What New Rifle?

[USAF_Vet]

My initial vote went to the Garand, but I'd like to change my vote to the PSL.

Since you already own Mosion Nagant's the PSL makes sense, considering you probably already have a spam can or two full of 7.62x54R. Why change ammo just becuase you're getting a new rifle.

I've been wanting a AK based rifle, and also having Mosin Nagant's and plenty of 54r, the PSL just makes sense.

 

[Hal Carter]

DSA FN or PTR 91. This would be my choice too. These are true battle rifles, and even though they probably will not be used for this purpose, there are a lot of things you can do with a 7.62 nato. Either of these guns can be bought now for around 11-1200. You could shoot them all you want and still be able to leave your children a really nice gun that they may not be able to get some day.
Spare parts are easy to find.

 

[Cosmoline]

All right folks! You voted for it, and I bought it!



It's a gently used Colt AR-15 A2 "Government Carbine" model 6520. I don't know much about any AR's, but a little voice told me this one was skookum. It may have been the voice of the big guy behind the counter. Price was a bit over a grand, which is on par with what they're going for on GB and probably less than what they were selling for a year ago.

Did I do good? I'm going to test it out soon. It appears to be something Colt churned out post-ban to sell to LEO's only because of the AWB features. It has a scary warning label on it about only being for sale to law enforcement. But all that is moot since the sunset as I understand it.


Barrel twist is 1:7 which favors the heavy bullets as I understand it. Heavy being a relative term here. I picked up some 70-something match rounds that look to be about right. One question--the lower on this thing says "223" but the barrel says 5.56. I notice some 5.56 ammo says do not use in firearms chambered for .223, I guess because of the minor dimensional and pressure differences. Is this one OK to shoot both out of?

I can't see too much practical field use unless I get a new upper, but it will be very useful for two things--practice and training. I can do one of these tactical carbine courses now.

I kind of like the "old school" carry handle. I notice the new ones are all flat on top and many seemed to have no irons at all in the shop. I looked at a very cool little scope that fits right on top of the handle. Very clear image with a cross that magically lights up, but the thing cost nearly as much as the rifle!

Another question--is it OK to pop this thing in half for transport? There are just two little pins holding the upper and lower together, and if I remove them it's much easier to stow the rifle. Is that kosher? I'm used to hauling M39 Mosins and many pounds of 54R to the range by bicycle, so this should be comparatively easy.

 

[Dr T]

I would go with the MS. Get a full stocked carbine with the double set triggers. While I ma not wild about the 6.5 MS chambering (and would personally prefer something based on the 308 or 7x57 case because of brass availability--or even a 6.5 Cr), you do already have one box of brass.

I think that a MS carbine in 7-08 would be a pretty well-balanced little rifle.

 

[Cosmoline]

DR. T--I absolutely will one day, but the prices on those classics have gone out of my current reach. I like the 9mm ones as well. But the only M-S currently in reach are sporterized Greek surplus so I decided to wait on that project.

 

[chrome_austex]

You did great!

Absolutely, pull those two 'take down pins' and transport it in two peices!

That 1/7 twist should be ok for 55gr through 80 grain bullets and anything in between.

Forget what the lower says, if the barrel says 5.56, then that's a good indication that the chamber is 5.56 (allowing both 223 and 5.56).

Now go register for that class!

 

[Cosmoline]

Thanks! Kind of surprised me that this "high tech" rifle is using PINS to hold together pretty much like flintlocks 200 years ago. Actually in doing my initial cleaning and overview I've been surprised how simple this thing is. I'd been led to believe that AR's were these nightmares of complexity, but in fact the first level of the teardown is actually easier than an AK-47. Granted the malfunction flow chart on this thing is several pages long but I suspect the serious problems come if you let it get nasty inside. And that's true of most firearms.

 

[gotigers]

DANIEL DEFENSE V5

That is one of the finest mid-priced ARs out IMHO. Light weight, cold hammer forged barrel, midlength, great parts, etc.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Another question--is it OK to pop this thing in half for transport? There are just two little pins holding the upper and lower together, and if I remove them it's much easier to stow the rifle. Is that kosher?

Yep. I carried two uppers shooting, so no worries. One was a 24" and the other was a standard carbine. The 24" upper (now sold) looked just plain silly on a lower with a magpul ctr carbine stock, but it was the only way my sons could get a good grip on the rifle. Adjustable stocks are great for that tactical look, adjusting for different types of clothing and letting small children get in on the fun.

I kind of like the "old school" carry handle.

Me, too. I wish I had a detachable one. I can't get by without at least some backup irons. I like shooting with irons only most of the time. As a matter of fact, recent horsetrading has left me without any optics for my ar...at all.

Forget what the lower says, if the barrel says 5.56, then that's a good indication that the chamber is 5.56 (allowing both 223 and 5.56).

What he said.

 

[Skylerbone]

Also noticed you've got a B.A.D. lever on it (Battery Assist Device) which is not original to the rifle. I don't have any experience with them but you can google it for opinions, they do seem popular. If you get tired of irons which are great fun, take time in choosing optics. Anything mounted to the carry handle will have a single hole for attachment and is subject to movement.

Excellent purchase with money to spare and plentiful ammo.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Also noticed you've got a B.A.D. lever on it (Battery Assist Device) which is not original to the rifle. I don't have any experience with them but you can google it for opinions, they do seem popular.

I've heard good and bad things. Guys that take courses seem to love them. I've heard others say they've gotten debris jammed up in there. If you decide it isn't for you, mail it to me and I'll ship you a magpul pmag for harsh, alaskan weather evaluation

 

[Cosmoline]

I suspect there are better models out there (and more expensive ones), but this one looked like a good starter since I'm not sure about what I want to add if anything as far as optics and such. If I do end up with something tricked out in those chambers named after old Germanic folk tales, I'll likely get my own lower and upper. This one sounds like it will do well enough for basic range and training work. I'm going to zero it in tomorrow and see how it shoots.

The expanding stock is neat but doesn't expand quite enough for me. I'm sure there are some aftermarket fixes for that though.

 

[MikePaiN]

Cosmo., I've been toying with the idea of adding a NATO cal. rifle to my collection(now I only have a .30carbine and .22lr). Ever since I saw the new Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308win I knew I'd have to have one
These are extremely versatile weapons and would be great for many roles which seems like what you are looking for. At ~$750 NIB not a bad value either.
The reviews have been great...I figure adding ~$250 for a Bushy scout scope and this would be a good to go setup
...Did I mention its a great looking rifle..?


http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsiteScoutRifle/models.html

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/rifles/2011/02/petzals-take-ruger-gunsite-scout-rifle

 

[garyhan]

If you can afford a Mannlicher Schoenauer, get it now. You'll never regret it and it will never be more affordable.

gary

 

[CZguy]

All right folks! You voted for it, and I bought it!

Congratulations, that sounds like democracy in action.............hey wait a minute, isn't that how we got our current president.

I think that you are going to have a lot of fun with that rifle.