BAR Clone vs M14?

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BerettaNut92

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I'm looking at the SLB2000 which seems like a Browning BAR clone.

It's 7.3 pounds instead of 9.something of the M1A Scout and has a 20" barrel and gas operated so hopefully won't kick like a mule like the HK91. You can get a $25 aluminum weaver scope mount so I can throw on an EOTECH or an Aimpoint on a cantilever for a quasi-scout set up.

The downside is the lack of tacticality (wood stocks), not as tacticool as the M1A and shorter sight radius, and only has 10-round mags and lack of flash enhancer so may not be as gentle.

I'm thinking I don't really want an HK91 because the ergonomics and weight and the SLB is almost 2 lbs lighter than the M1A.

I found one for $900 in .30-06. SLB....Skunkabilly Light Battlerifle ;)

Your thoughts?

Edited to fix smilies.
 
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Hoooah!

I checked again, they have 10-round mags available for .30-06 but not .308 yet.
 
I would guess that it would work as a scout-ish rifle. However...you're limited to 10 rounds...whats the manual of arms like?...is it reliable?...is it rugged?...

I dunno. Depends on what you want it to do.

Mike
 
I think this idea was floated on TFL once or twice... the consensus at the time was that civvie semi-auto hunting guns didn't have the same durability and ruggedness of military pattern rifles. Never having played with a BAR, I couldn't offer solid information on that though.

-K
 
Have you held one, to check the fit? Looks like a lot of difference in the sight line, comparing the with-and-without of a scope.

Browning has always had a great rep for reliability. Since the odds are 99:1 against ever having to worry about rolling around in the mud with a rifle, or needing a bayonet or needing to buttstroke somebody, the comparative "durability" compared to a true military rifle is small potatoes.

Art
 
Well, if "durability" refers to wear and breakage of parts, I'd bet the BAR would out-do a bunch of stuff. If you're talking about the number of shots between cleanings, before you run into malfunctions, I dunno.

:), Art
 
Although HK's SLB2000 (Selbstladebüchse, 'Self Loading Rifle') is intended as a sporting rifle, it could easily be commissioned as a 'Skunkabilly Light Battle Rifle'. But it would depend on the design of the magazines and their durability as well as the rifles reliability after it is shot hot.

The only way to find out is to buy one and put it to hard use.

edited: missing words
 
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Hey!!!! Those arn't REAL BARS! I doubt they even accept BAR magazines!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have the M1A, HK91, and Browning BAR.

Skunkabilly, what do you mean the HK91 kicks hard? John Shirley complains about its ergonomics too. I never noticed but then I never expected it to have the balance and fit of a fine custom rifle either.

The M1A on the other hand, has damaged my shoulder...once. For some reason, I don't think I was holding as I should.

Unlike some here, my Springfield Armory M1A has run like a clock through a couple of thousand rounds, so far. The HK91 has been in the family longer, and has eaten more without upset.

The Browning BAR has been my main deer hunting rifle for about six years or so. I've gone an extra special long time without cleaning it just to see when it would quit. It never quit. Hunting down in the swamp, it's been underwater twice. I have this talent for finding water that is deeper than whatever wader I happen to be wearing. Cleaned it after it went swimming...no problems. I've hunted in rain, snow, and ice with no complaints from the rifle. The finish on the receiver is wearing, that's about it. Mine's got the BOSS. While it is astoundingly accurate- sub MOA with factory non premium ammo-it is also astoundingly loud.
I don't know if I would buy another BOSS.
 
What is the sight radius on your Browning, is it like that on the HK SLB2000? The HK's receiver is actually plastic, I think. Either that or space-age techno-polymer :D

What's a BOSS?
 
The BAR is a fine rifle for sporting use, too fine. Military rifles have lose tolerances to increase their reliability in "dirty" situations. The best 30 cal out their for the price is the Saga 308. A beefed-up AK47 for around $300 with all the reliability AK's are known for. Why use an expensive sportscar if the job is best done by a 4 wheel drive that goes for less than half the price of the sportscar?:confused:
 
Skunky...

Thats not at M1918 BAR. Thats a civilianized Browning Automatic Rifle.
I guess it would be just fine, but since its a Browning, I would get a BOSS put on it for more recoil management. ;)

Couldn't you put the M1A scout on a diet? Fiberglass stock and no metal buttplate?

Or, you could go and work-out at the gym. :p
 
Thats not at M1918 BAR. Thats a civilianized Browning Automatic Rifle.
I guess it would be just fine, but since its a Browning, I would get a BOSS put on it for more recoil management.
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I know, isn't BAR = Browning Automatic Rifle?? :confused: :eek: It's not a Browning, it's an HK.

Couldn't you put the M1A scout on a diet? Fiberglass stock and no metal buttplate?
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Already has the paintchip stock and the rubber buttpad.

Or, you could go and work-out at the gym.
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I'm down to 115 lbs I need to get back to 120 dangit, too much top ramen.
 
Skunkabilly, what do you mean the HK91 kicks hard?
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Those were my thoughts as well. The HK91 is actually a pretty mild shooter for a battle rifle. If you can't take the recoil and/or weight of a HK91, you need to be hitting the gym and the protein aisle at the health store. :)
 
Couldn't you make egg-drop Top Ramen?

Cook Top Ramen like normal, at the last 15 seconds, you crack open an egg, drop it into the mixture, and stir it up to scramble the egg you dropped. That, and add a little bit of steak into it, and you have a yummy snack. :p
 
Eggs are good cheap protein. I do the same thing w/ ramen and eggs- also sometimes add some habanero to the water while it heats, and sesame seeds, if I have them.

I did find the HK 91 horribly unergonomic, and the FAL well balanced, several years ago...when I was about 10 lbs lighter and unconditioned by carrying around 33 lb mortars and such! (I seem to remember my PSS weighing a lot more than it does now, too.) When I handled a CETME (HK based the 91/G3 on the CETME) a month or so ago, it didn't seem quite as unwieldy as I'd remembered. Of course it still didn't balance like a FAL. :D

I opened this thread because of the BAR mention. Unfortunately, I'm mostly disappointed. The Browning Automatic Rifle that served our troops for so many years is my #1 dream (read: unattainable for us mere mortals) gun*!

John

*The irony is, that these weapons only command such a high price because of the ridiculous laws governing automatic weapons in this country. Aside from laws, surplus weapons like these would be cheaply available to the collectors and history buffs who would be their principal purchasers.
 
I know! That's why I was disappointed! ;)

Really, the Browning Automatic Rifle currently available from Browning is a beautiful and accurate piece. If you want a workable work of art, get one. Just don't expect a battle rifle.

John
 
Hello Everyone,

This thread reminded me of a conversation of yore I had with my gunsmith of many years. It was during the impending approval of the Assault Weapon Ban so the new H&K rifle was not out at the time. We were discussing politically correct semiautomatic rifles that were reliable and rugged enough to be pressed into service as a fighting rifle. The only one he endorsed was the Browning BAR. His only reservation was the limited magazine capacity.

This gunsmith does superb work on M-1As, AR-15s, M-1 Garands, M-1 Carbines, and Remington shotguns. He really knows his stuff and likes very very few designs in the world. So his opinion carries a great deal of weight with me on this issue.

My main problem with the BAR is that when you try to remove the magazine it is designed to hang onto the front of the mag well so it is not lost. If this could be modified it might prove to be a solid choice.

Does anyone know of a way to modify this part?

Does anyone make reliable extended magazines for the BAR?

- Anthony
 
OK, this is BAR as in Browning's HUNTING RIFLE, not as in the M1918 etc. US Army issued "squad automatic weapon", right? 'Cuz the two AIN'T interchangeable!

civvie semi-auto hunting guns didn't have the same durability and ruggedness of military pattern rifles.
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As in all the guys who go to Gunsite for a carbine class w/Mini14s, 'cuz they're cheapskates (like me! ;) ) and their rifles fail halfway through the second day, as opposed to the ones with AR15s, who make it without a problem, assuming they clean their rifles daily...

IOW, you should not buy a CIVILIAN BAR, or clone, expectin to be able to turn it into a milspec version. Yeah, it's a great rifle, but it ain't a battle rifle.

NOTE: Not a Gunsite grad--yet! I hope!--but I've heard too many stories, not to mention what Col. Cooper has written...
 
What does a battlerifle make, other than large caliber, heavy and ugly in a cool/tactical way?

Garands have limited capacity, as well.

I wouldn't be surprised that in my lifetime, evil weapons will be Federally registered. Dems seem to think the 2nd Amendment is about hunting, a 7.3 lb box-magazine fed .308 semi-auto politically correct rifle won't be a bad thing to have around.
 
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