332 Question

[Nitzel]

Were any of the MR 332 7.62mm guns imported as an AR with bayo lug, bipod attachment (but no bipod), birdcage FH, and 16" barrel?

Thanks for any info!

 

[Mr Folgers]

Were any of the MR 332 7.62mm guns imported as an AR with bayo lug, bipod attachment (but no bipod), birdcage FH, and 16" barrel?

Thanks for any info!

Yes.
If you want to go into specifics, the 'Chopped' rifles were either cut and rethreaded by the importer or IMI post-production and are quite rare.
MR imported ARMs were offered in a "A" configuration, as in, you had Model 332A and Model 372A which they identified as AR/M variants.
These were ARM rifles reconfigured into AR configuration from either the factory or importer.

MR offered conversion kits for "A" rifles to put them into proper ARM configuration, as well the opposite to put ARMs into AR configuration.
You can see on the pricing sheet below.
Hope that answers your question.

 

[Nitzel]

Yes, that was very helpful. Is there any way to tell if the work was done by the importer/IMI rather than aftermarket in terms of markings etc?

Any guess as to how many 332A's there were?

Thanks again!

 

[Mr Folgers]

Yes, that was very helpful. Is there any way to tell if the work was done by the importer/IMI rather than aftermarket in terms of markings etc?

Any guess as to how many 332A's there were?

Thanks again!

There are too few of them out there for it to be a common gunsmithing practice.
Anyone who would deface a rare and collectable pre-ban today shouldn't own a gun or a pocket knife for that matter.

Exact quantities of the "A" models will probably never be known.
They show up, but not often. As far as I have seen, there is no identifying marking that shows the work is original.

The marketing strategy of MR is also questionable. A buyer 'on the fence' about which model they want would presumably just but a normal 332/372 and the AR conversion kit to swap out if they choose to.
However, if you purchased an "A" model along with an ARM conversion kit, you actually save about $30 for the Model 332.
Why this is, I do not know.

 

[Nitzel]

Many thanks for the good info. Might have a lead on one.... Will post pics if it works out. Thanks again!