What is your fav "battle" rifle, "assult" rifle type gun that you have owned? It must be one that you have owned because I want to see what people really think about certain guns. I know on paper or in my head, I liked some guns more than others but once I owned one, my opinions changed. For example, I used to think that the AKs were in every way better than the SKSs but now that I own both, I seem to perfer the SKS for shooting and the quality and reliablity is much better on the SKS. Also the Mini-14 was a big surprise to me that I liked it as much as I did.
Fav semi-auto "assult" rifle that you have OWNED?
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Spieler
Member
Absolute favorite was my SA SAR-48 (Brazilian made metric FAL). Classic and timeless FAL fit, function and beauty. No other rifle I have owned has fit me as well or has been such a pleasure to shoot.
Runner-up in .223 would have to be Valmet M-76W (wood stock). Classic AK action in .223 without the weight and expense of the Galil.
Runner-up in .223 would have to be Valmet M-76W (wood stock). Classic AK action in .223 without the weight and expense of the Galil.
lunde
Member
Galil AR (AK variant) in .223.
Keith
Member
Gosh, I've owned so many of those rifles, but the only one that has really awed me has been the FAL.
It's just so "right" in so many ways.
Keith
It's just so "right" in so many ways.
Keith
cslinger
Member
M1 Garand. That rifle has it all, classic beautiful form, wondeful cartridge, excellent balance, history, nostalgia and that wonderful PING.
Nothing quite like a Garand.
Nothing quite like a Garand.
C.R.Sam
Moderator Emeritus
Only three on the list that I have OWNED are the M-1 Rifle , M-1 Carbine and the FN FAL.
Neither M-1 Rifle nor FAL considered an "assult" rifle.
Both main battle rifles.
Used the M-1 Rifle in work and have owned a couple. Excellant rifles.
Own FN FALs, never used them at work. Seem to be Excellant also, probably even more useful than the M-1.
Owned a couple of M-1 Carbines, thought little of them.
Sam
Neither M-1 Rifle nor FAL considered an "assult" rifle.
Both main battle rifles.
Used the M-1 Rifle in work and have owned a couple. Excellant rifles.
Own FN FALs, never used them at work. Seem to be Excellant also, probably even more useful than the M-1.
Owned a couple of M-1 Carbines, thought little of them.
Sam
Keith
Member
An "Assault Rifle" is whatever the anti's say it is, and the FAL was specifically listed under the AWB.
You're right though, that it is more properly a main battle rifle. And that's probably why the rifle "awes" me in ways that other rifles don't. There is something about shooting a heavy round in a solid rifle that you don't get from AK's and AR's, etc.
Garands are nice, but without a detachable mag they can't compete. I've never owned an M14/M1A, but I suspect I might like one every bit as much as I like my FAL.
Keith
You're right though, that it is more properly a main battle rifle. And that's probably why the rifle "awes" me in ways that other rifles don't. There is something about shooting a heavy round in a solid rifle that you don't get from AK's and AR's, etc.
Garands are nice, but without a detachable mag they can't compete. I've never owned an M14/M1A, but I suspect I might like one every bit as much as I like my FAL.
Keith
DMK
Member
Actually, you mean "Assault Weapon". AWB stands for "Assault Weapon" ban and that's the term the regulations and VPC refer to. An Assault Rifle is select fire. :banghead:
Out of the rifles above, I have the AK (SAR1), Garand, FAL, Camp Carbine, and SKS. They all are great rifles and have their strengths and weaknesses.
I'd have to say the shorter 20" barreled SKS carbines like the Romanian, Russian, and Norinco are my favorite. These rifles are reliable, super easy to maintain, handy, light, powerful enough and accurate enough for most uses except target shooting.
Runner up for second place would be the Garand. It's light and handy for a rifle in it's class and has the reliability of the SKS. It's more powerful and accurate than the SKS so for some that may put it in the #1 spot. However IMO, it's a pain to field strip and clean. You also can't manually load and shoot it without Enbloc clips. 30.06 of the proper type is a bit more expensive and harder to find these days, so a .308 conversion would earn bonus points.
For third place, I'd have to say the SAR but it needs work to get there, mainly a longer stock and improved trigger.
As for the others, The FAL is too heavy, and the Camp Carbine too weak, although its a great replacement for a pistol under the right circumstances.
Kaylee
Member
Of those listed, I've only owned:
Ruger Mini-14 (stainless/synthetic)
SKS
AR-15 (bushmaster shorty)
M-14 (both Polytech and Smith Ent. versions)
Handled and fired a couple of the others.. but that's not what you were asking.
Of those.. the M14 was my favorite from a "do it all" perspective and general fun.
BUT if it came to a "trust your life to it" decision, I'd pick the Bushmaster. FOR ME -- it handled faster, shot straighter, and was more trouble free than either '14.
-K
Ruger Mini-14 (stainless/synthetic)
SKS
AR-15 (bushmaster shorty)
M-14 (both Polytech and Smith Ent. versions)
Handled and fired a couple of the others.. but that's not what you were asking.
Of those.. the M14 was my favorite from a "do it all" perspective and general fun.
BUT if it came to a "trust your life to it" decision, I'd pick the Bushmaster. FOR ME -- it handled faster, shot straighter, and was more trouble free than either '14.
-K
SodaPop
member
Mini 14
MarineTech
Member
Of the list the M14 is my favorite. I own 1 and I want more. Many more. I'm working on assembling USGI parts to have a second built now.
The M1 Carbines run a very close second place.
The M1 Carbines run a very close second place.
556A2
Member
I've only owned an AK-74 varient (SAR 2), but I've played around with the AR among others. If the AR didn't have a direct gas impingment system, the AR would be my favorite, but the AK still is my favorite. In fact I'm debating on getting a Bushy AR or an Arsenal AK as my next rifle. Just need to play with a FAL now.......
stevelyn
Member
Daewoo K-2. Incorporates the best design features from all the world's military rifles. Drawback is that too few were imported making spare parts scarce. Would like to see one made in .308. And I would donate my portside cajone for a K-1.
I am on my third AK, and I must say that I am not really all that impressed with them.
It is true that they are dead reliable, and they do look cool, but I still think that they pale in comparison to an Enfield or my M-39.
I now own the one I have more than less as a matter of principle.
The SKS is also a good gun, but still isn't really my thing.
My experience with the M-16 tells me that they will shoot, but that they can be finicky.
The AK still wins over them.
I would like to try/buy a FAL, but I don't have the cash.
It is true that they are dead reliable, and they do look cool, but I still think that they pale in comparison to an Enfield or my M-39.
I now own the one I have more than less as a matter of principle.
The SKS is also a good gun, but still isn't really my thing.
My experience with the M-16 tells me that they will shoot, but that they can be finicky.
The AK still wins over them.
I would like to try/buy a FAL, but I don't have the cash.
If you have shot a gun a lot and you are familiar with it, that sort of qualifies as "owned" in my book. For example, if you were in the Marines and were issued a M-16, while you didn't "own" it, you might as well have.
The point I was trying to make is, a gun that you have shot enough to really know if you like it or not. A lot of us have guns that we would like to have and in our mind it is the perfect piece but once we get one, sometimes it doesn't fit or for some reason we don't like it. OTOH, sometimes there is a gun that we never thought we liked and once we get one, we find out that it is perfect for us.
I have found that I prefer traditional stocks rather than the pistol grip stocks on AKs and ARs. I have had two AR-15s and I have one AK and they are nice to have around but I prefer my SKS for plinking because it feels more natural. The Mini-14 that I had was also very nice and I miss having it around but I can shoot it anytime I want since I traded it to my friend. I traded my like new MINI-14 SS for a Glock 21.:banghead:
The point I was trying to make is, a gun that you have shot enough to really know if you like it or not. A lot of us have guns that we would like to have and in our mind it is the perfect piece but once we get one, sometimes it doesn't fit or for some reason we don't like it. OTOH, sometimes there is a gun that we never thought we liked and once we get one, we find out that it is perfect for us.
I have found that I prefer traditional stocks rather than the pistol grip stocks on AKs and ARs. I have had two AR-15s and I have one AK and they are nice to have around but I prefer my SKS for plinking because it feels more natural. The Mini-14 that I had was also very nice and I miss having it around but I can shoot it anytime I want since I traded it to my friend. I traded my like new MINI-14 SS for a Glock 21.:banghead:
Daryl
Member
I sure like my M1A1, love the Garand; my AK sure is nice, cant say to much bad about my AR-15. I see you did not have the SVT-40 on your list. But, I would pick the FAL as my favorite. I traded my CAI FAL for a Kahr a few years ago. But I do miss my FAL. I think I will put a DSA on my next gun to get list.
Solinvictus70
Member
I had a Norinco NHM-91 that was a really accurate Kalshnikov clone with US made ammunition. The longer barrel and bipod made it a great shooter that I shouldn't have greedily sold.
Freightman
Member
I put down the SKS but the S.A. I love the most is my Extreem Hakim.
There is a NHM 91 at the shop that if it is still there after Christmas I am going to get (I am having to buy presents for the kids and grand kids)
There is a NHM 91 at the shop that if it is still there after Christmas I am going to get (I am having to buy presents for the kids and grand kids)
Gordon
Member
Arizona Response Systems made me the perfect FNFal IMHO. However I used to clean up regional practical matches up to 86 or so with my Williams tuned HK-91 with a Zeiss 8X56 scope. As long as you are going prone for nearly every shot the 11lb HK is the way to go . Otherwise the shortened FN weighs about 8 lbs for all around "assault rifle" use. Of course these are 'battle rifles' , but what the hey, it's what I would FIGHT with !
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