| Author | Message | ||
     Sleez |
ok, changed it up a bit. ended up getting a Windham Weaponry SRC CA model. http://www.windhamweaponry.com/pdf/UpdatedTechShee ts/SRC-CAMSRPPRICING.pdf comes with a few dealer add ons; magpul MOE parts, and i got 420 rounds in ammo can for 250, not too bad, seems prices are stabilizing a bit. now i wait, 10 days and i can receive it!!! but i did fall for a 50 Beowulf they have on the shelf, fully loaded, but they want 3200 for it! | ||
| Sifo |
Just got back from the range this morning. Suddenly there were only about 1/4 of the lanes being used. Not sure what's driving the sudden change. Nice weather? Lack of ammo? New shooter's infatuation period is over? It's just weird to see it change so suddenly. | ||
| Aesquire |
Pistol caliber carbines have been popular since the Wild West days, but a bit less so in modern times. A Colt SAA and Winchester '92 was the classic well equipped Cowboy setup. Good for personal defense & hunting. The concept of compatible ammo and a long gun capable of medium game is still attractive. Low recoil, easy handling, loud, a perfect Zombie gun. http://www.gunblast.com/Kel-Tec_Sub2000.htm I personally have little experience with Kel-Tec arms, but I'd nominate this one as the modern civilian Sten gun. The Sten gun was a light, compact, and mostly damn cheap to make 9mm submachine gun from WW2. A British design, it was even copied by the Germans, and made under the noses of occupying German troops in Poland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sten The problem with a Sten gun for semi auto civilian use, is that it's a slam fire open bolt machine gun design. That gives you safety issues as well as crappy accuracy. ( but in full auto fire, fairly good accuracy ) Over the years, a few companies have made semi auto only Stens, but the design really wasn't made for that, so they tend to be crude and expensive & commercial failures. But. the Kel-Tec, Does work. A clean sheet design, while it lacks the sophistication of a telescoping bolt ( Uzi ) or fancy locking system, ( H&K MP5 ) it really doesn't need them, since it's built within the legal limits of a carbine, not a pistol. Simple, light, and a good match if carrying a compatible Glock. Opinion? | ||
| Macbuell |
I have a Kel Tec Sub 2000. It is a very fun gun to shoot and very accurate. According to Kel Tec, the 9mm round out of the 16 Inch barrel has as much energy as a 357 round out of a 4 inch barrel. In other words, a ton of power. | ||
| Mtnmason |
^^^I've wanted an S2K in .40 cal for a long time. They are finally back down under $500 on gbroker. Gonna wait it out a little longer | ||
| Rick_a |
IMO serious pistol power starts in at 10mm and .41mag on up. These days with all these crazy big calibers, .357 is respectable, but not many consider it a powerhouse anymore. It's good for some four legged animals, and reportedly very effective on two... | ||
| Pdxs3t |
I'll be buying an AR based rifle one day. And it will more then likely be a Ruger SR556. Unless I can get my hands on a Sig or HK. I first though, need to but a new CCW. Giving some thought on either a Beretta PX4 Storm 40 S&W or a Sig 250C in 40S&W. Leaning towards the PX4 because of the CX4 Storm. I did buy this a few month's ago. Its black, would it count? And the other two have had extreme make over's recently that has made them new like and they have some black too.  Escort MP-S/A 12 GA Semi-Auto. Nice shooter after getting its trigger assembly squared away.  My rebooted Ruger Mini-30 189 Series...  My trusty old Ruger Mini-14 185 Series. Its become an even better little shooter, with the mod's that were done over the winter.  | ||
| D_adams |
Beretta PX4 Storm 40 S&W If you have fat hands (or small hands) I'd not recommend this one. My brother-in-law bought one before actually shooting it, now he wishes he had followed my advice and rented one for a test run first. Even with the smallest backstrap on it, it's too big for his hands to grip it properly. He seriously wanted to trade for my XDm .40 even up. I had to laugh a little at that one. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I sell more PX4 sub compacts to women that anybody else. His hands have to be pretty small. | ||
| Rick_a |
What he said. Glocks and PX4s in the 9mm compacts are most often the womens' choice in semi-autos. A Ruger SR is the only thing I can think of with a smaller grip other than the Shield, PPS, XDS, LC9 or 709 type slim guns. | ||
| D_adams |
I guess his must have been the full size model then, along with his having overly thick hands at the thumb webbing. He's a bit overweight, so that plays into it I'm sure. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
D_adams, I always get hands on something before I buy. Learned long ago how to fit for hand and finger. Have practiced it ever since. When buying a handgun. I currently use an HK USP40 but its a tank. I'd like to slim down just a little. Even though I'll struggle with the idea of retiring the old HK. | ||
| Loki |
Pdx, Just dropped my mini into the Archangel stock. What a difference! I liked the Hogue Overmold stock on my NRA but... | ||
| Rick_a |
Always shoot what you like, as well. I have had a few surprises shooting that I would never have known just handling the firearm. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Loki, I've been eyeing the Sparta stock for a long while. Adds a little extra weight but, allows for a lot more flexibility. Especially for optic’s and slings (can install a 3-point sling without all the extra crap). If you want to clean up the muzzle end of your rifle a little and give it a cool look. Check out the Blind Mo-Reaper. It’s a very nice muzzle break that looks good and works. I have one on my Mini-14, with a gas block ramp sight and one on my Mini-30, since its scoped. I’ve included a link to the retailers website bellow. The two shot’s on the website is of the one that is actually on my Mini-14. Blind Mo-Reaper Muzzle Break I really wish someone would make a true M4 style of stock for the Mini-14 platform. Clyde’s Armory does a really good job but, the cost of $550 is more then most want to spend for a stock. I’m using Choate stocks on both of mine. They were a little rough around the edges and took some work to make better. Especially the 6 position collapsible that I’m using on my Mini-30. The stock refused to take paint. Ended up using Duracoat in their Flat Tactical Black. Still not to sure how the longevity will be. I have been letting it set, so it gets a good chance to setup. Only time will tell now. Would love to see a shot of your Mini Loki. If you get a chance, post a pic. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
I'm sure this question has been asked before...for a newbie buyer to the AR platform. If they were to start out with just a stripped lower. What should they look for? What would be some of the better one's and what would be some to stay away from? | ||
| Rick_a |
The only one I've heard of with issues lately is the AR Five Seven lowers. I would also avoid any polymer lower other than the CAV-15. The polymer lowers cost about the same as a standard lower only are a lot less durable and typically come with junk FCGs. Pic a logo you like and a price you are comfortable with and go with it. Unless your build sheet specs a lot of specific parts, there are some good deals to be had on assembled M4 style lowers, as well. You don't save much money on a build. In my case, I built an $1100 gun for ~$750 dollars. However, once I had my preferred parts in it I was into it around $1800. | ||
| Rick_a |
The other consideration is the tools needed. I already had them and it's another expense to consider. At minimum an armorers wrench, torque wrench, a barrel block, and a few punches will be needed. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Thanks for the info Rick....One of the things I've been wanting to do is build my own AR platform rifle. There is lots out there. So trying to figure out what is best to start with is a challenge. Been toying with the idea of a 80% lower with jig. Would be a cool way to get started me thinks too. | ||
| Buellrider66 |
If you have the time and talent to do a custom AR platform, why wait. Build one, no like, build another, sell first, repeat until satisfied. Or buy a Kel-tec RFB. Awesome toy to play with. | ||
| Loki |
Pdx, Yes, the Sparta does add a little weight to the package. Overall it helps the mini. Nice snug fitment on top of it. Had a Reaper on the mini I sold a few months back, liked it. The NRA was threaded and had an old Fabian Bros brake/flash suppressor mounted. Perfect combination for the 16" barrel. | ||
| Aesquire |
Buellrider66 is right. You need a few tools, but not that many, and the patience to get pins into holes and springs onto pins. Tips, subject to correction from the more experienced guys here. ( I don't even pretend to be a gunsmith. Precision machinist, sure, but it's not the same, and I've got scarred up Bluing to prove it ) Buy a quality barrel wrench/muti tool. I'd read the reviews ( I buy most such things from MidwayUSA, or Brownells ) since a $50 wrench may be poorly heat treated, and the little nubs rip off halfway through the project, not fit properly, leading to blood, broken parts, and cursing, while a $30 one works great and has a bottle opener. Buy an assortment of pin punches, including concave tipped ones that are meant to self center on domed end pins. You don't need every one ever made, but you need a few. See Rick a's comment above. They also make a plastic block that you clamp in a vise and inserts in the magwell to hold the lower still while you work on it. Very handy, since almost none of this stuff will lay flat on a workbench. Or escape unscratched from a vise. RTFM. Lot's of books out there on building an AR. If you are doing an 80% lower, you really want to have the right dimensions, etc. Some of the books are good, others not so much. "Guns" magazine, for instance, has an AR column with tips more detailed than these, written by an expert in the field. You might want to buy that guy's book. And complete lowers are not that much more expensive, and save a lot of work. You may want to build your own for fun, or to get experience, but it's not that big a money saver. As to what you're going to build, the modular nature of Eugene Stoner's design gives you an insane amount of options. Triggers. Lots of difference of opinion here. Some like single stage, others 2 stage, and there is a vague minimum pull weight you want to keep things safe. ( if you can breath on it and it goes off, it will get breathed on accidentally ) Personally, I like the Bushmaster match trigger. 2 stage, 4 1/2 lbs, not modular or fancy. Others hate it, YMMV. I like any trigger that is reasonably smooth, not too heavy and breaks the same way, every time. I prefer free floated barrels. That keeps slings, odd brace positions, etc. from affecting the accuracy. How many rails, where, etc. on the forend, I leave to your taste and needs. A walking around Coyote gun is better served with a smooth tubular forend with minimum edges to catch on brush. For a tacticool "entry" gun in the current SWAT or military style, lots of rails to hold lasers, lights, cupholders, etc. If you are going to run optics, I suggest a railed on top only gas block, or one with a built in folding front sight. The important parts for ergonomics are the grips & shoulder stock. The bits that help you hold on and hold steady. The ones I like may not fit you, or fit your desires. For example, a Magpull fixed adjustable may be my choice, for woodchuck at long range, while a collapsible M4 is yours for home security. Neither choice is wrong, and that choice is what makes the platform so popular. Lots of choices. I think these guys say it better than I can. http://store.magpul.com/category/100 | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Loki, Gotta love that 16" barrel on the Mini. One is on my short list to buy one day. We currently have 3 in the family. I'm a Mini slut. The Mo-Reapers are nice. I've been impressed with the one on my Mini-14. And the sightless break really cleaned up the front of it, by getting rid of the ugly ramp sight. Aesquire, Thanks for the detailed info. All good stuff for someone new to the AR platform. looking to do a build. | ||
| Loki |
The reaper is very functional on the mini. The Fabian Bros Brake on the 16" is loud and very bright. The lanes next to me will stop shooting and stare. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
I like the Fabian break...It looks great on a rifle. Makes a person kind of giddy, when you can stop the lanes and make em stare. I use to have a Ruger GP100 I could do that with, using hand loads. | ||
| Aesquire |
For loud and fireballs, A Mosin Nagant '44 Carbine, 7.62 x 54R. I bought one for my Brother in law for his birthday. Packed in ruski cosmoline, after a few months he asked if I could get it running. ( so much for that ploy ) Mineral Spirits and rags. I also got to learn all about the Mosin Nagant. Brute simple, a fine arm to hand to farm boys who've never fired a gun, and surprisingly accurate, especially for a gun made in the middle of the Great Patriotic War in a big tearing hurry with serious concern that the factory was about to be invaded. ( T-34 tanks were in production WHILE the factory was being fought over, and would roll off the assembly line directly into combat in the same factory. That's hard core ) When it's a bunch of nice folk popping .22's down range, a GP100 or a Mosin Nagant carbine, ( the rifle version is much quieter, and kicks less ) will definitely attract attention.  Pdxs3t, the local laws will influence your parts choices. In NY we have pretty insane ones, but the ambition and evil of even Our Imperial Governor is a pale shadow of the anti-gun madness in California, so check your local laws before building. Not every mail order company or dealer at a show will be aware of all the details. In NY they tend to pass these things at 2 am on a friday, so it gets reported, if at all, on some inside page of the Sat. paper buried in legalese. It's sucks to spend a bunch of money on a stock, or accessory that you really like, and find it violates a regulation put in place based on mob psychology manipulation and outright lies. ( 90% of the time, that's ALL the rule is. Is a 3.345" knife so much deadlier than a 3.33" knife? No. It's a tool to criminalize you. ) So check that the toy that catches your eye, and may actually make you a better shot, is a legal one. Flash Supressors/muzzle brakes/supressor mounts, may be 1, 2 or 3 different things, even if they are physically the same chunk of metal. Depending on the anti-freedom laws locally, you may be forbidden, required to make semi permanent, or have permanant;y welded in place. With variations on welding spec and degree of insanity. YMMV Void Where Prohibited Yes you can get in trouble for legal objects in your possession before the law actually is signed. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
Gotta have this on my AR?   | ||
| Bluzm2 |
One of my favorite pics! | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Aesquire, lol...I miss that pistol. It had a 6" bull barrel on it. So it pretty much took all, that I loaded for it. Mosin Nagant, I have read lots of good stuff about it. And they can still be had for really decent prices. I see em at Big 5's all the time. And there is a nice aftermarket selection for it too. In Oregon, the anti-gunnies tried to have their way with us but they were beat back. We do have one bill still floating around the Senate for universal background check's of private sale's. Bloomberg's Mayor's Against Gun's has been trying to force through. But the outcry against the bill has been overwhelming. If by chance it does go to vote, its expected to die, | ||
| Swampy |
Anybody have any info on the FNH PS90? |
