Having the Battle Rifle Bases Covered...

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...before the battle begins.

I'm trying to garner a collection varied enough that I could be content should I never again be able to buy anything really fun after the next election. I have some of this stuff, but need more than half of it still, but I'm curious to get some feedback and hear what you guys think I am missing.

AR-15 M4 Carbine-style
AR-15 Standard 20" A2-style
AR-15 9mm SBR w/ tacticool mustard
AK-47 (Wood Furniture)
AK-47 (Synth. Underfolder)
M1A Standard
FN FAL-style (DS Arms STG58STD)

Italic - Need it.
Bold - Got it.

What I really want is basically a "great military rifles of the world" sort of collection. You know, celebrate diversity!

My personal thoughts:

Obviously, no Garand. I'd love one, but the M1A takes priority in my book. I think I can convince my old man to buy one anyway.

I can't help but feel like I should have some sort of "spaceship bullpup blaster" a la the Steyr AUG, FN FS2000, or something. Those things are friggin' expensive though.

An Uzi carbine, simply due to their iconic nature, and how recognizable and classic looking they are. Kind of useless though?

I need a G*^D@#% Thompson too. Those magazines cost an arm and a leg though. :(

Nothing really "HK Derived" in there either... I thought about a PTR91 instead of the FAL, but I could never do that.

What do you think, riflemen?
 
Yeah, you are missing the G3 HK. Love it or hate it, it is a classic MBR for a collector. I have the older CETME but it fits the bill :)

You also need a Dragunov/Romak style rifle to flesh out the Soviet collection. If you already have an AK-47 go for an AK-74 if you are a COLLECTOR, as the -47 has been "obsoleted" for some time now.

The semi-auto Thompsons have a totally different action than the full auto (same with the semi-auto uzis). So they are really just physical clones (and expensive ones at that). I'd go for a M1 carbine over the Thompson (and a Garand is mandatory!).

Another thought would be a .308 AR-10 style rifle.

I like the looks of the "Space guns" but can't justify their cost either. I'm hoping the cost of the FN2000 drops in a few years (can' think why it costs as much as it does anyway) or I may just stick to the standard config and go for one of the op-rod 5.56s like the Sig, Masada/ACR, or SCAR.
 
In your area of the world, you sure could benefit from some 500 yard, reach out and touch you distance.

Thus the 308.

Having both the M1A and FAL, in the flavors you have listed, I recommend the M1A as the first choice.

Both will get you to 500+ yards accurately, but the M1A makes the job a little easier out of the box.

Appleseeds are a great way to learn to take advantage of the 308's extra "legs", out to 500 yards. http://www.rwva.org
 
Where are the bolt actions?


I think you need a mauser, mosin, or an enfield in that bunch.
 
I know what you are missing. The forever beautiful FN-49. Preferrebly a Luxembourg.
 
Those magazines cost an arm and a leg though
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30 rd. Thompson mags are still reasonably priced, unless something has happened in the last couple of months. Drums, on the other hand...
 
Obviously, no Garand. I'd love one, but the M1A takes priority in my book. I think I can convince my old man to buy one anyway.
Click to expand...

*COUGH*

They say that one is none, and that two is one. You have two ARs. Get a BCG or two and leave it at that.

If you haven't looked around realistically at the world, ammo is through the roof. We aren't in want mode at this point, we're in need mode. I wouldn't be thinking extraneous calibers, but instead I'd be thinking about covering a few intermediates and one for long range. 7.62x51 has a great rep, but the best of it is a $1 a pop -- you really wanna go there? There are other calibers available for less that will do nicely.
 
Now for me, were I to seriously start a MBR collection, I would have to have these:

M1903
M1 Garand
Mosin-Nagant 91/30
Mauser Kar98k
...etc. :)
 
I'd hurry up and get that StG 58. There have been rumors for some time that the parts kits are drying up. I think they ran out of surplus barrels and are now fitting them with American-made barrels like those on the SA58 at no extra charge. The M1A isn't gonna go away anytime soon.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

I left out bolt-actions because I have a couple, but don't see them as being nearly as "endagered" at this point, i.e. I'll probably be able to build that collection later on. I love my Mosins though. :) Bolt guns are where things get really serious. I'm willing to spend good money on that M40-style rifle once I get to it.

I've also thought about a Dragunov or RPK variant as I think they're quite attractive, and ammo is affordable. I haven't looked too much into pricing on a Dragunov though.

I never "got" the point of the M1 Carbine personally. It screams "intermediate" in every day, I just don't see any inherent advantages over any other rifle. The "tactical" ones look silly to me, and the stock rifle looks too "friendly". :) Maybe someone can straighten' me out on the matter.

As far as the 9mm SBR goes, I just want some sort of suppressed carbine as well as some pistol caliber carbine, so the idea was to kill two birds with one "assault rifle". The fact that 9mm 147gr. ammo can be made basically SILENT is really appealing as well, not as relevant with rifle calibers either. I would love an MP5 clone instead, but they seem really expensive, and I don't know much about the clones.

None of these are intended for collection's sake, although I imagine much of my enjoyment will come from being the proud owner of such fine tools. They'll hold the value to me because of what I can do with them.

Does anybody have some insight on semi-auto MP5s, Dragunovs, RPKs, or other pistol caliber carbines?

What about the HK UMP 45 to cover the pistol caliber carbine/Thompson subgun/HK niche?
 
My own battle rifle rifle collection is nearly complete. One AK, three SKS's and 7 Mauser's. Just three more Mosin Nagant's and I'll have 20. I like redundancy in MN's...just in case one fails. :)
 
If it's a space gun you desire, you could consider a PS90 (ignores scoffs). Ammo isn't all that rediculous and can be hand loaded. Yeah yeah yeah, the 5.7 is not as potent as 5.56, more like a 17hmr. At the same time, it is compact, holds 50 rounds per mag, almost zero recoil, has the FiveseveN pistol to match and fits the Personal Defence Weapon very well. Cool factor of 9.5.

+1 on the Masada. +1 on the bolt gun, but I'd suggest a Rem 700 in 308 with good glass, Leupold or Nightforce.

Why the 9mm AR? I would just get a couple different uppers. (6.8, 50 Beowolf, ect)
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I think the 9mm AR is more like a cool toy as opposed to a good weapon. I'd go for the 6.5 grendel (1000 yards capable) instead of the 6.8spc and forget about the beowulf. Tons of energy, considerable recoil, falls like a rock after 200 yards. Unless youre worried about zombie elephants or terrorists wearing 1/2" steel plates for armor, the 50 beowulf doesn't (in my mind) fit the defence/practicality role that hasn't already been done by the .308 win. It does, however, have a cool factor of 8.5, so I dunno.

+1 on the drauganov (I think they're cool :evil:)

As far as the garand goes, I'd say it depends on if you are a Collector, or if you are trying to get a collection, aka a bunch of rifles.

Also: a suppressed full auto mac-10 (or is it 11?) in 45 acp :D

Just three more Mosin Nagant's and I'll have 20. I like redundancy in MN's...just in case one fails.
Click to expand...

You have 17?? Either you like to collect 'em, you are OCD or you're pretty worried that they are gonna fail... I don't know much about 'em but they seem pretty cool.

Edit: I see where you're going with the 9mm (after I read your other post)
 
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I never "got" the point of the M1 Carbine personally.
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The math may not add up on an M1 Carbine, but spend just a few minutes shootin' cans or whatever with one--i think it's about the most enjoyable rifle I've ever fired--including much more exotic full auto types. It may not be a choice for an only rifle, but they're a hoot.
 
I never "got" the point of the M1 Carbine personally.
Click to expand...

You gotta look back to its roots. It was designed to be a lighter weapon for non-infantry troops (see wikipedia.com). Like the PS90, it wasn't designed with the sporter in mind, it was made to fill a military/combat niche that other rifles didn't fill. Any aftermarket parts/stocks etc. are offered simply because people are willing to buy 'em; supply and demand. I haven't fired one myself, but I think they are cool little rifles worth thier grit for what they were designed for.

the stock rifle looks too "friendly"
Click to expand...

I'm willing to bet a rabbit wouldn't think it was friendly once you put a few rounds through him ;).
 
How about a humble SKS in the collection?

Other ideas:
Galil? MAS 49/56? Cetme? Daewoo K2? (are they still importing those?)

J&G has a reasonably priced bullpup AK derivative that might fit your space gun slot.
 
Well, you have .223/5.56 and 7.62x39 covered.

Personally I would get an Uzi over a 9mm AR, but thats me. A good 9mm gun is fun and 9mm is cheap to shoot. Between a Fal and an M1A....*I* would do a Fal. A PTR is nice but a bit more expensive then a fal last I checked, and tears up brass with that fluted chamber (I reload).

You want my honest opinion? Worry about becoming a better shot rather then getting more to shoot. I would add 1 .308, 1 9mm and then practice. :)

PS: Good luck finding a Dragunov less then 3k.
 
MDeViny, I had a similar list, but with they need to stock so much different ammo I narrowed mine to a pair of ar-15's, ar-10 in 308, looking for my second M1A. You can find 50rd drums for $239. Three calipers feed ten of my weapons.
tomgun.jpg.jpg
I have decided not to buy any imports.
 
Contrary to popular belief, the AR15 and AK are not battle rifles.

The M1, M14, FAL, and G3 (CETME) are battle rifles.
 
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