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.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - Mauser Bolt Action Rifles

Mauser Turn-bolt Rifles





Personal - I have had several mausers in several calibers. My impressions, first I am not a big fan of 8mm Mauser, it is a hard hitting round and can be accurate, but there are better choices just as there are better choices than 30-06. There is just something "old world" about the full wood stock and metal butt-plate/endcap. In the end, I have to be honest, a turn bolt is just not all that exciting. Ok, a M98k, Swedish M38, or M24/47 Yugoslavian with a bayonet and a full wood stock with a rock crushing butt-plate is one of the starting cornerstones of a collection, what of it? Well, just like all bolt actions they can be loaded down in power and loaded with cast lead or paper patched bullets. even fired with black powder loads. There are cartridge inserts are available for shooting lower power ammunition. Any gunsmith worth a half a spit can do unnatural things with a Mauser including "sporterizing" and an endless array of caliber conversions. My most recent mauser was the M1916 Spanish Mauser in .308, but I have had several examples (far too many) of the M98k one (Israeli conversion in .308), one Swedish M38, and one Yugo. I keep thinking I want one of Mitchell’s "Tanker-Mauser" rifles in .308. I never disassembled any Mauser bolts, just a little sprits of cleaner and hit the barrel with a rod and cleaner, I have also never had a single part break on any Mauser I have ever owned.

Function - If designed for the caliber it currently is barreled for the Mauser is the pinnacle of the bolt action design. All bolt action guns just like the pump, straight pull, and lever action depend on the user moving the action - of all of the manual actions the turn bolt is the most reliable. There is something inherently accurate about the turn bolt and the Mauser for all practical intent is the best of it's type - only tiny incremental improvements have been made after the 98k. I have only had function problems with the conversions, both the Spanish and Israeli conversions to .308 would show failure to feed issues where the round would get turned down into the magazine and fail to feed correctly. Just about anyone above room temperature is capable of understanding and operating a bolt action rifle.

Design flaws - The activation on closing the bolt versions would have better cleaner breaking triggers but are awkward to some shooters like myself. The sights are also typical military inverted v or post and rear notch notch v, the sights can be converted to adjustable with the Mojo sight conversions (nice for any rifle). Complete drop-in triggers or gunsmith modifications can make some US shooters who dislike military triggers happy. Made in a different era they do not have a detachable magazine and were designed to use clips feed into the magazine from the top of the rifle - as with the M1 or FN49 (10 round versions) I find that the clip fed rifle is clumsy and the system outdated. The original examples with metal butt-plates will punish some users, it would not be uncommon to see a new user unfamiliar to heavy recoil even drop a rifle the first time they fire one of the old rock crushers.

Quality - Fit and finish can vary, and condition depended on the users, some are pristine and others (like some of the Israeli conversions) have been so neglected as to be bottom tier trunk guns. Original European manufacture in good condition will be examples of the best of first world craftsmanship.

Caliber/Ammunition - While 7.92x57 is readily available, Mauser rifles were produced or modified for .308, 7x57, 7.65x53, 6.5x55, and a list too long for my desire to reproduce here. One warning be careful of surplus ammunition and the possibility of corrosive ammunition, if left in a Mauser the corrosion in the action and bore can destroy the functioning of the rifle permanently if left too long.

Use - Currently I consider this a great supplemental rifle, a good solid rifle for training and even for a second to lend out when hunting, unlike an "evil assault rifle" even a full stocked military version will only get mild curiosity from the Billy-bob six-packs when hunting with one. Originally designed as a military long arm the design is capable of quick fire and accurate shot placement with rounds far more potent than some small current "assault rifle" calibers.

Current production - There is current production of this old design with some reproductions and some modified, Remington 799, Mitchel, Mauser (new company) and others are available.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - The Mosin-Nagant Rifle

Mosin-Nagant Turn-bolt Rifles



Personal - The real question is - why don't you have one of the Soviet Hammers?...

The Mosin-Nagant is most likely the least expensive, reliable, powerful, and sometimes accurate bolt action rifle model available. Crude, often not cared for well, but about as simple as any turn bolt can get - you could make this rifle in a small primitive machine shop with barely competent labor - oh, yea, that is what it was designed for.... The ultimate throw down buried in a tube last ditch peasant with pitchfork rifle. I actually like this rifle, it has the same type of strange romanticism as a lever action or a single action pistol, I find myself drawn to this turn bold over the Lee-Enfield. My personal Mosin-Nagant choice is the Model 1944 Carbine and I would typically want to remove the bayonet and modify or make a new stock.



The original Girls with Guns









Function - Just about anyone above room temperature, except a neocon lickspittle or neo-liberal progressive is capable of understanding and operating this bolt action rifle. The stiff, awkward bolt sadly will disrupt your sight picture and takes an exaggerated movement to operate, but it works well and is solid and dependable.

Design flaws - I find that all clip fed rifles clumsy and the clip feeding systems outdated, the Mosin-Nagant clips are a fold around style that are odd and awkward to use. The original butt-plates combined with the recoil is punishing to many users. The triggers are often loose and gritty with a high effort needed to pull to fire. The rifle uses a cartridge that is outdated and often supplies are Berdan primed and corrosive making reloading more difficult and cleaning a ritual necessity. Headspace on the rim, simple production but problematic with reloading.

Quality - Fit and finish are often crude, the best examples will be surplus from Finland. Condition often depends on the manufacture and secondly the storage and use from the country of origin before import. Some examples will be reasonable while others are so abused that they would most likely be best for arming friendly troglodytes.

Caliber/Ammunition - Readily available surplus ammunition is possibility or likely corrosive, corrosion in the action and bore can destroy the functioning of the rifle but with this simple design this neglect would have to be advanced. Modern ammunition and Boxer primed brass cases are available, this ammunition even lends itself to be loaded with black powder and of course will function quite well with simple cast lead bullets. While this is a primitive rimmed round it is very powerful and capable of bringing down even large game like elk and bear with ease.

Use - I consider this a supplemental rifle, a solid rifle for training and arming reformed neocons retarded reformed liberals and other useless troglodytes unfamiliar with the necessary skills. This could be a good inexpensive second to lend out when hunting and even modern stocks are available (almost the cost of the original rifle). Like all old turn bolts this is not an "evil assault rifle" leaving this rifle in original full stocked military furniture will only get mild curiosity from the typical troglodyte Billy-bob six-packs when hunting with one. Originally designed as a military long arm to arm simple peasants in mass with rounds far more potent than some small current "assault rifle" calibers.

Current production - I am not aware of any current production (outside of modifications) of this very old design but surplus examples can be measured in tons! the surplus is drying up somewhat, the relations with Russia and the US are starting to sour. There are many models from several countries and many modifications.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - Bolt action .22 LR rifle

Personal - Almost my secret sin, if given a choice I would love to blow a thousand rounds at the range with a bolt action .22... It takes almost all day to cook off that much ammo, but it sure is fun.. and great for kids. Millions of squirrels have been taken for the pot with bolt .22 rifles, I tried to take as many as I could with my turn bolt as a young kid... If you do not have a .22 rifle you should get one, in the long run most likely to most productive way to get small game for the table, from birds to rabbit if it sits still for a split second it is pot meat... A good quality manufactured example should last a lifetime.

Function - Excellent reliable function if reasonably made, Mongo turn bolt, Mongo pull trigger with bugger hook, fire stick go BOOM. Ok, so not every .22 is that easy, well, actually it is, almost, let's start with the bad one first -

Romanian M-69 .22LR Training Rifle - The worst of the lot, lots of flaws. For starters, it is ugly and poorly finished, I had two because they were so inexpensive, and they shared problems... Trigger was crap, and the spring for the firing pin must have been of low strength because about every ten rounds you would have to cock it a second time to fire (both rifles were like this). Reasonable to good accuracy when you don't mangle a bullet from the magazine to the barrel, this happened almost every round. Sold them don't miss them.

Russian Tula TOZ-78, Winchester Wildcat - my current go to general use .22, when I get a chance to hunt small game or just shoot short range off hand this is the rifle I pull out of the safe first. The trigger is adjustable and is crisp and smooth almost as good as the Remington (listed below). This is now imported as the Winchester Wildcat bolt action rifle. I purchased this rifle in its original Russian format - the Wildcat is a modified version of this rifle with non-adjustable trigger typical cheep stamped sights (worse than the russian sights) and a bit nicer wood stock.

Norinco JW15 - I miss this rifle, I sold it and would love to find a second one (if I could find a good price) accuracy on par with the Tula, but the trigger was not as nice, and the bolt not as smooth in operation. Safety was awkward and rough in operation but better than the Romanian rifle.

Marlin Model 980S - I gave this rifle to a member of the family, it is an excellent .22 with excellent accuracy. Stainless model was almost maintenance free, the trigger was acceptable, but could be much better.

Remington 513 Matchmaster - A CMP rifle that is the best NON SPECIALIZED .22 I have ever fired, accuracy is superior with premium target .22 lr it will shoot tighter than 1/2 MOA.

Design flaws - Strangely almost all .22 bolt guns share one particular problem, feeding the small rounds from a magazine into the bore often results in the bullet scraping the top of the entry port and sometimes shaving some lead off or mangling the bullet, however Marlin figured this out I do not know how but the Marlin clip fed bolt actions do not do this, I think it is the magazine design.

Romanian M-69 - The feed ramp and magazine are poorly designed and lots of lead would get shaved off the bullet going into the barrel or the bullet would get bent out of the casing (if you were not watching) the safety was awkward to the point of unusable and the magazine was of poor design and function. Typical eastern sights of very poor quality a hooded front post and square slot rear "flip up" range selection. Magazine catch lever was primitive bent spring metal.

Russian Tula TOZ-78 - A relatively smooth working action. The stock is a bright wood, I cover it with a slip on camo cover when needed. Light and accurate but shares a similar feed issue with the Romanian .22 you have to be careful when pushing the cartridge into the chamber so as not to shave off lead. A little work on the feed ramp and port are necessary, the plastic magazine works well but the rifle only had one magazine and I cannot find a spare. I would like better rear sights, but they work well for typical russian Post and square notch with turning rear to adjust for elevation by 25 meter increments. I don't like the placement of the safety at the bottom front side of the magazine well, but you can get to it with the left hand while holding it. The magazine release button is a dedicated part in front of the magazine/trigger guard projection piece and is awkward due to placement inside a slotted front section.

Norinco JW15 - Stiff action, simple construction, a typical Chinese copy of a european rifle (BRNOish) sights were crappy, but the rifle worked nicely with an inexpensive scope, similar to the Marlin. Magazine catch and release lever is a primitive bent spring assembly that takes a dedicated finger or thumb pressure.

Marlin Model 980S - Stiff action, but solid and simple, with a simple bent sheet metal extractor and guide. This rifle has a cheesy synthetic stock, but it is light weight and functional. Similar to the norinco the magazine catch is primitive and takes a dedicated finger or thumb to release.

Remington 513 Matchmaster - Smooth bolt action with excellent machining, excellent trigger, mediocre plastic magazine, heavy - in fact, far too heavy for reasonable carry for small game hunting, this is a full featured target rifle. Magazine catch is also primitive for a rifle this well manufactured.

Only the Remington had a full length stock comfortable for full sized male shooters, the Tula and Marlin were close and function in that regard well enough.

Quality - Varying quality from basement construction to top notch... They can go from reasonable accuracy to superior and from poor fit and finish to first world commercial quality. Buy what you can afford, past the bargain basement versions unless restricted by budget. Any of the listed rifles are good utilitarian choices that would serve well as field rifles (Except the heavy target Remington).

Caliber/Ammunition - .22 LR is very inexpensive ammunition with almost no recoil, even the bulk box .22 LR can be reasonably accurate. If you choose target grade ammunition they can be shocking in accuracy, high velocity rounds can be effective in hunting even larger game with proper placement. In backwoods areas many whitetail deer were dropped with head shots using the .22 LR (that was actually legal at one time).

Use - Easy to strip and clean (not that you need to at all with non corrosive .22 LR) EVERY collection should have at least one.

Current production - The Tula (as the Wildcat), and Marlin rifles are under current production.

I consider the .22 rifle a necessary utilitarian tool, too many brands to name are in current production, and they are popular, easy to find, and inexpensive to buy and feed. They make adult and child models and make a great trainer and hunting tool. Many excellent models are available that I have not listed here almost any name brand in the US will have at least one offering of .22LR in a bolt action.

The SAFN 49 rifle in 7.62x51

I looked for about 3 years for a good .30-06 or the .308 conversion, both came up at the same time and I opted for the .308 with six magazines and a cracked stock for $950 over a .30-06 Luxembourg for $1300, the .30-06 was a far second choice, but would have gotten one in that caliber if I had found a good one for 700-1000.

A batch of about 1000 of the .308 versions came in in the late 90's and a second batch of 1000 in 2003, I missed both, the second batch was selling for about $650 each with a bayonet...

The FN49 is the last of the machined, wooden stocked, MBR's and is the direct father of the FNFAL, the shared features are quickly obvious.

The FN49 came in more calibers than any other military rifle and was sold directly from FN on a contract basis to each of the individual countries, and even a few individuals, police forces and companies while in production.

The wiki has some of the information wrong, FN did not modify the bulk of the Argentine rifles, in fact FN only converted ONE as a test on order from the Argentine Navy... The full contract to conversion was produced by Metalurgica Centro/Halcon in Argentina. They did a nice job and at first I thought the stamped numbers indicated an FN job, no, MCH copied the stampings and matched the rifles to the conversion parts. Every rifle in the Argentine contract except a few samples purchased by individuals and museums was converted - over five thousand.

The contracts were Argentine, Belgian, Belgian Congo, Brazilian, Colombian, Egyptian, Indonesian, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Police, and Venezuelan, there were Sniper versions and many prototypes, presentation models and special orders for small orders even some individuals...

K-mart sold quite a few for less than 100 bucks (69.99 I think) in the 30-06 versions...

Except for the 2000 plus .308 in Argentina and the bulk of the Indonesian contract almost every other contract rifle was destroyed in war/conflicts, or sold to private individuals, I would risk a guess that over 80% are here in the states in private collections.

Dieudonne Saive patented what would become this rifle in 1936, worked on prototypes then due to the war it was not to hit the production floor until 1948... He would use many of the concepts and functioning of this patent in the FN FAL...

While the Fn49 did not see as much combat as other rifles, it was involved in many local conflicts in contract countries, and can be seen in many third world hot spots. The Argentine version was involved in the Coup attempt, and heavily involved in the civil war/September rebellion. All Belgian troops in Korea (Once assigned to the US 3rd Infantry support) were issued the FN49 in .30-06. The Belgians also used the FN49 in the first stages of the Congo Civil War. The Belgians have a habit of keeping rifles in small individual armories and many FN49 rifles ended up in "hot spots" in Africa because of the Congo armories. In the Congo there was a chance where the FN49 rifles from FOUR countries and several calibers could have come into the same conflict...

The conversion of the FN49 in Argentina was AFTER the adoption of the FN FAL, they were regulated from the Army to the Navy and placed on ships... Later to inact caliber compatibility they were converted to .308. They use a modified magazine that is unique to the conversion and is expensive, the top was cut and formed to use the standard metric FN FAL stripper clip charger/loader.

The .308 barrel is 23 inches and has a twist of 1 in 12 inches and the 30-06 is 1 in 10... the .308 versions have chrome lined barrels and chambers (is nice yes?)... the gas piston tube and gas piston are not chromed (boo).

I is an exceptionally accurate rifle that is as reliable as the FN FAL (with some modifications). Will it stay in the collection? I do not know.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - Kel Tec SU 16 CA

Personal - There are several versions of this rifle, I purchased the rifle for my youngest boy, I had a previous version, but chose the CA incarnation because of the threaded heaver barrel, shorter length, and improved front sight (back aperture sight is crap). I like it... I am not a fan of .223 but the rifle is handy, capable of reasonable accuracy and is based more on the AK than the AR platforms. Very light weight, and it has a neat folding stock making it very small an easy to pack. I found I liked the folding stock that folds out into a traditional stock, it looks a bit queer but it feels good in the hand for shooting, very comfortable.

Function - Excellent reliable function, an earlier version also was excellent in reliability, this version has been 100% with every magazine I have tried, it likes both 20 and 30 round Thermold (LE marked) 20 and 30 round Tapco, and two old 30 round Adventureline magazines someone gave me years ago.

Design flaws - The front folding hand-guard will fold out into a "bipod" if you want to call that spindly insect like abomination a "bipod" I used it for a few magazines worth and never bothered again my first thought was "tits on a boar-hog" and that did not change after I gave it a chance, have not bothered to unfold it again except to clean under it.

Light weight also translates to lightly constructed, you would not want to hit someone with it like you could a Mosin-Nagant, but the construction is not THAT bad, that is as bad as some input I have seen from who think that every gun has to help fight you out of some muddy foxhole.

There is a trick to getting the bolt in and out, follow the directions it is not "user intuitive.” Take great care not to launch parts into low earth orbit (or into your body) in disassembly, spring loaded parts could be easy to loose. Rear sight aperture is crappy cheap and the safety is a funky shotgun-style cross bolt. The full stock of the CA model will not allow the rifle to fire folded, that could be a problem if you needed a quick "get to” while folded, but the weirdo version of the pistol grip folder is just too funky, when I ordered my "california" version the dealer also ordered one of the funky pistol grip versions for the shop - Blech! even he said he hated that version and liked the CA better.

Quality - Molded polymers - and you can tell there are some "corner cutting" parts here and there - you can tell this was intended as a light duty carbine. I would choose the SU16CA rifle over the Mini 14 (problems and all) any day...

Caliber/Ammunition - .223 small, inexpensive (well, as inexpensive as surplus or new center-fire is going to get nowadays), light recoil, accurate, not all that exciting but it is a carbine, what did you expect?



Use - Accuracy is reasonable, better grouping when hot (or cold) than any Mini-14 I have ever seen but NOT on par with the AR15, about halfway from Mini-14 to AR, and less expensive than both. Uses standard AR15 magazines and has two little 10 rounders that press fit into the stock and can stay (well they are supposed to stay in, just don't hit it too hard when open) there when folded - as the Russians would say "is very nice, yes?” - of course, and inexpensive also.

Current production - Waiting at the Kel tec factory fresh off the molding machine, this entire series of rifle is one of their most popular products, and is not always in great supply.

I consider this rifle a secondary choice carbine or a nice light weight, light duty carbine for small users. The SU16 series is in a mid range price level and is less expensive than either the AR or Mini 14. Currently in production, using popular easy to find magazines, and small limited parts interchangeability with the AR make this an attractive choice. I use this rifle myself for hunting where a light carbine is required, but was intended for the smallest child, he loves it. (Update: I have acquired a second SU16CA and both are now regulated to the two women in the family. We use them for small game and varmint hunting quite regularly and both have received a solid diet of reloaded brass and steel cased ammo with no function problems.)

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - FN 49, SAFN 1949 (Fabrique Nationale Model 1949)

The Fabrique Nationale Model 1949



Personal - One of my personal favorites, old world wood stock solidity. A heavy full stocked rifle in the same vein as the M1, SVT40, M14, G43, SMLE, and Mauser.
Function - Reliable function on par with the FNFAL, has an open top receiver like the M1 and can collect dirt and sand, it has a somewhat adjustable gas system similar to the FNFAL.

Design flaws - Most contract versions of this rifle have a semi-fixed 10 round magazine, except the Argintine conversions to .308 with 20 round detachable magazines. This Rifle has a typical mid to heavy military trigger without modification, with a good quality trigger job the Browning Auto type trigger can be excellent. The rifle is heavy at about 9.5 pounds but has a well designed comfortable wood stock and is relatively easy to point and shoot. The gas adjustment sleeve is under the front hand-guard and is smooth in finish and requires a special tool or pliers to adjust it also requires a liberal application of “never seize” to prevent fouling seize-up. The magazine for the .308 is a proprietary magazine only made for this particular rifle conversion and are limited in availability. The single part firing pin is downright dangerous in its sneaky ability to cause out-of-battery firing, and slam fires, the improved two part firing pin is excessively long and must be fitted to the rifle, shortened and the tip flattened to prevent “doubling” of the cartridges. FN expected to fit or have fitted by armorers many of the rifles parts.

Quality - Very high quality FN machined construction, examples of best in first world production, sadly some of the third world countries who purchased the rifle tended to abuse and store and repair them with varying success..

Caliber/Ammunition - 7.92 Mauser, 30-06, 7 Mauser, 7.5 Mauser, 7.65 mauser, and .308 all were accurate and effective cartridges. All contracts were for large full power cartridges, some will find many if not all excessive in recoil. The two most desireable types of this series are the 30-06 and the .308/7.62 only the .308 versions have a detachable box magazine, the 30-06 was the largest produced type, but command a premium due to collectors demand and high quality condition.

Use - Accuracy is excellent if the model is not a sample of abuse, the 8mm versions were the least accurate and the .308 was the most accurate of the examples I have fired. All examples of the FN49 rifle are now surplus. The .308 version I have in my collection is the most accurate of all the full-sized cartridge chambered rifles I have fired and owned (that were not heavily modified). Uses an expensive detachable magazine, currently only available from one supplier in the US.

Current production - None, there are no current productions of this gun and it is regulated to surplus only, All the rifles of this model in circulation are part of the "collectable" market.

I consider this rifle a secondary choice (it was my personal choice - but I am disqualifying this platform for the above reasons as a primary choice) for an MBR, high price, no current production, and expensive rare magazines are a high concern and possible deal breaker. A solid rifle sadly regulated to historical interest and collector categories.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - AR 180 Rifle

Personal - In an effort to fix the problems with the AR15/M16 the AR 180 type of rifle came about...

I like this series of rifles for the most part they prove far more reliable than the AR15 and much more accurate than the Mini 14 from Ruger.

Magazines are a big issue with every clone of this type of rifle they all like aluminum 20 rounders BEST, but will work with good quality aluminum magazines..

I have said before that I am not a fan of .223 but AR180 clone rifles are reliable, accurate and far superior in function and design than the AR15. This system uses an unusual multi part gas piston type operation rod. Not as light weight as the AR15 or the SU16 but far more reasonable for small people in weight than the full size rifles. Some versions have a folding stock and the folding versions when folded are shorter than a "shortie" AR 15. Ergonomics are on par with the AR 15 with a better ballance point for firing from various positions. If I had to go with a .223 this would be my "go to” rifle list.

There are many older and current production versions available, I will say a few things about the older versions not in production but will focus on the two current production clones, the ArmaLite AR180b and the Vulcan V18. The Vulcan V18 is a new rifle I bought "just to try it out", it like many others it is about to go to a new home. I would not buy a second from Vulcan, but the ArmaLite AR180b is in my view the BEST of all the AR180 clones or actual production rifles.

Function - Excellent reliable function, the older versions had to have a cut out on the AR mags or used "made for" mags - I hate cutting a good mag for this use both the V18 and AR180b use regular, standard, AR15 magazines without modification. On the Vulcan I have had FTF issues with the polymer magazines, 30 round and 20 round aluminum magazines were 100% as long as you did not push up on the magazine (causes the bolt to stop at the rear edge of the magazine). The ArmaLite rifle is a good as it gets with gas piston operation, just shy of the AK in this regard. The square bolt rides on two guide rods and has a spring return that keeps the firing pin back and the bolt head forward (less chance of twisting in movement, an issue that plagues the AR15).

Design flaws - Here is something that speaks well for the AR180 design - even Hesse/Vulcan could not "F" this design up... Oh they tried, the front gas block was tilted to the right about 6 to 8 deg. (fixable) the front hand-guards suck and the connection to the folding stock is "wiggly" (I used a hex wrench to try and tighten it, but it stayed "wiggly". The V18 has issues, but the ArmaLite company put together the Best of this design with new materials and make improvements, a top notch product. With the Vulcan V18 the flat top is so low that regular AR detachable sights will NOT work - hell you can go all the way out front and back and I was still three FEET low! No sights were included and the detachable were useless, I just attached a 2 power red dot scope...

Quality - ArmaLite was top notch, Vulcan, well let's just say that drunken Hutu natives would likely have better quality control, but like the AK you just have a hard time screwing this design up... I would choose even the V18 rifle over the Mini 14 ANY DAY.

Caliber/Ammunition - .223 is inexpensive ammunition, light in recoil, and accurate. With the AR180b even Wolf crap ammo just worked without issue, with the Vulcan almost a good as long as you did not push the magazine into the bolt face.

Use - Accuracy is about even with quality AR15 rifles, maybe lacking at most 5% in the group tightness. Easy to strip and clean (not that you need to that much) and both in current production are reliable and accurate.

Current production - ArmaLite has stopped production and the Hesse/Vulcan bunch has again changed names and who knows what they are up to, spend the extra and get one of the few ArmaLite versions.

I consider this rifle a secondary choice due to the cartridge and availability, for small folks this is nice and light weight they are not in current production but do pop up on gunbroker. They both use popular easy to find magazines (of good quality). On a side note, the Vulcan V18 was sold this weekend for a profit, with the money going into the kitty for a new rifle, avoid the Vulcan that company is actually worse in quality control than the angry beavers at Century Arms!

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - SVT 40 (Soviet SVT 38/40)

SVT 40 (Soviet SVT 38/40)
Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva, Obrazets 1940 goda
(Tokarev Self-loading Rifle, Model of 1940)



Personal - I found this rifle to be one of my all-time personal favorites, I have owned three examples one was outfitted with a 2 power PU Russian scope, but I should stay critical and point out the flaws and problems. Even though this rifle fires the full power 7.62x54 R round the recoil is manageable and the length likely adds to the possible accuracy. The rifle is simple to operate and reliable with quality ammunition. Low quality ammunition problems may likely have been the biggest issue with reliability for the Russians.  Historically, outside of lack of training and "mechanical understanding limitations" of conscript Russian troopers, well trained and educated troopers like the Finns and Germans liked this auto-loading rifle.



Function - Can be excellent when clean and properly maintained, dirty surplus ammunition will foul the gas system quickly causing poor and inconsistent ejection. Even when reloading for this rifle there is a limitation of choice, I achieved my best results with a .311 150gr and 180gr bullets loaded to low pressures with the 150gr bullet edging out the 180gr in accuracy, but only slightly. All malfunctions I encountered with my examples were ammunition related.

Design flaws - This adjustable gas system requires a special wrench and is prone to fowling and can be "locked in" with corrosion, magazine is weak and prone to damage and will collect dirt and contaminates. Rifle was designed to be loaded with clips from the top of the action but MN clips are awkward and ill designed. The round is too powerful for this rifle design and should be loaded down to match the capabilities, full power rounds will eventually start to break parts (luckily I never broke any major parts shooting them). The stocks were produced from a cheep soft wood, I refinished my examples and the wood reminded be of American redwood or cedar without the pleasant smell. The rifle is far too long for all but the tallest and largest shooters - it is almost like pointing a flag pole. The sights are typical hooded front post and primitive square notch rear flat, adjustment is difficult and requires special tool.

Quality - Most produced are of reasonable quality, some makers better than other, war time production limitations and heavy demand often produced rifles of various quality.

Caliber/Ammunition - 7.62x54R, can be an accurate and effective cartridge, it is an older rimmed case originally designed for older powders. This round is far from simply obsolete it is outdated, but is in current production.

Use - Use of a rimmed cartridge, poorly designed very expensive magazine that is limited in capacity along with difficult to find replacement parts are all a consideration.

Current Production - There is no current production of this rifle, surplus examples can be of good to very poor in condition.

While there is some historical interest I personally would consider this rifle a third tier choice at best, for a personal MBR. It could be regulated to higher choice if the user expects to have several Mosin-Nagant rifles in collection for interchangeability of ammunition.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - AK 47 (Kalashnikov rifle 1947)

Personal - I have only fired ONE true AK47 a registered class 3 example owned by a friend, I have owned many versions of the semi-automatic imports and domestic builds available currently. I have owned .308, .223, and several of the standard versions of this rifle in the 7.62x39 chambering. Recoil is mild in the .223 and 7.62x39 versions and manageable in the .308 versions. The standard version is short and easy to produce, for goodness sake this rifle can be made in even the worst third world hell-holes with an automotive hydraulic press, drill press, and a ball peen hammer... by oil lamp light! The rifle is currently artificially over-priced because of government regulation, and high demand. The AK type rifle is arguably the simplest auto-loading rifle to operate in existence. I do regret selling my .308 Mitchell Arms "grandfathered" import, I believe it was the single best made AK type rifle I have ever owned, with the Saiga rifles a distant second.

Function - Reliability is superb with this series of rifle it will eat the worst surplus corrosive ammunition like a teenage boy will devour ramen noodles. Dirty surplus ammunition will foul the gas system, and as I mentioned before, if not cleaned, corrosive ammunition will create rust along the gas piston tube and lock the rifle up. I have not found a single type of 7.62x39 ammo that would not feed flawlessly in any of the examples I have owned, I have not had a single operational failure with any of my formerly owned examples. Pull the trigger - Bang! EVERY TIME!

Design flaws - The simple gas system can be "locked in" with corrosion with no maintenance or cleaning (clean the gas tube!). Poor ergonomics and heavy. Marginally accurate.

I had a friend who had not cleaned his properly and had put it away, he came to my house to see if I could help, I looked into the gas tube vent hole and could see that typical "fuzzy rust". I asked him if he had a problem if I broke his bolt attempting to fix it... He looked at me strangely and said if it will get it to open, go ahead... I told him to hold onto the gun on the loading bench barrel up, I then took a scrap of 2x4 and a 6lbs sledge hammer and proceeded (much to his shock) to smack the charging handle with the hammer onto the wood block... IT DID NOT BREAK! and after the first tap and the second good smack it opened up!!! ...

I consider the rifle in standard configuration heavy and somewhat user unfriendly. The safety leaver is awkwardly placed, and the sights and accuracy are marginal. The Saiga with longer barrel in .308 or .223 and trigger work will preform with reasonable accuracy.



Quality - All over the map! Some makers better than others, the Saiga and Yugoslav versions the best of the lot. I think it is interesting that even the sloppy third tier versions from Century built on Romanian poor quality parts show that even Century can't screw up Kalashnikov's design!

Caliber/Ammunition - Available in .308 for an MBR, 7.62x39, .223 and 5.45x39 with all the positive and negative baggage each sized cartridge carries with it...

Use - Easy to find, hell, like the AR you cannot swing a dead cat and not hit an owner/shooter/dealer of the AK variants. Knowing that a full auto version can be had in places like Pakistan, Syria, and Turkey for less than 150 USD, the import restrictions and demand make this rifle a bit over priced. A wide selection of different versions are available, and attachments, spare parts, along with silly and useless crap pour in abundance from retailers and distributers like copious amounts of digested grass from the orifice of a large cow...

Current production ammunition is available from what seems like an endless parade of retailers, gun stores, and online merchants. (I note that with the current election results it is quickly drying up).

Current Production - Only swing a dead cat and the proximity to any troglodyte with a welding setup, press, and hand tools and you can have an AK...

Fondness aside, and I do have a fondness for the AK, I personally would consider this rifle a possible primary MBR or secondary choice depending on maker and caliber, the AK cannot be "dressed up" to be anything but ugly, and evil looking... in fact you could not find a better rifle to cause the typical weenie liberal bed-wetter to faint in horror or have any former bully/wimp Cop with a hard on for legal obfuscation for profit and social climbing to want to run you into the hoosegow...

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - SKS 45 (Soviet Simonov Self-loading Carbine 1945)

Personal - I have a fondness for russian weapons (possibly my Slovak background), I have owned many versions and copies of this carbine from Soviet to satellite to Sino. The standard version of this rifle fires the intermediate (mid level from rifle to pistol) power 7.62x39 round. I mention "standard versions" because I have heard rumors of gunsmiths converting the SKS to other "wild-cat" calibers - but I have never seen one in anything other than the 7.62x39. Recoil is mild to all but the smallest women and children, my two youngest children find the recoil disturbing. The shorter length makes the carbine quite handy and it will typically shows better accuracy than it's Soviet younger cousin the AK 47. The rifle is about as inexpensive and simple to operate as any self-loading rifle can be. I do regret selling my Russian examples, and I found the red chi-com fiberglass stocks a good match for the Chinese imports, reducing the weight. I most likely will never buy any additional examples as I have abandoned use of the 7.62x39 in favor of .308 (large family members) and .223 (small family members).


Function - Reliability is excellent with this rifle even with the worst surplus corrosive ammunition. Dirty surplus ammunition will foul the gas system and if not cleaned, corrosive ammunition will create rust along the gas piston tube and lock the rifle up. I have never reloaded for this rifle and never felt the need, there are reasonsble choises in loadings and bullets from surplus FMJ to soft point hunting rounds. After-market magazines have a bad reputation for unreliable feeding and stove-pipe failures, the non removable 20 round fixed chi-com magazine also had problems. The few SKS rifles built or converted to take AK magazines do not share the unreliable feeding problems with the after-market magazines. This rifle/carbine is best left in its original form.

Design flaws - The simple gas system can be "locked in" with corrosion if maintenance or cleaning is totally ignored. This corrosion lock in is not so much a flaw as a severe lack of maintenance issue. I had a friend that did this to both his AK and SKS at the same time from using Chinese corrosive ammo and not cleaning out the gas tubes. The SKS was made to be loaded with clips from the top of the action and the standard model only holds 10 rounds. Some early Russian rifles had a spring return firing pin that could help prevent slam fire issues. SKS models with a simple sliding floating firing pin have been noted to produce slam fire incidents. This dangerous condition is usually caused by a dirty or grease packed firing pin tunnel. The rifle in it's standard configuration is heavy for a carbine, but noted for rugged construction. The attached bayonet can lower the rifle’s accuracy and is added weight with little use, I recommend removing the bayonet.

SKS slam fire, causes and modification to spring return firing pin.



Quality - Most produced are of good to reasonable quality, some makers better than others, I consider the Russian imports (often KBI) to be the highest quality version with the Yugoslavian versions a second and the chinese a third.



Caliber/Ammunition - 7.62x39, in an SKS is moderate to reasonable in accuracy. Hundreds of hunters in the US find the SKS and 7.62x39 combination an effective pair for hunting deer, coyote, wild hogs and other game. This round is currently used in many countries as the main cartridge for infantry use.

Use - Easy to find, popular, and relatively inexpensive many different versions of the SKS are available, attachments, spare parts, and ammunition are available from what seems like an endless parade of retailers, gun stores, and online merchants.

Current Production - There is only limited current production of this rifle (if any) but surplus SKS carbines in even almost new condition are common.

Fondness aside, I personally would consider this rifle a secondary choice at best for a current MBR. It does share interchangeability of ammunition and stripper clips with the AK47 type rifle and is inexpensive. The benign look and impression the rifle gives (in original wood stock and without bayonet) makes it a good choice for a "trunk gun", hunting and hiking carry.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - AR15 rifle

M16/AR15 Eugene Stoner’s curse, McNamara’s Colt kick-back - the Jamm’n Jenny



Personal - Ridiculously overrated to to point of absolute fantasy, this rifle has formed emotional attachments creating the worst "cult like" followers of any rifle known to the US market. Flawed from the beginning with deliberate (but unplanned for) changes this carbine's direct impingement gas system is prone to reliability problems. While some of the original problems have been lessoned by excessive cleaning procedures, massive training, and modifications (like the forward assist) the basic flaws of this weapon have and will continue in the future to kill fighters fielding this rifle. This rifle is an example of the worst of ill-planned massive kickback programs ever forced on any military. Accurate (in fact it can be very accurate) when matched with the correct bullet to barrel riffling twist rate. Adding a scope to a flat top model can produce an auto-loader capable of hunting ground rodents on par with some bolt action sporting rifles.

Light in weight with low recoil, this rifle can be a reasonable choice for small men, women and children. Similar to the 1911a1 pistol, this rifle designed by Stoner is so common almost any accessory imaginable is available from multiple manufacturers, some practical some downright ridiculous.

I have never had a single version of this rifle that I considered even marginally reliable, I have owned the original Colt SP1, several Bushmaster, and the Olympic Arms made versions. I have never been happy with this rifle's less than reliable service from any of the versions I have owned or been unlucky enough to fire. I have broken parts on all three of the versions listed including at least one charging handle for each example, two extending buttstocks, ejection port covers, and several front handguards.

Function - Will be reasonable, if only marginal, when cleaned and maintained religiously and excessively (the perfect carbine for the anemic mall ninja with obsessive compulsive disorder). Easy to break in the field, will be all but a useless lightweight aluminum and polymer club if contaminated with dust, dirt, or sand. Changing the unreliable gas system for a superior piston type system will greatly improve the performance, but the tight action and twisting bolt head and retainer combination will continue to plague the user with bolt slide function issues. In a short statement - spotless clean and carefully lubricated with limited slow fire this rifle can be minimally reliable, outside of almost pristine conditions this weapon is a liability.

Design flaws - This rifle has a direct impingement gas system that "defecates where it eats" making an already tight fitting easy to stop action super elevated in temperature. Elevated temperatures will cause the aluminum frame to change in dimensions and warp while in use. The tubular bolt travel channel that contains the buffer and spring will not allow for a close fitting folding stock and prevents the rifle from achieving shorter lengths. The charging handle is in an awkward position, hard to manipulate with winter gloves, and very easy to break.

Quality - Many produced are of good quality construction, but the plethora of makers both large and small leads to sub-standard and unsafe products flooding the market. Quality can be all over the map with some surprises, like the original large contractor Colt dropping in quality so far as to be a current joke in the industry. Considering Colt in reviewed comparison to other smaller makers Colt is a third tier choice because of low quality.

Caliber/Ammunition - .223/5.56 is an accurate cartridge very low in recoil, it is often considered underpowered for all but hunting small game.

Use - Accuracy out of the box with a well made example will be better than the average shooter can utilize, trigger can be adjusted or worked by companies like Williams and there are many gunsmiths that specialize in the needed work for higher end target competitions. Can use a detachable magazine that is popular and readily available.

Current Production -Popular and available from many makers and assemblers, fact is you can't swing a dead cat and not hit some maker, seller or shooter of this abomination.

I personally would consider this rifle in the third tier choice, and as a light duty carbine only, any example currently over $400 dollars is far over priced regardless of maker, this is a $350 sloppy, ill performing outdated design that only sells because of the general ignorance and romantic attachment of the typical mall ninja.

I currently do not own one and would never spend any of my own money for one even at 1/4 the current prices - if I were given one I would use it a a possible trade item or for the hunting of small game varmint hunting.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - FN FAL (FN FAL/L1A1 clone)

Personal - My personal very close second choice in a general use MBR, slim, attractive, modern lines, reasonable ergonomic layout and construction, and very accurate. There are many versions and accessories to pick from, but I prefer the full length fixed stock version. One of the types of rifles on my list that I regret selling the versions I have had. Inch versus metric? I will leave this to the mounds of information available online, I do recomend an all inch or all metric rifle without mixing into a "frankenFAL" in function the inch and metric are equal in quality and reliability with just some small changes in parts form.

Function - Reliable function, but succeptable to heavy fouling in the gas system with dirty burning powder, and dirt or fine sand in the action. Dry desert environments seem the most likely to cause malfunctions from fouling and added environmental contaminants. There are, or can be issues with heavy bullets with high pressures or blanks of low quality. Both blanks and live surplus ammunition of low quality or inconsistent QC have destroyed several FN FAL rifles in the US.

Design flaws - Rear sights can be of poor quality and are primitive compared to other rifles. This rifle often has a poor heavy trigger with excessive creep if it is not modified, sadly some cannot be modified if the internal parts are of low quality. Williams Trigger Specialties offers an excellent trigger upgrade service. The balance point of this rifle can be awkward for some smaller and shorter shooters, or traditionalists.

Quality - All over the map! There are examples of first world production, available, along with some of the worst slapped together crap you have ever seen. Quality of parts can also be an issue with many parts having large voids and cavities incased in poorly cast and heat treated metal.

Caliber/Ammunition - .308 an accurate and effective cartridge, one of my favorites, easy to reload, but the round is a large full power cartridge and some consider it excessive in recoil. .308/7.62 is one of the most popular cartridges high quality commercial and surplus is widely available. (Same as before)

Use - Accuracy out of the box will be good to excellent with a good quality example. Poor quality makes can not only be inaccurate but dangerous to fire. There are services available where the trigger can be modified and attachments such as the SuperTune to dial in loadings for better accuracy. The FN FAL uses a detachable magazine that is widely available on the US market, there are quality steel and polymer magazines available.

Current production - Quality reproductions are in production in the US currently along with many past imports of widely variable quality.

I consider this rifle an excellent primary choice for a current MBR, higher prices are a possible concern, but a quality reproduction should be the first choice.




Da!

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - HK91 and PTR91 (HK91 Clone)

Personal - My personal first choice for caliber, inexpensive magazines and reliability, UGLY but funky-retro space-gun cool. Made for large individuals with large hands with heavy winter clothing on (short butt stock). My favorite trick with the HK91 here at the heretic abode is to add a bit of braided para cord to the charging handle, it makes a quick grab even with thick winter gloves.



Function - Reliable function second only to the AK, so reliable that it is often referred to as the "Kraut Kalashnokov" or the "AK of the West". I have personally fired my HK91's in sub-zero temps, and also sopping wet with slime in 100 plus temps with the only malfunctions based on ammo. Weak charges will stove pipe, and bullets over 190 grains can cause excessive recoil and shake the next bullet out of the magazine in front of the bolt causing a double fed or have a cartridge folded in half by the bolt face as it turns sideways.

Design flaws - No bolt hold open, poor ergonomics for small hands and arms, poor heavy trigger (without modification), fluted chamber engraves brass this does not make it un-reloadable contrary to stories you hear on the internet. The PTR91 “GI/Special edition” will have the odd brass chewer that dents the side of the case - an ejection port buffer fixes this and changes the direction of ejection to forward 2-3 O’clock.
Rifle has extremely violent fired case ejection - woe to anyone on the right of the shooter to catch one on the noggin! (I have a scar on my forehead from a friend who moved while shooting from a bench).

Felt recoil is higher with this delayed blow-back system.

Press-formed sheet steel construction is heavier than some other metals (and stronger) and because it is formed into shapes a large enough blow or crushing force to the steel can cause deformation that can lead to malfunctions, most knocks can be “ironed out” some with common tools and severe dents with special internal forms. With decades of military service including Africa, the design holds its own in even the worst of conditions and care, including possible dents.

There is some debate that states it is possible that the G3/HK91 was specifically designed to work with brass cased cartridges, and that firing steel cased ammunition can damage rifle parts and excessively wear the throat of the barrel. It is possible that if the steel case shows signs of excessive amounts of hot gas jetting past the flutes in the chamber and into the case shoulder this could erode the metal in that area. There was some indication that the German engineers actually designed the G3 rifle to handle not only full power cartridges but also cheep steel cased ammo with a very wide range of acceptable powder burn rates in the 4895 category.

Quality - While the construction of the frame is of relatively inexpensive precisely formed steel, contrary to internet ignorance "stamped steel" does not equate to low quality but rather inexpensive production, most car frames are made of formed steel, even the "muscle cars" of US production were of formed steel. Both the HK and PTR clone's internal parts are very high quality construction, interchangeable and examples of first world production. The last of the PTR rifles to arrive in the collection had a Rheinmetall AG bolt carrier!

Caliber/Ammunition - .308 an accurate and effective cartridge, one of my favorites, easy to reload, but is a large full power cartridge and some consider it excessive in recoil (this recoil is heightened in the HK system). .308/7.62 is one of the most popular cartridges for rifles in the US and high quality commercial and surplus ammunition is widely available. While on a related subject the HK91/G3 uses one of the best designed and reliable .308 box magazines ever produced, currently there are several high quality choices the older steel (heavy but very tough), aluminum, and then the polymer magazines (the only magazine from this company I would recommend and the Thermold magazines count for US compliance parts).



Use - Accuracy out of the box will be good to excellent (suffering somewhat from the heavy "drop proof" pull of the original trigger), the trigger can be adjusted or worked by companies like Williams Trigger Specialties (an excellent "set trigger" I use is available) and Bill Springfield. There are services available where the action can be stiffened and attachments such as the SuperTune to dial in loadings. The HK91 uses the least expensive detachable magazine available in the US market, there are steel, polymer, and aluminum magazines readily available. I am on my original locking rollers and have cooked off thousands of rounds (over 7k) on my current original HK made rifle. A must addition to this rifle on top of the para-cord handle is the Tac-Latch to replace the removed magazine release from the back of the magazine well (the Tac-Latch returns the rifle to the easy either-hand/two hand operated magazine release).

Current production - PTR is considered the highest quality clone in current production, repair parts are widely available, but HK stopped official production years ago forcing the existing HK produced rifles in circulation into the "collectable" market.

I consider this rifle a first and primary choice for a current MBR, high price is a possible concern with the true HK build collectable rifles, but when considering the inexpensive magazines, the total price can be lower than expected (I consider 8 a minimum of magazines per rifle). Because the Special Edition “GI” PTR91 clone is the least expensive .308 except the .308 AK from Saiga and the used magazines are so inexpensive it is difficult to find a better deal.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - M1a/M14 Rifle

Personal - I have never joined the cult of the M1a rifle and feel this is an acceptable rifle with the same limited choices in bullet weight and performance choices as the M1. If anything the M14 is and was simply a product-improved version of the M1 Garand with all of the features the M1 should have had for WWII. The M1a is typically overrated with an emotional nostalgic attachment that is equal to or worse than the cult-like attachment HK owners are accused of for the HK products. It has, or can have a nice wood stock, particularly the multi colored laminated wood, I am partial to the old-world wood stocked rifles myself (while this has some limits I do like wood it is my personal romanticism).

I feel the attachment to the M14 is more of an american reaction to that abomination of the M16. My personal distaste for the M14 and M1 type rifles has more to do with the politics and cult-like romanticism in the background and the incessant ridiculous psudo-patriotism far too many shooters wrap arround the rifles and pistols that they think represent 'merica. That puffed up ignorant joe-six-pack attitude I find distasteful and it transfers to the items themselves because of that.

The fact is the M-14 lost to the FN FAL in the weapons trials (and for reliability the G3 would beat the FN FAL). The Army rigged (more closely ignored) the testing to accept the far second place entrant, lied to procurement that the same tooling could be used and generally showed a terminal case of not invented here. This was all for naught as later the wiz kids under the corrupt McNamara choke down our soldiers throats that piss-poor abomination the M-16.

I would without reservation say that the M-14 is far more reliable than the M-16, certainly far more powerful and rugged. The politics (and probable kickbacks) only prove that our military leadership does not care that much for our soldiers, what else would explain the resistance to the far superior rifle designs available now? We spend almost two billion a month in the sand box, but the Army cannot afford to supply the troops with a GOOD rifle? We could resupply with new rifles for what it costs for a few days in-country. It's like someone blathering about how good that Garand rifle is, and how great it shoots with that "gift from the gods," "the best ever" cartridge the 30-06... While they most likely will also tell us that "we don't need no 'ssault weaapeeon" to go hunt'n wif... 

We all know the facts point out that the .308 (in and of itself) is inherently more accurate than the 30-06 in the same conditions.

Function - Can be excellent when clean and properly maintained, in fact it is often a bit more tolerant of fouling than its father the M1. Like its father it works best within a limited set of ammunition parameters, outside of the narrow choices it tends to be problematic. Same as the M1 this rifle has an open action that can allow contamination.

Design flaws - Operating rod is prone to damage, but when compared to the gas impingement of the M16 the M14 was heavy but reliable. "Tuning" for accuracy will only last for a limited time and the rifle will pound the receiver with enough force to knock out any adjustments and fine tuning often forcing the user to re-glass the receiver. Cleaning from the muzzle is always a PITA. Possible slam fires caused by the free floating firing pin (never observed this myself). Modern manufactured cast receivers are not as strong and resistant to wear as the hammer forged originals or machined examples. The M1 Garand and the M14 designs use a free-floating firing pin inside the bolt head/body. When the firing pin channel is filled with fouling, the firing pin may lock in position protruding from the face of the bolt. The weight of the firing pin alone can also be enough that with inertia it will deform the lighter bodied primers and fire the round - this can cause a slam fire or out of battery fire both very dangerous the second catastrophic. It is strongly suggested to use thick military grade primers and or military surplus ammunition not the thinner primer charged civilian ammunition.

Quality - Most produced in the US are of good to excellent quality, I have heard of QC problems, but personally the examples I have owned and others I have used (all US made) were of good to excellent quality in construction and finish. Some reports of problems with the limited importation of the Asian made rifles seem to be repaired with a new proper heat treating.

Caliber/Ammunition - .308 an accurate and effective cartridge, one of my favorites, but is large and some consider it excessive in recoil (I do not). A good general use cartridge that crosses from defense, to hunting and good results even in many competitions.

Use - Accuracy out of the box will be better than the average shooter can utilize, for a good shooter this is mediocre to reasonable. Trigger can be adjusted or worked by companies like Williams and there are many gunsmiths that specialize in the needed work for higher end competition - and it will need a lot of continuous attention. This rifle can an use a detachable magazine that is popular and readily available at reasonable cost. The M14 can produce reasonable to excellent accuracy when maintained regularly. Similar to the M1 the op rod design has a tendency to "beat itself" out of its own narrow range of higher performance and accuracy. It takes a lot of continuous work and repair to keep to higher accuracy. Just like the M1, the M14 is often slathered with automated patriotic credit in the shooting community for accuracy and reliability that this rifle design does not deserve nor has it exactly earned without extensive modification. Like the M1 rifle the adjustable iron sights are excellent almost to the level of many available speciality competition target sights (it takes some time to learn to utilize all of the features).

Current Production - Popular and available and many of good to excellent quality in production from several manufactures in the US.

I personally would consider this rifle a primary choice for a current MBR, with many quality examples available, with only the high price and design limitations a possible concern.

Personal Critical Review of Firearms - SMLE Lee-Enfield rifles

Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle

I am going to talk only at a general level, I don't want to go into the SMLE variants there are too many.

Personal - Ugly, sorry but I think this rifle is about the ugliest bolt action rifle ever designed. I dislike the cock on closing bolt. I have owned or fired several of the many versions, I liked the Indian .308 version the best (Ishapore .308 rifles were cheep as dirt a few years ago) I also found it to be the most accurate of any I have shot. I dislike rimmed cartridges and unlike the 7.62r used in the Mosin-Nagant the .303 is a bit anemic for the size.

Function - it's a bolt action, as long as the ammo does not damage the gun, everything is in safe working order, and the feeding is unimpaired the user is all that is needed. Like the Mauser, 1903A3, and Mosin-Nagant they can be dependable and accurate if in good condition and well made.

Design flaws - Rear locking requires good metallurgy in the bolt, a poorly made bolt of inferior metals can be unsafe to fire.

Quality - depending on the maker quality is all over the map, many of the third world copies are poorly made and older service rifles can be damaged or poorly maintained.

Caliber/Ammunition - .303 is an obsolete rimmed round and surplus ammunition can be of questionable quality. The .303 is a serviceable cartridge for hunting and defense capable of good accuracy, because of its primitive design it can be used well with cast lead, paper patched bullets and black powder.

Use - again this is a bolt action, a trained monkey could operate this rifle, poorly made or maintained rifles can be nominal in accuracy and many in good working order are extremely accurate.

Current Production - This is an obsolete rifle, but the numbers of former production are huge, literally tons of rifles exist, there are two obscure small manufacturers that produce new models one makes a version that uses AK mags and fires the 7.62x39 round (they may have stopped production) and one company that makes a new .308 version.

I would consider this rifle a good possible trade item and a "throw down" for arming friendlies, not even a secondary choice for MBR, without a doubt I would consider the SVT40, M1, FN49 or even the SKS a better secondary choice.