[quote]jbpick86 wrote:
I did read somewhere that the DPMS LR line is based off of a SASS type rifle and has some compatibility issues with the AR types.
[/quote]
I’ve read that about the different AR makes. Some aren’t mil-spec so parts aren’t as interchangeable as one would think. I’m not sure how true this is or which makes it applies to but it’s definately something I would read up on before I spent my hard earned dollars.
Yote sells pretty well on the fur market. And from what my father is telling me back home, fur prices are starting to rise again. That’s way off-topic though. And I do feel there is such a thing as overkill. Consider the cost as well. But I like the idea of fair hunt - again, another topic.
[quote]Quasi-Tech wrote:
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
Shit, I honestly think we scared Quasi-Tech off.
I warned him not to get me started talking about guns. [/quote]
Varq, you didn’t scare me off. The weekend came, and before I left for work Friday the thread hadn’t been touched for a while. We had Monday off (Grandparent Day) as I understand by translation. So I was home doing other things.
I’ll try to catch up on the reading. I see scanning we derailed slightly, but seem to be getting back on course.
In the brief conversation between you and Beth, I hope my manliness wasn’t being called into question. If it was, I suppose I can’t challenge - I haven’t gone through any traditional “rites of manhood” like slapping a lion in the face, or surviving the wild alone. I’m considering something similar to this but it takes time to prep. If by being a man you mean responsible, honorable, and steadfast than most certainly. But I have no desire to try to prove anything on a forum, it matters only to those to whom I’m responsible to.
I’ll give the posts a read and respond. Thanks for taking the time. And you won’t scare me off. I’ll usually stick around until I can see nothing else to be gained, or I deem a topic better off without my input.[/quote]
Good to have you back, Quasi.
I assure you that your manliness was not being called into question. Beth and I were engaging in a bit of completely frivolous cyber-flirting, which had everything to do with our mutual affinity for the M1A rifle platform.
I don’t recommend slapping a lion in the face, but surviving the wild alone has a lot to recommend it. You will get very cold, and you will get very hungry, and you will nearly go insane, but you will in the end learn something about yourself that you didn’t know before. For better or for worse.
My Sensei, the inimitable Steve Bellamy, gave me some good advice which I hope will not be out of line recommending to you. Steve told me that in his earlier days, his own Sensei once commanded him to carry around in his wallet a little white card, to be taken out and read as circumstances dictated, on which was printed the following:
“You are taking yourself far too seriously.”.
It helped Steve, and it helped me. Hope it helps you too. 
You’re ok. Half of the “manly” part was in jest. The idea of the white card is a good one though. I’d delve into my plans for trying to “rough it” but that’s another topic and a few years away - like after I get back from Japan.
I still haven’t had the chance to read the detailed posts. I have some work to do before lunch (so happy to be busy, at least slightly), but I’ll give them a good thorough read during my lunch break.
And I’m always happy to take advice. I’d think it foolish for someone not to be willing to listen. And you’re right, I take things too seriously many times - though seldom on the Internet - I blame my military upbringing. Anywho, post back after lunch. Continue your flirting so long as it stays relatively on topic - or at least such that is can be “saved.”
Varq, firstly, thank you for taking the time to provide those write-ups. You did so in a clean, concise manner that I could only expect from someone who has graduated with honors in English class :). I do need to make one more jab at you, then I’ll get to the meat of my post. In comparing the amount of detail provided for the HK, the AR, and the M1A you really short-changed your favorite, the FAL! Maybe it is one of those cases where not much was required to speak for the gun, as it speaks for itself.
So my understanding from previous conversation is that all 4 platforms are capable of the 7.62. I think you’ve sold me on that caliber. I am sad to say that I am a typical American in that I like to “specialize” my firearms. I know what gun I will use in each scenario - assuming hunting, target shooting, long range, etc. though I do admit to a “1 gun” mindset being good in hairy situations. That’s what this is for ;).
You mentioned briefly the conversion kits for a couple of the platforms into .22. I think this is a great addon as you yourself said, ammo is expensive. Save where you can and still benefit by learning the gun. Are all 4 platforms available with a conversion kit? I think you noted the HK has the easiest, does the FAL also have a kit?
What are the average price ranges for these guns? The couple you mentioned price on was $1400-$1500 USD. Is this about accurate for all 4 platforms?
I was surprised at the mention of chrome-lined barrel as extra for the M1A. I thought most guns these days were equipped with this type of barrel as it takes less of a beating from ammo. Speaking of barrels, you noted that a 16"-18" is always an option, and possibly a better one. For staying within 500 yds, what negatives are there?
I’m not interested in tacti-cool. I am interested in form, fit, and function. The only addon I’d add would be if I can see a justifiable reason to have it on the gun. Otherwise, to me, its a waste of money and space. What addons do you recommend? Pistol grip seems to be one that you are rather fond of. As a primary shooter of “hunting firearms” I’m not entirely familiar with their benefits on a rifle. I have fired handguns.
I’ve never personally been a huge fan of optics for 100 yds and in shots. I prefer trusting my 20/20 and the stock iron sights. Any issues with the sights (other than the one noted on the HK for being different), or all good from the manufacturer? I’ve read some AK sights can be off and need to be “knocked” straight.
How are the guns on follow-up shots? I ask for recoil for me because the greater the recoil the longer time it takes to get sighted back on target. Like the difference between shooting a .22 and 44 magnum.
For quality, you mentioned that all 4 are pretty top notch. At what point in your shooting career will you need to consider replacing parts on the gun, ie, after how many thousand rounds, or have you never had an issue with this? I don’t think I’d ever reach this point, but since we’re getting into details, might help a rather avid shooter make a decision.
As for the lady friend, she’s not a tiny girl. She’s just intimidated by rifles… though has no issue firing her .357 magnum. I think her perception is “the bigger the gun, the bigger the bang.” (No need for inappropriate remarks, I know readers are currently winding them up.) She wasn’t raised around firearms, this is all new experience for her, but she does enjoy them - constantly asks me to go to the pistol range. She also likes shooting bow, though won’t hunt. I just personally like the idea of having a platform she could grow into, or learn to enjoy. Makes me happy to hear that you can confidently recommend all 4.
Thanks again for taking the time, and at any point you become tired in answering, let me know. If I could buy you a beer I would.
[quote]Quasi-Tech wrote:
Varq, firstly, thank you for taking the time to provide those write-ups. [/quote]
My pleasure. No, really, it was a good exercise for me as well, to articulate all i like and don’t like about these four excellent weapons.
Well, thank you.
Well, there’s that, and also it was the first one I reviewed. Paradoxically, I had the most to say about the platform that excites me the least, which is the AR. I don’t know if I would say the FAL is my favorite. It’s the one with the longest and most successful history in military action, the HK is the toughest and most reliable, and the M1A is the prettiest. It’s like having four beautiful badass chicks all giving you fuck-me eyes and Mr Miyagi there saying “choose.” If I had to, with a gun to my head, I guess I’d pick the HK.
With the M14 and the FAL, there are no other options. Early versions of the FAL were chambered for the Nazi 7.92 Sturmgewehr cartridge, but they are irrelevant. The HK-93 is identical to the 91 but in 5.56, and PTR sells a version in 7.62x39. The AR, of course, can be had in an absolutely stupid array of calibers.
Good. Then my work here has not been in vain.
Sigh.
Rodney Ansell, the real-life Crocodile Dundee, was gunned down by police in Australia when he tried to take them on with bare feet and two rifles. I am positive that if he had left one of the rifles and put on his goddamned boots, it might have ended better for him. If I ever have to run for it, it’s only one rifle for me, thanks.
No, not commercially available, and that’s another reason the HK gets the nod. There is a guy on falfiles.org who has been in the process of developing a marketable kit for years now, but whether he’ll actually have a product you can buy this year? Who the fuck knows. The HK has not only the rimfire conversion kit, but also the light bolt for the plastic practice ammo, for sale right now.
[quote]
What are the average price ranges for these guns? The couple you mentioned price on was $1400-$1500 USD. Is this about accurate for all 4 platforms?[/quote]
A DSA FAL clone will run you about 1700 from the manufacturer, which is about what Springfield wants for a basic M1A. If the G3 is to your liking, you can have it for a little over a thousand bucks from PTR for the GI model. An AR? Again, it’s like buying breakfast cereal at the supermarket. You are spoiled for choice. How much do you want to spend? You can get a Robinson XCR-M for 2500, a Colt LE901 for 2400, a SIG 716 for 1900…or a Rock River Arms LAR-8 for 1300 bucks, sights not included. Do yourself a favor and make sure your rifle has sights on it before you take it out shooting.
Military-issue rifles in the United States commonly have the barrels hard-chromed because they get fired a LOT, and soldiers can’t always be trusted to swab out their barrels. If you shoot a lot and don’t clean your weapon afterwards, then yeah, a chrome barrel might be for you.
Increased muzzle blast, muzzle flash and muzzle rise are the most noticeable. Reduced velocity, reduced kinetic energy on impact, slightly lower point of impact as range increases. Not appreciable, though. Accuracy is practically uneffected, and the negatives are balanced by increased maneuverability. Sight radius doesn’t change with these weapons as it would on a bolt gun with iron sights if you shortened the barrel.
A pistol grip simply allows a different, more natural hold on the rifle than you may be used to with a hunting rifle. The stock configuration allows a higher cheek position so it may be easier to use an optical sight without a cheek piece on the stock. Aside from a trigger refinement, if necessary, about the only things I would recommend putting on your rifle are a shooting sling, some spare magazines, a cleaning kit (that always travels with the rifle), an optical sight of some sort if you are so inclined, and perhaps a bipod.
I can’t stand Kalashnikov sights. I suppose they work well with the water hose trajectory of the 7.62x39 on full auto, but not for precision shooting. The M14 has the best of the bunch, then HK, then AR. FAL is somewhat meh.
Here is where cartridge selection pays off. The 7.62 has more recoil, but if you have placed your shot correctly you will likely not need a second shot. That said, here is where the 110gr Hornady TAP really shines. Low flash, low recoil, low report, low muzzle climb. Good for close range, where you might have multiple targets and may actually need to fire a quick second round.
I would have a complete replacement set of all springs and pins. Springs because they eventually lose tension, and pins because you will lose one someday when disassembling the rifle for cleaning. Keep a spare firing pin with the rifle. They don’t often fail, but when they do, your rifle is an expensive metal club. [quote]As for the lady friend, she’s not a tiny girl. She’s just intimidated by rifles… though has no issue firing her .357 magnum.
I think her perception is “the bigger the gun, the bigger the bang.” (No need for inappropriate remarks, I know readers are currently winding them up.) She wasn’t raised around firearms, this is all new experience for her, but she does enjoy them - constantly asks me to go to the pistol range. She also likes shooting bow, though won’t hunt. I just personally like the idea of having a platform she could grow into, or learn to enjoy. Makes me happy to hear that you can confidently recommend all 4.
Thanks again for taking the time, and at any point you become tired in answering, let me know. If I could buy you a beer I would. [/quote]
You’re welcome, Quasi. I have a feeling we might meet up someday, especially if you’re still in Japan over the next year or so. If so then I will take you up on that beer. Don’t know if they have Stone Brewery products yet there, but I have found that I am particularly partial to their Arrogant Bastard Ale. Imagine that.
Cheers.
Quick response Varq! Very nice. See, you had me leaning toward the FAL with the adjustable system, but now towards the HK… ahh guns, so fun. I don’t have any plans for this evening after work and the gym, so I’ll have to sit down and take a look at the various offerings for HK and FAL. I’m sure in the morning I’ll have more to bugger you with, especially with an evening to research.
What about triggers? You mentioned this specifically. I’ve not shot a ton of guns, again mostly hunting firearms, but I also have a Springfield Armory 1911 and Walther P99. I like the smooth, consistent pull on the 1911 to the double action of the P99. Admittedly, I’ haven’t put enough time into the P99 to be comfortable with it, but that adjusted trigger after the first shot is great - but the first shot and long trigger pull has me off every time.
Would you say the trigger pulls on each are smooth and steady, heavy pressure with a quick trigger response, a long and steady squeeze, etc.?
Oh, and had no idea where the movie Crocodile Dundee was inspired from. Kudos on the random trivia info. Sad that the guy was a meth addict though (I think that’s what they said his favorite poison was).
And I’d be happy to buy you as many beers as you’d like. Though I hope you’ll forgive me if I drink Kashisu Orenji. That’s my favorite - whether its alcholic or not, I have no idea. Never acquired a taste for beer.
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
Feeling a bit philosophical.
Thomas Aquinas once said “homo unius libri timero”, which means “beware the man of one book”.
As someone who likes to dabble in religious debate, I can tell you that this is a true statement: fundamentalists are always more dangerous than less orthodox believers, both in general and in the debating arena. If you’ve ever been up against a real Bible scholar (or a Torah scholar, or a Quranic scholar, for that matter) you will soon realize that he knows that one book better than you ever will with your library of books, and will cut you to ribbons with it. You literally don’t have a prayer.
Similarly, beware the man with only one gun. Chances are he knows how to use it. I would much rather be the guy with one rifle that I know as intimately as a lover, am familiar with all its idiosyncrasies, and can predict its point of impact under any conditions, with any load I choose to put into its chamber, than I would to have a whole safe full of rifles that I can shoot pretty well. I’m nowhere near that level of skill, but that is my ideal.
It may not be your ideal, and that’s fine. Most people would not choose to play eighteen holes of golf with only a seven-iron… but beware the man who can! [/quote]
Great post!
[quote]theBeth wrote:
Varq: I dig you for your substantial vocabulary. [/quote]
I attribute it all to regularly plumbing the forbidden depths of the Oxford English Dictionary for terms and lexicons. Or at least, that’s what Karado says I do.
Didn’t figure it was for my pretty feet and mad dance skills.
Which is good, because you might end up having to fight Orion for me, and I’d hate to see Orion get beat up by a girl.
Seriously, though, glad you’re here. I dig you too, for liking guns, lifting weights, climbing rocks, and generally being a badass chick with a nice caboose.
[quote]Quasi-Tech wrote:
Yote sells pretty well on the fur market. And from what my father is telling me back home, fur prices are starting to rise again. That’s way off-topic though. And I do feel there is such a thing as overkill. Consider the cost as well. But I like the idea of fair hunt - again, another topic.[/quote]
I’m all for fair hunt, but coyotes aren’t for hunting. They’re for eradication.
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
[quote]theBeth wrote:
Varq: I dig you for your substantial vocabulary. [/quote]
I attribute it all to regularly plumbing the forbidden depths of the Oxford English Dictionary for terms and lexicons. Or at least, that’s what Karado says I do.
Didn’t figure it was for my pretty feet and mad dance skills.
Which is good, because you might end up having to fight Orion for me, and I’d hate to see Orion get beat up by a girl.
Seriously, though, glad you’re here. I dig you too, for liking guns, lifting weights, climbing rocks, and generally being a badass chick with a nice caboose. [/quote]
That kinda made my day. Thank you kind sir.
[quote]Uncle Gabby wrote:
[quote]Quasi-Tech wrote:
Yote sells pretty well on the fur market. And from what my father is telling me back home, fur prices are starting to rise again. That’s way off-topic though. And I do feel there is such a thing as overkill. Consider the cost as well. But I like the idea of fair hunt - again, another topic.[/quote]
I’m all for fair hunt, but coyotes aren’t for hunting. They’re for eradication.[/quote]
Agreed. They’re overpopulating and causing problems up here. Thus a year round kill season including night hunting certain months of the year. Is there an unfair way to hunt them? Snares are illegal up here.
Great thread Varqanir. Has me working on an explanation for why my 870 and STIs aren’t enough to have on hand.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
[quote]Uncle Gabby wrote:
[quote]Quasi-Tech wrote:
Yote sells pretty well on the fur market. And from what my father is telling me back home, fur prices are starting to rise again. That’s way off-topic though. And I do feel there is such a thing as overkill. Consider the cost as well. But I like the idea of fair hunt - again, another topic.[/quote]
I’m all for fair hunt, but coyotes aren’t for hunting. They’re for eradication.[/quote]
[Cue the blabber about how we need ALL the predators in order to have a “healthy ecosystem” and anyone who would go out of their way to kill a wild canine in an asshole and driving 25 miles through woods and farmland to work in an office automatically qualifies one to have a valid wildlife management ideals about areas one is totally unfamiliar with, yada…yada…yada…][/quote]
Cue, humanity has the right to destroy and control everything and has a far better vision for sustaining and conservation than nature which existed for millions of years prior to man’s existence.
Coyotes are open season year round here in PA and have been identified as a problem. All you need is a valid furtaker’s license - that’s how PA defines them.
I do believe Coyotes are an invasive species to the East Coast, but always existed in the West. My curiosity is what caused the push after all this time… and the resulting imbalance. Couldn’t be some outside influence, they must have just decided to become prolific (or the fact there are no natural predators for them, when there once was…)
Wild pigs, as noted before are an invasive species not even originally from this continent. Just like pythons are doing in the Everglades. They were not originally a part of the ecosystem and so have disturbed it. Reducing the population, or even eradicating that which shouldn’t be there is part of conservation. Eradicating that which was always there because you don’t like it, is something else. What entitles people again?
And let’s try to keep this thread on topic. If we want to debate the rights of people to decide what’s worth living and dying based on their annoyance with nature - yet aren’t willing to do that with our own species - then make a new thread or stay with the wolf thread. Thanks.
Gents, come on, take it back over to the Wolf thread. We’re talkin’ guns here.
