THR: Battle Rifle Discussion & Picture Thread

[nwilliams]

anything in this thread could also fit in the already existing milsurps thread.

Not really. Military surplus usually refers to guns that were manufactured for a military during times of war and then sold to the civilian public after, hence surplus.

There are a few surplus rifles in this thread but there are more here that wouldn't fit into the milsurp thread.

[tahunua001]

sooo... the springfields, FG42, PTR91, whatever PGT posted(I'm guessing a vepr of some kind?), enfield, M14, SA58, and m1 garand never belonged to any military force?
so far every picture that's been posted with the exception of a couple M1as which unless you are a real nit picker could pass as a M14 reproduction would be passable as a military surplus rifle and therefore welcome in the milsurps picture thread.

[OldTex]

For starters.....

Not milsurp but definitely a heavy hitter at long range, a GAP Crusader in .308



LaRue 7.62 OBR before a lot of dressing out


Including a NV option:


And an M1A in JAE stock

[AethelstanAegen]

FG42, [...] whatever PGT posted(I'm guessing a vepr of some kind?)

Actually, yes those aren't milsurps. Ian's FG42 in that picture is a reproduction and that .308 AK, and the Mini-G M1 (to name but a few so far) were never sold as military surplus. This thread and the milsurp thread are not the same thing at all. Why not post some pictures or just pass by the thread instead of being a busy-body with nothing to contribute? Seriously, dude, if you don't like a thread you don't have to post in it, especially to make a critique that's wrong anyways.

Do please continue with the battle rifle pictures...they're awesome so far! OldTex, I'm usually a big fan of the original-style wood stocks on M1A's but I've got to admit that JAE stock is pretty swanky.

[dak0ta]

Hey fellas, nice looking rifles you all got. I'm glad that I started this thread now as it seems to be a hit mostly. Feel free to open discuss, debate, or ask questions regarding battle rifles, I'm sure there are some experts among us.

Cheers!

[Girodin]

sooo... the springfields, FG42, PTR91, whatever PGT posted(I'm guessing a vepr of some kind?), enfield, M14, SA58, and m1 garand never belonged to any military force?

I'm pretty sure that none of the Springfields posted belonged to a military force. I'm positive the PTR91 wasn't. Those are not military surplus guns that have then been sold to civilians. They are guns produced for and originally sold to civilians. As such they are not mil surps (military surplus). And they never belonged to a military. They may be derived from designs that were/are used by military. That, however, is simply not the same as being a mil surp gun. I think you have a misunderstanding of what a milsurp gun is. It is a gun that is just what its name implies, a surplus military that is then sold. Guns like Moisins, 1903s, k31s, enfields, etc, etc,

so far every picture that's been posted with the exception of a couple M1as which unless you are a real nit picker could pass as a M14 reproduction would be passable as a military surplus rifle and therefore welcome in the milsurps picture thread.

In addition to the guns pointed out in post 29 as not being mil surps the saiga S308 isn't one nor is the DSA FAL. In fact only a the rifles posted in post 16 and the enfield in 17 are mil surps. As such lets not bicker further about whether there is some cross over between this and another thread. Enjoy it or leave it be.

[Ian]

Here's a couple more oddballs:

[Adam123]

VEPR 7.62x54R

[PGT]

OOOF. That's hot.

My first post was my Saiga 308 Version 21 (21" barrel, "normal" trigger group from the factory and thumbhole furniture) with a BeLoMo red dot sight.

Here's what I got to replace it:

[Trent]

Not a good cameraman.

But maybe this will induce cardial infarction in any trolling anti-gunners.





(Sorry some of the "junior varsity" got mixed in with the "battle rifles")

[AethelstanAegen]

Here's a couple more oddballs:

Ian, is the Enfield in the bottom picture one of the semi-auto conversions? It might just be my eyes playing tricks on me but it looks like there is a gas system structure added to the hidden side of the gun.

[Trent]

Ian, you've got some cool guns, dude.

How do you come across that rare oddball stuff anyway?!

[natescout]

WOOD AND STEEL...

[Ian]

Sadly, Trent, they are almost all guns I have fiddled with, not guns I actually own myself. I get my hands on them by being interested and hanging around advanced collectors for a long time.

AethelstanAegen - Yes, that's a British Howell semiauto conversion of an SMLE. (http://www.forgottenweapons.com/rifl...tomatic-rifle/)

Here's my favorite battle rifle...it's definitely not the best by any objective measure, but I just really like it:



Most early selfloading rifles are pretty awkward and heavy, but the Cei Rigotti really fit me great and was very nice handling (I didn't get to shoot it, though). Perhaps this has something to do with the designer having an infantry background rather than being a civilian inventor/engineer?

[GCMkc]

PTR-91k. Hits with authority.

[Trent]

Ian, every time you post a picture of an old gun that I've never heard of I waste a half a day looking for one to buy, only to be disappointed.

Most of my 'rare' stuff doesn't qualify as a 'battle rifle'.

I might be able to get away with this one, since I *could* actually shoulder it. Not very effectively... but.. I could.



Unfortunately (or fortunately, with the price of ammo!) mine is Semi.

I did get the opportunity to shoot a full auto at KCR once.

[1 old 0311-1]

[Trent]

I take it you are a Yugo M70 fan?

Nice guns.

EDIT:

Hey what pistol grip is on those lower two? Those look comfy.

[ifit]

Ian, really enjoy your videos, fan of czech firearms and came across one of your videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TTGC4zz6eA, if only they massed produced these i would definately get one. and the zh29 very interesting but the bolt release....

[MCgunner]

Chambered for 8x57

[Trent]

Nice Hakim!

[Ian]

Thanks, ifit. The 420S was a great piece of machinery, but in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[HorseSoldier]

Real Austrian StG-58 (part of the foreign weapons set we had for training back when I was assigned to the secret squirrel world).



HK 21 from the same source.



Japanese Type 5, their clone of the Garand that was never produced beyond a few experimental models (from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center).



Rhodesian parts kit built FAL.

[Medusa]

Those two are fun. I still have no love for G3, I can manage with it, but no warm feelings nonetheless. Other is Finnish, dated 1935.



Spent a lot of time with that, learning all kinds of ropes and hangs.



No explanation needed. Works just as well today as during those times.



As far as battle rifles go, I do like that the most, at least until my own SCAR-H or SSR.



I do have a secret fancy for the FG42, even a repro, but that has to wait a bit...

[dak0ta]

Chris Costa running an M1A