My next rifle will be a tacticool bolt gun similar to this:
I like the ergonomics of such stock systems.
Nutnfancy is a bit of a long-winded douche. I've never been able to watch one of his videos in it's entirety.
Mini-14 vs AR...I've had both. Still have the AR. The Mini is a fine gun. It's a bit more traditional but gets the job done. It's starting on the losing end if precision is desired.
wow that tavor sure looks sweet. vid says it's here next year? looking back it seems they've been saying that for a few years now hope they can keep it under $2k. always liked the bull pup look and idea. came close to pulling the trigger on a msar (styer clone) and the bushmaster was just ridiculous looking. hmmmm
I like the concept of the bullpup as a CQB type weapon. What I can't seem to get around is the sharp angle of the pistol grip and they just don't have a good feel to how they "point". The grip angle hurts my wrist very quickly.
This my pick of the "Mini" bunch, the "30"... in black of course. Only change I see for me would be a pistol grip stock of some type.
I'm digging the Mini's. I'm lukewarm on the "tacticool" look, and can't wrap my head around hanging a flashlight or laser and the like off a rifle. To each their own; it's all good.
Fellas, I dig the Mini-30's, too, but how's the availability of ammo for it? One of the selling points, I *think*, for a -14 is that .223/5.56 ammo is available EVERYWHERE, and *should* still be available, at least for a while, when the SHTF (it's only a matter of time...)
The -14 should be able to consistently reach out and accurately touch someone at any reasonable "social" distance, so.....why might a feller like myself possibly ponder the -30 over the -14?
In simplest terms the 7.62x39 is a better deer cartridge than the 5.56x45.
A .22 is not legal for deer in some states. ( centerfire or not ) Honestly, I regard the .223 as marginal on deer. ( better than a .22 Hornet, or a .22LR, sure.. ) The whole "marginal" argument on the .223 is what has prompted the invention of rounds like the .300 AAC Blackout, 6.8SPC, etc. Other alternative AR compatible cartridges such as the .50 Beowulf, .450 Bushmaster ( heavy hitters... good for bear, boar or barrier ) and 6.5 Grendel ( long range 600+ meter precision ) are purpose built for a specific task(s).
I rate the 7.62x39 as mild compared to a 30-30, but adequate at rational ranges with the proper bullet.
Many have argued for years that an adequate deer sized game round is the proper choice for military use. It's a good argument.
Ammo availability for the 7.62x39 is pretty good, last I looked. All the major domestic ammo manufacturers make it, and decent hunting bullets are available both loaded and as components. ( I would not suggest FMJ for deer. Coyote, or other fur bearers, yes ) Lots of surplus and imported ammo available too.
And, this is going to get someone upset... the AR sucks in 7.62x39. The round needs a curved magazine, it's very tapered, ( to work in dirty guns... it's an older concept ) and the straight section of receiver that the mag fits in is sub optimum. I mean its a jam-o-matic.
Also. A thing the AR is also crappy at. It's a terrible pike. A bayonet mounts on the rifle model ok, and you can poke, but it slashes awkwardly, and a butt stroke can/will disable the weapon. It just isn't made for it. ( the AK also slashes awkwardly, but the stock Mini does not. Both are far better for butt strokes )
It's not a deal breaker the vast majority of the time. If I'm going after deer or boar with edged weapons, I'll use a proper spear. Since I don't have to clear houses used by terrorists, I haven't had a problem with close encounters. And, if you simply gotta hit someone/something with a plastic stocked AR, just accept you are going to break it.
I am with you on not doing all the add-ons and prefer "clean" on my HD/SHTF/RedDawn/Zombie ect weapon.
Reality check:
What are the chance you are going to engage a hostile at night? Have most people even tried to shoot at night with a light? It is a different world, tactics at night are very unique.
What are the chances you will need a laser to engage a hostile target? Have you practiced at night with your laser?
A light on a weapon (or hand held for the pistol people) is a perfect way to become a target and something to shoot at by your adversary. Weapons mounted lights should be used with great caution and best when used as a team in a planned initiative at night.
Why pack around anything on a weapon not needed 99% of the time ?
Mini 14 vs. Mini 30? I prefer my AR in 5.56 to a mini14, not to say that the Mini14 is not a very effective weapon, but in 5.56 I like the AR and the 7.62X39, the Mini is way better than any AR in 7.62X39. Thus my opinion/choice. I also don't want a "target" model mini or AR for that matter the best buy in long distance weapon (300m or more) will be a bolt in the proper caliber like. 308, 300WM and host of others.
Get the right tool for the particualr task. but....
"To each their own; it's all good."
(Message edited by Ninefortheroad on November 30, 2012)
I agree that using a light is something you should train on. Very useful, with some real hazards.
I think a light equipped weapon is a very good idea for home defense. Target identification for one thing. But as you point out... "Hi! I'm Here!"
For Deer hunting? Illegal many places to have a light on your gun. ( locally, On the Reservations, I've seen Jacklighting as a common practice. It's a smart way to harvest deer for the family. It's also a different set of rules, in a different Nation. )
You can get a .338 Lapua bolt action upper for an AR. ( heck you can get a .50BMG upper ) It's not a simple drop in, usually, since you have to pull the buffer, etc. Sometimes change the trigger/hammer mechanism. I rate that as a bit of a novelty, and opine that Kevin is Right, you're better off with a "real" bolt gun in some cases.
Heck for REAL long range stuff, they make the best near where he lives.... Murfreesboro, TN.
I have handled, but not shot, an AR-10 in .30 RSAUM. They tried the WSM cartridges, but had issues with case strength, the Remington rounds supposedly worked well, but I haven't heard of a RSAUM AR is a while. Wonder what happened? ( Remington Short Action Ultra Mag ) DPMS lists them as discontinued.
For home defense... I have motion sensing lights around the house. Don't really need weapons mounted lights so I can use "cover" and "stealth".
For inside, I have those small motion sensing LED night lights. Just enough light where I can see what and where things are happening because I know the layout. Utilizing "cover" in low light is a huge help to the incumbent (home-owner)
Understand and use the "home court advantage" and make sure of your target at all times.
Why would one need a weapons mounted "here I am shoot at me" light?
"6P" plan Proper planning prevents piss poor performance
And...that's how you solve that problem. With a 7.62x39 lower receiver.
Ninefortheroad... you mean 7mm Remington magnum, right? Good choice, though not as popular as a decade or so ago. Probably passes the "can I get ammo at Walmart" test better than most.
The Vanguard is an excellent choice. The 7mm is good for pretty much any big game animal on the Continent. The Big brown bears, and Nilgai are about at the limit, IMHO, but Elk on down to Prairie poodles, you're good.
Though for woodchuck, you're seriously burning far more powder & taking more recoil than you need to... But I know a guy who hunt's 'chuck with a .50-70 Sharps. Black powder. You can see the bullet arc like a rainbow, it's the size of your thumb.....
A configuration I think works best is a carbine ( 16 1/2") barrel with a rifle length gas tube. You have a longer fore end, and better tolerance of ammo variation. ( runs smoother.. )
It's kinda not "me," but I certainly wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers.
Blake posted up a YouTube vid from the MAC channel earlier. As much as I around on the 'net, I hadn't come across this guy's stuff before for some reason. Good score on Blake's part, and I appreciate yet another great resource.
Here's a MAC vid I watched tonight and found interesting. Like the dude says in the description, "Don't watch if you're squeamish!"
A configuration I think works best is a carbine ( 16 1/2") barrel with a rifle length gas tube. You have a longer fore end, and better tolerance of ammo variation. ( runs smoother.. )
A mid length gas system is supposed to be optimal for a 16" barrel. I'm running a rifle length gas on my 16," and while it is soft shooting and smooth it is considered a liability in very cold climates (can short stroke). They tend to not be tolerant of under-powered ammo, either. Thankfully that's not an issue here, as it never gets all that cold and I run M855 exclusively.
My bolt gun will be a 300WM.
This was the last one.
I've had a couple 50BMG uppers. They were rarely employed properly and they are beasts to have to walk around with...so no more.
....the 7mm has some great ballistically efficient bullets and some very long supersonic distances.
Hard-hitting round and inherently accurate. May not have the long range energy as a 338, but similar flat trajectory and wicked on soft targets. Recoil is serious but maybe not as bad as the large calibers.
Interesting 16 part series on an AR build. Haven't watched the whole thing yet, but they seem to show installation of every spring and detent, etc. Probably the route I will eventually go. Even if I don't, I find it very interesting just seeing how they are put together.
I am *very* fond of a nice M38... Don't you want a Husqvarna rifle?
6.5x55 isn't hard to find, and dies are readily available for reloading. Great gun with a great cartridge. You used to be able to get them for $200 or so. Wish I had bought 4.
Yep the bayonet lug allowing you to put an evil bayonet on your evil black "assault rifle". Who knows how many countless lives will be lost since the last assault weapons ban was allowed to sunset which would have banned this small feature on your rifle. I also notice you have a telescoping stock. This was also a feature banned under the law written by the greatest, smartest minds in the democratic party and designed to save lives of which we will never be able to comprehend the true scope of lives saved. You know I think uncle Joe helped write that legislation.