The INSAS 5.56mm Rifle- A Technical Treatise

[Automatic1947]

No it is not used anymore in Indian armed forces. You can't find this rifle for sale in gun shops in India as 7.62 NATO is prohibited in India for civilians.

[timmy]

Its more about the design, the ishapore make bolt action 7.62x51 full stock rifle is a popular collectors rifle abroad and is regarded as a well made rifle.

I didn't know much about this rifle or that it is regarded as well built even abroad.
Is it in use by armed forces or police now, or can civilians buy it?
Thanks in advance!!
Regards.

Speaking from off of the top of my head, these were only made for 3 years and there weren't many of them. I understand that they were a stopgap as the FAL was adopted after the 1962 War. I haven't seen one for sale for many years now, so whoever has them is holding on to them. If one wants an SMLE, I think that they are the way to go, as all of the cheap 303 ammo has dried up a long long time ago, and 308 will always be common. Again, my understanding is that RFI didn't change the No. 1 Mk. 3 design, only the metallurgy to handle the more powerful 762x51 round.

My only complaint is the umpteen layers of paint that I'm still working to get off of the thing. The bore is in great shape -- mine wasn't shot very much at all and was cared for.

[Ambi]

It is ridiculous to expect that, with highly restrictive fire-arms licensing policy and without a sustantial civillian market, and wirhout private sector firearms manufacturing base, the 9 to 5 ordinance,- PSU- time punchers will bring out innovative and reliable infantry and artillery weapons. While Indian Army is fortunate to be able to import anything they want, it is the CAPF who are saddled with these ironmongery.

[drlizard]

It is ridiculous to expect that, with highly restrictive fire-arms licensing policy and without a sustantial civillian market, and wirhout private sector firearms manufacturing base, the 9 to 5 ordinance,- PSU- time punchers will bring out innovative and reliable infantry and artillery weapons. While Indian Army is fortunate to be able to import anything they want, it is the CAPF who are saddled with these ironmongery.

Very well put. These are my views too. Without a robust civilian market and private manufacturers competing against each other for customers, no industry can progress, including the arms manufacturing industry.

[drlizard]

Speaking from off of the top of my head, these were only made for 3 years and there weren't many of them. I understand that they were a stopgap as the FAL was adopted after the 1962 War. I haven't seen one for sale for many years now, so whoever has them is holding on to them. If one wants an SMLE, I think that they are the way to go, as all of the cheap 303 ammo has dried up a long long time ago, and 308 will always be common. Again, my understanding is that RFI didn't change the No. 1 Mk. 3 design, only the metallurgy to handle the more powerful 762x51 round.

My only complaint is the umpteen layers of paint that I'm still working to get off of the thing. The bore is in great shape -- mine wasn't shot very much at all and was cared for.

Thanks for the info.

[hornet22]

There are several gunmakers in India and Ordinance Factory is the only govt run factory so the private manufacturer's have an advantage over IOF. So there is competetion but not in quality. Only new models are launched.