I have seen these things pop up over the past few months and I have to let you know they are nothing but a Norinco M-97 which was imported years ago and is now renamed. I bought my first one about 7 years ago for $69 and then bought a case of 6 for $250 when a gun shop was going out of business.

If you read the manual it will tell you to use a max charge of 80g BP and a patched roundball. The ones I have I believe have a shallow 1:48 twist and only shoot patched balls and light ballet or REAL bullets.

Now it is a well made rifle except the solid wood you speak of is a mystery finish on top of some sort of press board that is plenty ruged but chips off revealing the press board under. I have camo painted most of mine and given them away as presents.

I am wondering if the new batch being sold are rebarreled and restocked but I am not sure the pics look identical to the rifles I have.

I have also seen the rifle marketed with a plastic stock under again a different name.

I will post some more info on the rifles but nature calls.[8D]