Polar Express
Member
Hi, I’m new here.
To those who moderate this, a big “Thank you” for your efforts, and the opportunity to participate.
I have recently joined 2 forums discussing firearms. I already belong to other snowmobile and diesel forums, and the information available has been fantastic. The recent topic that drove me to the firearm boards ( I’ve spent the last week + reading several forums until my head was pounding searching for info) was the opinions and experience with the 7.62 NATO cartridge and the para-military equipment that gobbles it up.
Like many others out there, I expect the new political figures to push for legislation restricting these ‘type’ of firearms. While I whole-heartedly disagree with this, I want to hope for the best, and plan for the worst.
There are quite a few pros and cons with deciding what direction to go at this time, but this is what I have gathered so far, and I’d love some responses to add to this. Some of the features that are important to me:
• 18” heavy, fluted bbl to maintain longer range velocity and accuracy
• Collapsible or folding stock
• Rails on top for optics (ideally a quick release design)
• Rail options for forend for future accessories
• Magazine availability
• Access to wearable parts
There are 4 major design configurations:
• HK91/G3 and copies thereof
• Springfield M1A/M14 (are there any copies?)
• AR-10 and copies thereof
• FN/FAL and copies thereof
Have I missed any MAJOR designs? I want to stick with a major platform, for common sense reasons, parts/accessory availability being the largest.
HK
As a kid, I dreamed of an HK91, they do a nice job with their marketing. I got to hold a nice copy recently, and I was very disappointed that the ergos did not “feel” good in my hands. So, I think that one is out.
Springfield
I have no idea if anyone makes a copy of this. I did hold one, with more traditional wood furniture recently, and seemed to feel fine. Controls were reasonable to reach. Was not able to try different stock (I like the look of that Troy stock, but have no idea how it would feel). I also really like the reputation for reliability that design has in adverse conditions. I like how it’s an American product, that has a value to me, and that it’s likely the 2nd most common magazine available. However, I don’t like the ‘rock-in’ style of loading the mags.
AR Style
Right now, I have access to one of the ‘gunsmith kits’ made by Armalite. I like that it’s also an American design, but I’m concerned about a few things. Are the magazines proprietary? If they are, that’s a big minus in my opinion, but I really like the ‘funnel’ type design for magazine installation. The design is the simplest for a non-gunsmith (but mechanically skilled individual) to work with. To me, the reputation it has for being sensitive to the environment is bad, but the relative ease a lay-person can work on/with it is a big plus. Sure they look cool, but that’s not a very big factor at this time. I do like the ergos of the ‘in-line’ recoil design that Stoner produced, (not sure if he ‘invented’ that concept) the concept seems to have more ‘2nd shot value’ with the larger caliber of the 7.62 NATO than it has with the 5.56 of it’s smaller sibling. I have committed to take delivery of this kit, at this time, because it appears to be the least expensive way for me to at least get into this game, and secure this equipment.
FAL
I got to put my hands on a DSA copy of one of these, as well as an original. I preferred the grip angle that was installed on the DSA model, (I think it was the ‘saw grip’) but that is semantics, and easily changed. The rifle felt great. I like the ergos on this design. I also like the reputation for crappy environment function it has, as well as the plethora of parts and pieces for the metric design and copies. Lots of good and inexpensive mags make this a very attractive platform. The specific design I like is the ‘para’ version, with the recoil pieces in the upper assembly to accommodate a folding or collapsing stock design. Again, not a fan of the rock-in mag design.
I have tried to list things that are as factual based as I can find, and when opinions are involved, to stick with the most common opinions I could find. (eg: I’m sure somewhere out there, there is an AR type that can fire flawlessly when submerged in quicksand)
At this time, I do have limits on my funding. My initial thoughts and plans at this time, are to take delivery of the Armalite AR-10 kit, and try to find an upper receiver for a FAL platform, and at least (10) 20-round mags for each; and put them in my safe. Then work to collect the rest of the parts to complete both, starting with the parts that are more likely to be restricted, such as short barrels, collapsing stocks, bayonet lugs, etc.
I am curious what others might think about my choices, and my approach to this decision. I could spend my whole wad on one, nice gun that is complete, or, I could split my wad on 2 different platforms (each with pros and cons) and get the specific serial #’d components.
Is there anything that I have missed with regards to this?
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to reading the responses.
To those who moderate this, a big “Thank you” for your efforts, and the opportunity to participate.
I have recently joined 2 forums discussing firearms. I already belong to other snowmobile and diesel forums, and the information available has been fantastic. The recent topic that drove me to the firearm boards ( I’ve spent the last week + reading several forums until my head was pounding searching for info) was the opinions and experience with the 7.62 NATO cartridge and the para-military equipment that gobbles it up.
Like many others out there, I expect the new political figures to push for legislation restricting these ‘type’ of firearms. While I whole-heartedly disagree with this, I want to hope for the best, and plan for the worst.
There are quite a few pros and cons with deciding what direction to go at this time, but this is what I have gathered so far, and I’d love some responses to add to this. Some of the features that are important to me:
• 18” heavy, fluted bbl to maintain longer range velocity and accuracy
• Collapsible or folding stock
• Rails on top for optics (ideally a quick release design)
• Rail options for forend for future accessories
• Magazine availability
• Access to wearable parts
There are 4 major design configurations:
• HK91/G3 and copies thereof
• Springfield M1A/M14 (are there any copies?)
• AR-10 and copies thereof
• FN/FAL and copies thereof
Have I missed any MAJOR designs? I want to stick with a major platform, for common sense reasons, parts/accessory availability being the largest.
HK
As a kid, I dreamed of an HK91, they do a nice job with their marketing. I got to hold a nice copy recently, and I was very disappointed that the ergos did not “feel” good in my hands. So, I think that one is out.
Springfield
I have no idea if anyone makes a copy of this. I did hold one, with more traditional wood furniture recently, and seemed to feel fine. Controls were reasonable to reach. Was not able to try different stock (I like the look of that Troy stock, but have no idea how it would feel). I also really like the reputation for reliability that design has in adverse conditions. I like how it’s an American product, that has a value to me, and that it’s likely the 2nd most common magazine available. However, I don’t like the ‘rock-in’ style of loading the mags.
AR Style
Right now, I have access to one of the ‘gunsmith kits’ made by Armalite. I like that it’s also an American design, but I’m concerned about a few things. Are the magazines proprietary? If they are, that’s a big minus in my opinion, but I really like the ‘funnel’ type design for magazine installation. The design is the simplest for a non-gunsmith (but mechanically skilled individual) to work with. To me, the reputation it has for being sensitive to the environment is bad, but the relative ease a lay-person can work on/with it is a big plus. Sure they look cool, but that’s not a very big factor at this time. I do like the ergos of the ‘in-line’ recoil design that Stoner produced, (not sure if he ‘invented’ that concept) the concept seems to have more ‘2nd shot value’ with the larger caliber of the 7.62 NATO than it has with the 5.56 of it’s smaller sibling. I have committed to take delivery of this kit, at this time, because it appears to be the least expensive way for me to at least get into this game, and secure this equipment.
FAL
I got to put my hands on a DSA copy of one of these, as well as an original. I preferred the grip angle that was installed on the DSA model, (I think it was the ‘saw grip’) but that is semantics, and easily changed. The rifle felt great. I like the ergos on this design. I also like the reputation for crappy environment function it has, as well as the plethora of parts and pieces for the metric design and copies. Lots of good and inexpensive mags make this a very attractive platform. The specific design I like is the ‘para’ version, with the recoil pieces in the upper assembly to accommodate a folding or collapsing stock design. Again, not a fan of the rock-in mag design.
I have tried to list things that are as factual based as I can find, and when opinions are involved, to stick with the most common opinions I could find. (eg: I’m sure somewhere out there, there is an AR type that can fire flawlessly when submerged in quicksand)
At this time, I do have limits on my funding. My initial thoughts and plans at this time, are to take delivery of the Armalite AR-10 kit, and try to find an upper receiver for a FAL platform, and at least (10) 20-round mags for each; and put them in my safe. Then work to collect the rest of the parts to complete both, starting with the parts that are more likely to be restricted, such as short barrels, collapsing stocks, bayonet lugs, etc.
I am curious what others might think about my choices, and my approach to this decision. I could spend my whole wad on one, nice gun that is complete, or, I could split my wad on 2 different platforms (each with pros and cons) and get the specific serial #’d components.
Is there anything that I have missed with regards to this?
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to reading the responses.
How much do you reckon that accurized AR-10 is going to weigh? 
