Gun Appreciation Thread

I've been getting away from potential gun collector-itis. Partially to pay bills, partially because my revised goal list includes potential moves to Portland or SF, neither of which would be a good place to haul a safe full of guns (even if they were all legal in SF).

By the end of the year I figure I'll be down to an M&P9, either a nice 1911 or HK45, an AR and my variety of .22s.

Originally Posted by milosz

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IBy the end of the year I figure I'll be down to an M&P9, either a nice 1911 or HK45, an AR and my variety of .22s.

So you are getting rid of your AUG clone? How did you like it? Did you get the one with the short 16" barrel?

If I ever decided to start collecting firearms of my time in the Australian Army instead of East Timor, that would be a nice start - a civi Austyer.

A friend had an HK USP .45

Very whiz-bang, but the novelty wore off fast. Something about that gun felt 'off' to me, but I can't place it. Maybe it's general blockiness, or the height of the bore axis.

HK certainly has a marketing department that nearly any brand in the world could learn from.

Originally Posted by JustinW

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So you are getting rid of your AUG clone? How did you like it? Did you get the one with the short 16" barrel?

That wasn't me, no AUG (or MSAR clone) here. I've never had much interest in bullpups - if/when I go 5.56 again it will be an AR or maybe a Remington ACR if they get it functioning, affordable and available on the civilian market.

Originally Posted by crazyquik

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A friend had an HK USP .45

Very whiz-bang, but the novelty wore off fast. Something about that gun felt 'off' to me, but I can't place it. Maybe it's general blockiness, or the height of the bore axis.

HK certainly has a marketing department that nearly any brand in the world could learn from.

Prior to the P30/HK45, I thought HKs were the worst expensive handgun going. Hard to source parts for, terrible ergonomics, no more or less reliable than a Glock that costs half as much.

The P30 and HK45 are great, though (except the DA pull is ridiculously heavy - even after a trigger job, my father's P30L pull is heavier than a stock Sig) - they've brought the bore axis down a lot, grip panels are almost too customizable (I don't know how I'd ever decide what size side palm swells I need). Customer service seems to be improving to boot.

Originally Posted by JustinW

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And speaking of IWB:

Here are a few pics I took of my Crossbreed Super-tuck custom holster after a couple months of breaking-in. I love the way it moulds to the body yet still gives the kydex retention and double clip anchoring. Adjustability for cant is great and I also have J-hooks for tucking though I don't bother with these (the clips aren't that noticeable to mot people are provide an excellent lock-down). I also got one of their custom gun belts in the same order.

Highly recommended!

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

Nice....

^ wow. That is actually one of the most discreet setups I've seen without going subcompact.

Originally Posted by milosz

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That wasn't me, no AUG (or MSAR clone) here. I've never had much interest in bullpups - if/when I go 5.56 again it will be an AR or maybe a Remington ACR if they get it functioning, affordable and available on the civilian market.

Sorry, my bad. Must have been Ace that got the AUG clone.

Just ordered an M16A1 parts kit (all brand new 1970s Colt) with new barrel and a retro lower receiver to match. Should be a fun project

Originally Posted by JustinW

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Just ordered an M16A1 parts kit (all brand new 1970s Colt) with new barrel and a retro lower receiver to match. Should be a fun project

I have done this (well, not with a '70s Colt A1). It is fun, doesn't take that long, and you learn a lot. Great confidence builder, from that point on, when you took a box of parts and made a gun out of them.

Originally Posted by crazyquik

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A friend had an HK USP .45 Very whiz-bang, but the novelty wore off fast. Something about that gun felt 'off' to me, but I can't place it. Maybe it's general blockiness, or the height of the bore axis. HK certainly has a marketing department that nearly any brand in the world could learn from.

Originally Posted by milosz

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That wasn't me, no AUG (or MSAR clone) here. I've never had much interest in bullpups - if/when I go 5.56 again it will be an AR or maybe a Remington ACR if they get it functioning, affordable and available on the civilian market.
My only experience with H&K is with the Tactical, which I really like, especially with a can. However, as with any polymer-framed pistol, I find it disconcerting how the rotary moment of the gun radically alters as the mag empties. ~ H

Originally Posted by crazyquik

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I have done this (well, not with a '70s Colt A1). It is fun, doesn't take that long, and you learn a lot. Great confidence builder, from that point on, when you took a box of parts and made a gun out of them.

How hard was it to press the barrel to the upper receiver? What tools did you use/need/buy?

Here's a pick I took in '96 of a very close friend during the war, with an early 70s vintage M16A1.



I guess my next addition will have to be an FNC, to complete the set, for the total living-in-the-past crazy-man collection.

Originally Posted by JustinW

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How hard was it to press the barrel to the upper receiver? What tools did you use/need/buy?
AR barrels aren't pressed in/headspaced the way 'traditional' barrels are. Eugene Stoner was a pretty sharp dude . . . A lot of people don't have a bench vice, which you'll need to buy or borrow. The action blocks just go into the vice and are contoured to match the AR upper receiver. You could make-do without them or use wood or something. A few punches. Pliers. Some tape. A hammer. You can totally build the lower in your kitchen or laundry room or wherever. You will need somewhere to mount the aforementioned bench vice though . . . probably not the dining room table. Biggest PITA was launching the little springs and detents across the room, losing them, and having to wait a week to get a replacement part that only cost like $.50 I seriously suggest looking like a dumbass when you do that part of the lower assembly; put the lower on the floor, hunch over as much of it with your body, and face the springs/detents toward a wall. That way if your hand slips and they go flying out . . . either the wall will stop them or they will bounce off your body. This thread has basically all you need: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 My build was a Civilian Marksmanship/DCM Service Rifle.

Thanks CQ!

I've got a complete assembled lower, so the main challenge will be mounting the barrel, front sight/gas-block, flash suppressor and of course parking the raw barrel. I'm an AR noob, but have done a few HK/CETME builds.

Originally Posted by JustinW

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How hard was it to press the barrel to the upper receiver? What tools did you use/need/buy?

Here's a pick I took in '96 of a very close friend during the war, with an early 70s vintage M16A1.

I guess my next addition will have to be an FNC, to complete the set, for the total living-in-the-past crazy-man collection.

one day we have to compare notes about training people in "developing countries " to kill each other.