Range Toys: Draco/C39/PLR16

[Ducman69]

Hi guys! Already have my favorite Kahr PM9 for daily carry, and a CZ75, but would like to treat myself to a pure fun range-toy.

Trying to budget ~ $650, and interested in something with a unique "wow" look conversation piece that is fun to shoot with common inexpensive ammunition and is reliable (feeding issues and spending hours trying to get a broken firearm serviced aren't fun after all).

Some that had caught my eye:
Mini Draco (also available in chrome)

Centurion 39 AK Pistol

Keltec PLR-16


Thoughts or other suggestions?

 

[M2 Carbine]

interested in something with a unique "wow" look conversation piece that is fun to shoot

I have the AK pistol.






The Kel Tec PLR.






The AR pistol.




The 22 Henry and .357 Rossi mares leg.






The GSG-5 pistol.




and the Ruger 22 Charger.



All are fun to shoot and conversation pieces.
The 7.62 and .223 pistols definately have the "unique "wow" look". They would also be good car or house guns except for one thing. The muzzle blast is ear shattering. No way would you want to shoot them in an inclosed space (or outside) without ear protection.



Of them all I like the PLR the best, I bought two.
It is very accurate (2" at 100 yards).
Inexpensive, about $500.
Reliable.
Plenty of rail space to hang junk.
And has a no BS lifetime warranty.

 

[Girodin]

I'd get a draco or a mini draco and with your price range you should be able to SBR it and add a folding stock. 7.62x39 loses less performance out of a short barrel than does .223. The draco's will shoot cheap (relatively) steel case ammo, something kel tec tells you not to shoot in their guns.

One thing the PLR has going for it if you plan to keep it a pistol, it is lighter than the others.

 

[Ducman69]

WOW! To call that an impressive collection is an understatement!

Fantastic information, thank you, and that glowing recommendation definitely has me sold on the PLR then. BTW, would you recommend just enjoying it as is first, or recommend any "must have" accessories at time of purchase?

Edit: Thanks Girodin, yes I plan to keep this one a pistol, but perhaps would add a sling if it helps stabilize the weapon for free hand firing.

 

[Dirty Bob]

Honey,

Can I go play at M2 Carbine's house? Very impressive post, with great pics. Now I have to clean drool off my keyboard!

On topic: I've tried only the PLR, but the combination of mild recoil and good accuracy makes it a heckuva fun handgun to shoot. I recommend both plugs and ear muffs for protection, though, and suggest that you shoot in open air if possible. All of these guns are LOUD!

The .357 Mare's Leg looks like a lot of fun, also. I hope to try one, sometime.

All my best,

 

[Ducman69]

I am definitely sold on the PLR. On slickdeals they just had two threads for great inexpensive windowed 30rnd Pmags which I ordered, along with 1000rnds of .223.

What I'm having a harder time finding though is a decent price for a PLR that actually has em in stock online or in Houston, TX. Apparently the bigol pistol is more popular than I realized.

Interesting too, for about $70 more, some vendors are advertising a PLR-16R model which is just a "combo" that includes the factory:
1) Muzzle Break
2) Compact Forend
3) 1-point Sling
4) Shell Case Deflector Handle

Save for the case deflector that I know nothing about, they seem like decent upgrades. Hmmm.

 

[M2 Carbine]

BTW, would you recommend just enjoying it as is first, or recommend any "must have" accessories at time of purchase?

I like the bare bones look but you really have to install the forearm. May as well get the package. The muzzle break looks like the one on my scoped PLR. It has a heck of a side blast. The gun doesn't have much recoil but the break reduces that a little.

I also like a Phantom flash hider, Red Dot sight and I'm a fan of Streamlight TLR-2 laser lights.

A few more pictures of the PLR.






1/4 inch steel hit with the PLR.



55 grain Remington JSP bullet from the PLR compared to a 45ACP Gold Dot.



30 round magazine dump from 100 yards, standing, using Red Dot sight.



All that's left of the large muzzle flash after installing a Phantom flash hider.
As my friend said, "I see it but I don't believe it"
Doesn't reduce the noise a whole lot though.

 

[Apple a Day]

Second on the mare's leg