Help with a Hard Decision

[Dionysusigma]

Well, I've been working at a local gun store for a few weeks now, and have come across three rifles we have in stock that I simply must have. Unfortunately, I work in a gun store and have very limited means.

1) CZ 527 carbine, .223 Remington (~ $490). This is a nice little rifle, great for plinking or such. Iron sighted (good ones, too), 5-round capacity, and (from what I've heard) exceptionally accurate out of its 22" barrel. Seems kinda redundant to me, though, since I already have an autoloading AK in 7.62x39. Why would I get a bolt action carbine if I have that?

2) Armalite AR-180B ($625). Chambered in 5.56/.223, and irresistable since I've hated the direct-gas impingement of the AR-15 system. Takes easy-to-find mags, looks cool, and is also a handy carbine. Also runs the redundancy factor as compared to the AK.

3) Remington 1918 Mosin Nagant (Under $200). I used to have an M44. Sold it. Have wanted a Mosin ever since, but none never really caught my eye... until now. This thing is in amazing condition, perfectly shootable (per my own headspace checking). Bolt doesn't match, but everything else does. I love the Mosin design, but am really unsure since it's not in a modern NATO caliber. This might be a diamond in the rough, or might be just another old rifle. I've needed a higher-caliber bolt rifle for a while now... is this the one?

Help!

 

[PAC 762]

7.62x54 is dirt cheap. Get the mosin if you like them.

 

[iamkris]

Get the Mosin...the other two will be made for a long time to come...not everyday you come across an extremely nice mil-surp...yes there are millions of Mosin's out there but many are pretty pedestrian. Plus it is cheaper.

 

[dakotasin]

the reason for a bolt gun is accuracy, to answer question 1. of the three you have listed, i would avoid all 3 and wait for something better than run-of-the-mill to come in. you are in the perfect place for that to happen.

 

[CB900F]

Dion;

This would not be a problem at all for me, CZ all the way. I recently bought another brand of bolt-action .223 myself. Why not the CZ? Because at the time I bought, there were no CZ's available to me in left hand bolt.

That, however, has been corrected by CZ. My 452 America in LHB, .22 lr, is on order as I type.

900F

 

[Dionysusigma]

To be honest, I'm kinda leaning toward the Mosin right now, because it's a Remington. I've never seen one that looked like this before... and kinda doubt that I ever will. If it was just another Romanian or Soviet M44, I might've passed immediately, but this is something else. Octagonal receiver, weird rear sight, the fact that it's American.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'd go for the Remington Mosin, but pass on the other 2. Here's why:

The CZ .223; don't know where you're at, but in many states it is not legal to hunt with .224" caliber rifles. This makes a sporting weight .223 bolt action kind of useless. And even if it is legal, there are better choicesfor hunting. .223 is a varmint round, and should be chambered in heavy barrel varmint rifles. It is a plinker in the context of an autoloader.

The AR-180; yuck. You work in a gunshop, so surely it is just a matter of time before you can find an AR-15 for the same (or less) money. I think yu would be much happier with an AR-15 for too many reasons to list. Besides, the Ar-180 is kinda ugly and not all that ergonomic. And they can be had for that price all day, anywhere. But you can get hold of a standard AR-15 from any of the ABCD makers for only slightly more (~$800-$900). And since you say you have a problem with the AR-15 gas system (for whatever reason), there are plenty of other more appealing .223 autoloaders out there. Maybe it's just me, but I think the AR-180 feels clunky and cheap (and I'm an Armalite fan).

Ultimately, the decision is yours. These are just my opinions.

 

[NMshooter]

Save your money.

Sooner or later you will come across that deal that you simply can not pass up.

Or you will break down and join the rest of us dirty direct gas folks...

 

[CB900F]

Dion;

That sporting weight .223 bolt gun may not be legal for hunting deer, but it most certainly has it's uses.

A primo walking varminter. Very usefull for ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chucks, coyotes, feral dogs, etc. And not too shabby in the accuracy dept. either.

900F

 

[idakfan]

I'd also wait for something else... Instead of the AR-180b why not see about a good deal on an AR15? Working at a gunshop I don't see why you can't order from a manufacturer and get dealer prices!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

A REMINGTON Mosin? BUY IT.

They aren't a dime a dozen by a long shot.

 

[G.I.Jew]

go with the mosin...the Remington ones are kinda hard to find, and you might never see another one in such good shape. 7.62x54R is very cheap and widely available, especially surplus.

 

[Dionysusigma]

One question regarding the Remington Mosin. Is it supposed to have an upper handguard? This one doesn't... and it doesn't look like it's supposed to have one, either. The sights are weird, too. No front sight hood, and the rear sight has a sawtooth look on the sides that I've never seen on a Mosin. The rear sight is the World War 1 flip-up type that I guess is used for volley fire (either that, or Remington was overly optimistic about their rifle).

 

[Sam]

Dionysusigma,
The Remington is nice but hold off.
The one you really want is a Westinghouse.
That one is a bit hard to find.


The Rem and Westinghouse Moisins are Czarist era weapons, pre commie. that maks them much more desireable as far as I am concerned. Harder to come by. Ther is a bit ofddfference as you notice by the sights etc. Also made a lot nicer than your Rooskie product.

Sam

 

[Dionysusigma]

*sigh* Fate made the decision for me.

I was filling out page 2 of the new 4473 on a new T/C Encore in 7mm-08, and as I look over, I see one of my co-workers finishing a 4473 on the Mosin for some kid. Well, the "kid" was probably only a year younger than me, but still... :banghead:

All I could say was "You give that Mosin a nice home. Keep it clean." The kid just kinda shook his head with a rather flippant air.

It's probably going to be butchered.

I guess I'd better learn to never fall in love with something I'm trying to sell.