The unofficial GUN talk thread

Tax return this year is going to hopefully go to an AK or AR. Im thinking AK for the heavier round and the lack of maintenance needed. I want a workhorse that will survive anything. Is there anything I should look for in a AK or anything in particular to avoid?

Got my CCP too took less than 2 weeks from the local PD. Also found out that they will accept a hunters safety card at proof of firearm safety. Check with your local PD to find out laws in your area, might make a difference.

 
Feed ramps need some reshaping. My buddy who has been building guns for over 20 years knew over the phone what was wrong with it. Also,I need to pick up some better mags. My old worn out XM15 doesn't mind cheapies,but the newer ones do. P mags only from now on I guess.Good thing is that my DR-200 loves the old AR mags,I have about 40 of them...

Next,does anybody on here have any experience with the 9mm AR uppers that use Sten mags? Ive been thinking about a 9mm for a while now,and happen to have 25 Sten mags laying around,and figured it might be worth looking into. Im heading over to the Monmouth show,see if anybody is giving away an Aimpoint.

 
MuddyWRX said:
Tax return this year is going to hopefully go to an AK or AR. Im thinking AK for the heavier round and the lack of maintenance needed. I want a workhorse that will survive anything. Is there anything I should look for in a AK or anything in particular to avoid?
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Seriously? You think the military uses the AR platform because it's in need of tons of maintenance and it's finicky?

 
From everything I've heard/read an AR will run well... if well maintained, properly lubricated, and with good mags and ammo. It will also tend to be more accurate, there are more parts available, and is more "user friendly" as far as changing part out. But because of those 2 things it's very easy for someone to "build" an AR that tends to have many problems that require tinkering and tuning to get just right. To your point, a complete MIL-SPEC AR is probably great. But could a civilian get something that is as good? I like the tinkering and tuning, but Im lacking in knowledge.

The AK will run well pretty much no matter what. Poorly lubed with junk ammo it's probably still going to fire. Not accurately, and definately not as accurate as the AR. It seems to have the reputation as the drag through the mud and go gun. Plus the bigger round, can you take down a moose with the 5.56? I have a hunting rifle already but as a just in case.

Im back and forth between the two. I've never had the opportunity to shoot either, but I have held a few built up ARs. Comfortable and solid feeling firearm. I think if I could buy an AR right out of the box that worked "perfectly" right out of the box just make sure it's oiled, I would. I just hear enough horror stories and admit that I don't know enough to be comfortable buying one.

So I guess an accurate rephrasing of my question would be how would I get an AR that is as "tough" and "reliable" as an AK, or should I just get an AK for those reasons?

Im really looking for knowledge, not trying to start an AR-AK pissing contest.

 
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Back in the 1990s I was in the army and trained on the AK and other foreign weapons. I was in one of those units where we could work with whatever weapon we wanted to. Everyone used the CAR as their workhorse for absolute accuracy and reliability. For close in stuff we used other German 9mm sbr but I avoided them things.

 
My 2 cents: I currently own 4 ARs and 6,or 7 if you count "being built" AKs,or 8 if you count a Saiga 12 as an AK.. Both are great weapons. 2 completely different weapons as well. You can add all the "tactical" goodies you want to an AK. Still not "tactical". The AR feels like a precision instrument in your hands,almost like a scalpel. The AK feels like a piece of foreign military history,feels rugged as a big heavy club. I would say go try out a couple of each,and make a decision after that.Neither rifle will do what the other will,other than get a lot of lead downrange in a hurry. When I shoot my AKs,I dont even bring a case. When reloading a mag,or walking down to the target,I drive the bayonet in the ground and go. If I bring an AR,I also bring a case,lube,tools,and cleaning supplies. The rifle is never set on the ground,and is cleaned when Im done shooting.( I do agree with Nate,the military wouldnt use something that needs non-stop maintenence,and they aren't as finicky as some would say,I just keep mine as clean as possible) If you want the best compromise,(and nobody else seems to agree with me), I would look into a Daewoo DR series rifle. Or maybe a Galil.The Daewoo is still a .223,but a lot more forgiving,sort of an AR/AK hybrid. Less finicky gas system,adjustable as well,the DRs take AR mags,and aftermarket stocks are available. Built in optics mount. If I was looking for a do-it-all rifle,I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one. Mine is really accurate. As were the other 3 I've tried. Ill put a couple pics up in a few minutes,Not trying to sell you on anything,just something else to think about...

Also,as for the AR I just bought needing tweaking,this is the first time Ive seen one need it in person. My buddy shoots a lot of comps,and has seen countless big dollar builds. He said its not common,but he has seen mis shaped feed ramps like mine. 10 mins with a file,and we'll be running flawless.

 
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I'm currently torn between an ar or mini 14. I love the look and feel of the ruger, but I've never tried an ar, mini starts at 650 at wallet world. Ars closer to 7.... What to do......

 
The mini is a good piece. Theres quite a lot of aftermarket support,not nearly what the ARs have,and they dont like non-factory mags. I had a few,back before the ARs were on the market the way they are now. Never had any trouble other than aftermarket mags being junk.

 
I think you would end up disappointed you spent all that money, and didn't spend the extra $50 for the AR. Way better gun. Price a mini 14 magazine. And the Ruger has a crappy trigger.

Don't let the money burn a while in your pocket so quick. Hold on to it, and save a little more. Don't just settle for what you can get right this second.

 
Nate said:
I think you would end up disappointed you spent all that money, and didn't spend the extra $50 for the AR. Way better gun. Price a mini 14 magazine. And the Ruger has a crappy trigger.

Don't let the money burn a while in your pocket so quick. Hold on to it, and save a little more. Don't just settle for what you can get right this second.
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Boy,you and your ARs! hahaha Seriously though, I would run an AR way before another Ruger,I did enjoy owning mine,but at that time ARs werent very affordable.

Also,PLEASE dont let anyone buy a rifle from Wal Mart! No support,and they seem to be happy selling junk through (In my experience) unknowlegeable sales people. A buddy bought a Remington 770 from them,nothing but trouble,even after contacting the manufacturer,seems Mall Wart sells their own line of Remingtons. Support your local gun shop,or you will have no choice but to shop at Wally world when everybody closes up!

 
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I know I seem to be pushing them, but if the difference is $50 there is no comparison. The mini is overpriced for what you get now.

Matt, have you shot an AR yet? I have a feeling this wouldn't even be question right now if you have spent time behind one. I just think the mini was built to kind of hit the cheaper market for .223 guys who couldn't drop a grand on an AR. Now with the prices coming down, I see the mini phasing out eventually.

 
Was talking to my brother last night, turns out I had shot his .223 last year. It was a remington r15 I believe? Shot well but I didn't really associate it with AR I thought it was just a plinking/coyote rifle. It was light and no recoil, but then again I had been shooting my .30-06 bolt that kicks like a mule. So Ive been reading all night, trying to figure these things out. The AR has many good selling points, the only thing I don't like is the .223, still trying to figure out how effective it really is. Decisions, decisions.

 
If you dont like .223,get a different caliber....22,,.243,.260,.300,.308,.338,.4something,.500.....7.62x39,7.62x25,9mm...on and on. One of the many great things about ARs!

 
Finally got my second double mag holder for my pistol. that's my final step for being all geared up. I'll be doing my first USPSA pistol match the end of this month.

 
Screw it, ARs in .223 have good resale if I don't like it. And if I need to take something bigger down I'll have either the 12 guage or the .30-06.

Good out of the box sub $800 AR, any recommendations? Looks like any of the name brand ones should do fine.

 
I have a question I havnt been able to answer with google.

Instead of buying a WASR, im gonna save a few more $$ and "build" an ar15. If another A.W.B is enacted this year, and all ive purchased is a complete lower.. Would I be s.o.l on buying the upper and the rest of the rifle? A gun nut friend of mine is urging me to buy an ar but due to budget reasons I would have to peice it together over the next few months. so my main concern is not wanting to be stuck with half a rifle then not being able to legally purchase the other half for whatever reason

 
I'd buy a complete upper first. More things would be affected on an upper by an assault weapon ban. The lower the only thing possibly affected might be having to add a bullet button (see California assault rifle laws).

* 95% of gun owners do not join the NRA. Those people are responsible for the loss of 2nd Amendment rights.

* The NRA can not use membership fees to fight pending legislation or court challenges (fed law). The money for all that is 100% donated above and beyond membership money. Much of the millions used to fight for the 2nd Amendment is donated by manufacturers, 1/3 is from the private sector.

If there are more Brady bills or Assault weapon bans you might as well kiss your fun guns good bye. Obama can not enact a Brady bill type deal right now because the congress is not lopsided enough in his favor. In other words he doesn't have enough Democrats in congress to get it passed so he never started to pursue it. I predict a Democrat heavy congress after the next election. The Republicans don't have anyone good enough to compete against Obama for Prez so basically your rights to own an AR (or any high capacity gun..rifle or pistol) are dwindling.

 
The only thing considered a "gun" per ATF is the stamped lower. That's what carries the serial numbers of the gun.

I'm with your friend though. I urge you to buy your first one, and not build it. It doesn't take much, but does require some special tooling and knowledge. If you plan on building tons of them then it worth purchasing the tooling. But after buying the vise blocks, wrenches, punches, then all the parts you will be WAY over budget. I think most people honestly will be hard pressed to build a mil spec, carbine length, plain jane gun for as cheap as a any company can put one together. You just wont do it. And you still run the risk of not having the gun run 100%. You may need to tweak it and work the bugs out.

Look at a Palmetto State Armory flat top. They come in at full mill spec and right around $650-$700. Support Maine business. Look at a Windham Weaponry.

.223 isn't the best round for hunting, but the good part of this whole thing is that you aren't stuck to that caliber in this platform. You can buy/build new uppers that change the caliber to a different more capable round that fits your needs.

 
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