local guy has this K43 that his uncle bought as a hunting rifle 50+ years ago and has now found it’s way to him. I have wanted to find a “reasonable” k43 at some point for a shooter b/c they are so classic, but I don’t know if this is the one, hoping for some opinions.

Obviously the stock has the new “inlays”and the forearm is cracked and chipped. Front barrel band had the sling slot cut out for who knows why, and it obviously doesn’t have a shooters kit in it. To source some repo parts to have it look “original” and a shooters kit I’m guesstimating $500 after doing some quick research. Guy is asking $1000, financially speaking does anyone think this makes sense? Right now I’m thinking I’m on the pass side of the fence.
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If you want a shooter, I'd say here it is.... add the new gas kit etc.... keep in this stock and offer 800-850.
 
Appears to have a nice phosphate magazine. I am not a project person but that alone is 1/4 to 1/3 of the asking price.
 
The rifle has stupidity written all over it but the $1k price is tempting if internal components match and are not beaten to hell. I would jump on it since it's a panel cut receiver with non-locking bolt carrier and has a scope rail. Parts will show up eventually but an original stock will be hard to find. With some sheet metal skills you may be able to mostly restore the original barrel band.
 
GunKraut said:
The rifle has stupidity written all over it but the $1k price is tempting
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That seems really on the cheap end of things. Not sure how much lower in price you can go before it's really just junk?

GunKraut said:
..I would jump on it since it's a panel cut receiver with non-locking bolt carrier and has a scope rail.
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As the magazine was already mentioned as a value add I also noticed these features, especially the rail. I'd think this adds to value as well?
 
Thanks all for the feedback, think I’ll have some further conversation with him and see if we can work something out.


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fishermankw said:
Thanks all for the feedback, think I’ll have some further conversation with him and see if we can work something out.


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That rifle is well worth the asking price. It would easily garner above the 2k mark at auction. I’d love a panel cut rifle in my own modest collection and that appears a very worthwhile candidate for a restoration. Heck, it’s at part out price plus you have that phosphate magazine as a bonus. There’s nothing wrong with it just as it is though and no hurry to do anything to it. I’d get it. Where’s this at now?


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Joseph Burke said:
That rifle is well worth the asking price. It would easily garner above the 2k mark at auction. I’d love a panel cut rifle in my own modest collection and that appears a very worthwhile candidate for a restoration. Heck, it’s at part out price plus you have that phosphate magazine as a bonus. There’s nothing wrong with it just as it is though and no hurry to do anything to it. I’d get it. Where’s this at now?


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I agree 100%. I love project guns. Even as a restored shooter it will always have value. It will take some work and $ but end result will be well worth the effort IMHO.
 
All depends on two things:

1). How much money for it?

2). How much lov’in are you willing to spend? It’s going to take some to get this old warhorse back in her military uniform.

Here’s a little hint on what you could do for extra $ to help finance the re-build. It looks like it has a nice collectible phosphate mag. Sell the phosphate mag and get a “shooter’s condition” painted mag. Might get you a couple hundred bucks from the trade out to help finance the build.
 
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After much back and forth I conceded and agreed to his asking. He was set and did not want to take a penny less, which it seems like everyone here thinks is pretty fair. I figured better to get it for asking than lose this one over $100. Will upload some pictures once I have it in my possession, hoping this weekend and then the long project of rebuilding starts.


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For 1000 I think you did well. Shooter candidate and fun gun. Projects are a pain but pay off come range day and something to tinker with. Hope you enjoy. Panel cut is a plus and really cool.
 
Roger S said:
For 1000 I think you did well. Shooter candidate and fun gun. Projects are a pain but pay off come range day and something to tinker with. Hope you enjoy. Panel cut is a plus and really cool.
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Disregard, just had to Google a little harder and figured it out.


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Buy it, parts and a good repro stock is probably sub $1K, shooters are what $2K all day? I say its a good buy
 
20PZGR said:
Buy it, parts and a good repro stock is probably sub $1K, shooters are what $2K all day? I say its a good buy
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I didn't say it and I dont' know what they cost but the Fox stocks are pretty decent repros from all I've read and would be great for a shooter. That and a shooters kit and you should be good. Also agree with someone else's point that the front band could be repaired by someone with decent metal working skills.
 
Last I seen, Fox stocks were $450-500, shooters kit, maybe some gunsmithing to fit stock, check bolt body, possibly reinforce bolt body and your done...
 
20PZGR said:
Last I seen, Fox stocks were $450-500
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Like I said I didn't know. At one time if I recall correctly he had prices posted but now it seems he does not and it's 'inquiries' or something? I'm sure stocks in the wild in good condition probably cost more? Don't know but I'd suspect so and it would still be not matching so why not? Anyone know the curren cost of the Apfeltor shooter's kit?

Also I think it would have been a slam dunk at 800-850 as someone else suggested but I can understand why the seller is holding firm.
 
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