mstreddy
Member
Chicharrones,
Funny, I just realized I missed one on my list. I have a Bushmaster Carbon 15 in 9MM. It's scary light at 4.x pounds and is a true AR, except that the polymer receivers do not interchange with other AR's, and the mag well is molded in for the Colt pattern mags. But, it's an AR as far as the accessories, ergonomics, and take-down.
What a couple of folks mentioned above is true on the Just Right Carbines, they are ARish, not true ARs. But, the ability to switch calibers, and magwells from Glock to others is pretty good. I've thought of other ways to make an AR work in 9MM with Glock mags as I would love to have an upper that I could quickly drop onto my registered SBR lower. But, the magwell is the weak point of those ideas. So, have the Bushmaster, the JRC and a plethora of other PCCs in the safe.
I'll mention my thoughts on the Beretta Storm. When I first saw it, I was interested, when I first fired one at the range - I was HOOKED. Bought one that week. While the MSRP was around the $700+ range, it went for around $625 + tax. Later on, I ran into someone at a range that had a 40 S&W version that he wanted to sell. It was a good deal and I got it. I really like the ergos on it. It's a good shooting gun. It points well, it's light, handy, and pretty accurate. And as mentioned above, Beretta 92 and even 96 mags are plentiful. The ambi features are good and it's tool-less take-down for maintenance is great. It reminds me of the Steyr Aug and PS90. No tools, push a button or two, and you have the gun apart. Of course ARs have the take-down and pivot pins too.
Interesting thing though, I tried the 45 ACP version of the Storm, but I actually did not care for it. The recoil impulse of the 45 in that carbine felt weird for me. Not a big kick or anything, but a weird feel. I got the same feeling on the Kriss. Just did not like them.In the MP5 the 45 feels pretty good though, must be the delayed roller blow back action.
The Uzi is OK, but it's a heavy gun, with a heavy bolt and not really meant to be rifle length. The folding metal stock is rough to get good cheekweld on. But the mags are cheap and plentiful. It mostly stays in the safe though. One other thing on it. A year or two ago, I pulled it out of the safe to clean and check out prior to a range trip and discovered the plastic bolt buffer had deteriorated into little clumps of plastic bits. Luckily I was able to obtain a replacement and ordered a couple of spare springs as well. A buddy has a FA version and it's a blast, particularly with a can on the fun switch setting!
I'd say, that of all, the ones that make it to the range the most are the 9MM Storm, the Bushmaster, and either the Ruger PC9 or the MP5 depending on what my buddies want to shoot.
The Mech-Techs were OK, but I didn't like leaving the pistol frame in the uppers. So, they too sit at the back of the safe. In my case, not as convenient as I thought they would be.
The Thompson 45 Carbine is another beast -- 11-13 pounds, unwieldy, at least for me as I'm short and the length of pull is long, awkward for me. And did I mention it's heavy? And that bolt! Oh, and the mag changes? We've come a long way since the 1920s.
Oh, and I just remembered, I did not mention my M1 Carbines. When I posted the first message I was wondering whether to include or not in the list. I have a war baby Inland and a Universal commercial. They are a lot of fun.
I'd suggest that you shoot a few mags through any carbine you can get a hold of before paying your money. If you were down here in South Fla, I'd invite you to run some rounds through mine. You may need to plan a road trip!
Funny, I just realized I missed one on my list. I have a Bushmaster Carbon 15 in 9MM. It's scary light at 4.x pounds and is a true AR, except that the polymer receivers do not interchange with other AR's, and the mag well is molded in for the Colt pattern mags. But, it's an AR as far as the accessories, ergonomics, and take-down.
What a couple of folks mentioned above is true on the Just Right Carbines, they are ARish, not true ARs. But, the ability to switch calibers, and magwells from Glock to others is pretty good. I've thought of other ways to make an AR work in 9MM with Glock mags as I would love to have an upper that I could quickly drop onto my registered SBR lower. But, the magwell is the weak point of those ideas. So, have the Bushmaster, the JRC and a plethora of other PCCs in the safe.
I'll mention my thoughts on the Beretta Storm. When I first saw it, I was interested, when I first fired one at the range - I was HOOKED. Bought one that week. While the MSRP was around the $700+ range, it went for around $625 + tax. Later on, I ran into someone at a range that had a 40 S&W version that he wanted to sell. It was a good deal and I got it. I really like the ergos on it. It's a good shooting gun. It points well, it's light, handy, and pretty accurate. And as mentioned above, Beretta 92 and even 96 mags are plentiful. The ambi features are good and it's tool-less take-down for maintenance is great. It reminds me of the Steyr Aug and PS90. No tools, push a button or two, and you have the gun apart. Of course ARs have the take-down and pivot pins too.
Interesting thing though, I tried the 45 ACP version of the Storm, but I actually did not care for it. The recoil impulse of the 45 in that carbine felt weird for me. Not a big kick or anything, but a weird feel. I got the same feeling on the Kriss. Just did not like them.In the MP5 the 45 feels pretty good though, must be the delayed roller blow back action.
The Uzi is OK, but it's a heavy gun, with a heavy bolt and not really meant to be rifle length. The folding metal stock is rough to get good cheekweld on. But the mags are cheap and plentiful. It mostly stays in the safe though. One other thing on it. A year or two ago, I pulled it out of the safe to clean and check out prior to a range trip and discovered the plastic bolt buffer had deteriorated into little clumps of plastic bits. Luckily I was able to obtain a replacement and ordered a couple of spare springs as well. A buddy has a FA version and it's a blast, particularly with a can on the fun switch setting!
I'd say, that of all, the ones that make it to the range the most are the 9MM Storm, the Bushmaster, and either the Ruger PC9 or the MP5 depending on what my buddies want to shoot.
The Mech-Techs were OK, but I didn't like leaving the pistol frame in the uppers. So, they too sit at the back of the safe. In my case, not as convenient as I thought they would be.
The Thompson 45 Carbine is another beast -- 11-13 pounds, unwieldy, at least for me as I'm short and the length of pull is long, awkward for me. And did I mention it's heavy? And that bolt! Oh, and the mag changes? We've come a long way since the 1920s.
Oh, and I just remembered, I did not mention my M1 Carbines. When I posted the first message I was wondering whether to include or not in the list. I have a war baby Inland and a Universal commercial. They are a lot of fun.
I'd suggest that you shoot a few mags through any carbine you can get a hold of before paying your money. If you were down here in South Fla, I'd invite you to run some rounds through mine. You may need to plan a road trip!
