Ok, why do people spend 15hundred+, for a semi auto copy of a machine pistol?

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george burns

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It's not the money believe me, I just don't get the logic behind buying these copy's of automatic weapons, in a neutered semi auto variant? It seems to be a big market for these things which are really a glock or other 9mm pistol, with a 30-1 round mag. Do people think these are "cool" and why, "if you get it"? Personally if I saw someone pull one of these H&K mp5, or Sig MPX things out, I would be ready for a treat to the senses, not a single fire make believe gun.
No insult intended if you collect replicas.
 
If the money is not an object, as you say it isn't, then why not? If the price isn't of any concern to you then you buy what makes you happy, right?

The gun will look and handle just like it's original variant, just without the rock-n-roll switch. So if that kind of gun appeals to you, you buy one.

Some buy something like that intending to pay the tax and put a stock on it, making a handy little carbine.

If you don't think you'd enjoy any of those things, then you aren't the target market.
 
the H&K i get, as you can buy a registered trigger pack and be off to the races with essentially a new gun instead of a worn out gun made in 1986 or earlier.

i believe a lot of these get converted to full auto, particularly guns like the PS90, with little tricks or hacks or outright machined. so, while that risk isn't worth it to me, i understand why others would want them.

overall though, it reminds me of what my econ prof used to say, "if people were rational beings, they wouldn't buy pet rocks".
 
I don't really understand why even the Turkish made MP5 carbines and pistols are so expensive. When one can buy an American made PTR-91 for $800, why are base model Turkish imports $1500?
 
I don't really understand why even the Turkish made MP5 carbines and pistols are so expensive. When one can buy an American made PTR-91 for $800, why are base model Turkish imports $1500?
On that note, my doctor bought one of those Turkish machine pistols, it just had a plastic outer shell and a cheapo action thrown together. I guess I just don't understand why anyone would want one. May as well get a pellet gun copy of a machine gun.
 
I don't understand the appeal of full auto anyway. I spent enough time running crew serves in the military and it wasn't my gig. A wise squad leader recognized I was miserable and started sending me to marksmanship training courses and schools. I took pride in my precision and accuracy, still do. Then when I transferred units they made me a SAW gunner for the first time in my career. Why anyone would pay thousands for a semi-auto copy is beyond me as well.
 
I don't understand the appeal of full auto anyway. I spent enough time running crew serves in the military and it wasn't my gig.
Different strokes for different folks. I've emptied more than my fair share of ammo belts of various calibers during my military service and it's still something I love to do on my spare time, at my own expense, for fun. A pair of MG42:s on a Zwillingslafette, a few boxes of loaded belts and half a dozen spare barrels on a 1000-yard range with a bunch of small, reactive targets and I'm in heaven.

But that's just me and I don't expect anyone else to share my passion. I don't understand many forms of shooting sports and activities either but I fully respect the opinions of those who love them. It may cost something but, really, so what, nothing's free in the world.
 
If I had the money to blow, I'd do it. Because it would be pretty cool to me. Especially a CZ VZ61 Skorpion. :cool:

Yes, a Vz-61 in 7,65mm is my dream gun. Their are or were semi-auto stockless pistol variants made and I wouldn't mind having one. No way in hades I could ever afford a real full auto one.

Most people are in the same boat, they want something that gets them close to the real deal. And if you SBR them and pretend like it has a selector switch you just choose to leave on semi auto, they really can be like the real thing (if you squint and stick out your tongue just right). :)

But yeah, different strokes for different folks. I like muzzleloaders a whole lot. Others wouldn't dream of owning one, not enough firepower or tacticalness. It's just an individual want and desire, no need to rationalize it if you aren't personally into it, it'll probably never make sense (to YOU).
 
For the same reason they buy assorted milsurps and stuff like AR-15's. Or old cars. Or anything else. Because they can. And because they watch too much TV. Some of us have M1 Rifles because we saw 'em on TV.
 
Because the original ones are $15,000+.
Their ergonomic design is generally pretty good.
So If someone has $1500 to toss at something that just makes them giggle, sure. I wish I did.
 
Why? Because they can.

I for one would be happy to afford a semi-auto version of a .45ACP Thompson Machine Gun!
We have an M1 Thompson, like they used in WWII( not 1930's Chicago). It is very cool, I love it.. but we only take it out once in awhile. Its very heavy, literally a block of steel. I can't imagine having to carry it around all day ( it might be easier to carry a full auto version, heh heh)

Here's one I have a hard time wrapping my head around- the $40k over under shotgun. I think they sell them in the isle next to the ivory back scratchers.

Everybody's got their thing!
 
Yeah, I never understood it either.
I have no problem with them doing it, I just never got the attraction.
I have shot most of the common sub machineguns and I didn't like the real thing: I personally wouldn't want to copy one.

A buddy of mine built a semi-auto, Browning .30 belt fed "machine gun" clone out of a parts kit. I praised him for the workmanship and I thought it was a cool project, but in the end he had a really heavy/bulky/totally non-ergonomic .308 rifle. If you wanted to fire it, and actually hit something with it; you had to use a tripod to support it.
But, it was kind of cool as a conversation piece.

I was in a gun store's indoor shooting range, YEARS ago and some guy had a whole pile of various sub machinegun clones. He rented the store's chronograph and was compiling all this velocity data. He ended up shooting the chronograph. Undaunted, he went back in the store, paid for the one he shot, rented another one and ended up shooting that one too !!!!!! :what: All the while I am thinking, WTH is this guy doing ? It isn't like you are going to get some wild/interesting/exotic velocity numbers: they all had a 16" barrel. Shoot a couple rounds out of one of them, and you are very close to what the other ones are going to shoot. But, I guess he needed some kind of stuff to fill in the pages of the book he was writing. :uhoh:

But, to each their own. I have said many times, on this board, that not everybody likes the same things as everybody else and that is OK with me.
 
I can get the appeal of buying a wannabe machine pistol, but the price people pay for them bewilders me. $1500 for a blowback 9mm, what the heck, man...
 
Same reason for dating a hot chick even if she can't cook worth a darn.

Why buy an AR15 when it's just a crappy semi auto M4... or an M1A instead of an M14?? Buncha posers, if you ask me!!! These kids and their loud music. Where's my Milk of Magnesia??

One big difference is that an AR15 or an M1A function exactly like an M16 or an M14 other than the full auto capablity. They fire from a closed bolt, they have good sights on them, barrel length is the same...........................In the end, you have a very usable and practical rifle. They arn't heavily modified from the military version. In addition, they are purpose built to be as they are, they are not some heavily modified parts kit gun.

Contrast that with something like a Sten clone: the real thing fires from an open bolt, the semi auto version fires from a closed bolt. The sights suck. The barrel length is typically much longer in the semi-auto clone. (although it doesn't have to be if it is an SBR)...................
One part of this; FOR ME, is that (as I said before) the real thing leaves a lot to be desired in most cases. One exception being an HK MP5. Something like a Sten or a Thompson to me, wern't good or practical from the get go. They worked, but I wouldn't want one. That being said, I owned a Sten tube gun and that is one of the reasons they don't pull my chain. I know what it's all about. I used it to "compete" in our local club subgun matches and it fell well short of the mark.
 
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I just don't get the logic behind buying these copy's of automatic weapons, in a neutered semi auto variant?
Remember that the AR-15 started out, in the 1960's, as a civilian-legal semiautomatic version of the M16. People were asking the same question then.

Some automatic weapons, such as the M14, are more effective as semiautomatics. In the early 1920's, there was discussion in the Army of issuing the BAR in a semiautomatic-only version. And this might have happened were it not for the development of the Garand.
 
One big difference is that an AR15 or an M1A function exactly like an M16 or an M14 other than the full auto capablity. They fire from a closed bolt, they have good sights on them, barrel length is the same...........................In the end, you have a very usable and practical rifle. They arn't heavily modified from the military version. In addition, they are purpose built to be as they are, they are not some heavily modified parts kit gun.

Contrast that with something like a Sten clone: the real thing fires from an open bolt, the semi auto version fires from a closed bolt. The sights suck. The barrel length is typically much longer in the semi-auto clone. (although it doesn't have to be if it is an SBR)...................

No, I get your point with the closed vs open bolt, especially on old guns like the UZI or Sten and demand of a premium (because one means it is full auto). But what does open vs closed bolt have to do with the price as both have pros/cons when it comes to the semi auto build?? A civilian version is a civilian version is a civilian version.

But the SIG MPX was mentioned. It fires from a closed bolt in full or semi (to the best of my knowledge as I have never played with one) and is a pretttyyyyyy slick gun. The MP5 may be overpriced for the Turkish guns but an HK civvy gun is awesome and I would still want the pistol version with a brace for a sick pistol caliber carbine-esque firearm. Same with the Budget CZ scoprion (but I'm assuming that it isn't part of the discussion as it isn't a $1,000+ gun). People drop 3 grand on build Gucci-style AR15s, too. All are cool in my mind.
 
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