Maybe I'm behind the times. but I had no idea Kobra replicas were being manufactured in China. It looks like the replicas have been marketed mainly towards airsofters. And since I've recently read an account of an "authentic" Kobra breaking down after a few shots on real rifles, I can only assume some people out there are passing these replicas off as the real deal.

Where to get FAKE Kobras:
http://www.gunnerairsoft.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1342
http://www.apextacpro.com/product_info.php?cPath=34_24&products_id=625&osCsid=1c7f8e0265ede11919d3d785df445461

Information about FAKE Kobras:
http://blip.tv/file/2069728
http://filakairsoft.net/index.php?showtopic=1154
http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t156400.html

Looks like the replicas are functional, but probably can't withstand the recoil of actual guns

I've made a few pictures to help you tell the difference. The scope on the left is an actual Kobra I own. The one on the right is a replica - pictures are from one of the above links.

bump. Maybe I can get this thread pinned.

Thats pretty shitty bad karma, knock off crap sucks

bump!

Thanks for this.  I've added it to the team members only thread found here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=75&t=754612

It's got a ton of how to ID fake/airsoft products from the real deal.  Consider it my contribution to the team membership benefits

Wes

bump

I am looking at one that says Holster-USA on the side.  Is it a fake or legit?

I had no idea the Chinese were making Kobra collimator knock-offs but it sure doesn't surprise me.  They make counterfeit products of pretty much everything you can imagine.  Hell, they even make counterfeit toothpaste.  Can you believe that?!  I don't have this exact same one but I've got a similar Kobra.  Mine came in a box that was all written in Cyrillic and even contained the documentation showing where it had been inspected and even signed-off on.  Oh, and I've whizzed a few thousand rounds through my rifle with it on there and have even dropped the site and have never had a problem.  I finally replaced the battery in it after TWO YEARS in the site.  I can't believe one lousy battery lasted that long.  If I leave the two 'N' size batteries in my EOTech I've got on my AR they'll go dead within a few weeks......even if the site is turned off!  That Kobra was the best $225 I've ever spent!

HAHA the one for sale on the EE right now? I saw that too... I am curious but have a feeling its a knockoff.

I had one of these years ago before anyone was making a copy and it was marked Holster USA too.  I guess they are who brought them in for sale.

One of the fakes sold on GB, I hope the buyer knew what he was getting into. I PMed the seller but never got a response, no surprise there I guess.



http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=140657493



Z

The box alone should have been a dead giveaway on that one.

THANK YOU jtsuei for posting this information - I hope to expand upon what you have started.

I have a KOBRA sight I purchased from "tantal" in 2000 that looks different from the "real" KOBRA posted above - illustrating that the KOBRA has obviously evolved over the years.

Here are some pictures of mine:


Note absence of any lighting cuts and there is no ribbing.  The screws instead of being Phillips are Standard Flat Head.  The number of screws is the same.


It is difficult to see in this photo - but there is no set screw - just like on the newer KOBRA sight.
Note there is writing on the "old school" KOBRA - painted on - and says:
"Made in Russia
Kalashnikov-USA-Ltd
Pt. St. Lucie FL
COBRA"  (note the spelling is in english - not Cyrillic as it is everywhere else on the box and accompanying literature)

It appears that on mine there is no brass - it is all the same metal throughout.


Uniformly recessed STANDARD Flat Head screws.  There are NO Phillips head screws at all on this KOBRA.
Absent is the raised "logo" of the newer KOBRA.
Also absent is the engraved "Made in Russia" on the fake.


The outside of my KOBRA box.


Outside edge of box.


Inside box - note the camo carrier that the KOBRA fits in.


Lens cloth and adjusting tool inside camo carrier.


Manual and Russian batteries.

Hope this helps,

cheers

tire iron