When considering the question “Are clones worth it?” it may depend upon what “it” is. Are you a hunter, shooter, collector?
Let’s face it, if you can afford to buy anything your heart desires, you probably won’t have much interest in buying a clone. However, for the rest of us, there are many choices that might put a particular type of firearm within our grasp when we can’t afford a Colt Single Action Army or Winchester Model 94 for Cowboy Action Shooting, or a CZ Shadow for competition. Or how about a Colt Gold Cup, M4, or SIG P226 X5?
Manufacturing Process
For years, Italian firearms manufacturers Pietta, Chiappa, Pedersoli, and Uberti have been cloning the products of American manufacturers Colt, Remington, Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. Most of the revolvers and rifles they clone were popular back in the 1800s but are no longer available from the manufacturers. Their clones are imported in the U.S. at very decent prices. But are these clones any good?
Shotgun and 1911 clones come our way from Turkish manufacturers. As far as other pistols go, there are some Beretta clones, and although they’re not identified as such, many of the other handguns coming out of Turkey are almost direct replacements for various Smith & Wesson or SIG Sauer firearms.
Before I get into sharing some of my own experiences with clones, let’s review a little about how guns are made. Most guns are primarily composed of various types of carbon steel, although they may also include stainless steel, aluminum, and other alloys. It’s safe to say that most of the critical components of modern guns will be made of steel, with carbon steel and stainless steel being the most prevalent.
Carbon steel used in guns consists mainly of 4140 steel, also called ordinance steel. 4140 steel is a hard and durable steel used in gun components such as barrels, bolts, and receivers. 4150 steel is similar to 4140, but with a higher proportion of carbon. It is harder than 4140, but also more difficult and expensive to machine, so it is more often used in MIL-SPEC firearms. 1020 or 1520 carbon steel is low carbon steel. It is softer and often used in gun components that experience lower stresses, such as trigger guards and sights.
In addition to carbon steel, gun manufacturers may also use stainless steel. Stainless steel is a rust- and heat‑resistant iron alloy that contains a large proportion of chromium and other elements such as nickel and molybdenum. As with carbon steel, there are many types of stainless steel with varying properties that depend on the mix of elements added to the iron.
Some parts, including frames, may be made of anodized aluminum alloys. The most widely used aluminum alloy is 6061 aluminum, also called aircraft aluminum, which contains magnesium and silicon.
Steel is a sturdy, expensive material. This can make the cost of a steel handgun a bit prohibitive for some people. In contrast, a polymer handgun is easier to manufacture, and therefore, will also cost less. This allows people to save money that they might be able to spend on additional features for their handgun. Because polymer is durable, it is dependable. Plus, there is no problem with rust.
The manufacturing process and the materials for making a clone are the same as for a brand name gun. Furthermore, there is no design work to be done, and this cuts out a significant cost factor. Also, many clones are made in countries with lower a cost of labor and fewer levels of management allowing them to be priced attractively. The lower price does not necessarily reflect lower quality.
My Clone Guns
Three examples from my own collection exemplify the advantages that can be found in owning a clone. The first is a clone of a Colt 1911. There are so many variations of 1911s you can’t really call many of them clones. The model has been tuned and modified in so many ways that a lot of 1911s are essentially new models.
Tisas is a manufacturer in Turkey who makes what I call genuine clones of certain Colt 1911s. One is a direct replica of the M1911A1 used by the U.S. military in WWII. The other is a clone of the Colt M45 Marine Close Quarters Combat pistol. I have both the clone and the original of the Marine combat pistol. On multiple occasions, I have shot them together comparing them in shoot-off fashion. As far as operation goes, there is no significant difference. As far as accuracy goes, the Tisas pistol is slightly more accurate than the Colt.
The second example is a brand name/clone comparison of another military gun, the Beretta M9 and a clone by the Turkish company Girsan, the Girsan Regard. The one thing that stands out about this pair is that whenever I put the M9 and the Girsan on the bench at a shooting event, the shooters invariably choose the Girsan over the M9. I’ve had several shooting sessions where I’ve pitted the M9 and the Girsan in an accuracy contest. They’re about even. Sometimes one wins, other times the other one comes out ahead. Workmanship on both pistols is excellent, and they are both trouble-free.
My third example is a rifle. I have a Marlin 336. I also have a Rossi Rio Grande. There is no significant difference between the two rifles except the sights. I have a Skinner aftermarket sight on the Marlin. I’ve had a scope on the Rossi, but currently it just has iron sights. Either one would make a nice deer rifle. Now that Ruger is producing Marlins, the prices on them are pretty high. That makes the Rossi an excellent choice for a deer rifle or a ranch rifle.
Final Thoughts
There are others. The FN Hi-Power was designed by John Moses Browning with some finishing help by Dieudonné Saive at the FN plant in the Netherlands. Various manufacturers, including ones in Spain and Canada made these guns during WWII. After the war, FN Herstal continued to make them up until 2018.
Recognizing a significant gap in the market, Springfield Armory issued its Hi-Power clone in 2021. FN wasted no time in doing a few upgrades to its Hi-Power and putting it back on the market. I don’t have an original Hi-Power to make the comparison. However, based on my Springfield, I understand why it has been such a popular pistol in the years since it was first issued.
The real advantage to owning any of these clones is the price. The savings on my particular clones varies from 30% to almost 50%. Another advantage is keeping the brand name guns in pristine condition while using the clones. Invariably, guns you use a lot will show signs of wear and get occasional dings and scratches.
My verdict is “yes” most clones perform as well and even sometimes better than their original counterpart. Best of all, they offer significant savings when it comes to cost of ownership.
Do you own any clone guns? Which ones are your favorites? Share your answers in the Comment section.
