Boston T. Party's Battle Rifle

[boxcab]

Having recently read BTP's Gun Bible and his recommendation of an M1A in every home, and then pricing such a fine firearm, I find I can not afford it.

M1A's going for $1500 and up!

What would be a good semi-auto, 7.62 NATO, rifle that can meet the 500yd accuracy requirement? Is there something in the $500 dollar range that is reliable? $750? Less then $1000?

Looking for some guidance on an affordable BTP Battle Rifle.

Thanks,

Boxcab

 

[Deersniper]

Boston also talks about the M1 Garand right along side with the M1A.

 

[iamkris]

I got a "used" (actually never fired -- bought, safe queen then let sit) Springfield M1A Loaded for $1100 2 years ago. Keep your eyes out.

DSA StG58A for $800 -- have your transfer dealer order direct from DSA.

Imbel kit gun FALs -- probably < $750 - just make sure you know/trust the guy first and/or get to shoot it. Look for Imbel receivers.

Saiga .308 for <$500

 

[Spencer]

My local gunstore has an M1A for $500
May be used though.

 

[American By Blood]

I second the STG58 recommendation.

My FAL is a SA58 carbine, but had I lacked the disposable income I would have absolutely gone for the STG.

Have a looksee.

 

[taliv]

go shoot some CMP matches and get a club gun

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Saiga, now that 20 round magazines are going to be available.

 

[mkh100]

I had the same problem. I chose a PTR91 (HK 91 clone), anywhere from $700 and up.....cool thing is you can get excellent 20 round mags for $1-$2 a peice.The PTR is an excellent and accurate Rifle not prone to the problems you may find with other HK clones. I think that generally speaking the cost of outfitting and owning a PTR91 is much less than most other mag fed MBR's in 308. Here is a link to an article I wrote ......

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/jldptr91.htm

The M1 garand was also an excellent suggerstion. the M1 is the M1A's daddy so to speak and specifically they share the same excellent sights. Nothing wrong with an FAL either. A trouble free CETME would also work well....trouble seems to be finding one thats trouble free !

THe only really big drawback to the HK style Rifles is that it takes a special tool to make finite adjustments and zero your Rifle......of course once its done you wont likely need to do it again for a long time, if ever.

Good Luck
Mike

 

[Dienekes]

Second the M1 Garand idea. I have M1s and M1As, shoot them both with some frequency, and the only substantive difference is that the M1A can be set up with an optical sight much easier than the M1 can. Since I have not yet made that move it is always a toss-up as to which one goes out the door with me. I love 'em both.

The M1A/M14 has of course the 20 rd box mag, different gas system, and balances differently; but those differences don't necessarily translate into improvements. The Garand will run right alongside the later rifles all day long and put you at no disadvantage while it does it.

Check out the CMP website (www.odcmp.com) and the Culver Shooting Pages at www.jouster.com

Best thing to do is to find and take a CMP rifle clinic which is the most cost-effective education you will ever get on these rifles. A Garand from CMP may need upgrading but that too is part of the educational process and a lot of fun as well. And addictive.

 

[Onmilo]

So, where exactly is that used $500.00 M1A located?????

 

[Dr. Dickie]

I would assume he cannot answer, as he is currently down at the store waiting for them to open.

 

[P99guy]

Boston T Party and the late Mel Tappen, have a lot in common.....they could have written books on potted plants , or monkeys in the rain forest, or Bently automobiles, or the Space shuttle just as easy. As they use journalistic methods of gleaning the information from other sources, and listning to others war stories..then sitting down and writing the book.
I have met "Boston" as he would come into Cheaper than Dirt/ was friends with the owner Michael Tinny. I have never wasted a dollar on anything he wrote (because he is basically getting it from the same books and sources, magazines, you/we all do. Its not from any personal experiance as a Merc,cop, big game hunter, Jurassic park tour guide ect.) He does hate the police, so his how to deal with the police books may have some personal basis lol. I cannot tell you enough that I was not impressed with him.
And He probley has a copy of Mel Tappen's "Survival Guns" in his home library.

 

[mkh100]

P99guy,

I think what convinced me to appreciate the info presented in Boston on Guns is not the pedigree of its author, but rather a lot of great info in a concise and readable format. Nothing I have read before or since has been as singularly valuable as an independant resource. Most Mercs tend to focus on hired killing in a military unit fashion, most cops focus on arresting criminals, most big game hunters on....well you get the picture. That Mel Tappan lived in wheelchair and Boston has not seen combat does not take away from their work for me. Stephan Hawking has never to my knowledge been in space but he nonetheless knows a considerable bit more about it than I do.

If as you say Boston is not a likeable fellow that is too bad. I have had occasion to meet a few famous people and have mostly come away with a less than favorable impression of most of them. Thankfully I dont have to approve of folks in a personnal way to still be able to appreciate their creative and artistic talents.

Not meant as a flame but the guy was asking about Rifles, not Bostons character. Did you have any insight into the rifle question?

 

[P99guy]

well with Boxcab's budget, certain models of the FAL, and PTR91, and certainly a CMP M1 Garand would fit the bill for a .30 caliber rifle.
At the moment I have a L1A1 and a CMP Danish service grade M1 w/ the VAR barrel, and others. If the budget is totally tight, there are milsurp WW2 rifles that will still fit the 500 yard requirement/punch soft skinned vehicles without giving up too much. You can be a real pain in the rear with a K31 at 500 yards if you practice. While aircraft have made great strides and advances in 100 years..a sopwith Camel wouldnt have much of a chance against an F16, Firearms have not enjoyed that leap...a man with a WW1 vintage springfield 1903 can very easily kill a modern soldier wearing body armor and carrying the latest and greatist bullet hose at 500 yards.
Example:An Enfield fired by the "walbridge method" and fed with stripers can easily
do 15 aimed shots per minute.(more if well practiced) while not tacticool, its no laughing matter for the looters ect. It is still to a degree the the man behind the rifle more than how recent the rifle is that will determine the outcome. Please Do add "Testing the war weapons" By Timothy J. Mullins to your personal library
as it covers most all of what we are able to purchase in hands on tests..a decent read written with the idividual gun owner in mind .

 

[Derby FALs]

He does hate the police, so his how to deal with the police books may have some personal basis lol.

All it takes is one time of being railroaded by a thug officer and watching the blue line snap and cover for him. It's a real eye opener.

Having recently read BTP's Gun Bible and his recommendation of an M1A in every home, and then pricing such a fine firearm, I find I can not afford it.

M1A's going for $1500 and up!

What would be a good semi-auto, 7.62 NATO, rifle that can meet the 500yd accuracy requirement? Is there something in the $500 dollar range that is reliable? $750? Less then $1000?

Looking for some guidance on an affordable BTP Battle Rifle.

Thanks,

Boxcab

Hang over at the FAL files a little and you should be able to pick up a decent FAL for under $1000. A springfield M1A should be had for under $1300. It is the better target rifle but the FAL is so user friendly. Not quite as accurate but it will still fit the bill. Moses from the FAL files gives "Rifleman" Fred a run for his money quite often with his.

 

[boxcab]

Thanks everyone.

You all gave me plenty of reseach to do!

Re: The CMP. They appear to be down to rack grade rifles. My understanding that these would likely require some additional investment in order to end up with a reliable battle rifle. I'm jumping on the band wagon a little late.

Thanks again for all the help.

-Boxcab

 

[Stinkyshoe]

He does hate the police,

I don't think you are right about this. chapter 39, page 7 he includes several pages that lead me to believe that he respects good cops. And ofcourse his book "You and the Police" come from personal basis. Infact he even admits that much of what he includes in the book is from the numerous times he's been pulled over. I would like to know what you base your statement off of.

I have never wasted a dollar on anything he wrote (because he is basically getting it from the same books and sources, magazines, you/we all do

He condenses valuable information into a handy reference book and sells it for $28. This is much cheaper than buying volumes of books and subscriptions to 'gun rags' that often don't say much. He has been to Gunsite and ThunderRanch, and is qualified to talk about shooting and training. He provides his opinions based off of his actual experiences shooting/hunting, and those of us who have read his materials owe him a beer and a handshake. Oh and can he shoot as good as he talks...absolutely.

Ss

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Thoughts on battlerifles...

The M1A and Fal are both great systems. In my area, FALs can be had for $500-$600 if you look around. I know of a Polytech M14 is tagged at $875 (but it may require work, I don't know) As others have said, CMP Garands are a bargain at around $600.

So in accordance with your price ranges if I had to choose...

-->$500....Perhaps a Savage Md 10 FCM w/ a scout scope
-->$750....An Imbel FAL build with good parts
-->$1000..A used SAI M14
I know price can be a major determinant, but get what you really want/need rather than be bound by a strict price range. It may take longer to save up for, but it will be worth it in the long run.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I've read Boston's opinions, but I don't follow his advice (although, I already believed in many of his ideas). He's just like anyone here recommending something, except he wrote a book. Big deal.


If you can't afford a "battle rifle" whatever that means...then you should consider how much it means for you to have one. Most of us spend upwards of $1,200 on a computer. Around $1,000 a year for cell phone service. Most people spend a lot of money on things. Lotta people spend an extra $500 every year just for premium packages on cable. The money is there, if you're willing to sacrifice a little.


Many years back, in a prior era of firearm ownership, a firearm was MUCH more expensive than it is today. Wanted a S&W? It had to be hand made! That took time and labor. Many firearms, even if made with interchangeable parts and modernized machinery were still slow to build and had a lot more hands on labor. The cost was high. A firearm purchase was a much larger percentage of your income than it is today.


A firearm in those times though, was seen as more of a critical life's necessity. You didn't live on a ranch or farm and not have SOME firearm. The way we sacrifice to buy cars or whatever is crucial to functioning in life..the firearm was the same back then.


If you feel it is absolutely critical that you have an M1A 'battle' rifle for your home, consider it like buying AC for the house. Getting a new system costs thousands of dollars. Consider it like buying appliances. Make the sacrifice and get it. It's within reason for anyone. Especially in our modern day where firearms are CHEAP compared to what we make and spend.

 

[boxcab]

Yep,

Don't Tread On Me...

Most of us spend upwards of...

Thanks for the lessons in life. You may spend more on luxuries then I do. I am glad you can.

What I am looking for is the best overall value in a Battle Rifle (as defined in Boston’s book). I do not want flashy add-ons, or a designer name, that is why I am asking for what is considered to be the best value rifle that meets the Battle Rifle definition ( 20" target at 500 yds). I will spend what is needed, but not waste my money... I've done that enough already.

Thanks again for your input.

-Boxcab

 

[High Planes Drifter]

What would be a good semi-auto, 7.62 NATO, rifle that can meet the 500yd accuracy requirement? Is there something in the $500 dollar range that is reliable? $750? Less then $1000?
-------------------------------------



Nothing that I know of aside from a CMP Garand , and possibly a Cetme will fit your needs in the 500 - 750 dollar range. I paid 1200 for my M1A. Thinking outside the box here - have you considered an AR15 kit gun? You can build a brand new "kit" AR for right around $550-600. Ammo is cheaper than 7.62 Nato, parts and accesories galore, and the AR platform is considered to be a more accurate platform than the Garand (M1A) even at 500yds. I own both, an M1A and an AR. Tho I've never fired them at 500 yards, I have shot at 200, and I'll tell you what, I can hit pie plates more consistantly with my AR than with my M1A. Especially after both barrels heat up. I'm not a gunsmith but I think the M1A barrel may be to thin for extensive firing periods.

 

[bender]

how is that Gun Bible by B T Party ? I was thinking of ordering it somewhere.

 

[kfranz]

You can find a quality FAL for between $500 and $750 if you are willing to wait, watch, and snap it up when it hits the falfiles marketplace board.

 

[Onmilo]

Mr Party's Gun Bible is interesting.
Some good advice, some not so good advice.
I personally despise .40 caliber pistols but that's me.

I don't believe he hates the Police or any individual Police Officer.
He does appear to despise a Police State and as an American I am 100% in league with him on that issue.

 

[salty]

For your least cost purchase in a CQB rifle I would look at the Saiga 308 16" model and the PTR 91 in new rifles. Saiga rifle's cost less to purchase but magazines are higher priced at $35 for 8/10 rounders. $60 scope mount and $10 AK sling and you are in business. Wait on spare mags until the 20 rounders are out and "proven". A PTR 91 plus a bunch of $1-$2 mags., $15 HK sling and $175 B&T scope mount will get you set up. As you can see everything is a bit more with the PTR but you get 20 rounders that work now and a hand grip. Boston's book is available from Fred's stocks or Javelin press.