Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 3:37 PM

Might be a good idea for me to pick up a gun before next year then, hmmm? Who knows what kind of regulations will be let fly.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 3:44 PM

If you watch local sales you might be able to get into an AK for $200. I've been seeing single stack WASR's in 5.45 drop that low around here. Well, last one I saw was Black Friday, but it's possible.

Or, Saiga, they're always a good deal. Aside from legal issues with import regulations all you've got to do to get them running standard AK mags is get a feed ramp inside the receiver instead of on the Saiga magazine.

Or, a stripped AR-10 or AR-15 lower. Shouldn't be more than $120 for that.

Or, Romanian AK parts kit + flat receiver. Total should be about $200 and now you've got all the parts (sans tools) to make a gun that's "paperless."

Yeah, none of the above area in full-power cartridges. If you need to reach out and touch someone you've got Sasha for that.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 3:45 PM

I'd love an AR-10 if they made it with a piston upper. The direct gas impingment strikes me as the gun shitting where it eats. Other options include the M1A platform, my fave is the SOCOM 16 from Springfield, but I'm not crazy about the rocking magazine design.

The FAL, but I think they're a tad heavy for my EBR likes, the CETME platform (H&K G3, or the PTR 91) Again the rocking magazine, and no bolt hold-open on the last round.

Ahab saw the new FNH .308 at the Shot show:
http://www.nrahab.com/?p=1032 I'll never be able to buy it here withot it piggy-backing on a new arrival (Thankfully it takes FAL mags, so I can get pre-ban hi-cap mags for it if I ever got my hands on one)

The .308 Battle rifle is a fairly small market, but I'm with you, its the optimal round for SHTF, and for PSH.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 3:53 PM

Oh on a side note, I have no idea how you wife stands on range time or active self defence, and what her recoil tollerences are. But my #1 recomendation for home defence for the recoil sensitive is a Pistol Carbine, as it packs more punch than a pistol, offers all the joys of shooting a rifle at least to medium ranges, and a carbine platform soaks up recoil like a sponge.

I only mention this is because most of the carbines on the Market (Ruger used to make a few, Beretta has the CX4, and there's the Kel-Tech SU2000) take various double-stack pistol mags, they fit nicely into the EBR bag for me. Maybe your wife would be more keen to let you get an EBR if she also found it fun to shoot, and you could sell it as an ideal defensive weapon (Even better than a 12 guage house gun IMHO as you can get a VERY quick 2nd shot in because of the low recoil, and mag changes and capacity means 2nd shots turn into 13th and 30th VERY quickly)

Just a suggestion....also the SU2000 gets fairly high raitings, yet is VERY affordable.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 4:02 PM

Build an AR that shoots AK bullets, it's a double heresy EBR! I liked shooting the 6.8spc at the Gunbloggers rendezvous. If I had to get rid of my other rifles I'd keep the AR because I can swap uppers with another caliber...

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 4:07 PM

build one

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 4:18 PM

DirtCrasher, that's kind of the reason I would consider the AR platform - versatility.

WB, the wife doesn't like shooting. Can't ever get her to the range. For home defense, it's the Mossberg 500A 12 gage. She's yet to shoot it, and I can't tell if that's a bonus or a problem. I have a feeling she'll get 1 shot out of that thing and put it down. For good.

As for the piston vs. impingement, alas I am unversed in such details. I've already forgotten everything I knew in the Marines 'cept how to aim and pull the trigger.

I see Traction Control has some DPMS LR-308B & T's for less than a grand. That's about where I'd like to be, 'cept I'd have to get some nice optics.

All in theory, of course. Until I find a $1000 just sitting around...

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 4:19 PM

Tom, I can't navigate a pair of scissors without f*cking something up. There's no way I could build anything.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 4:30 PM

Lemme know if I can help ... meanwhile I took some Pre-ban steps myself. The M82A1 should be arriving tomorrow.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 4:37 PM

Some of the wildcat cartridges can be hard to find

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 5:45 PM

USCitizen, I've been on your place looking at the DPMS LR-308(B&D). Trying to figure out what the differences are.

And unfortunately, this is an academic argument. The Mrs. wants new kitchen cabinets, and those are going to consume 100% of any extra money for the next year.

The sad thing is I might have been able to pull off something if I wasn't going to the 2A Blogger Bash, but alas, I am.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 10:03 PM

Sell blood? I'm daydreaming about EBRs as well, but until I win the lottery or come up with some idea to sell to Microsoft, it is gonna remain a dream.

Why don't you and I get together and start a business selling some luxury products to stupid rich people? That's a great way to make a buck.

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 10:04 PM

Oh, and Tom: That is the ugliest, and quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen!

Rolled Out On: 2/4/2008 10:18 PM

Not to say how you should or shouldn't run your house, but in Chez Weer'd Only people who have basically qualified with the guns have access to them. My wife was a STRICT anti-gunner when I brought home my first 1911. I told her: "This gun is only dangerous if you pick it up. Untill you have proven you can safely use it I don't want you anywhere near this gun" She agreed to put a few mags down range and learn the 4 rules. She's hardly a gun nut now, but when we move to our new house she's applying for Her CCW permit, and we're both members of the Second Amendment Sisters.

Just my opinion, the gun that's most dangerous is the one hidden on the top shelf of the closset under some old sweat shirts. People who don't train with guns are dangerous with them.

To avoid magical thinking, if your wife never drove a standard transmission car (or say ony drove one once a year) would you feel safe letting her drive up I-95 durring rush hour alone in the car?

I think the same thing goes with guns. Its easy to forget any one of the 4 rules unless you've really at least logged some solid dry fire time, and some time at the range.


Best of luck!

Rolled Out On: 2/5/2008 1:43 AM

The AWB will come back, but I'm betting the scope is much greater with a lot of "no longer ownables" thrown in for good measure. For the children, of course.

It's a good idea to be prepared. But I doubt McCain is going to sign an AWB. McCain voted against the original AWB, and voted against extending it. On that particularly issue, he's pretty good.

I'm not suggesting that McCain is perfect on the gun issue. He'd probably sign a ban on private sales if Congress put it on his desk. But he's been consistent on assault weapons.

Rolled Out On: 2/5/2008 11:00 AM

I'm wondering how the AWB would work out if the Good Guys win Heller v DC? The briefing by Gura, Levy, et. al. that came out yesterday leans, in part, on the Miller Test, which basically says "you can't ban anything in common use, that has an established militia use." If that standard is upheld, along with the strict scrutiny they are asking for, then I'd argue that a similar AWB would be difficult to uphold. Since EBRs are quite popular these days, and clearly they have established militia uses, they clearly pass the Miller test.

I'm still not holding my breath, waiting for the Supreme Court to do the right thing, but I must say that the possibility of a ruling before the general election will make life a little more interesting.

Rolled Out On: 2/5/2008 2:16 PM

Get the new Tactical Folding Stock M1 Carbine from Auto-Ordnance. It's like $700, so it's cheaper than ANY AR you're looking to buy, and it's black, and it takes hi-cap magazines.

Also, Saiga has found a company that is manufacturing magazines that will go straight into the Saiga rifles without modification. I have a post on that going up late today/tomorrow.

Rolled Out On: 2/5/2008 4:30 PM

I have to admit, I have been more than happy with my tacticool M1A SOCOM II, but it does not completely qualify as an EBR... at least, not until I slap on the full-stock-replacement kit offered by VLTOR. Of course, once that is all said and done, it is probably way the hell outside of your price range - and mine, for that matter (*hides the credit statements from his Financial Advisor...er...wife*).

Honestly, in the coming year, I see myself unfortunately selling off my Baby Eagle... to come up with the money for a carry pistol (which the BE is decidedly not). After that... Hm, the thought of a pistol-caliber carbine to complement the carry pistol does have its merits...

Rolled Out On: 2/5/2008 7:27 PM

Practical side of this one is easy - look around and hope to find a used M1A for less than a grand. Lighter than the SOCOM II, more accurate, and generally a better trigger. Best of all, since the 'in crowd' is looking at the socom IIs, the prices have been coming down on used guns. Barring that, the AK/AR battle may be solved less expensively with an SKS. Ugly, effect, and a lot more accurate than the average ak - plus no magazines to buy or lose.

Rolled Out On: 2/5/2008 11:35 PM

Huh. Never been called the "in crowd" before. Shiny.

Rolled Out On: 2/8/2008 11:07 AM

My wife loves shooting ARs, doesn't dig the Mosin too much though. I was a die hard AK fan until I spent a day burning through mags w/my friend's AR. I was sold.

You could always buy a lower ($100 +/-) and build it later. Or if you can use a drill press or know someone that is handy with tools, you can buy an 80% lower and finish it off yourself.