Funny Looks? and Milsurp Rifles

[Zeke Menuar]

Yesterday I went and did some window shopping for a bumming around rifle. Looked at several SKS, AK variants and some very nice Mosin-Nagant carbines. This brings me to my question. What kind of reaction do you get when hiking around the woods with a SKS, AK or AR variant, or some other type milsurp rifle? Especially some of the rifles that have been getting less then positive press lately.

Thanks

ZM

 

[AZTOY]

What kind of reaction do you get when hiking around the woods with a SKS, AK or AR variant, or some other type milsurp rifle?

I don't know i carry a pistol

 

[Greg L]

In the woods? Not much.

However at the range when I get out my M44 and extend the bayo the RO's come up and stick marshmallows on the end of it

Greg

 

[Benton]

I often hunt with an 1917 Lithgow SMLE, leading to very strange looks from others. Some people, it seems, cannot conceive of hunting whitetail deer with anything other than a scoped bolt action sporter or a 30-30 lever action. A good many people also have difficulty understanding why I would choose any opensight rifle for a hunt instead of one of my scoped rifles. It is certainly one of those things about which one can say, "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand." At any rate, the pleasure of hunting with the Enfield far exceeds any annoyance caused by receiving strange looks.

 

[Swampy]

When anybody gives me flak about my choice of weapon.... I just ask, "Have you ever heard of the Second Amendment"???

"You have"??

"You might want to check up on all the events and historical records leading up to it's adoption. Pay particular attention to the Federalist Papers. It's ALL about the citizens rights to defense against oppression and tyranny....... BUT you won't find ONE WORD written about the citizens rights to hunt".

Sometimes maybe it makes them think.....

Best regards,
Swampy

 

[foghornl]

Just like Greg L, I have gotten some funny looks and interesting questions when I shoot my Mosin-Nagant M-44 with the bayo extended...

"Hey, mister...how come you have that long skinny screwdriver bolted to your rifle?"

"It isn't really a screwdriver", sez me, while poking one of the 1-gallon water jugs I brought.

Look on kid's face..

 

[Mithrandir]

"Funny looks"......

yeah...and snide comments too!!


took a Mosen 1891 deer hunting a couple of years ago....

everyone had 30-30 levers....

I had cut down the stock because it was seriously damaged, reformed the foreend, filled the holes with plastic wood, sanded it all down and painted in a waterproof "Hunter Green) color....

that left the barrel hanging out "in the wind" so it looks like it is much longer than it really is (a 1891 is over a few inchs longer than a 91/30)

laugh...and laugh somemore....... I really got teased to the hilt!!!!

but the first day of the hunt, when all the boys were snug in their tree stands.... I took a fair-sized 6 pointer ...from the ground.....at 180 yards (approx... because I stepped it off)

Hit him in the front breast as he came up a small rise.... he flipped in the air once and never moved.....

used a 180grain S&B SP....



no one has laughed at the old Mosen since then....

 

[Dr.Rob]

Laughed?

No.

Backed away slowly speaking in a calm voice?

Maybe.

But that was my pal's reaction to me riding up on horseback swaddled in a military parka cradling an AK (we had been working predator control on a ranch).

If I'm hunting with the AK, even for varmints I use a 5 shot magazine.

But I do get funny looks and snide remarks when I sight in my 870 with slugs as a back-up elk rifle. They stop giggling when I shoot 100 yard bullseyes with iron sights. Slug guns are RARELY used in the woods of Colorado for deer and elk, though we do have a few shotgun only hunting areas.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I frequently hunt with a bone stock full-length Swedish Mauser (M96). Noone kids me because they all know I don't have a record of missing. My brother hunts our local German Shepherd sized deer with an SKS more frequently than he does with a .243. One time when I didn't have any other option I hunted the same local deer with a model A Uzi with hollowpoints, but didn't take a shot that trip.

I'll perhaps start hunting with my M44 Mosin Nagant this year after I get a little more accustomed to it. I have hunted with a Garand before, too.

It's better to hunt with a rifle perceived as an old klunker than to not hunt at all.

Don't let them bug you. At least you're out in the woods walking around with your firearm. It's better than sitting at a desk anyday.

Regards,
Rabbit.