M53 Availability

[scoutfal]

Anyone know of M53 availability? I haven't seen them for sale in months. What happened? Do we expect a return?

I'm talking semi M53 Wiselite (and Century)

JW

[JBaum]

A return is very doubtful, as the supply of surplus parts that are very expensive to machine is gone. Bolts, top covers, feeders, buffers, sights, etc. are no longer available in any quantity on the surplus market. You might be able to get Wiselite to build a kit from your parts, but you'll need to have the parts and inquire.

[Der Alder]

I remember talking to Tony at WLA a few years ago when these M53s were first hitting the market. He told me then they were under contract to build like 2000 rifles for Century...at least that was the number I vaguely recall back in 2007. My guess is they met their contracted number and the WLA M53 has run its course.

Surplus parts kits for these are drying up. Don't know if anymore kits are coming in or if anyone would ever undertake building a semi '42 clone again - I doubt it though. The yugo stuff is about dried up. Original barrels are now banned from importation as well. Might see some small parts keep trickling in from RTG and such, but I'm guessing the golden age for kit building these guns is about done. If you want a kit, buy it now. Stock up on parts now to keep your guns running.

On the same token I would expect US semi receivers and US semi parts to slowly dry up too because if there is no parts kits and not many building anymore it will no longer be worth it for US vendors to manufacture some of these semi-auto proprietary parts in such small numbers.
Just my 2 cents...

[Dan@AngolaArmory]

Century cancelled the contract before the contracted 2000 guns were built. Contact Gordie K. at Wiselite about getting a gun built or watch the secondary market. I saw three or more at KCR last week, still at retail prices.
FWIW,

[Bil]

What about all those $199 yugo kits everybody bought up and never built? There must be a pile of them out there in peoples closets and workshops! ---bil

[scoutfal]

I got an M53 kit, somewhere, whether it's complete, not sure.

Dan, what do you mean retail price? Like how much?

[noonxnoon]

Century cancelled the contract before the contracted 2000 guns were built. Contact Gordie K. at Wiselite about getting a gun built or watch the secondary market. I saw three or more at KCR last week, still at retail prices.
FWIW,

Dan,

Any ideas why Century cancelled before the contract was filled?

I know the market was dry and then flooded with them. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.

[scoutfal]

I got an email back from Wiselite they are no longer building MG42's.

I guess the economy isn't that bad then.

JW