IMA MG15

[Bil]

Just ordered an MG15 air-cooled,with all the goodies except the drum magazine.[I have several,and IMA charges way much] I had SGN from March 31,the price has risen on the 15/34 bipod since then.How much? From $125 to $195!! Talk about a hosing-the rest of the kit has stayed the same except the buttstock,which went up $10.And the combo ground kit has no more discount if you get all 3 pieces.Maybe they expect a big run on bipods,I don't know.It should get here in a few weeks,so I will post pics and a report on the condition then.I have to stop getting this stuff or move to a bigger place. ---bil

[JBaum]

We're getting a "hosing"? Naw, it's the free market at work. It's no different than people who bought MG42 kits for $350, and sell them now for $1,200.

If I have 1,000 widgets to sell, they're cheap. If they sell fast and I get down to the last 100, I want more because they're more scarce, and must have been underpriced before, because they sold so fast. It's the free market law of supply and demand.

When they're all gone, any price will be cheap, as evidenced by the prices of MG kits.

[Bil]

It just seems strange-the bipod jumps in value like it is made of oil,yet the rest of the kit is the same price-I feel it is because it is the same as the 34 bipod.Is there a sudden shortage of 34 bipods?We just had a 34 kit go for 800-is 1/4 of the value in the bipod? I know about the supply and demand thing,prices driven by the market.I would have expected the price jump to be reflected across the board on the kits and parts.Maybe there IS a shortage of that particular part?I have a bunch of bipods[just enough,actually],so didn't get one,but it didn't prevent me from getting the rest before that went skyhigh also.It is just too bad that these particular guns seem destined to be expensive paperweights-no semi receivers in sight! .Oh,well,I have lots of paper to weigh down. ---bil

[JBaum]

I can only guess that the bipod being the same for both guns means that it's in shorter supply, and that the gun kits (less bipod) are suffering (i.e. not rising in price) because of the lack of an approved semi version.

Wanna take a guess on what the prices will go to if a semi conversion is approved? Triple within a year would be my guess.

[Bil]

Overly optimistic,John-I don't think it would take that long!! I think there is a market for a semi conversion,there are a lot of these out there,especially the water-cooled version.I seethat Wise-lite is even using the WC barrel jacket on a 1919 conversion,on a ruski type sled.At least there is SOME use for the things! ---bil

[Bil]

Got here today-I sure wish it could be built as a semi! ---bil

[JBaum]

Of course it can be built as a semi..... learn to jump through all the hoops for the design that you submit to ATF, and it's simple.

[Bil]

About as simple as the idea that the MG42 DOESN'T have a 'trunnion'! Actually,I am not clever enough to do that type of design work,and am too old to learn a bunch of new things,too much stuff in my head already! ---bil

[www.Prussia.us]

“Bil”

That is NICE, it even makes a rather imposing display gun should the semi-mods not get here in time.

As for IMA and their bipods, it is a well-known trick to raise the cost of just a few of the most-have accessories on a product. Respectfully I do not buy the supply and demand argument in this case, more likely their overhead has gone up as with any business, and sh*t roles down hill on to the consumer.

[Bil]

So my MG34 kits should go up in price,too!I didn't know they contained such a rare item. At least the rest of the gun is nice.I had the drums and swiped the bipod fron a 34 kit.It does look good-I will get some pics of it next to the WC version. ---bil

[gdmoore28]

Well, there 'ya go . . . .

GeeDeeEmm

[Bil]

Hard to starboard-no college for me!! ---bil

[flemgunner]

Man I was so high I didnt even see the sign!

[Bil]

Don't tell me you didn't get to either place-that would be a shame! ---bil

[FKpt.Fritz]

hey i bought a vickers from them a day after they raised the price to $1100, my luck hu.....

[Cercamon]

Could somebody tell me just what IMA does to their displays as far as demilling? Are the barrells welded etc. I was wondering if they would be a good basis for a parts kit or has too much damage been done?

[Bil]

I would call ther and ask-I haven't seen where anyone here has one!The parts kit I got was very nice,though. ---bil

[2receivers]

Hi Bil--How is your mg15 from IMA? Been looking at them but haven't decided yet what to do.Are you happy w/ it?
Thanks===============Frank

[tomegunrr4753]

I'm not Bil, But I just recieved my AC kit from IMA just 2 weeks ago. Was happy with everthing except the price on the accessories. I plan to make my own replica stock and bypod to save money. I was impressed that it only took about 2 1/2 weeks to get here. I thought sure I was going to have to sit on pins and needlies for a mont or two. tc

[amafrank]

I got a kit from IMA a month or two back and it was outstanding. I also ordered the cam and the repro bipod adapter. That aluminum adapter needed some finishing to get it fitted to the real jacket but it works great now. The jacket was perfect and straight, grips and bakelight on the rear are very nice with no cracks or discoloration and the mag housing was very nice too. All the parts were fzs which is heinrich krieghoff and required a little bit of fiddling on a couple pieces to get them fitted to my gcl C&R MG15. Its fantastic though and worth the price paid.

Hope that helps
Frank (yes, another Frank).