Showing posts with label Firearm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Firearm. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Chuck Woolery on Assault Weapons
How stupid can the anti-gun bully-by-proxy feminized deltas get - Chuck shows them the door with a bit of wit and a few bumper sticker worthy points.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Personal critical perspective, The Kel-Tec PF-9 subcompact 9mm pistol
Personal critical perspective, The Kel-Tec PF-9 subcompact 9mm pistol.
Our additions to the collection, a pair of consecutively numbered Kel-tec PF9 pistols.
The Kel-Tec PF-9
Kel-Tec CNC Industries, an interesting little power-house of a manufacturer, the third largest handgun producer in the U.S. George Kellgren as Chief Engineer will likely continue to make a huge impact in the firearms industry for many more years.
This example of a subcompact pistol, taking the features and design work from the P-3AT and his earlier P11, is outselling the competition by a large margin.
Personal - This is a small lightweight cary pistol that has many points that make it well suited for concealed carry.
Small and thin
Can fit in a pocket
Quick reliable operation
Simple take-down
Double Action
Reasonable trigger and reasonable accuracy
Capable of shooting hand-loaded ammunition
The PF9 fits this list well and I was shocked at how accurate this little pip-squeak actually is on the range.
I do not “enjoy" shooting this pistol, more on this as I progress, I don’t have to love this pistol its reason for existing in the collection has nothing to do with recreation or even open carry, but a down and dirty backup or concealed carry.
Function - Using reloads, white box, bulk Remington and federal and my premium ammunition all worked with excellent results and without incident. I found a distressing problem with feeding with lead bullets as they would simply not function reliably, ever, this is not a huge loss because the pistol will not be used all that often and saving money on ammunition is not the priority.
The PF9 is a miniature 9mm with a high-power inspired tilting lock barrel that keeps the size very very small for a full powered handgun round.
I guess you could call the pistol ambidextrous but there are just not any features to speak of, at least not many that need any ambidextrous access for the use this pistol will fill.
The magazine release could be an issue, as it is with any small pistol there is simply just not much room and the magazine release button is at thumb level. Thinking clearly about the issue this pistol is just not designed nor would it be used for fast magazine changes - it is a “holy shit” self defense handgun for concealment - a concealed option with a full-power punch.
Take-down for cleaning is simple but not as fast as you would get with a more feature packed full-sized pistol. There is an unusual pull-pin that requires the rim of a case or a thin pry tool to remove the subsequent take-down is simple.
This pistol actually has a small mini-hammer in a protected rear slop that is double action only and non-recprocating - that is, it will not reset until the firearm is operated or the slide is actuated again.
Design flaws - The double action trigger on this pistol is smooth enough but is long as would be expected but exists inside a small trigger guard and is “pinch-prone” for larger fingers. The trigger has an exaggerated forward and lower angle with a relatively thin and pointed end. In examining the trigger it looks very similar to the profile of the trigger from the Russian Makarov pistol, but for whatever reason, unlike the Mak this tends to catch the trigger finger inside of the trigger guard and of course leaves little room in the guard for large fingers.
The non-recprocating hammer in double action is simply annoying - if it has to be double action with no single action feature at least make it capable of snapping twice if needed on a primer that is not cooperating as needed.
Small and lightweight, great for carry, painful and at best excessively “snappy” with this full sized round.
Magazine release at thumb-level can be a problem for some, in this case I would think that a rear frame mounted bottom of the magazine release would actually make changing the magazines quicker, a release similar to the Makarov pistol.
While not exactly a design flaw the heavy part of the pistol, the slide, is of course on top, the lightweight handle is very lightweight so the force of the 9mm is increased in its leverage making the pistol have a very unpleasant hard “snap” when firing, I found that after as little as 50 rounds I want to put it back in the box and go to another handgun, for most normal people that would be about a magazine of rounds down range.
Quality - Quality, safe-to-use "state of the art” manufacturing but the fit and finish tends to be, well, kel-tec ish, functional but not all that finished rough and ugly would be descriptive.
Caliber / Ammunition - 9x19 in a subcompact - damn thats both useful and painful. The PF-9 will accept +P ammunition with the recommendation of using it only “from time to time” +P - double damn!
Ergonomics - Ergonomic design to this pistol would be like talking about ergonomics for a smart-phone, it is just not the primary aim. This handgun’s design revolves around the ability to be small and lightweight in that it is tops in the market.
Current production - Production of the PF9 is priority out of the factory in Cocoa, Florida, while you cannot get some of the more interesting firearms due to backlogs this pistol seems to never have much of a lag in availability. The US factory produces a wide range of colors and finishes including camouflage base colors like dark brown, tan, gray, olive green, navy, and of course black with slides of colors, hard chrome plated and blued.
Nice little plastic boxes come with the pistols as a retail package.
Our additions to the collection, a pair of consecutively numbered Kel-tec PF9 pistols.
The Kel-Tec PF-9
Kel-Tec CNC Industries, an interesting little power-house of a manufacturer, the third largest handgun producer in the U.S. George Kellgren as Chief Engineer will likely continue to make a huge impact in the firearms industry for many more years.
This example of a subcompact pistol, taking the features and design work from the P-3AT and his earlier P11, is outselling the competition by a large margin.
Personal - This is a small lightweight cary pistol that has many points that make it well suited for concealed carry.
Small and thin
Can fit in a pocket
Quick reliable operation
Simple take-down
Double Action
Reasonable trigger and reasonable accuracy
Capable of shooting hand-loaded ammunition
The PF9 fits this list well and I was shocked at how accurate this little pip-squeak actually is on the range.
I do not “enjoy" shooting this pistol, more on this as I progress, I don’t have to love this pistol its reason for existing in the collection has nothing to do with recreation or even open carry, but a down and dirty backup or concealed carry.
Function - Using reloads, white box, bulk Remington and federal and my premium ammunition all worked with excellent results and without incident. I found a distressing problem with feeding with lead bullets as they would simply not function reliably, ever, this is not a huge loss because the pistol will not be used all that often and saving money on ammunition is not the priority.
The PF9 is a miniature 9mm with a high-power inspired tilting lock barrel that keeps the size very very small for a full powered handgun round.
I guess you could call the pistol ambidextrous but there are just not any features to speak of, at least not many that need any ambidextrous access for the use this pistol will fill.
The magazine release could be an issue, as it is with any small pistol there is simply just not much room and the magazine release button is at thumb level. Thinking clearly about the issue this pistol is just not designed nor would it be used for fast magazine changes - it is a “holy shit” self defense handgun for concealment - a concealed option with a full-power punch.
Take-down for cleaning is simple but not as fast as you would get with a more feature packed full-sized pistol. There is an unusual pull-pin that requires the rim of a case or a thin pry tool to remove the subsequent take-down is simple.
This pistol actually has a small mini-hammer in a protected rear slop that is double action only and non-recprocating - that is, it will not reset until the firearm is operated or the slide is actuated again.
Design flaws - The double action trigger on this pistol is smooth enough but is long as would be expected but exists inside a small trigger guard and is “pinch-prone” for larger fingers. The trigger has an exaggerated forward and lower angle with a relatively thin and pointed end. In examining the trigger it looks very similar to the profile of the trigger from the Russian Makarov pistol, but for whatever reason, unlike the Mak this tends to catch the trigger finger inside of the trigger guard and of course leaves little room in the guard for large fingers.
The non-recprocating hammer in double action is simply annoying - if it has to be double action with no single action feature at least make it capable of snapping twice if needed on a primer that is not cooperating as needed.
Small and lightweight, great for carry, painful and at best excessively “snappy” with this full sized round.
Magazine release at thumb-level can be a problem for some, in this case I would think that a rear frame mounted bottom of the magazine release would actually make changing the magazines quicker, a release similar to the Makarov pistol.
While not exactly a design flaw the heavy part of the pistol, the slide, is of course on top, the lightweight handle is very lightweight so the force of the 9mm is increased in its leverage making the pistol have a very unpleasant hard “snap” when firing, I found that after as little as 50 rounds I want to put it back in the box and go to another handgun, for most normal people that would be about a magazine of rounds down range.
Quality - Quality, safe-to-use "state of the art” manufacturing but the fit and finish tends to be, well, kel-tec ish, functional but not all that finished rough and ugly would be descriptive.
Caliber / Ammunition - 9x19 in a subcompact - damn thats both useful and painful. The PF-9 will accept +P ammunition with the recommendation of using it only “from time to time” +P - double damn!
Ergonomics - Ergonomic design to this pistol would be like talking about ergonomics for a smart-phone, it is just not the primary aim. This handgun’s design revolves around the ability to be small and lightweight in that it is tops in the market.
Current production - Production of the PF9 is priority out of the factory in Cocoa, Florida, while you cannot get some of the more interesting firearms due to backlogs this pistol seems to never have much of a lag in availability. The US factory produces a wide range of colors and finishes including camouflage base colors like dark brown, tan, gray, olive green, navy, and of course black with slides of colors, hard chrome plated and blued.
Nice little plastic boxes come with the pistols as a retail package.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Personal Critical Review - Savage Mark II FV-SR Bolt action .22 LR rifle
Personal Critical Review - Savage Mark II FV-SR Bolt action .22 LR rifle
Personal - I have posted in the past about how the lowly .22 lr is my "secret sin,” to this day the simple act of hunting, shooting or plinking with .22 firearms is my “hands down” favorite way to spend my shooting time.
In the last few years I have been spending quite a bit of money and time thinking about, researching, testing and shooting to find the “best .22 rifle” for prepping. I am never sure just what makes something “the best” because the subjective nature of our personal bias and the almost endless applications that could be applied to test “the best” it is an enigma.
Because I was never happy with the accuracy of the semi-auto rifles I got rid of all but two and replaced them with bolt action rifles two of them you see above. I habitually and continually end up with the bolt action .22 rifles again and again. Even with the recent and mostly successful try with the Marlin autoloading .22 rifles - the accuracy was just not in the same class with the bolt actions.
Function - Mongo grab bolt, Mongo turn bolt, Mongo pull trigger with bugger hook, fire stick go BOOM there is something elegant in the simple function of the bolt action rifles.
The top rifle is wearing a 3x9 one inch Nikon Buckmasters and the bottom rifle in green is attached to a fixed 6 power scope with a 30 mm tube. The rifles come with the plastic stocks shown, but the colors we added later. The Savage is simply excellent in it’s reliable function, the five round magazine fed without scraping or deformation and sent the rounds perfectly into the chamber.
This Savage .22 is similar to just about any other bolt action I have ever fired with one BIG addition, this rifle features an over-sized bolt handle that has proved to be worthy of mentioning and making a big review point about. Check out that Weaver/Picatinny type rail mount, that comes with the factory rifle.
Quality - Top notch high quality fluted barrel, the magazine release is a bit cheesy as is the cheep plastic stock. We were forced to use sand paper an a big dowel to sand out the barrel channel in the cheep stock to get a reliable free-float. The Savage Mark II FV-SR has a steel receiver made of good quality material as is the bolt itself. Both the receiver and bolt are a bit typical in the lack of refined edge de-burring, finishing work, and polish (I guess we just cannot expect what was normal in the 1950’s). The magazine is made of steel and is of high quality and as described works great.
Caliber/Ammunition - .22 LR is comparatively inexpensive ammunition with almost no recoil. Of course bulk-box .22 LR is available at any big-box store great fun for the range and can be reasonably accurate. If you choose target grade ammunition try out several types, speed, weight and brand for accuracy that is often hard to believe. High velocity .22 LR is effective for hunting and available in hollow points that actually work at shorter ranges.
Did I mention accurate - how about 10 rounds at 25 yards... I added that green square to gauge the measurement, that is an inch! This target was punched with a premium target-grade lead bullet selection, the best of 12 different brands, weights, and speeds (FPS) we tested.
Use - Easy to strip and clean, but the main attractant is the adjustable “Accu-trigger” I cannot say how impressed I have been with this addition to Savage products, it takes this little bolt action to the next level. One nice touch is that this particular rifle comes with a STANDARD scope mount already factory installed anything is better than the stupid air gun cuts that are normal.
Current production - Available now, have your local gun shop - order yourself one.
Additional points - This is a silencer ready rifle with threads at the end of the barrel for 1/2 28 and are machined true to the barrel (important to prevent baffle strikes). I was never a big fan of “silencers” I remember the ones from the 1980’s as heavy, easy to damage, and just not all that effective (far louder than any of the movie crap). I have several friends and two relatives that have become “converts” to the “brotherhood of science” and took the plunge and got the BATFE stamp - I am suitably impressed with the modern silencers available now that I am considering filling out paperwork myself. Below is the little rifle with a typical AR birdcage used here to protect the threads.
Personal - I have posted in the past about how the lowly .22 lr is my "secret sin,” to this day the simple act of hunting, shooting or plinking with .22 firearms is my “hands down” favorite way to spend my shooting time.
In the last few years I have been spending quite a bit of money and time thinking about, researching, testing and shooting to find the “best .22 rifle” for prepping. I am never sure just what makes something “the best” because the subjective nature of our personal bias and the almost endless applications that could be applied to test “the best” it is an enigma.
Because I was never happy with the accuracy of the semi-auto rifles I got rid of all but two and replaced them with bolt action rifles two of them you see above. I habitually and continually end up with the bolt action .22 rifles again and again. Even with the recent and mostly successful try with the Marlin autoloading .22 rifles - the accuracy was just not in the same class with the bolt actions.
Function - Mongo grab bolt, Mongo turn bolt, Mongo pull trigger with bugger hook, fire stick go BOOM there is something elegant in the simple function of the bolt action rifles.
The top rifle is wearing a 3x9 one inch Nikon Buckmasters and the bottom rifle in green is attached to a fixed 6 power scope with a 30 mm tube. The rifles come with the plastic stocks shown, but the colors we added later. The Savage is simply excellent in it’s reliable function, the five round magazine fed without scraping or deformation and sent the rounds perfectly into the chamber.
This Savage .22 is similar to just about any other bolt action I have ever fired with one BIG addition, this rifle features an over-sized bolt handle that has proved to be worthy of mentioning and making a big review point about. Check out that Weaver/Picatinny type rail mount, that comes with the factory rifle.
Quality - Top notch high quality fluted barrel, the magazine release is a bit cheesy as is the cheep plastic stock. We were forced to use sand paper an a big dowel to sand out the barrel channel in the cheep stock to get a reliable free-float. The Savage Mark II FV-SR has a steel receiver made of good quality material as is the bolt itself. Both the receiver and bolt are a bit typical in the lack of refined edge de-burring, finishing work, and polish (I guess we just cannot expect what was normal in the 1950’s). The magazine is made of steel and is of high quality and as described works great.
Caliber/Ammunition - .22 LR is comparatively inexpensive ammunition with almost no recoil. Of course bulk-box .22 LR is available at any big-box store great fun for the range and can be reasonably accurate. If you choose target grade ammunition try out several types, speed, weight and brand for accuracy that is often hard to believe. High velocity .22 LR is effective for hunting and available in hollow points that actually work at shorter ranges.
Did I mention accurate - how about 10 rounds at 25 yards... I added that green square to gauge the measurement, that is an inch! This target was punched with a premium target-grade lead bullet selection, the best of 12 different brands, weights, and speeds (FPS) we tested.
Use - Easy to strip and clean, but the main attractant is the adjustable “Accu-trigger” I cannot say how impressed I have been with this addition to Savage products, it takes this little bolt action to the next level. One nice touch is that this particular rifle comes with a STANDARD scope mount already factory installed anything is better than the stupid air gun cuts that are normal.
Current production - Available now, have your local gun shop - order yourself one.
Additional points - This is a silencer ready rifle with threads at the end of the barrel for 1/2 28 and are machined true to the barrel (important to prevent baffle strikes). I was never a big fan of “silencers” I remember the ones from the 1980’s as heavy, easy to damage, and just not all that effective (far louder than any of the movie crap). I have several friends and two relatives that have become “converts” to the “brotherhood of science” and took the plunge and got the BATFE stamp - I am suitably impressed with the modern silencers available now that I am considering filling out paperwork myself. Below is the little rifle with a typical AR birdcage used here to protect the threads.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Can firearm alternatives be a realistic option for TEOTWAWKI?
I grew up in an archery shop my father owned and I worked there as a child, I can still fletch shafts like a pro because, well, I was one. Because of my hand skills and craftsmanship talent I can make, and have made presentation grade finished arrows...
The bow is at best a 100/200 yard weapon and most shooters who are not life long adherents to this martial art (and YES it is a martial art that requires skill and excessive training) will be 20 yard "pie plate" at best. Does it have it's place? I think so. I have, and much of my family has full sets of traditional equipment and I can tell you if SHTF the modern rifles go out for use first without even a second thought.
My opinion is that if you have never "plucked a string" (archery joke) you may want to consider spending that money on a .22 and lots of ammo, or a Mosin Nagant rifle with 7.62x54 dies primers, or possibly a flintlock, flints and powder.
I am in no way discouraging archery as a hobby, in fact archery and in particular "olympic style" archery with a recurve will improve your rifle and pistol shooting!
Just don't get stuck into the romanticism that you can become "super indian" or an english longbowman when TSHTF... Romanticism is as bad or worse with primitive weapons and martial arts than it is in the firearms industry! Remember also that this part of archery and it's romanticism sells lots of expensive equipment, but it will not change the reality.
So, you ask, why don't I talk about it as an option or alternative for SHTF?
8 inches at 20 yards - that is why, most shooters, without a release and a sighted compound with at least a full years worth of disciplined practice are going to get about "pie plate" accuracy in that year. I am talking about consistent average groups. Consistent groups, not your best-ever when the planets aligned on your star-sign, but average consistent groups.
I'm not about to get into the wannabe jedi "instinctive shooting" argument - because - like arguing religion it's supporter/proponents don't (or cannot) use reason and fact. I have tested the myths of "instinctive shooting" for years and my family (all of them "traditional archery" shooters, myself included) are big supporters of "Traditional Archery"and some are die hard proponents of "instinctive shooting" even when taking part in many of the repeatable tests, they have only changed the language, some people just cannot give up on romanticism.
Instinctive shooting as it is currently used is a misnomer, a direct fail, an attempt at spiritualism - there is no such thing, they are simply MISIDENTIFYING what is happening or what they are doing. When subjected to real testing all of the mythology will fail on it's "supernatural" claims every time.
8 inches at 20 yards - that is why, most shooters, without a release and a sighted compound with at least a full years worth of disciplined practice are going to get about "pie plate" accuracy in that year. I am talking about consistent average groups. Consistent groups, not your best-ever when the planets aligned on your star-sign, but average consistent groups.
I'm not about to get into the wannabe jedi "instinctive shooting" argument - because - like arguing religion it's supporter/proponents don't (or cannot) use reason and fact. I have tested the myths of "instinctive shooting" for years and my family (all of them "traditional archery" shooters, myself included) are big supporters of "Traditional Archery"and some are die hard proponents of "instinctive shooting" even when taking part in many of the repeatable tests, they have only changed the language, some people just cannot give up on romanticism.
Instinctive shooting as it is currently used is a misnomer, a direct fail, an attempt at spiritualism - there is no such thing, they are simply MISIDENTIFYING what is happening or what they are doing. When subjected to real testing all of the mythology will fail on it's "supernatural" claims every time.
Using a compound we are still talking about 5 inch or larger groups at 20 yards average - be honest, we expect smaller groups than that with iron sights at 100 yards with a rifle!
If you doubt the groups are that bad, go to an archery shop and watch! Even the best shooters are having a good day to have smaller groups than the general average. Don't think that I am discouraging or disrespecting the sport, I am not - I am simply being honest about this from the perspective of a supporter of the sport as a sport.
You will see a lot about how "good" someone is with a bow, but always temper that often self imposed fantasy with what the actual world records. How good are the real world champions? what can they do every meet? now compare that to a "once in a lifetime" lucky shot by the guy down the street. Is that normal? Can your rely on that luck? I have a few of my own lucky stories that I have observed but we must be honest - luck does happen. In the real world "luck" can even be explained mathematically, luck exists and it is an explainable anomaly.
If you doubt the groups are that bad, go to an archery shop and watch! Even the best shooters are having a good day to have smaller groups than the general average. Don't think that I am discouraging or disrespecting the sport, I am not - I am simply being honest about this from the perspective of a supporter of the sport as a sport.
You will see a lot about how "good" someone is with a bow, but always temper that often self imposed fantasy with what the actual world records. How good are the real world champions? what can they do every meet? now compare that to a "once in a lifetime" lucky shot by the guy down the street. Is that normal? Can your rely on that luck? I have a few of my own lucky stories that I have observed but we must be honest - luck does happen. In the real world "luck" can even be explained mathematically, luck exists and it is an explainable anomaly.
Typically 90% of all game kills with a bow are from less than 20 yards (they state 10 to 18 yards BTW) and groups of 6-8 inches will work on game.
Try an arrow at 100 yards and you will quickly see why even the flintlock took over the bow for the english archers, and later the American Native. The best sponsored professional shooters with the most modern compound bows, sights, releases, and intensive training can be outshot by even a average flintlock rifle shot at the same distances, advantage to the bow only in speed of a repeat shot, make that flintlock a lever action and the contest is over many native warriors and then even George Armstrong Custer would find out about the lever action.
Try an arrow at 100 yards and you will quickly see why even the flintlock took over the bow for the english archers, and later the American Native. The best sponsored professional shooters with the most modern compound bows, sights, releases, and intensive training can be outshot by even a average flintlock rifle shot at the same distances, advantage to the bow only in speed of a repeat shot, make that flintlock a lever action and the contest is over many native warriors and then even George Armstrong Custer would find out about the lever action.
The bow is at best a 100/200 yard weapon and most shooters who are not life long adherents to this martial art (and YES it is a martial art that requires skill and excessive training) will be 20 yard "pie plate" at best. Does it have it's place? I think so. I have, and much of my family has full sets of traditional equipment and I can tell you if SHTF the modern rifles go out for use first without even a second thought.
My opinion is that if you have never "plucked a string" (archery joke) you may want to consider spending that money on a .22 and lots of ammo, or a Mosin Nagant rifle with 7.62x54 dies primers, or possibly a flintlock, flints and powder.
I am in no way discouraging archery as a hobby, in fact archery and in particular "olympic style" archery with a recurve will improve your rifle and pistol shooting!
Just don't get stuck into the romanticism that you can become "super indian" or an english longbowman when TSHTF... Romanticism is as bad or worse with primitive weapons and martial arts than it is in the firearms industry! Remember also that this part of archery and it's romanticism sells lots of expensive equipment, but it will not change the reality.
Romanticism sells product, one reason it is promoted in advertising - and make no mistake EVERY magazine is ONE BIG ADVERTISEMENT.
Now reviewing the crossbow we are closing the gap a bit. For SHTF only with the non-compound versions should be considered and yet even with the best the edge is still on the side of powder burners (guns).
Bow and Crossbow are both quiet compared to a gun of any type (except the high powered airguns), I am just proposing realistic outlooks on all of this because, romanticism can get you killed.
Truth sometimes hurts our egos - tough, real men and women work with their limitations, know them, and find ways to circumvent and overcome them, a good fantasy is always nice, but it has to be tempered with harsh reality.
Please don't get me wrong, I love the shooting sports - if it shoots something, count me in, from rubber slingshots, to, the sling, bola, blowgun, atlatl/woomera, the bow, speargun, crossbow, and firearms of all types - I love it all, just a part of my personality.
While a heavy poundage bow could be deadly at 100 yards and possibly longer, only the best of the best could (and can) get reasonable accuracy at extended distances.
Now reviewing the crossbow we are closing the gap a bit. For SHTF only with the non-compound versions should be considered and yet even with the best the edge is still on the side of powder burners (guns).
Bow and Crossbow are both quiet compared to a gun of any type (except the high powered airguns), I am just proposing realistic outlooks on all of this because, romanticism can get you killed.
Truth sometimes hurts our egos - tough, real men and women work with their limitations, know them, and find ways to circumvent and overcome them, a good fantasy is always nice, but it has to be tempered with harsh reality.
Please don't get me wrong, I love the shooting sports - if it shoots something, count me in, from rubber slingshots, to, the sling, bola, blowgun, atlatl/woomera, the bow, speargun, crossbow, and firearms of all types - I love it all, just a part of my personality.
While a heavy poundage bow could be deadly at 100 yards and possibly longer, only the best of the best could (and can) get reasonable accuracy at extended distances.
Your choice should be dictated by your budget and your own talents. SHTF would be the worst time to take up archery and attempt to be proficient NOW would be the time.
I spent 3 to 5 days a week for over a year of disciplined shooting to get to state competition levels. With the best carbon arrows, and some of the most consistent factory produced olympic recurve equipment (FITA regulations) available including extension arm aperture sights, to this day, and in the best competition form I can have my ass handed to me by a decent compound shooter using telescopic sights (and YES they use and have telescopic sights). Take a compound shooters mechanical release away and we get closer. Primitive and traditional equipment cannot even touch that level of potential accuracy. Yes I include the trick shooters, put them at distance with a compound shooter and they will have their asses handed to them also, competing against a rifle at 100 yards there is no contest.
Does that mean archery is bad - hell no, it is just that other less expensive options could prove more realistic.
Check the time investment and then, the budget - available performance vs. your money.
Does that mean archery is bad - hell no, it is just that other less expensive options could prove more realistic.
Check the time investment and then, the budget - available performance vs. your money.
Lets look at some numbers.
Beginner Archery - expect $150-200+ for a bow, arrows $60+ per 12, Tab $8+, armguard/bracer $12+, Quiver $15+
Investment for Archery - $245 to 500 for a setup.
Beginner Crossbow - Barnett Panzer V Crossbow is often considered the "minimum" for a crossbow so price is easy $130+, bolts $25+ per 6 (12ea), there are packages with quiver and 6 bolts add bolts...
Investment for crossbow - $190+ for a setup.
Beginner rifle - Mosin Nagant Rifle 7.62x54R $92 (local shop) and 7.62x54R 880 rounds delivered $195
Investment for rifle - $287+ for a setup.
Beginner Archery - expect $150-200+ for a bow, arrows $60+ per 12, Tab $8+, armguard/bracer $12+, Quiver $15+
Investment for Archery - $245 to 500 for a setup.
Beginner Crossbow - Barnett Panzer V Crossbow is often considered the "minimum" for a crossbow so price is easy $130+, bolts $25+ per 6 (12ea), there are packages with quiver and 6 bolts add bolts...
Investment for crossbow - $190+ for a setup.
Beginner rifle - Mosin Nagant Rifle 7.62x54R $92 (local shop) and 7.62x54R 880 rounds delivered $195
Investment for rifle - $287+ for a setup.
Now the real question, what is the most effective for the money?
Alternatives are just that, alternatives or better secondary or specialized. For you readers in countries where you cannot own firearms, could a crossbow be the best option?
Building a firearm collection for preparedness Part 2
More thoughts on a collection for preparedness and additions.
1. Caliber compatibility - the more weapons that share ammunition the easier it is to store and keep a handle on.
2. How is the caliber ranked for range and power? (suitability for large US game for hunting)
3. Is it suitable for reloading? (hand-loading used brass)
4. Is it readially available? (both weapons and ammunition)
5. What is the cost vs. value?
6. Are there auto-loading rifles and or magazines available in this caliber? (ten rounds and up)
7. Will there be sources of ammunition later and if not is this a concern?
8. Are reliable weapons with spare parts available (for spare/repair parts stocking)
9. Are they reasonably accurate? - 20 rounds 8 inches in less than two min. (That will kick out a bunch of rifles).
We are not talking about delusions of the mall ninjas - I for one will be bugging in place if the need arises. We want to think about how many uses this can be matched to and if they fit the needs of your area.
I hand-load/reload so even current availability issues are almost always limited to concerns pertaining to the availability of components rather than new or surplus ammunition.
I have posted before, pistols just don't hold the same interest for me as rifles, I have them, I think they are necessary, but I don't put much stock in them past that possible "oh, crap" situation - like an attempted car-jacking or similar problem, and as I said it would be a last resort only if the fear of harm is imminent and then "no sword is sheathed without drawing blood" concept applies - the proper tool at the proper time, only when needed.
I also was looking over the load books to confirm and here is the general run down I found (changes from book to book, but they generally follow this trend).
7.62x54R Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type 150 gr
Velocity 3,000 ft/s
Energy 2,905 ft·lbf
The two highest are 7.62x54R and 7.92x57 then 30-06 and then 7.62x51 - if you look at commercial .308 rather than 7.62x51 then you find that it comes within and in some cases surpass 30-06. (again this could be problematic or dangerous for weaker actions such as the M1a or older rifles like the Spanish 7.62x51 conversion Mausers)
1. Caliber compatibility - the more weapons that share ammunition the easier it is to store and keep a handle on.
2. How is the caliber ranked for range and power? (suitability for large US game for hunting)
3. Is it suitable for reloading? (hand-loading used brass)
4. Is it readially available? (both weapons and ammunition)
5. What is the cost vs. value?
6. Are there auto-loading rifles and or magazines available in this caliber? (ten rounds and up)
7. Will there be sources of ammunition later and if not is this a concern?
8. Are reliable weapons with spare parts available (for spare/repair parts stocking)
9. Are they reasonably accurate? - 20 rounds 8 inches in less than two min. (That will kick out a bunch of rifles).
We are not talking about delusions of the mall ninjas - I for one will be bugging in place if the need arises. We want to think about how many uses this can be matched to and if they fit the needs of your area.
I hand-load/reload so even current availability issues are almost always limited to concerns pertaining to the availability of components rather than new or surplus ammunition.
I have posted before, pistols just don't hold the same interest for me as rifles, I have them, I think they are necessary, but I don't put much stock in them past that possible "oh, crap" situation - like an attempted car-jacking or similar problem, and as I said it would be a last resort only if the fear of harm is imminent and then "no sword is sheathed without drawing blood" concept applies - the proper tool at the proper time, only when needed.
I also was looking over the load books to confirm and here is the general run down I found (changes from book to book, but they generally follow this trend).
7.62x54R Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type 150 gr
Velocity 3,000 ft/s
Energy 2,905 ft·lbf
The 7.92x57mm IS (8mm Mauser) Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type (.323 inch) 181 gr
Velocity 2,700 ft/s
Energy 2,902 ft·lbf
30-06 Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type 150 gr
Velocity 2,900 ft/s
Energy 2,820 ft·lbf
Bullet weight/type (.323 inch) 181 gr
Velocity 2,700 ft/s
Energy 2,902 ft·lbf
30-06 Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type 150 gr
Velocity 2,900 ft/s
Energy 2,820 ft·lbf
30-06 Ballistic performance (M2 ball cartridge)
Bullet weight/type 152 gr
Velocity 2,740 ft/s
Energy 2,650 ft·lbf
Bullet weight/type 152 gr
Velocity 2,740 ft/s
Energy 2,650 ft·lbf
7.62x51 (.308) Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type146.6 gr
Velocity 2,756 ft/s
Energy 2,472 ft·lbf
Bullet weight/type146.6 gr
Velocity 2,756 ft/s
Energy 2,472 ft·lbf
Note this information is for "time era" factory or surplus loadings, modern loads designed for modern powders in new manufacture bolt action rifles can "UP" the power of the 30-06 but this would be damaging or dangerous in the M1, M1917, or 03A3.
The two highest are 7.62x54R and 7.92x57 then 30-06 and then 7.62x51 - if you look at commercial .308 rather than 7.62x51 then you find that it comes within and in some cases surpass 30-06. (again this could be problematic or dangerous for weaker actions such as the M1a or older rifles like the Spanish 7.62x51 conversion Mausers)
The common thought out there is that 30-06 is the most potent, but the numbers prove that the Russian round is the hottest. Also contrary to popular misinformation .308 commercial rounds have a higher pressure and loading parameters than the NATO rounds and so would chart higher.
Using the basic thoughts and my already chosen calibers I was thinking about getting one of the new Remington .223 pump action rifles that takes an AR magazine and a .308 bolt action rifle from Savage. I would order both with iron sights, this would be the logical thing, but there is the CZ52 and the PPSH41 semi-auto I have been eyeballing (to satisfy my curiosity). Logic may prevail and I may get a second SU16CA as it is cheeper than the Remington, and I may get one or two of the Spanish Mausers in .308.
As to shotguns - I had forgotten to list them, you need one. I don't have one for myself but, my wife has an 870 riot gun for home protection (yes it is hers, she made me buy one for her) and my oldest son has an 870 pump fitted with a slug barrel that has interchangeable choke tubes, both are 12 ga. and are in almost unused condition, simply because we don't use them.
And a high power pellet rifle - I was never a good shot on the wing with a shotgun, but if it lights and I have a post and notch on it, it's in the bag. I note the preponderance of pidgins in our area and in a pinch you would have a hard time telling the meat from a dove.
Using the basic thoughts and my already chosen calibers I was thinking about getting one of the new Remington .223 pump action rifles that takes an AR magazine and a .308 bolt action rifle from Savage. I would order both with iron sights, this would be the logical thing, but there is the CZ52 and the PPSH41 semi-auto I have been eyeballing (to satisfy my curiosity). Logic may prevail and I may get a second SU16CA as it is cheeper than the Remington, and I may get one or two of the Spanish Mausers in .308.
As to shotguns - I had forgotten to list them, you need one. I don't have one for myself but, my wife has an 870 riot gun for home protection (yes it is hers, she made me buy one for her) and my oldest son has an 870 pump fitted with a slug barrel that has interchangeable choke tubes, both are 12 ga. and are in almost unused condition, simply because we don't use them.
And a high power pellet rifle - I was never a good shot on the wing with a shotgun, but if it lights and I have a post and notch on it, it's in the bag. I note the preponderance of pidgins in our area and in a pinch you would have a hard time telling the meat from a dove.
Building a firearm collection for preparedness
I don't think I need to convince many of you of the possible urgent need to build a collection for preparedness, my view is that we are about to see something of a magnitude not seen in several generations.
With that in mind I wanted to review a few ideas, until now I have shared with others only in private.
What would I do now?
A good question I would want to look at it several ways, I live in a western state that does not have the restrictions of other un-constitutionally infested areas suffer from so I may be free to gather some items not allowed in some states or countries where you may be reading this...
I should start out by saying that I find rifles far more utilitarian than a pistol, but I would suggest a pistol you find comfortable. I do not think you have to have a .40 (something) to be a man - in fact a pistol is a piss poor tool for fighting your way back to the rifle you stupidly left out of reach (my grandfather taught me that).
Pistols first
That said there are reasons to have a pistol and to even apply for your stolen freedoms with a "permit", often just the extraction of your sidearm from its concealed holster will cause a "thug" to back down, but if ever threatened enough to think I ever needed to "pull" there would be no time to back down because that time would have already passed.
I favor the .357 revolver, and contrary to internet commandos, it is a very effective cartridge. The study of police fatal shootings shows the .357 to be far more lethal than most of the other rounds combined. I would gather that if you think the .357 is not "powerful" then you simply need to shoot a .357 with a 158 gr. HP full power load to see for yourself. I have hunted with a .357 in the past and it is a very effective round for hunting even large game. A very accurate round, if you put a scope on a .357 revolver NO ONE will laugh at you, contrary to the snickers you may get with a scope on an AK - there is a reason for that...
I am a fan of the 7.62x25mm Tokarev a hot version of the 7.63x25mm Mauser, very hot and very accurate
I like the 9x18mm Makarov, a small pistol that fires inexpensive ammunition, my wife favors her 9x18mm Makarov above all others.
I standardized on the 9x19mm Parabellum for the simple reason that it is a standard all over the world, ammo is available and inexpensive - not because it is better but because good pistols are easy to find and in the end any pistol is better than nothing. Future supply was the deciding factor.
Oh, and before you start busting my chops, I cut my teeth on .45 1911 pistols because that is what my dad loved, I gave up on the .45 the first time I shot my first .357 and never seriously looked back, and none of my .357 revolvers ever jammed on me - I could never say that about the 1911.
Regardless of what you choose, pick one, practice, stock up on ammo - I keep 500 rounds of factory loaded ammo (or more) for each pistol and components for lots more "home rolled".
You also need a .22 lr pistol - pick one and use it, cheep shooting, I suggest getting a revolver or auto loader to match your main pistol, they even make some conversion kits that are nice to have.
Rifles (damn, I love rifles)
First on the list get a .22 lr rifle in bolt or auto-loader, and continue to shoot it until you get past 2000 rounds before you even think about putting it to the side, take one every time you visit the range.
How would I do it?
I don't like the .223 and certainly don't like the AR platform, but I do (now) have one .223 that survived the recent sell off (I made a bit of coin off this panic and I am still selling and giving away) and it belongs to one of the small children. It is an SU16CA from Kel-tec, embarrassing for Rugar that Kel-tec can make a better rifle for less that uses standard magazines, and is more reliable than the jammin' jenny and more accurate than the POS mini-14 junker.
I did chose to make .308 my standard rifle caliber, but if I were to do this from scratch now I would choose the 7.62x54r...
Why? budget, effectiveness.
I would get an auto-loading mag fed rifle and several turn bolt Mosin Nagant 91/30, 91/59 or M44 rifles (and they are drying up in supply fast).
For the autoloader I would most likely get the Romanian PSL junker with a scope for less than 800 bucks, then sell the scope and replace it with a little 2 or 4 power fixed scope. In fact thinking about this issue with a compatriot I seriously considered selling off my .308 rifle for the cash and getting an Romanian PSL and a SVT40 with a hand full of Mosin Nagant 91/30 rifles for throw-downs.
If the Yugoslavian M76 in 8mm Mauser was less expensive the same thing could be done with 8mm and some M24/47 Yugoslavian Mauser turn bolts, but the autoloader and the ammo is a bit high.
With that in mind I wanted to review a few ideas, until now I have shared with others only in private.
What would I do now?
A good question I would want to look at it several ways, I live in a western state that does not have the restrictions of other un-constitutionally infested areas suffer from so I may be free to gather some items not allowed in some states or countries where you may be reading this...
I should start out by saying that I find rifles far more utilitarian than a pistol, but I would suggest a pistol you find comfortable. I do not think you have to have a .40 (something) to be a man - in fact a pistol is a piss poor tool for fighting your way back to the rifle you stupidly left out of reach (my grandfather taught me that).
Pistols first
That said there are reasons to have a pistol and to even apply for your stolen freedoms with a "permit", often just the extraction of your sidearm from its concealed holster will cause a "thug" to back down, but if ever threatened enough to think I ever needed to "pull" there would be no time to back down because that time would have already passed.
I favor the .357 revolver, and contrary to internet commandos, it is a very effective cartridge. The study of police fatal shootings shows the .357 to be far more lethal than most of the other rounds combined. I would gather that if you think the .357 is not "powerful" then you simply need to shoot a .357 with a 158 gr. HP full power load to see for yourself. I have hunted with a .357 in the past and it is a very effective round for hunting even large game. A very accurate round, if you put a scope on a .357 revolver NO ONE will laugh at you, contrary to the snickers you may get with a scope on an AK - there is a reason for that...
I am a fan of the 7.62x25mm Tokarev a hot version of the 7.63x25mm Mauser, very hot and very accurate
I like the 9x18mm Makarov, a small pistol that fires inexpensive ammunition, my wife favors her 9x18mm Makarov above all others.
I standardized on the 9x19mm Parabellum for the simple reason that it is a standard all over the world, ammo is available and inexpensive - not because it is better but because good pistols are easy to find and in the end any pistol is better than nothing. Future supply was the deciding factor.
Oh, and before you start busting my chops, I cut my teeth on .45 1911 pistols because that is what my dad loved, I gave up on the .45 the first time I shot my first .357 and never seriously looked back, and none of my .357 revolvers ever jammed on me - I could never say that about the 1911.
Regardless of what you choose, pick one, practice, stock up on ammo - I keep 500 rounds of factory loaded ammo (or more) for each pistol and components for lots more "home rolled".
You also need a .22 lr pistol - pick one and use it, cheep shooting, I suggest getting a revolver or auto loader to match your main pistol, they even make some conversion kits that are nice to have.
Rifles (damn, I love rifles)
First on the list get a .22 lr rifle in bolt or auto-loader, and continue to shoot it until you get past 2000 rounds before you even think about putting it to the side, take one every time you visit the range.
How would I do it?
I don't like the .223 and certainly don't like the AR platform, but I do (now) have one .223 that survived the recent sell off (I made a bit of coin off this panic and I am still selling and giving away) and it belongs to one of the small children. It is an SU16CA from Kel-tec, embarrassing for Rugar that Kel-tec can make a better rifle for less that uses standard magazines, and is more reliable than the jammin' jenny and more accurate than the POS mini-14 junker.
I did chose to make .308 my standard rifle caliber, but if I were to do this from scratch now I would choose the 7.62x54r...
Why? budget, effectiveness.
I would get an auto-loading mag fed rifle and several turn bolt Mosin Nagant 91/30, 91/59 or M44 rifles (and they are drying up in supply fast).
For the autoloader I would most likely get the Romanian PSL junker with a scope for less than 800 bucks, then sell the scope and replace it with a little 2 or 4 power fixed scope. In fact thinking about this issue with a compatriot I seriously considered selling off my .308 rifle for the cash and getting an Romanian PSL and a SVT40 with a hand full of Mosin Nagant 91/30 rifles for throw-downs.
If the Yugoslavian M76 in 8mm Mauser was less expensive the same thing could be done with 8mm and some M24/47 Yugoslavian Mauser turn bolts, but the autoloader and the ammo is a bit high.
Regardless, keep at least 1000 rounds for each rifle of factory loaded ammo and ONLY shoot reloads you have made for that rifle, keep the factory ammunition for when the need arises.
The reason for the turn bolt in the mix is for several reasons, one is for reloading, if in the worst case you had to shoot black powder and lead bullets you can load black powder, lead bullets (even paper patched/paper jacketed) and even press out primers knock out the firing pin dent and fill them with two or three toy cap gun caps and have a turn bolt rifle that functions. Damn, I hope it never gets down to black powder!
Just some random thoughts about the current situation, trying to look at this without a sense of panic but rather logic. I am afraid that this will be the last reasonable and possible chance before the hammer falls, in just a few weeks the first panic will subside (as it is now) and the second one will hit mid January. I write this knowing I have what I think I need, but I would have liked to keep my habit of trying out new rifles...
The reason for the turn bolt in the mix is for several reasons, one is for reloading, if in the worst case you had to shoot black powder and lead bullets you can load black powder, lead bullets (even paper patched/paper jacketed) and even press out primers knock out the firing pin dent and fill them with two or three toy cap gun caps and have a turn bolt rifle that functions. Damn, I hope it never gets down to black powder!
Just some random thoughts about the current situation, trying to look at this without a sense of panic but rather logic. I am afraid that this will be the last reasonable and possible chance before the hammer falls, in just a few weeks the first panic will subside (as it is now) and the second one will hit mid January. I write this knowing I have what I think I need, but I would have liked to keep my habit of trying out new rifles...
Personal Critical Review of Firearms - The how an why of the series
This series of articles was originally posted online as a series of reviews and the occasional rant.
I don't claim to be anything other than a well versed enthusiast, former manufacturer of ammunition, and firearm retail store owner. I keep a collection of various rifles and I rotate them in and out with new additions and thinning down with what meets my fancy at the moment.
I don't claim to be anything other than a well versed enthusiast, former manufacturer of ammunition, and firearm retail store owner. I keep a collection of various rifles and I rotate them in and out with new additions and thinning down with what meets my fancy at the moment.
I have started dispersing my personal collection to friends and family to encourage some gun ownership and also to follow the concept of one rifle per freedom-ista. One beauty of giving your guns to friends and family is that you can still shoot them from time to time!
I started collecting rifles and reloading at a very young age (reloading at 10, and buying my own rifles at 12, swaging at 15) I worked my entire freshmen year at high school to buy a new and complete reloading bench, presses, swaging dies and supplies.
In college I had gotten involved with the re-enactors as a hobby and spent lots of time with two friends who were class 3 dealers. On my 21 birthday I celebrated by filling out my forms for a Class 6 and FFL for myself (this habit can get bad BTW) I disposed of both the class 6 and FFL after marriage (and facing the fact that I could not make a decent profit in the business).
I don't think I have ever fired a rifle I did not like learning about, but I have developed some personal dislikes and likes over the years for various reasons... There are no bad guns, only design limitations, quality, use, and dealing with the possible belligerent, annoying, and often ignorant, cult members-fans that faun over them.
To break this down logically I needed to come up with a list of categories to evaluate likes and dislikes, facts, reasons, and the needed content for a more full review.
Personal - what items are strictly personal, things like "my hands are too big", "the design is uncomfortable to shoot", "it looks funky", "I hate limey guns (and limeys) and similar items of personal reaction.
Function - there are operational and or design features that lend an element of unreliability.
Design flaws - features or construction can lead to parts breakage or unsafe/dangerous continued operation.
Quality - the majority of samples of the rifle are of poor quality and or construction.
Caliber/Ammunition - the choices of cartridges are limited to obsolete, unusual/hard to find, or poor performing/ineffective for use ammunition.
Use - the rifle is to specific for one use and does not have a wide enough venue of operation (like a collectable or high end hunting rifle, or heavy, shinny, not weather resistant and more).
Current production - While this would not negate a good rifle it could prove to make the rifle hard to repair or even obtain to begin with, availability IS an issue. No new production of units or repair parts could render a rifle useless, many excellent military rifles fit into this problematic category due to obsolescence.
I started collecting rifles and reloading at a very young age (reloading at 10, and buying my own rifles at 12, swaging at 15) I worked my entire freshmen year at high school to buy a new and complete reloading bench, presses, swaging dies and supplies.
In college I had gotten involved with the re-enactors as a hobby and spent lots of time with two friends who were class 3 dealers. On my 21 birthday I celebrated by filling out my forms for a Class 6 and FFL for myself (this habit can get bad BTW) I disposed of both the class 6 and FFL after marriage (and facing the fact that I could not make a decent profit in the business).
I don't think I have ever fired a rifle I did not like learning about, but I have developed some personal dislikes and likes over the years for various reasons... There are no bad guns, only design limitations, quality, use, and dealing with the possible belligerent, annoying, and often ignorant, cult members-fans that faun over them.
To break this down logically I needed to come up with a list of categories to evaluate likes and dislikes, facts, reasons, and the needed content for a more full review.
Personal - what items are strictly personal, things like "my hands are too big", "the design is uncomfortable to shoot", "it looks funky", "I hate limey guns (and limeys) and similar items of personal reaction.
Function - there are operational and or design features that lend an element of unreliability.
Design flaws - features or construction can lead to parts breakage or unsafe/dangerous continued operation.
Quality - the majority of samples of the rifle are of poor quality and or construction.
Caliber/Ammunition - the choices of cartridges are limited to obsolete, unusual/hard to find, or poor performing/ineffective for use ammunition.
Use - the rifle is to specific for one use and does not have a wide enough venue of operation (like a collectable or high end hunting rifle, or heavy, shinny, not weather resistant and more).
Current production - While this would not negate a good rifle it could prove to make the rifle hard to repair or even obtain to begin with, availability IS an issue. No new production of units or repair parts could render a rifle useless, many excellent military rifles fit into this problematic category due to obsolescence.
Handloading "Working up a load” (and more on supplies)
"Working up a load" where the hand-loader loads 25 to 50 rounds of a bullet and powder to see what shoots best, you will find that pistol loads will start to work out sooner than rifle.
My favorite rifle powder is called Varget, and I choose it over other powders because of the cold temperature stability and firing under the same cold conditions. It is a powder made into little rods or sticks and it does not "cast" as well as powders that are little flakes or balls... the powder WW 748 is a ball shaped particle powder and is easy to cast from a powder measure into accurate weights... The other ball powders that may work well would be BLC 2 (flattened donut shaped balls), Accurate 2230 (flattened donut shaped balls), Accurate Arms MR-2460 (flattened balls), H335 (flattened balls), DuPont IMR-4895 (rods), Accurate Arms MR-2520 (balls), Hodgdon H380 (balls), there are other brands like Vihtavuori, and Scott, you may not find everywhere...
I order my powders, primers, and bullets I do not make from...
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com
http://www.wideners.com
http://www.grafs.com
When you order powder and primers, make sure you order enough to make it worth the HAZ MAT fee that comes with the primers and powder...
I just ordered another 10k of primers and an 8lbs keg of powder, the order not confirmed yet... they are all behind now because of the panic...
You can figure out the basic cost per round by using the grain vs. pounds of powder, brass, bullets, and primers...
For example .308 in Varget powder will load 1360 rounds with an 8 lbs keg in one of the standard loads for 147 gr bullets... .270 will use MORE powder than .308.
I would suggest that when you make the next trip to a local reloading supplier get a pound of three different rifle and three different pistol powders. (check the loading manual) and try them out, once you find a good powder you like buy a keg...
Most hand-loaders load for accuracy, but there are other reasons, in my case it is cold/hot weather stability, reasonable accuracy, and reliability...
http://www.wideners.com
http://www.grafs.com
When you order powder and primers, make sure you order enough to make it worth the HAZ MAT fee that comes with the primers and powder...
I just ordered another 10k of primers and an 8lbs keg of powder, the order not confirmed yet... they are all behind now because of the panic...
You can figure out the basic cost per round by using the grain vs. pounds of powder, brass, bullets, and primers...
For example .308 in Varget powder will load 1360 rounds with an 8 lbs keg in one of the standard loads for 147 gr bullets... .270 will use MORE powder than .308.
I would suggest that when you make the next trip to a local reloading supplier get a pound of three different rifle and three different pistol powders. (check the loading manual) and try them out, once you find a good powder you like buy a keg...
Most hand-loaders load for accuracy, but there are other reasons, in my case it is cold/hot weather stability, reasonable accuracy, and reliability...
Personal Critical Review of Firearms - Garand - Rifle, Caliber .30, M1
M1 Garand
United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1
Personal - The M1 is a solid rifle that is limited in choices in bullet weight and performance limited by design features. The M1 suffers from romanticized worship because of the emotional and patriotic cloth it tends to get wrapped within. The rifle is quite heavy by modern standards and has a unique, outdated, obsolete, en-bloc clip feeding system, and severely limited cartridge capacity. Romanticized worship will lend no extra points for me because that same limited view tends to add critical suspicion in my mind.
Function - Can be excellent when clean and properly maintained within a limited ammunition selection, outside of the narrow choices it tends to be problematic, and can be dammaged by excessive pressures and or heavy bullets.
Design flaws - Operating rod is prone to damage, en bloc clip is limited to 8 rounds, pressure outlet port too far forward for effective adjustment outside of limited design parameters. The action is open and will allow contaminates into the working mechanism. Cleaning from the muzzle? Was that necessary, was no alternative ever devised? Loading the 30-06 to its maximum capacity with more modern powders (and different burn ratios) will be dangerous in the standard off-the-rack M1. While the M1 was designed to close by itself when a loaded clip is inserted, many M1 rifles need a push on the op rod handle to get it to close on the first round. The rifle requires the en-bloc clip or a block filling device to feed function - no clip, no functioning...
Quality - Most produced are of good to excellent quality workmanship, some makers better than others. It would be rare to find examples of rifles produced US that were of POOR quality. Surplus examples can be in poor to dangerous condition not due to the original workmanship, construction, or materials but lack of maintenance, poor storage conditions, and heavy use.
Caliber/Ammunition - 30-06, while an accurate and effective cartridge it is large, heavy and obsolete in comparison to newer cartridges. The very shape of the cartridge has been proven to be outperformed in accuracy by the .308 and others with a more “squat” profile. The .30-06 is only marginally more powerful than other newer cartridges.
Use - The lack of a removable and replaceable higher capacity magazine is recognized as a flaw when placed in comparison to other MBRs. The ejection of the en-block clip makes a distinct traaangggggg noise, a result of the design and use of the en-block clip, this particular flaw is likely over-stated (see the video below). The clips can be damaged and lost, in fact the clips were designed to be disposable. this is problematic as the M1 requires the clip to function this can be a problem. The M1 can produce reasonable to excellent accuracy when maintained regularly. The op rod design has a tendency to "beat itself" out of it's own narrow range of higher performance and accuracy - in other words it takes a lot of continuous work, maintenance, and repair to keep the excellent or good part of the possible accuracy. The M1 is often given excessive and undeserved credit in the shooting community for "known accuracy and reliability” when that reputation was gained by meticulous care.
Current Production - I have not had the chance to evaluate the current reproductions or re-works as they tend to be far to expensive, the CMP re-works can be of good to poor condition. Most examples exist as surplus military products.
While there is some patriotism and romanticism attached to the M1 I personally would consider this rifle a secondary choice at best for a current MBR due to the design limitations. The saving grace for the M1 rifle is the popularity, availability of repair parts (now dwindling) and common familiarity. The weakest parts are the operating rod (limiting your ammunition range) and the en-bloc clip.
Rifle - U.S. Cal. .30 M1 - Principles of Operation (1943)
More information has popped up from the original article above.
RSC 1917 et Garand
United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1
Personal - The M1 is a solid rifle that is limited in choices in bullet weight and performance limited by design features. The M1 suffers from romanticized worship because of the emotional and patriotic cloth it tends to get wrapped within. The rifle is quite heavy by modern standards and has a unique, outdated, obsolete, en-bloc clip feeding system, and severely limited cartridge capacity. Romanticized worship will lend no extra points for me because that same limited view tends to add critical suspicion in my mind.
Function - Can be excellent when clean and properly maintained within a limited ammunition selection, outside of the narrow choices it tends to be problematic, and can be dammaged by excessive pressures and or heavy bullets.
Design flaws - Operating rod is prone to damage, en bloc clip is limited to 8 rounds, pressure outlet port too far forward for effective adjustment outside of limited design parameters. The action is open and will allow contaminates into the working mechanism. Cleaning from the muzzle? Was that necessary, was no alternative ever devised? Loading the 30-06 to its maximum capacity with more modern powders (and different burn ratios) will be dangerous in the standard off-the-rack M1. While the M1 was designed to close by itself when a loaded clip is inserted, many M1 rifles need a push on the op rod handle to get it to close on the first round. The rifle requires the en-bloc clip or a block filling device to feed function - no clip, no functioning...
Quality - Most produced are of good to excellent quality workmanship, some makers better than others. It would be rare to find examples of rifles produced US that were of POOR quality. Surplus examples can be in poor to dangerous condition not due to the original workmanship, construction, or materials but lack of maintenance, poor storage conditions, and heavy use.
Caliber/Ammunition - 30-06, while an accurate and effective cartridge it is large, heavy and obsolete in comparison to newer cartridges. The very shape of the cartridge has been proven to be outperformed in accuracy by the .308 and others with a more “squat” profile. The .30-06 is only marginally more powerful than other newer cartridges.
Use - The lack of a removable and replaceable higher capacity magazine is recognized as a flaw when placed in comparison to other MBRs. The ejection of the en-block clip makes a distinct traaangggggg noise, a result of the design and use of the en-block clip, this particular flaw is likely over-stated (see the video below). The clips can be damaged and lost, in fact the clips were designed to be disposable. this is problematic as the M1 requires the clip to function this can be a problem. The M1 can produce reasonable to excellent accuracy when maintained regularly. The op rod design has a tendency to "beat itself" out of it's own narrow range of higher performance and accuracy - in other words it takes a lot of continuous work, maintenance, and repair to keep the excellent or good part of the possible accuracy. The M1 is often given excessive and undeserved credit in the shooting community for "known accuracy and reliability” when that reputation was gained by meticulous care.
Current Production - I have not had the chance to evaluate the current reproductions or re-works as they tend to be far to expensive, the CMP re-works can be of good to poor condition. Most examples exist as surplus military products.
While there is some patriotism and romanticism attached to the M1 I personally would consider this rifle a secondary choice at best for a current MBR due to the design limitations. The saving grace for the M1 rifle is the popularity, availability of repair parts (now dwindling) and common familiarity. The weakest parts are the operating rod (limiting your ammunition range) and the en-bloc clip.
Rifle - U.S. Cal. .30 M1 - Principles of Operation (1943)
More information has popped up from the original article above.
RSC 1917 et Garand
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Primers, safety, reloading manuals, and shell holders
Primers.
What a many handloaders do not know is that primers have fine powdered glass mixed into the explosive primer mixture.
when cooked off the powdered glass super heats and travels into the casing providing a more consistent ignition.
Magnum primers are not only hotter but contain particles deliberately designed to help propel an ignition producing body of super heated particles deep into the powder charge, this could be bad for the eyes...
I also suggest, because of lead content, to not eat, not smoke, not drink (anything, adult beverages particularly) and think about gloves as posted by others, I use latex gloves for hand-loading and swaging. Both latex and nitrile gloves are available from Harbor Freight.
When you buy a set of dies, you usually do NOT get the required shell holder with them. The exception to this is if you buy dies made by Lee. Their dies actually come with the shell holder, which you will need, and also a powder scoop, which you may or may not wind up using.
If you are thinking of getting the Lee Factory Crimp die (and I do recommend it), you can often find Lee "Deluxe" die sets, which are the 3 standard dies plus a factory crimp die for a little more than the standard set.Reloading manuals and now there are some good DVD's available.
Here are my "go to" manuals...
Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook Reloading ManualSpeer Reloading Manual #14
Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition Reloading ManualI like books better than DVD's but there are some DBD training videos available.
You may want to consider a low cost set of Lee equipment to start out with, I have some of the most expensive reloading and swaging equipment available and find my self using my Lee classic turret the most...
Look at some past posts here about reloading, then check out some of the information on the web.
What a many handloaders do not know is that primers have fine powdered glass mixed into the explosive primer mixture.
when cooked off the powdered glass super heats and travels into the casing providing a more consistent ignition.
Magnum primers are not only hotter but contain particles deliberately designed to help propel an ignition producing body of super heated particles deep into the powder charge, this could be bad for the eyes...
I also suggest, because of lead content, to not eat, not smoke, not drink (anything, adult beverages particularly) and think about gloves as posted by others, I use latex gloves for hand-loading and swaging. Both latex and nitrile gloves are available from Harbor Freight.
When you buy a set of dies, you usually do NOT get the required shell holder with them. The exception to this is if you buy dies made by Lee. Their dies actually come with the shell holder, which you will need, and also a powder scoop, which you may or may not wind up using.
If you are thinking of getting the Lee Factory Crimp die (and I do recommend it), you can often find Lee "Deluxe" die sets, which are the 3 standard dies plus a factory crimp die for a little more than the standard set.Reloading manuals and now there are some good DVD's available.
Here are my "go to" manuals...
Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook Reloading ManualSpeer Reloading Manual #14
Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition Reloading ManualI like books better than DVD's but there are some DBD training videos available.
You may want to consider a low cost set of Lee equipment to start out with, I have some of the most expensive reloading and swaging equipment available and find my self using my Lee classic turret the most...
Look at some past posts here about reloading, then check out some of the information on the web.
Personal critical perspective - The Dragunov (SVD), PSL, and Saiga
Good ole' Jim at Bison was ruminating about the "Dragunov" rifle, while making some great points he was actually talking abut the excellent choice of the PSL rifle of different design but similar look and application. This is a common mistake because so few Americans bother to learn anything about other countries rifles because "we always give our servicemen the BEST - I tell you what!". We can slog through that utter worthless bullshit later but lets review the Dragunov and the PSL.
For some of the best info on the Dragunov and the PSL check out Dragunov.net.
The Dragunov SVD and the PSL
For some of the best info on the Dragunov and the PSL check out Dragunov.net.
The Dragunov SVD and the PSL
A typical example of the Romanian PSL rifle.
A typical example of a "true" Dragunov SVD type rifle
The Saiga out of the box as imported.
The Saiga out of the box as imported.
The difference - The two rifle models are completely different designs and likely none of the parts will interchange. The Dragunov is a better made rifle (and in my mind a better designed rifle) that is capable of better accuracy than the PSL. The Dragunov SVD is a short stroke piston vs. the long stroke piston of the PSL. The gas piston is connected to the bolt of the PSL like a huge AK, where the Dragunov has a smaller adjustable gas piston that rides above the barrel and is not connected to the bolt. The trigger group of the Dragunov is a removable group inside of a carrier while the trigger of the PSL is basically an AK 47 sized up. The Saiga is simply a AK in a larger size similar to the PSL.
Personal - The PSL is one of types of rifles I have suggested to preparedness minded individuals who have no pre-existing collections of rifles and need an MBR on a budget. While the PSL and Siaga .308 are affordable, the "true" Dragunov rifles are collector pieces with excessive prices. The Dragunov and PSL are the 7.62x54 r and the Saiga is available in .308. The reason for my suggested choice of the PSL is the availability of relatively inexpensive ammunition and magazines. The Saiga will take about 200 bucks of parts and about two days to convert (the first time) over to the standard AK style configuration, the convoluted elongated trigger setup on the standard Saiga is pathetic (first thing to change to AK configuration BTW) and the regular capacity after-market magazines are expensive.
Function - Reliable function on par with the AK 47 or the HK 91.
Design flaws - The PSL and SVD are limited to 10 round magazines, I know of no higher capacity for the SVD or PSL. The Saiga has 20 round magazines available. The true SVD is an accurate adjustable short stroke piston gas system, the PSL and Saiga are long stroke pistons like the AK, while reliable, that lessons the accuracy potential. Many owners of the PSL have shortened the barrels and report better accuracy, so the whip like nature of the long thin barrel is not necessarily an improvement in potential accuracy for the PSL (this is not true with the SVD).
Quality - High quality construction can be expected with the Saiga and SVD, the PSL is often sloppy in fit and finish but is safe and reliable.
Caliber/Ammunition - .308 and 7.62x54 r are accurate and effective cartridges. The .308 versions may have an edge due to higher quality ammunition, but reasonable 7.62x54 r is available. Both .308 and 7.62x54 r are full power rifle rounds and some shooters will find the recoil punishing.
Personal - The PSL is one of types of rifles I have suggested to preparedness minded individuals who have no pre-existing collections of rifles and need an MBR on a budget. While the PSL and Siaga .308 are affordable, the "true" Dragunov rifles are collector pieces with excessive prices. The Dragunov and PSL are the 7.62x54 r and the Saiga is available in .308. The reason for my suggested choice of the PSL is the availability of relatively inexpensive ammunition and magazines. The Saiga will take about 200 bucks of parts and about two days to convert (the first time) over to the standard AK style configuration, the convoluted elongated trigger setup on the standard Saiga is pathetic (first thing to change to AK configuration BTW) and the regular capacity after-market magazines are expensive.
Function - Reliable function on par with the AK 47 or the HK 91.
Design flaws - The PSL and SVD are limited to 10 round magazines, I know of no higher capacity for the SVD or PSL. The Saiga has 20 round magazines available. The true SVD is an accurate adjustable short stroke piston gas system, the PSL and Saiga are long stroke pistons like the AK, while reliable, that lessons the accuracy potential. Many owners of the PSL have shortened the barrels and report better accuracy, so the whip like nature of the long thin barrel is not necessarily an improvement in potential accuracy for the PSL (this is not true with the SVD).
Quality - High quality construction can be expected with the Saiga and SVD, the PSL is often sloppy in fit and finish but is safe and reliable.
Caliber/Ammunition - .308 and 7.62x54 r are accurate and effective cartridges. The .308 versions may have an edge due to higher quality ammunition, but reasonable 7.62x54 r is available. Both .308 and 7.62x54 r are full power rifle rounds and some shooters will find the recoil punishing.
Use - Accuracy is reasonable but the Saiga uses an expensive detachable magazines that are currently only available from a few suppliers in the US. The ten round magazines for the SVD and PSL could be looked at as limiting, but they are solid detachable magazines that are reliable.
Current production - While in current production in Russia there are no current productions of the SVD available for import and the PSL is basically built from surplus parts. the availability of the Saiga is always in question as the current sour relations our stupid government has with the Russians could stop them at any moment.
Current production - While in current production in Russia there are no current productions of the SVD available for import and the PSL is basically built from surplus parts. the availability of the Saiga is always in question as the current sour relations our stupid government has with the Russians could stop them at any moment.
I consider any of the rifles a good primary choice for a current MBR, price, ammunition and magazines (and their capacity and price) should be your concern and part of your decision process. All are solid rifles while I consider the PSL the best budget choice.
Personal Critical Review of Firearms - The CZ, Vz-82 9x18 Pistol
CZ, Vz-82 9x18 Pistol
Likely the most inexpensive almost-small concealed carry pistol available, left and right hand friendly and more ergonomic in operation than than the PPK or Makarov.
Česká Zbrojovka is the Czech firearms manufacturers, known collectively as CZ to the gun buyer in the United states. CZ was the real gun company behind the iron curtain the collective was known before the war as a quality center for firearms and later under Soviet domination were known for quality products even under oppression of the hammer and sickle. CZ, Brno and the older ZB - Zbrojovka Brno along with other labels are representative of seven design centers and factories located near the Carpathian Mountains of former Czechoslovakia now the Czech Republic. It is unclear to me now how the CZ logo is used amongst the seven factories, or even what factories are in current operation.
Moravia became the center for the highest quality firearms not only for Bohemia but the entirety of Europe. Moravia also became known for exporting individual gun craftsmen for hundreds of years through migration, many American revolutionary war rifles and later the famous long Kentucky rifle were produced by Moravian craftsmen that had immigrated into Pennsylvania surrounding states.
The Vz 82 pistol is a surprisingly modern design based on the fixed barrel surround spring pocket and small pistol forerunners. The 82 has a reasonable ambidextrous safety lever, and an excellently designed slight beaver tail spur hammer that is easy on the thumb for bypassing the double action trigger when desired. The 82 is a double action/single action pistol with a typical heavy DA but the comfortable longer trigger gives plenty of surface area for reasonable trigger finger operation. Outside of the DA operation the single action trigger pull is also reasonable and relatively light and crisp, again surprising for a military pistol. The 82 has a double stack funneling type magazine that of course makes the grip wider, a big comfort for larger hands like mine, the magazine release is also ambidextrous.
Inexpensive surplus the 82 makes a more than reasonable choice for a small shooter or for concealed carry. The 82 uses the 9x18 Soviet round, the round while often derided is more powerful than the .380 and is without a doubt a small but potent round.
Personal - The double stack magazine makes the grip wider, immediately I liked it better than the Makarov, the safety design is easy to manipulate and the lower top slide seems more like larger pistols. Get a good grip on this thing, the recoil spring that comes with the pistol is just a bit too weak for the round and it can bite into the web of your hand if you are loosy-goosie with the grip. I bought the pistol to replace my wife's Mak and it's double stack magazine and the fact that it uses the 9x18, all requirements she had for a new pistol. The pistol points well, almost as naturally as more modern designs, but it does require a slight downward turn of the wrist.
Note the round capacity holes on the back of the magazine, how many rounds? Quick and easy, a common feature now, but thankfully included on this model's magazine.
Function - The 82 requires a good grip, a loose grip will cause a misfeed as the slide will start a return over the top of the round without striping it from the magazine and lodging over the back of the rim. My wife, who has loved her Mak for years was holding the pistol too low and without a firm enough grip, once she put the web of her hand into the curve, the feed issue stopped. With a reasonable grip on the pistol I and my wife were able to use a mixed bag of surplus (corrosive) and commercial FMJ and HP without any functional problems. The DA is useable and fairly smooth, but significant, it takes some real effort to actuate.
Design flaws - Poor grips, the plastic grips on this example were warped and loose with more than a few cracks. A good wrap-arround rubber grip would make this a dream to shoot. The magazine release is small and difficult to use, completely un-accessable with the thumb from the shooting grip, it is imbedded deep on the side and covered slightly by the grip, the empty double stack magazine does drop free when released.
Quality - I want to say quality first world manufacturing, and I think the metal and design are top shelf, but the "fit and finish" leave a lot to be desired.
I think I know where they (at one time) employed all of their retarded cousins from the Czech-Moravian areas - they put them behind an old whire-wheel and had them blunder over "finishing" the metal. It must have been terrible - the howling from the monkeys, that is - the monkeys they used to sputter the poor quality house paint over the poorly finished (almost butchered) metal. It had to be monkeys because the poor finish was flung onto the metal like only monkeys can fling poo.
I don't know what the satin black paint on the pistol is but I think cheap big-box latex house paint would be a good comparison. After the first magazine the paint on the grip started rubbing off and at the end of the day clear chips were showing on the slide.
If you love "project guns" this is perfect for you. The monkey poo finish the mob of retarded Moravian cousins flung on that pistol model needs to be replaced with something other than the walmart-like latex caked onto the metal. I wish I had known about how bad this finish issue actually was before I sprung the extra for a "less abused" pistol that would need a refinish regardless of how little some cold war era politizi fingered the poor thing.
Now one more thing about the photo above, I used a little bore scrubber on the gun and got some on the finish, thinking I could just dab it off - hell, every spot completely removed the monkey poo - I put a little on a rag and it wiped off no scrubbing just a light rub! Now I need to order something to fix this, I guess I will polish this with some flitz and cold blue the poor thing.
The fixed barrel lends to excellent accuracy from the polygonal barrel, it is clearly on par with my wife's old Ishy Mak and that is excellent. The inclosed firing pin is quite beefy and has a stiff return spring, both excellent features.
I have new grips and a new stiffer recoil spring ordered and on the way.
Note: I ordered the Wolf three spring kit and ended up having to move to the heavy “extra power” spring to try and eliminate all the “bite” that little pistol had.
The new grips from a small company called “Designer Grips” were excellent, and much higher quality than the originals.
Caliber/Ammunition - 9x18 Makarov, I don't know if any kits to convert it over to .380 are available like the Mak but who knows, if there is one, be sure and forward that contact.
Use - With a refinish and new grips it would make a stylish holster rider for open carry and it's size lends itself to concealed with a belt or shoulder holster, it is light and small enough to be comfortable for a double stack higher capacity, but at about 35 oz (2 1/8 lbs) loaded it is a bit hefty for an ankle holster.
Ergonomics - An older but reasonable ergonomic design good for the "average" to large hand, it points well with a slight down point, and the low slide to barrel relation makes accurate aiming quite natural and quick.
Current production - The 82 is surplus no longer in production, but it's commercial brother the 83 (available in .32 and .380) is in current production and from rumor I understand some of the parts are interchangeable the .380 magazine for sure is interchangeable.
Personal Critical Review of Firearms - The Daewoo rifles
Personal - Just as the AR the Daewoo in .223 does not quite qualify as an MBR, more in the category of carbine. Ugly, and utilitarian, it's mean black rifle look is enough to cause Californication wet liberals to urinate themselves. The Daewoo shines with reasonable ergonomics for large people, and almost perfect ergonomics for small adults and older children. This rifle was never considered very accurate especially when stacked against the AR/M16. As you may have noted in the past I prefer the full length fixed stock version of any rifle, but the unique very FN-esque folding stock on the Daewoo is quite sturdy, American rifle makers should take note. One of the several rifles on my list that I heartily regret selling in my sorry habit of gun trading. Far from just a combination of the AR and the AK the Daewoo is a true example of how the Koreans are are a real force to be considered in design, taking features from the AR (bolt and lower), the AK (gas piston) and ALSO the FN-FAL (gas adjustment), HK (buffer) and the precursor to new designs like the ACR and SCAR.
Function - This rifle has AK/HK91 type of reliable function, as close to flawless as you can get in any autoloading rifle. Dusty environments and excessive oil are the most likely to cause malfunctions, unlike the AK the tolerances are more AR like. Note the strange hook slot in the folding stock, where, when folded the bolt charging handle misses hitting the stock to allow firing with a folded stock.
Design flaws - This rifle has all of the typical issues you would see with the lowers from standard AR rifles as the lower internals are similar. The largest issue is the gas piston is just too high above the barrel and the forces cause a degradation in accuracy. The factory selector is funky (not enough to be a real issue) and the gas plug as noted in the video from our friend at Ammosmith is touchy if you are careless.
Quality - Excellent first world production quality of top quality materials. I have only had one example and I never had the "crack" problem some of the later imports showed with the receiver preventing the use of the folding stock (I have only seen ONE example of this problem documented so it could have been a simple "one-of" turned into a propaganda issue). While not exactly a quality issue, the barrel has a twist best suited for 55-60 grain projectiles.
Caliber/Ammunition - The Daewoo rifle was available in .223/5.56 and 7.62 x 39 with the vast majority of this already scarce import into the US in the .223 version The Daewoo in the Soviet round version is rare enough to not even note, but they did exist. The basic .223 Daewoo rifle can make use of the accurate cartridge, in a reasonable way just not in the same class as the AR. The .223 is often faulted for it's small size but it is a centerfire cartridge and is one of the most popular cartridges used in the US with high quality commercial and surplus widely available at just about any location that sells ammunition.
Use - The Daewoo uses the AR magazine that is as common on the US market as rats in the feed barn. This handy carbine is quite suited to varmint hunting where iron sights and secondary follow up shots are needed. I only place the Kel-Tec SU16CA higher in rank because of the fact that the Kel-Tec is in production in the US and current. Replacement parts for this rifle series are available from Daewoo rifle parts Inc.
Current production - Sadly importation of any of the Daewoo versions of this rifle has halted, but there are more examples of this rifle in the US than the new ACR or the AR180 and are at least relatively available on the used market.
I consider this rifle an excellent choice, but possibly a second tier choice for shooters who feel the need for a small light rifle in the .223. With a selection of replacement parts this rifle would be more reliable than the AR direct impingement rifles with a bit less accuracy at lower prices than the SCAR, and most of the benefits. Sad this rifle is so uncommon and no longer available new.
Personal Critical Review of Firearms - The GLOCK "Safe Action" pistol
GLOCK "Safe Action” pistol
What can you say, Glock has become a household name, for good or ill it is associated with alphabet named statist thugs, bling incrusted gang-bangers, insane gunman shootings, and foot shooting law enforcement retards.
Reliability, dependability, and simplicity have become the calling card for the Glock, the simple pull the trigger trigger within a trigger safety has both fans and detractors, what you will not see are many questions about its usability and reliability. In many cases new gun owners will end up with a Glock of one of the various models as their first pistol, they are prolific in manufacture and in second hand sales.
The original ugly plastic gun, introduced with the same screaming incoherent babble from the statist left about undetectable terrorist/criminal weapon as you would expect from the ignorant gun-hating bed-wetters. As luck would have it Glock weathered all the first introduction negativity to become a powerhouse in the handgun market. Following the Henry Ford model of product choice the Glock handguns come in every color you want - as long as it is black, simple in operation and durable the ugly plastic handgun design from Gaston has led even hardened 1911 fans away from their cult fan club.
Personal - Glock and it's success was enough to make me consider my "metal only" frame of mind, while I ultimately did choose to keep a competitive product rather than a Glock what was clear was that the old thinking was, well, old... Right out of the box the standard sized and long versions of the Glock are very accurate, while not as accurate as a few newer handguns (and custom racing guns), the polygonal twists in the barrels make them far above just acceptable. The grip on most of the models seems to be designed for hands much smaller than my inflated mitts, but is reasonably comfortable for most but the smallest hands.
Why don't I have a Glock? Four reasons: no manual secondary safety, not designed for reloading, the religious-like fan club (particularly the thug wannabees) and finally the trigger, I find I dislike the hammerless disconnect handguns. I don't care that it is ugly, if given one, unlike an AR15 I would likely think seriously in keeping the Glock.
Function - Using quality (and often crappy also) ammunition any user should expect top-notch reliable function, I don't need to say much in this regard, I have never had a Glock owner tell me they quit the Glock because they have functional problems (this does not count the famous "kaboom" issue).
Design flaws - The main concerns about the Glock are well documented and almost endlessly hashed over, I am not going to fault the Glock within it's design limitations, but as usual point out the "outside design limitations". Reloading, without a doubt this for me is always a deal breaker, I must have the ability to design and handload for my guns, for the Glock with a stock barrel this is not an option I would recommend or attempt.
I am going to point out the unsupported lower position and the contribution this has to the "kaboom" issue, clearly reloaded ammunition is generraly at fault yet there are some documented cases of factory ammo Kbs. (note the site is run by a notorious former gun-rag jerk, and as much as I dislike this statist whorish ass-hat, his research on this issue is solid). I have seen some indication that there could be an issue with out of battery firing contributing to the Kb issue.
Most manufacturers of .40 ammo have redesigned their .40 cases just to compensate for the wide chamber and unsupported lower position of the Glocks. Such is the power of the market presence of the Glock that most ammunition makers have made this adjustment.
The trigger, what can I say, pull the trigger - gun go boom!, both elegant in simplistic function, and so capable of catching the unaware. Few internet youtube watchers have missed the films of "highly trained" cops and rent-a-cops shoot themselves because they could not understand the nature of the Glock trigger. Many people consider a well designed retention holster part of the necessary safety equipment for a Glock. If you cannot keep crap or your booger hook out of and off the trigger guard and trigger - this handgun is a dangerous bomb about to go off, I don't care if you shoot yourself, but a bystander is another story.
Here is a youtube link to the DEA dork who shot himself with a Glock fo-tay...
Quote -
"I'm the only one in this room professional enough that I know of to carry this glock-fo-tay"... Boom!
Quality - Glock is an example of what we would expect from quality first world "state of the art" manufacturing.
Caliber/Ammunition - Available in .380, 9mm, .357 Sig, .40, 10mm, .45 GAP, and .45 ACP outside of the 7.62x25 and 9 Mak there are not many holes in the Glock line.
Use - Glock has a large line of various size products to cover most meeds, from an open in a holster for utility and patrol handgun to concealed backup, you want it they make it.
Ergonomics - Ergonomic design is reasonable for the "average" hand and the handgun full size series points well, designed for quick target leveling.
Current production - Currently many models are in production, the term "cannot swing a dead cat" comes to mind, the Glock is everywhere in the US.
Personal Critical Review of Firearms - The HK SL7 rifle
The HK SL7 rifle/carbine.
The above photograph is of an HK SL7
I could not help myself and had to photograph the rifle on top of several of my flecktarn tent shelters. You will see this pattern often when I photograph items for this blog, flecktarn makes such a nice background.
Personal - The HK SL7 rifle is one of my all time personal favorite firearms. It has that old world wood stock and solid heft that are part of my "collector weaknesses". The HK SL7 rifle is a heavy full wooden stocked rifle in the same tradition as the M1, SVT40, M14, and FN49. The rifle is however basically a civilian rifle designed specifically for non-military civilian and police use.
Carbine in length, with an excellent balance, the SL7 is likely a contender for best auto-loading game stalking or horse mounted, deer and elk rifle ever produced. The short rifle while a bit heavy at 81/2 pounds points naturally, like a well made shotgun, the above photographed rifle was originally added to the collection for hunting elk.
Most examples of this rifle I have owned and have seen have exceptionally beautiful wood. A high quality wood was used in the stocks. I have seen burl, tiger stripe, and spalting, all are wood flaws but make the wood interesting and attractive. Some tiger-stripe is evident in the above photo. Sadly HK chose to cover this model's wood with some sort of urethane or clear coating (the above example was refinished with hand rubbed oil and wax).
Function - Reliable function on par with the M1 and FN 49. This rifle has an open top cover that is rail and screw tightened to the receiver in a was similar to the SKS carbine. The top cover has a relatively small ejection opening with has no cover it could collect dirt and sand. It may outwardly resemble a large SKS or even the FN 49 but like the HK 91 it has no gas system but rather a modified version of the delayed blowback system. The trigger of this rifle is excellent with a crisp break.
Design flaws - This rifle was at best a haphazard design based on the HK91, I can only say that it must have been an afterthought at best for HK. Almost as if HK management came to the design team and said "we need a rifle to follow our stupid European gun laws but shoots like the G3. Something we can turn into a hunting or training rifle" and it would seem the design team put a couple of newbie designers on the project.
This rifle uses a proprietary detachable 3 or 10 round magazine that feeds .308/7.62, the design is robust but is limited to 10 rounds and is prohibitively expensive. The excessive ejection force and bolt movement (similar to the HK 91/G3) also will tend to force the casing to hit the rear of the receiver and bounce away leaving scratches and brass residue on the cover.
Quality - Very high quality machined construction, HK civilian guns are some of best in first world production.
Caliber/Ammunition - While the SL7 was produced in .308 other rifles of the series were capable of having alternative calibers available (many never were produced). The .308 is an accurate and effective cartridge. Some will find the full power rifle cartridge excessive in recoil but this short carbine is heavy enough to negate some of that recoil.
Use - Accuracy is excellent, with polygonal rifling and a fixed delayed blowback action all sitting on solid machined steel this rifle series is capable of sub MOA with quality ammunition. The SL7 uses an extremely expensive detachable proprietary magazine that is almost impossible to find.
Current production - None, there are no current produced rifles of this model and spare parts are few and rare. All the rifles of this model in circulation are part of the "collectable" market and sought after by collectors causing high prices.
I consider this rifle a third tier choice for the role of MBR, high price, no current production, and expensive rare magazines and spare parts are of primary concern and definite deal breaker. A solid, excellent, accurate, well made rifle (with a few flaws) that could be a multi-generational family heirloom but is difficult to find and maintain due to extreme rarity.
"HK. because you’re a civilian, ergo, you suck. And we hate you."
This is painfully true when looking at the replacement of this fine civilian rifle with the utter flop the HK SLB 2000 of course making the HKSL7 with a real buffer and able to take G3 magazines and I would still have that rifle you see above.
The above photograph is of an HK SL7
I could not help myself and had to photograph the rifle on top of several of my flecktarn tent shelters. You will see this pattern often when I photograph items for this blog, flecktarn makes such a nice background.
Personal - The HK SL7 rifle is one of my all time personal favorite firearms. It has that old world wood stock and solid heft that are part of my "collector weaknesses". The HK SL7 rifle is a heavy full wooden stocked rifle in the same tradition as the M1, SVT40, M14, and FN49. The rifle is however basically a civilian rifle designed specifically for non-military civilian and police use.
Carbine in length, with an excellent balance, the SL7 is likely a contender for best auto-loading game stalking or horse mounted, deer and elk rifle ever produced. The short rifle while a bit heavy at 81/2 pounds points naturally, like a well made shotgun, the above photographed rifle was originally added to the collection for hunting elk.
Most examples of this rifle I have owned and have seen have exceptionally beautiful wood. A high quality wood was used in the stocks. I have seen burl, tiger stripe, and spalting, all are wood flaws but make the wood interesting and attractive. Some tiger-stripe is evident in the above photo. Sadly HK chose to cover this model's wood with some sort of urethane or clear coating (the above example was refinished with hand rubbed oil and wax).
Function - Reliable function on par with the M1 and FN 49. This rifle has an open top cover that is rail and screw tightened to the receiver in a was similar to the SKS carbine. The top cover has a relatively small ejection opening with has no cover it could collect dirt and sand. It may outwardly resemble a large SKS or even the FN 49 but like the HK 91 it has no gas system but rather a modified version of the delayed blowback system. The trigger of this rifle is excellent with a crisp break.
Design flaws - This rifle was at best a haphazard design based on the HK91, I can only say that it must have been an afterthought at best for HK. Almost as if HK management came to the design team and said "we need a rifle to follow our stupid European gun laws but shoots like the G3. Something we can turn into a hunting or training rifle" and it would seem the design team put a couple of newbie designers on the project.
Reasons to think that the SL7 (and this entire series) was designed haphazard or a "throw together:
1. Screw/track held top cover, not a quick on off, the top cover requires a metric allen wrench to remove, this takes a long time to unscrew.
2. No mechanical bolt/recoil buffer, the bolt slams into the rear of the machined receiver with only a pathetic little rubber/plastic piece in the rear of the action.
3. Safety on-off disconnect, the fire to safe condition mechanical lever is on the side of the rifle above and forward so far out of the way as to indicate that this was not designed, but was but rather placed there because the trigger housing and hammer dictated that placement.
4. Bolt charging handle on the right hand side is easy to break because it is complex with delicate parts requiring a special lever imbedded inside to break the bolt head from the locking position.
5. The trigger group of this rifle is overly complicated and cannot be modified or worked on.
6. The attachment for optics is placed on top of the removable receiver cover. The locking holes in the cover are designed for a proprietary detachable scope base, the original scope base seems to be more rare than the rifle, I was never satisfied with the return-to-zero capabilities. The excessive violence of the bolt moving inside of the action causes all but the best scope mounts to slip under the scope causing drift, this was a reoccurring problem I always had with this series of rifles.
7. The very small ejection port can become an issue as it works well with fired cases the small opening tends to block loaded rounds from positive ejection because the tips of the bullets tend to hit inside the port.
This rifle uses a proprietary detachable 3 or 10 round magazine that feeds .308/7.62, the design is robust but is limited to 10 rounds and is prohibitively expensive. The excessive ejection force and bolt movement (similar to the HK 91/G3) also will tend to force the casing to hit the rear of the receiver and bounce away leaving scratches and brass residue on the cover.
Quality - Very high quality machined construction, HK civilian guns are some of best in first world production.
Caliber/Ammunition - While the SL7 was produced in .308 other rifles of the series were capable of having alternative calibers available (many never were produced). The .308 is an accurate and effective cartridge. Some will find the full power rifle cartridge excessive in recoil but this short carbine is heavy enough to negate some of that recoil.
Use - Accuracy is excellent, with polygonal rifling and a fixed delayed blowback action all sitting on solid machined steel this rifle series is capable of sub MOA with quality ammunition. The SL7 uses an extremely expensive detachable proprietary magazine that is almost impossible to find.
Current production - None, there are no current produced rifles of this model and spare parts are few and rare. All the rifles of this model in circulation are part of the "collectable" market and sought after by collectors causing high prices.
I consider this rifle a third tier choice for the role of MBR, high price, no current production, and expensive rare magazines and spare parts are of primary concern and definite deal breaker. A solid, excellent, accurate, well made rifle (with a few flaws) that could be a multi-generational family heirloom but is difficult to find and maintain due to extreme rarity.
"HK. because you’re a civilian, ergo, you suck. And we hate you."
This is painfully true when looking at the replacement of this fine civilian rifle with the utter flop the HK SLB 2000 of course making the HKSL7 with a real buffer and able to take G3 magazines and I would still have that rifle you see above.
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