AR Sponsor
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Japanese Colts? (Page 1 of 2)
There are no Colt brand AR-15 type rifles manufactured in Japan |
This doesn't the dealer in AL didnt pull a fast one!  C4 |
He purchased the Colt at a dealer in Birmingham, AL. When I heard it was made in Japan, I was shocked. I thought, how could this be? Why would Colt stoop so low as to have an AR made in Japan? To me, that is not a Colt. If I were Samuel Colt, I would be jumping out of my grave and down someone's throat.
 If it's a licensed Jap production wouldn't it be hard to get it into the US with the import ban? I'm not too versed on that so I don't know. if a US company is based overseas or has production facilities outside the US can they bring their product into the US such as in this case? Is it then not considered an import since it's made by a US company, just not in the US? |
I honestly do NOT see how an AR-type rifle would be importable for sale to the public. I call BS. |
Man are you serious? I had no idea. Maybe that's why quality has dropped. What about Bushmaster, are they made only in the US or are they farmed out as well??? Damn, learn something new everyday. |
I believe those are for their militaries - not lowers/firearms that would be SOLD in the US on the civilian market (since, once again, they would not be importable). |
It's for country of origin military use only ETA: god I'm slow. what he said^ |
There isn't much on the weapons used by the Japanese Self-Defense Force, but supposedly they are using the Type 89 rifle pictured below. Looks sort of like a cross between a SIG 551 and a FNC. I didn't see any mention of M16s in use by the JGSDF but they do have US made weapons, like the MLRS rocket launcher. I don't know why they would build AR15s instead of M16s, as civilian ownership of firearms in Japan is practically nil. |
Well, my boy has a Japanese M-16. It is not marked Colt's, but they may have made some under contract with Colt's markings. Here is a close up: 
|
|
Okay guys, I will have him bring the AR into work and I will look at it personally. I will find out once and for all if what he said is true or not. I will keep you posted. I am very curious myself. By the way Lumpy, just because someone mentions something you do not have knowledge of, it does not mean that they are "full of shit". It may turn out that he is mistaken, but then again, he may be telling the truth. I will find out! |
'ed
It's not a matter of something that Lumpy (or anyone else calling BS on this claim) not having knowledge of - it is quite the contrary. Because of the laws against importation, EVEN IF Colt had recently started to manufacture lowers, or compelte rifles, in Japan - it would be ILLEGAL to import into the United States. So the claim that someone bought a "new Colt Carbine" that is stamped "Narita, Japan" is not legally possible, even if such a manufacturer of AR lowers existed in Japan. I would say it is ACCURATE to describe such a claim as "full of shit" Thus, it is a matter of Lumpy and others HAVING knowledge that allows them to reject the claim. The possible explanations are (as far as I can see it): (1) there are some aftermarket japanese PARTS on your buddy's "new" Colt rifle, and it is NOT the rifle itself (i.e the lower reciever) that is stamped "Narita, Japan" (2) your buddy is mistaken (3) your buddy is pulling your leg eta (4) someone had their used Colt lower engraged with "Narita, Japan" for unknown reasons, and then sold it |
|
To my knowledge there is no Japanese made Colt. The However, some companies (e.g. Howa) have produced rifles for the US civilian market, including a semi-auto AR-180. I've never heard of a Japanese made AR-15, much less one with a Colt label. The ROK, Taiwan, Singapore and the Phillipines HAD LICENSES to produce Colt M16's during the 60s and 70s FOR THEIR OWN DOMESTIC PRODUCTION. They were forbidden from exporting their rifles without Colt's permission. I believe Singapore helped Colt fill a Thai Army or ARVN contract, but don't quote me on it. I don't believe any of these countries still produce M16s (all the companies but the Phillpines have moved to a gas piston rifle) and none of them to my knowledge ever produced an M16A2 AFAIK, Colt has never used parts imported from Asia on any of its rifles. If you're friend isn't BSing, he may a non-standard part on his Colt. Where is the "made in Japan" label? If it's on the lower, someone decided for some perverse reason to engrave the text onto it. If it's on a plastic part, I would be very worried that there's an airsoft part on it. Tagged. |
LOL 
|
Well, the Japanese possibility was purely something I pulled out of my behind-I've never heard of Japan building them under license.
See my above post about manufacturing under license. As many have pointed out Colt can't legally distribute weapons made offshore to it's domentic market. Taiwan and S Korea are making them for their own militaries, not for us. |
Perhaps the assumption was made that an AR-18 or to be more precise an AR-180 made by Howa was thought to be a Colt product because the weapon was designated AR, and Colt came up with the AR designation and are the only brand that uses it do describe thier rifles? Or possibly, he is refering to the Norinco "M16" made in China, which is the same as Japan because the people look alike and all speak Chinese, right?  Not ragging on the poster, just trying to possibly explain how he may have made a mistake? With only 26 posts, he could be new to the hobby and not understand the differences an AR-18 and an AR-15? Thats the only way I can explain it because Japan, even if they did make AR15s*which they dont*, couldnt sell to the USA because we are at war and it would violate their constitutional laws forbidding them from aiding a waring nation. My guess, AR180 or Airsoft toy which was purported to be a "bar room Navy SEAL".
|
| Okay, here's the skinny on the whole thing. He was mistaken. He confused some information on his Browning shotgun with that of his Colt AR. The Colt is US made (CT). That just goes to show that not everyone is perfect and totally knowledgeable of what he owns. I must apologize to everyone for the uproar this caused. I think that the next time someone tells me something, I will ask to see it for myself first. |
Save us all some trouble and end yourself.......... |
|
|
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Japanese Colts? (Page 1 of 2)
AR Sponsor